Donald Ernst said:

>If VSE is allowed to stand it could mean the end of
>manned space flight via a Apollo type public backlash.
>If a RLV is built instead it will certainly lower cost.
>How much I don't know, if it just cuts it to only 50% of a
>shuttle launch we have gained something.

To some extent I agree with Donald Ernst. Unfortunately "the system" was unable or unwilling to advance RLV technology beyond the Space Shuttle which is a hopeless dead-end. VSE represents an attempt to cut this Gordian Knot. Maybe(?) with a lunar program there might be an incentive to advance RLV technology and breakout of the $10,000/kg to LEO straitjacket. Unfortunately a much more likely scenario is VSE will devolve into Flag-and-Footprints on the Moon. At that point the Space Program will have been "done" like a Christmas Turkey.

I sure hope Mike Griffin can pull a rabbit out of his hat, walk on water or do something miraculous for the Space Program. Like Obi-wan Kenobi, he's our last hope.

Gary