But it's the world's greatest space station. If they were abandoning the ISS
and were only sending up shuttles to fix the Hubble the same people would
still be bitching about not saving the ISS. People just like to bitch.

I'm a very strong proponent of our space program, but the Space Station
was so compromised by the bureaucrats that it's become little more than
a political tool.

The fact is, the ONLY long-term reason for a space station is for use
as a launch point for interplanetary (or, eventually, interstellar)
travel. Sadly, the current ISS is in an orbit that does not allow it
to be used for this purpose.

As for the shuttle? It was a great idea that, again, was so
*******ized by the bureaucrats and politicians that it lost its
purpose. It should have been replaced a decade ago.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"