NASA suggested today that it may make the shuttles safer by either flying 
fewer astronauts or eliminating them altogether, turning the shuttles into 
robot spacecraft:

=======================================

WASHINGTON, March 24 — Despite the breakup of the shuttle Columbia, the three 
other ships in the fleet may be needed until 2020, a top NASA official said 
today. 

He added that NASA could cut the risks in later years, when the shuttles will 
be approaching 40 years old, by flying with fewer astronauts or none at all 
if a planned orbital space plane is ready.

========================================

Full story at:

   http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/25/national/nationalspecial/25SHUT.html

Wirt Atmar

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