Would Like To Operate Them Commercially Following Last NASA Missions

The United Space Alliance thinks shuttles Endeavour and Atlantis still have some life left, and are planning to bid to continue to operate the spacecraft after their final missions for NASA.

Shuttle Endeavour

USA estimates that flying the shuttles twice a year would cost about $1.5 billion annually.

USA Today reports that, if the United Space Alliance is successful, it would significantly reduce the expected gap between the last NASA shuttle flight and the next U.S. flight to resupply ISS. The company said it was an option that should be considered, since the shuttles are proven, mature technology that "we understand how to operate."

Shuttle Atlantis

USA officials are trying to not oversell the idea with their employees, calling the bid "very much a long shot." The company is down to about 3,900 people from a peak of 6,000 a few years ago. If the shuttle program ends, that could drop to just 1,000 employees.

The director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University calls the option potentially expensive, but a solid backup plan that would help achieve NASA's priority of keeping ISS running smoothly in the transition between the shuttle and what ever comes next.

FMI: www.unitedspacealliance.com