The US retiring the Space Shuttle was a cost saving choice. It&#x27;s cheaper to pay the Russians for transport while we are developing a replacement that&#x27;s meant for longer range manned missions (Mars and the Moon).[1]<p>[1]<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;usatoday30.usatoday.com&#x2F;tech&#x2F;science&#x2F;space&#x2F;2011-05-15-space-shuttle-q-and-a_n.htm" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;usatoday30.usatoday.com&#x2F;tech&#x2F;science&#x2F;space&#x2F;2011-05-15...</a>