re: Probable delay in next shuttle launch
I just heard that. It's for that reason that I've always been skeptical about NASA's ISS lifeboat plan. They claim that in the event of an emergency such as a damaged Shuttle, they'd dock with the ISS and the crew would wait until a rescue Shuttle is launched. However, that would require NASA to launch a second Shuttle when the cause of the first Shuttle's damage is probably unknown. In a severe pinch, perhaps, but not too likely. You could just as easily end up with two stranded crews (or dead ones) under those circumstances.