What is to replace the current Space Shuttles?

[JonnyBoy12]

Not sure if this is the right area for this question, but will post it anyway? I am told on good authority that the Space Shuttles or Orbiters are they are sometimes known were to be phased out in 2010. Not sure if this is correct, but if so what is to replace them? I know that they use rockets to place satellites in orbit if they can, but this is not suitable for all missions. Do any of you ABers know what is to replace the Space Shuttle?

By the way do you know where I can see pictures of one of these riding home "Piggy Back" on the back of a Jumbo Jet? These pictures used to be in the news all the time when the Shuttles were first in operation, but we hardly every hear about them now.

Thanks, as usual, for your swift and helpful replies.

[bednobs]

http://www.google.co....+shuttle+on+jumbo+jet
for pictures

[sir.prize]

http://www.google.co....AQwAQ&biw=829&bih=437

[boxtops]

The NASA Constellation programme will take over from the space shuttle when it retires.

[bednobs]

and this site says it is to be replaced by orion
http://en.wikipedia.o...Space_Shuttle_program

[boxtops]

This page actually says both, now I'm confused - is Orion part of the Constellation programme (e.g. the next one will be Aries etc?)? http://wiki.answers.c...ace_the_space_shuttle

[Buenchico]

To try to sort out what's above:

The Space Shuttle programme was intended to be cheaper than using 'single use' space vehicles but it turned out that it was costing at least as much to refurbish a shuttle vehicle for a new launch as it would have done to build a new single-use vehicle. Further, the Shuttle fleet is now around 30 years old, so the technology of the vehicles is outdated. (Is anyone still using a 30-year-old computer?).

The Constellation programme WAS planned to replace to Shuttle programme, using Aries 1 and Aries 5 launch vehicles to take Orion craft into space. However the Obama administration has now put that programme 'on hold' (which is probably the same as saying that it's cancelled, because there's no funding for it and very little chance of any such funding being found in the future).

In the short term, the International Space Station will be reliant upon Russian Soyuz craft to get crew members and supplies to and from Earth.

In the longer term, the Obama administration expects the private sector to provide any craft necessary for America's needs.

However it should be remembered that, within the next 10 years, China will probably be the leaders in space technology and exploration. India also has similar aspirations. So it's quite possible that spacecraft from those nations will be used in joint missions with the USA, Russia, Japan and Europe.

Chris

[DTCwordfan]

Russian space launches

Sure Google Images has some shots. Or the NASA site

[flobadob]

Cool, some spacewalk images. http://triggerpit.com...lks-blue-sky-32-pics/