Washington: US President Bush announced to the grieving nation that despite the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia "our journey into space will go on".

"Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand." Bush said adding "our journey into space will go on".

Pointing out the risks that the crew took, Bush said in a day when space flight has come to be seen as almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket.

The crew of Columbia knew the dangers, but they faced them willingly, knowing that they had a high and noble purpose in life.

Because of their courage and daring and idealism, said Bush, "we will miss them all the more".

Seeking consolation in religion, Bush said that because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of the crew is "missing". Though the crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to earth,. "we can pray that all are safely home".

PTI