the cost savings of shuttles failed to materialize.
(Imagine that, a government program promising savings that didn't........)
sorry. couldn't resist.
at any rate there is a commission that has met and provided recommendations on manned space flight. I got the preliminary, draft report (about 15 pages). The final report was just out last week at about 150 pages, which I haven't seen yet.
the bottom line is that planned US manned space program, as presently planned, is unexecuteable with the current programmed funding. A number of options were laid out which ranged quite a spread. most included the need for increased funding
(imagine that, a government program that requires increased funding.......)
sorry...
so this launch is testing the low end of the new booster family, which by the time it comes into service under the current plans won't have a mission (LEO to service the ISS).
but this booster plays big in most of the alternative options.
but no shuttle after 2011. It really did turn out to be too expensive to operate. Interestingly enough, some of the options discussed involve turning over LEO operations and suppport to the ISS to the private sector. So under this option, NASA would contract for space delivery services to LEO.
(goes off and refines proposal template.......)