Thanks. Like I said, I heard them talking about it on the radio but didn't catch the exact number. But it's design lifetime was 100 missions.
This was the 28th flight of Columbia.
Probably so. I think that we have short changed the manned space program for some time. If we are truly committed to this endeavor--and I for one think we whould be--it is essential that we move every decade or so to consideration of a new design, with the expectation that the next generation of reusable orbiters will birth every 20 years.
That said, to support the massive cost associated with design and manufacture of new generation STS vehicles, we need to clearly articulate the civilian and military objectives and allocate the costs accordingly. The military and commerical sectors need to share the costs ratably.
While I am in 100% behind this program, I insist on accountability in all phases.