Well it seems we'll be getting some details on the priliminary (Level 0) CEV requirements by the end of the month - it should be interesting.

So some of my questions have been answered that were posted on the 19th. "Here is those questions for since I have of the 2 months aniversary of the SEI announcement from President Bush.

1. Where are we on the time line for the CEV constellation developement?
2. Why have we not progressed further than we have?
3. What can we do to change this?"

level 0 . Basically, you describe the features that you want in the design but not necessarily the shape of the out come unless that is a stated requirement. If that is all it does then why did this step take 2 months to do. Will the next level take even more gross amounts of time to execute as well. This should be a lot faster to design what is needed. Since the opening bell of the web site both lockheed and boeing drawings were already available. I'm sure that both meet level 0 and more if both have been working on there respective design. I hope neither company has been just sitting back and waiting for NASA to make all the decisions.

Here is a save the HUbble thought. Recently several of the astronauts that had worked on the Hubble stated that it would be terrible lose. Due to not going back to make final repairs when the equipment for upgrade has been built and is ready.

I would like to propose a veteran crew from all four previous flights be assembled to go fix the hubble if they are willing to fly the shuttle still. I am sure that it could be filled with a crew from these previous personel listings.

Hubble astronauts trying to save it Greg Harbaugh, Tom Akers article from the Houston chronicle.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/space/2456278

Previous Shuttle Mission to Hubble number and crew info.

STS-61
Richard O. Covey (4), Commander
Kenneth D. Bowersox (2), Pilot
F. Story Musgrave (5), Payload Commander
Kathryn C. Thornton (3), Mission Specialist 1
Claude Nicollier (2), Mission Specialist 2
Jeffrey A. Hoffman (4), Mission Specialist 3
Thomas D. Akers (3), Mission Specialist 5

STS-82
Kenneth D. Bowersox (4), - Commander
Scott J. Horowitz (2), Pilot
Mark C. Lee (4), Mission Specialist
Steven A. Hawley (4), Mission Specialist
Gregory J. Harbaugh (4), Mission Specialist
Steven L. Smith (2), Mission Specialist
Joseph R. Tanner (2), Mission Specialist

STS-95
Curtis L. Brown (5), Commander
Steven W. Lindsey (2), Pilot
Scott E. Parazynski (3), Mission Specialist
Stephen K. Robinson (2), Mission Specialist
Pedro Duque (1), (ESA) Mission Specialist
Chiaki Mukai (2), (NASDA) Payload Specialist
John H. Glenn (2), Payload Specialist

STS-103
Curtis L. Brown (6), Mission Commander
Scott J. Kelly (1), Pilot
Steven L. Smith (3), Mission Specialist
C. Michael Foale (5), Mission Specialist
John M. Grunsfeld (3), Mission Specialist
Claude Nicollier (4), Mission Specialist (ESA)
Jean-Francois Clervoy (3), Mission Specialist (ESA)

STS-109
Scott D. Altman (3), Commander
Duane G. Carey (1), Pilot
John M. Grunsfeld (4), Payload Commander
Nancy J. Currie (4), Mission Specialist
James H. Newman (4) , Mission Specialist
Richard M. Linnehan (3), Mission Specialist
Michael J. Massimino (1), Mission Specialist

Before we can live off the land as it was put we must be able to do more than experimentation in LEO aboard the ISS. We must learn how to build what is need from the raw materials that are available.
To my knowledge we have not done any direct metal fabication projects, welding, smelting, drilling, lathing, tapping ...ect you get the gist. At this point even patching a damaged shuttle is out of the question. Nasa the clueless...
Have we built electronic gear while in space; even a kit built item would be a start I do not believe so.
Aside from a few green house projects that are currently running mostly thinks to the Russains little else can be said of the ISS and what will be of use from all the experiments that have been done.
Lets make what we do while in LEO more practical for survival also not just for the advancement of science.