The answer is probably sooner than most people think. Space X, a private company founded by Elon Musk (who is also the CEO of Tesla ), is set to launch the Falcon Heavy in 2013 at Vandenberg AFB. The Falcon Heavy will be the largest rocket since the Saturn V and have a payload of 53,000 kg. The Shuttle only has a payload of 24,400.
SpaceX will also be making a Spacecraft called the Dragon, which can configured to support 7 passengers, and can be carried into orbit by the Falcon Heavy.
SpaceX will also have a launch pad at Cap Canaveral.
I'm sorry to see the Shuttle program ending and I wish we had a next gen Shuttle ready to go. But I'm happy to see that companies like SpaceX will be stepping up and providing the heavy lift capability our country needs.
Here is link to a video of the Falcon Heavy. Pretty cool imo.
Do you know how many Falcon 9 flights it is going to take to get the rocket man rated? I’ve read a total of 17 so it is going to be a while before America can send up its own astronauts again.
Two Falcon 9 flights down with only 15 more to go!