steve_o wrote:
I missed all the live action of this, but glad they got down safely and hope it won't be too long before were watching the shuttle again. It might be there time for the scrap yard now though, and don't hold out to much hope. They might end up going back to using rockets again, they might cost more but there probably safer as there built to order.
actually, its cheaper for 'throwaway' lifters, although it depends on how the accoutants calculate it.
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Next launch, no sooner than March, more likely July. The shuttle program is a mess, but there will be another 5-9 launches between 2006-10, by 2012 the new Saturn V equivilents will be coming on line, and then its onto Mars.
*the russians are soon to offer a $100 million trip to the moon (no landing, just an orbit around). Only 12 humans ever been that far away from Earth.
Calrissian: right now, would take a 1 way trip just about anywhere
