Why is NASA still using the space shuttle and rockets, instead of ships like that Ansari X-prize winner's?

Answer 1

price and NASA has to do extensive testing and development to adapt the idea to their protocols they can't just say" great idea lets build it" it has to go through all the red tape. Remember NASA is a government agency after all, so it will never be fast. Besides think of all the contractors that have invested millions in the space shuttles, you change before the contracts are complete and either you pay huge penalties or you watch an enormous company with thousands of jobs go bankrupt.

Answer 2

The space shuttle with fuel tank and solid rocket boosters is too heavy to air launch. SpaceShipOne (the x prize winner) can carry two people to an altitude of 100 km. The space shuttle can carry 50,000 pounds and a crew of 7 to 390 km. Designing a replacement for the shuttle will take billions of dollars and several years, so whatever the shuttle's shortcomings, it's all we have.

Answer 3

You have to remember that NASA does run on a tight budget. Like other people said the space shuttle is much cheaper and can easily carry people to space and the space station. It can also carry supplies and equipment easily to the space station. When NASA decides that they want to use a new flying machine to carry people to space it will have to go through a LOT OF TESTING, before it can be classified as safe enough to carry humans into space.

Answer 4

The Space Shuttle is obsolete, but NASA doesn't want to change yet because it will cost too much money and cause too many people to do new work. It's a beauracracy.

Answer 5

space shuttles are much cheaper and reusable.

Answer 6

C0z they cheap

Answer 7

They just can't carry much weight.

Answer 8

how much weight and how many people can it carry. why doesn't KLM use 2-seat cessna's?

Answer 9

it costs too much