[tcrlaf]

So, we are basically back to the early Apollo days. Yippee...

[BenLurkin]

We want to get up there somehow, and I guess there's no sense in reinventing the wheel.

[tanknetter]

So, we are basically back to the early Apollo days. Yippee...

I wouldn't say that. If the goal is a space-taxi then a capsule is a good way to go. Remember that the Shuttle was more of a semi-truck to space. It never really worked out as planned, it had severe design flaws that resulted in the loss of two vehicles and 14 crew, and after Challenger was lost its two main raison-d'etres (hauling up commercial satellite payloads and NRO spysats) evaporated in favor of less risky options.

The truth is, unless (until?) we go for a single-stage to orbit spacecraft, capsules (or small winged vehicles like the X-37 and DreamCatcher) and expendable boosters provide the best value for the money.

[NCC-1701]

Despite the Apollo 1 fire Apollo 13 and the Apollo program was a huge success. Stick with what works. Can’t wait till we’re back in the business of launching humans from the Cape again.

[al baby]

My thoughts exactly “And Islamic ! has cleared the tower”

[CapnJack]

I would have figured by this time we would have something like this to ferry stuff back and forth to orbit. What's taking so long?!?