Marshall Brain's Blog

[See previous]

What is interesting about this site is that it uses existing shuttle parts (external tank, SRBs) to create a completely different launch system for both cargo and manned vehicles. The cost of launch goes down quite a bit in the process:

SafeSimpleSoon.Com

From the site

By leveraging current Space Shuttle resources, the U.S. can get astronauts to/from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), an order of magnitude safer than we do today, for a very affordable cost on a schedule that avoids a "gap" in U.S. human space flight capability after planned retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010. The ETS also provides a cost effective heavy lift capability needed to do exploration of the moon and enable us to reach Mars and beyond. In fact, it is the lowest cost in terms of dollars per pound to LEO. In short, the ETS is a Safe, Simple solution the U.S. can have Soon.

The only fly in the ointment is that the Shuttle was supposed to launch both people and cargo into orbit at a much lower cost. It didn't work out that way in reality. Assuming that this idea doesn't suffer from the same delusions, it is a very interesting reconfiguration of existing pieces.

See also Crew Exploration Vehicle.