re:Shuttle
The Shuttle is essential for the delivery of the Columbus module to the ISS, the Japanese JEM module and the rest can be sent to orbit by either a Proton rocket or an Ariane 5 rocket...Jobs for the Russians and the Europeans.
And the HST repair mission too needs the Shuttle.
But isn't refusing to use the Shuttle again contributing to the risk averse mentality ?
It prooves once again France was right to build the Ariane rocket family.
Raoul