(Sorry, I've been away for a while)

Honest, they need to keep it simple.

I remember seeing a post at the old MSNBC Space board where it mentioned a top manager at United Space Alliance working with one of NASA's plants in the design of a new shuttle. This 'new' shuttle looked very much like our current model, but it was or would be modified to all specs while leaving room for additional improvements. Our shuttle fleet is getting old, but staying alive with refurbishing... something old is bound to give. Sorry, I don't have the specifics on that post, still, it's the best idea I've seen so far (even after seeing these latest ideas).

Marcia