[Tree of Liberty]

ITA, the OV series should not be increased. I think new vehicles (which need to be made regardless of 2-1-03) should have technology and capabilites far above with the OV's were/are capable of.

[ARCADIA]

Perhaps we can combine the two and set up a space based Anti-ballistic missile program. Would it be cheaper to protect the country with a couple of orbital stations, or to build hundreds of ground bases?

[bonesmccoy]

You have an interesting thread going. I'm more than a casual observer of NASA.

Your point regarding ABM/BMDO is relevant.

Prior to merger with Boeing, MDAC had a X-33 program which was evaluating verticle take-off and landing rocketry. Lockheed's Venture Star program was also moving forwards with some innovation.

Private capitalization of spaceflight (either unmanned or manned) seems to have been factored out of the equation.

The White House needs to re-evalute the entire structure of our program.

We need to separate out innovation/R&D from commercial spaceflight.

STS was sold as a "routine" spaceplane during the Carter Administration. The Nixon era-goals for STS were warped by the Democrat liberals in the US Congress throughout the 1970's.

For those of you in California, you need to review the voting record of Barbara Boxer (who as a Congresswoman never voted for any NASA manned spaceflight appropriations bills).

Thanks for nothing Barbara!