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Originally Posted by La Flames Fan

It's technology that's coming up 30 years old...with all the wonders of engineering that brilliant people produce every day, I'd say the shuttle is not the newest kid at camp.

Look at this engine being developed right now:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...html?full=true

Considering they're close to test flights of the Constellation program, my bet is they think it's antiquated too.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/co...ain/index.html

You had said that "form" of space travel was antiquated, the Constellation program is the same as the shuttle, just newer hardware. Incrementally better, but still the same form.

The ion engine is cool, something new, but it won't help with getting stuff off the ground; the thrust is far too small.