I found the article was interesting in that the blankets are used were ever a tile can not be adhered, in that it is used to fill gaps was also very enlightening. I am sure that this is very tedious work probably with equal wage one would hope for the task.

Note the high tech Singer sewing machines one dating from 1918. Who says that we would use anything old. Keep in mind that we will not be servicing the Hubble due to risk but we will keep using such old equipment.

The risk to human space program is that everyone appears to be in a holding pattern waiting for the commisions report to the president.

I say to all contractors that are currently used by NASA build the CEV crew transportation module and get it man rated in a hurry. By producing a product commercially rather than though contract awarding this one thing will lead to privitization and comercialization of space eventually. Rather than the current situation we are in though contracts.

Here are the specifications that I think should be used in the design and implementation.

1. Each company can put forth a design that can be used on existing rockets from either competitor or with shuttle C. Nasa to pay for which vehicle will be used as destinations and work to be preformed as needed by mission criteria so as to allow flexibility of launch such that we can keep going if say a shuttle style mishap should occur with one companies vehicle so that we can use the competitors for the same purpose. Not be in total hold mode with site of getting out of it without costing way to much.

2. Must be able to fit with in the current Shuttle cargo space 15 x 60. (would help with man rating of re-entry and other stuff while in orbit) seat a crew of 7 maximum though average crew will probably be less.

3. Capsule designs will have escape launch tower, boiler plate for re-entry, parachute desent once in the atmosphere and floatation if landing in the Oceans.

4. Plane designs will have thermal protection system and shell hardening for punch though deterent, Cabin crew module hardening for balistic re-entry if wings are damaged and not repairable, with same parachute and boiler plate recovery abilities as capsule for this case.

5. Both vehicle types must have repair capabilities or back up plans in place should the need arise.