DarkNemesis618 writes "A US Representative has proposal that NASA keep the shuttle fleet flying past its planned 2010 retirement community date. The move would help NASA avoid reliance on Russian rockets during the gap between the Space Shuttle retirement community and the start of the Orion program. One proposal would keep the shuttle fleet flying from 2010 to 2013 while another would keep the fleet alive until the Orion program is ready in about 2015. 2011 marks the end of the exemption that has allowed NASA to use Soyuz rockets for trips to the Space Station, and they would need an extension to keep using Russian launch vehicles. NASA's other option lies in the private sector; but thus far, the progress from that quarter does not look sufficient to meet the 2011 deadline."

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Mark