Shuttle..?

Was it not President Bush who said he wants the Shuttle fleet retired by 2010? Then, what's there to stop the next US President this time nexd year from declaring a continuation, with even extra funding, for the fleet? Like was already mntioned, is there not a back-up or replacement craft waiting in the wings already? There's no sign of it (a new Delta flyer craft, wasn't it?).

Seanie.

It's all about money of course Seanie....

space.newscientist.com/article/dn13098

The Shuttle's old and it's expensive to keep it going past 2010. Orion won't be ready until 2015, so the economic solution to buy Soyuz rockets from Russia in the interim.

Whoever succeeds Bush, I don't see this happening!

Was it not President Bush who said he wants the Shuttle fleet retired by 2010? Then, what's there to stop the next US President this time nexd year from declaring a continuation, with even extra funding, for the fleet?

Because something better is needed. The Shuttles should have been retired years ago as unsafe, inefficient, expensive ways to transport people. But as you say there wern't many options to replace them.

The plan at the moment is to have Orion replace the shuttle, though its not going to be ready for use till 2014 at best.