>>There's still the issue of finishing construction work on ISS... there are two nodes waiting to be attached to the ISS. What are the options of getting them to LEO? If they continue to use the shuttles, NASA is probably thinking about refurbishing.<<

They will be carried to ISS by Shuttle. Shuttle will continue to be operated alongside OSP.

>>If they go with the capsule idea while ISS is not finished (doubtful),
it may have to be a larger capsule (with larger parachutes) than we've had in the past. Several of you suggested sending experimental payloads that don't need human attention by themselves, an unmanned version of a capsule could do that job as well.<<

OSP (whether capsule, lifting body or winged body) will handle crew transfer functions and *light* resupply. It will be able to function as an unmanned cargo vehicle or a crew transfer vehicle.

>>As for repairing Hubble... didn't Hubble have it's last upgrade? Will it hold on without having repair needs until the next gen. scope is up and running. I'm sure we're all keeping our fingers crossed.<<

There's at least one more servicing mission scheduled, plus whatever deorbit option NASA selects. Shuttle will handle that.

Colonel K