Shuttles Won't Return to Space Until at Least 2006, NASA Says
By JOHN SCHWARTZ

"NASA had hoped to launch the next shuttle as early as September after suspending all flights until a foam problem is fixed."

Fifty to seventy-five launches a year. That's how many times the shuttle was supposed to be in use for it to make money. We could live with 50, more or less a break-even proposition, but the "science" gleaned was well worth it. Then came the Space Station. The shuttle now exists to resupply the station, and the station exists to be resupplied by the shuttle.

$1.3 billion dollars to launch each mission, and the program is losing money so quickly it's doubtful that even staying at a Holiday Inn would impart the wisdom to determine precisely how much.