The panel investigating Columbia, has stated that they want to change the status of the Shuttles from an
operational vehicle to experimental. They point out that even though the Shuttle has been operating for a
long time, that the number of flights is still fairly low- a jet fighter might have thousands of take-off and landings
before it's ready for operational status. What this means is that the Shuttles would have more have monitering, both in
flight and once it's on the ground again- and more importance the management of Shuttle would have a different
mindset.
I think this is a good idea. For one thing, I don't think NASA should have the job of operations of any vehicle or
space station- it's simply not NASA's job. So, simply from the POV of breaking a bad habit, this is good. Next, it
should in general, increase Shuttle safety. Next, it should generally affect how NASA thinks about other projects
and future projects. And rather than seeing this as an "increase in cost", it should seen as a cost savings- because
rather waste each Shuttle launch, you fully utilizing each launch as opportunty to improve the state the art of Space
flight and the fact that this is actually NASA's function.

Now, this is related to this is my idea of Water in Orbit and NASA exploration of the Moon. Water in Orbit is a program
to increase the reliablity of commerical launch vehicles- by govt paying for test payloads.
NASA exploration of Moon, should NOT be about building some base, but rather exploring the Moon to determine the
"minablity" of water at lunar poles. This is NASA job- exploration and lowering the threshold for the private sector to
utilize the space frontier.