NASA turns it's focus to R&D. The Space Shuttles are scheduled for retirement at a specific
date. Cut backs have reduced the number of NASA payloads, and there is minimal support for the U.S. space industry. Japan develops many of the NASA R&D projects into working systems for space industrialization. China develops a manned space program and a small space station. Your three choices are:
develop a U.S. space station,
Petition Congress to develop a new National Space Transportation Vehicle,
Further reduce NASA funding.
The X-33.
