Never thought I would live to see the day that American space shuttles would all be retired...with seats on Russian shuttles going for about 10 million each..American astronauts have effectively grounded for the next 5 years while private companies make their own shuttles to get astronauts to and from the space station. To me the question is..what is up there weshouldnt be seeing? Keep that question in mind in case all of a sudden China and Russia decide to ground their shuttles too. I just find it hard to believe that we are not going to be competitive in the space program anymore..since when does America give that stus up to anyone without a fight? I'm just saying it's a little weird..even with the future goals planned.