Re:Shuttle replacements (Score 2, Interesting)

And this is a bad thing? Older computers are more resistant to radiation, and any quirks are very well-known. Steel and aluminum may be "primitive", but once again, it is well-known how they behave under almost any conditions.

1. Technologies that were exotic in the 1960's-1970's have had a lot of time to mature since the shuttle fleet was built. While it may not be the Athlon 64, the Government is starting to manufacture
2. Radiation Hard Pentiums. Personally I would be much happier with a updated fleet of space vehicles with technology from the 1990's rather than from the 1970's. As I understand it, it is the cost per pound to lift something in to orbit seems to be a major expense. Hopefully a newer fleet built out of new materials would mean a more efficient system.