How does ShuttleCom envision NASA privatizing the Shuttle?
ShuttleCom will lease the three orbiters (Endeavor, Atlantis, & Discovery) from NASA for a given amount per year. NASA will pay ShuttleCom a fee for each completed mission. Discovey will be flown by NASA astronauts and ShuttleCom orbiters will be flown by ShuttleCom’s astronauts (as needed). However, many ShuttleCom missions will be un-manned. NASA will maintain ownership of all orbiters and will share the expense of the fixed costs directly associated with the Space Shuttle. ShuttleCom is free to fly non-NASA related missions. Please keep in mind that at one point 92% of the Shuttle workforce was already in the private sector. Please see the 2001 report by Shuttle Program Manager, Ronald D.
