Looks like there were no tile problems yesterday, and the ECO sensors performed as advertised.
It's kind of ironic that they seem to have finally wrung some of the last bugs out of the system just before they're going to retire it.
You know, given what a technical and economic disaster ESAS is turning out to be, I could be persuaded to extend Shuttle past 2010 at this point, and just wait for the private sector to take over its duties, particularly if the money would go toward a propellant depot and the development of lunar injection and landing hardware. I don't know what it would take to resurrect the contracts and production lines that have been shut down, though.
I could be persuaded to extend Shuttle past 2010 at this point
Fly it, to do what ? Just for continued employment ?
To support ISS. No more "gap."
I don't know what it would take to resurrect the contracts and production lines that have been shut down, though.
I know Boeing's been doing quiet studies of how to keep the Shuttle flying until 2020, for at least the last year. They never really believed it was going away. Other contractors have no doubt been doing the same.