What does losing this drone in Iran mean to us?

It means Iran China and Russia now have a sophisticated prize to reverse engineer

The Stealth radar coating/design and the hardware crypto keys used for all US drones

War is war and mankind knows a lot about war ! Military secrets have fallen into enemy hands before. Let's be realistic and agree that drone designers know that a drone that falls off the sky will likely fall into enemy territory. Therefore, drone designers for very sure included some self-destruct mechanism for critical components. They're not gonna tell us, but it would be senseless without this mechanism. So the loss of a drone is probably meaningless from a military point of view, but iranians will of course make a big fuss out of it, just like we would do if it was the other way around.

This vehicle was kept secret even from the American Public.

That can only have one explanation: It was STATE OF THE ART technology, and therefore almost certainly UNDETECTABLE to defensive systems which have not been forewarned of its approach. Also, if it can reach Iran, there is every reason that SIMPLY BY PUTTING THE COORDINATES IN THE OTHER WAY ROUND it would reach a Top Secret Base in the US. Therefore, it was Foolish in the Extreme for the President to demand its return, as if they now aim it and launch it at the USA - with or without a PAYLOAD - under United Nations rules they have merely been

COMPLYING WITH A DEMAND made by the US COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

It means we have one less drone. But there are many more where that one came from. Other that, it means nothing. I think the drone is sitting there waiting for I'madinnerjacket and the Eye-atola to pose for pictures next to it. Suddenly it will go BOOM, eliminating two nut cases in the name of civilization.

It is Iran going to Liberated be for 2012 will ENDS.

if you ask me, "the ball (really its "the drone") is in Iran's court now"

What the response/reaction/thought processing of Iran will tell you/us/the world A LOT about their leadership/ posturing/international relations/ skill in diplomacy and general intelligence.

Not much. They have been aware that we are (and continue) conducting those types of missions. They already had the "secret" technology that the downed drone contains.