Could the shuttles be redesigned?
The shuttle has proven to be very effective at LEO supply and construction missions, and I think we need to maintain this capability for future use. Could the shuttle design be made to fly without the SMEs being part of the orbiter itself, or are they such an integral part of the design that nothing short of new craft could be used?
I'd like to see a new heavy lift launcher be developed where the SMEs are placed under the ET, and the three remaining shuttles modified along the Buran model. Instead of the orbiter housing the main engines, it could have a couple of jet engines for limited atmospheric flight after reentry.