Extant Shuttle Options (Score 1)

Okay, this is going to sound a little odd, but just roll along with me on this for a second. So the shuttle can only complete 15-23 ISS construction misssions by the 2010 end-of-flight deadline. Fine. Finish those 15 or 23 or however many missions that the STS can actually get under its belt with the existing manned shuttle system. Then finish the ISS using unmanned shuttles, a la the Soviet Buran http://www.astronautix.com/craft/buran.htm/.

Buran launched, orbited, and landed on its single completed mission without a crew onboard. The Space Shuttle was built with such a capacity in mind, and the components of this system have been tested on several occassions, but it has never undergone an all-up test: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=10518 . Maybe I'm naieve, but perhaps we should refurbish and fully test this capability on the existing STS system before we rush into building a Shuttle-C or drop mucho $$$ on launching ISS components with Delta/Atlas EELV's or a foriegn booster. Once auto-shuttle components were in orbit near the ISS they could be retrieved and attached to the station by the station crew or cosmo/astronauts sent up in a Russin Soyuz.