Even if NASA cannot be persuaded to trust its astronauts to the private sector, there is a compelling case that it should offer open tenders to deliver cargo to the space station.

ECONOMIST: Lost in space

Experts from the National Transportation Safety Board, which has been investigating the accident, suspect that a cargo of more than 100 oxygen generators -- which provide oxygen in case of a cabin emergency -- contributed to the fire.

CNN: FAA releases ValuJet air traffic control tapes