[Destro]

In other words do what NASA was doing before the Space Shuttle program and what the Russians are still doing and what the Chinese plan to do.

[RightWhale]

Right. Rocket technology is getting better every day. You have a choice of environment-friendly kerosene or hydrogen for fuel, Atlas or Delta, and manrating isn't just a matter of getting to a level of reliability for the booster and saying it is safe to ride. I would sure like to see the old escape tower on top of the rocket I would ride. NASA could build and launch an old-fashioned Mercury, Gemini, or Apollo style capsule by the end of the year with no problem at all.