Space shuttle Discovery lands, ends flying career

So bittersweet to see the shuttle program ending. A little like seeing the Concorde-era come to a close.

What a waste! These ships were built for 100 flights. Discovery is the most used shuttle at 39 missions and 365 days in orbit. So now the USA will sit back while the rest of the world beats us in space exploration, technological innovation not to mention the psychological prestige that we have always enjoyed by being leaders to the rest of the world. Our President and Congress have no vision.

Actually, the orbiters were spec'd for 100 flights. Problem was, the shuttle program never fulfilled it mission. 100 flights each. 12 flights per year with quick turnarounds. The most they ever flew in one year was 9 times, then came what happened to Challenger. If you remember the report of the Rogers Commission, the decision to try to launch Challenger 'was flawed.' (I have other opinions on why the decision to launch was made, but I'll hold my tongue). And there were never more than 8 in a year (done twice in 90's) since. Then, of course, came Columbia's last mission.

IMHO, I don't think the orbiters would have made 100 flights. What I was advocating (not that I'm anyone of significance) was they need to build a new orbiter every few years to embrace the latest technology. Maybe find a way to replace those thermal tiles. Improve the engines. Maybe even change the configuration, move toward single-stage-to-orbit or a piggyback system ala "Moonraker" or Space Ship One. Perhaps give the newest orbiters greater ability - wouldn't it be nice to have missions to the James Webb Space Telescope (when it finally launches) or bring Hubble back home?

Just don't try to convince me that Constellation isn't like going from Concorde to a 747.

what i would like to see is having discovery retired and have atlantas and endeavor become the work horses until nasa comes up with the next generation of orbitors that can be able to carry men and women to the moon for a three month missions to establish a moon base and then come up with spacecraft that can go to mars

You guys have good ideas. Hopefully Congress will approve a couple more missions beyond the two that are scheduled.

Don't we have a bunch of Saturn V's laying around?

manboi i think there are still some saturn v rocket around somewhere

There's a Saturn V at the JSC (saw it on tour a couple of years back). Don't know what it would take to make it flight-ready.

Problem is, this day should have been foreseen (especially after Challenger) and prepared for back in the 90's, so the new system would be ready.

BTW - re-watched Moonraker. I referring to the beginning of the movie, where the shuttle launched off the back of the 747.