<br />it's undoubtly a good news that VSE plan become "true money", but...<br /><br />1. this is only a little part of the money planned in many countries for space in next 20 years (probably over $300 billion in total), then, will be funds for many different projects and vehicles<br /><br />2. all technical details of vehicles and missions architectures was, are and will be decided by space agencies NOT by politicians... U.S. Congress may decide that NASA must send again astronauts on the moon but don't decide (and must NOT decide, for astronauts' safety) which is the better way to go on the moon or the DETAILS of vehicles and different architectures used, then, NASA may decide to build a 6x or 4x or 12x CEV, to use a solid state or a liquid fuel 1st stage CLV, to use SSME or not, etc. etc. etc... these are all NASA decisions!<br /><br />3. many of my posts are NOT about "moon or not", "spaceplane vs. capsule", etc. but only about MONEY SAVING and MUCH EFFICIENT MISSION ARCHITECTURES or... MORE (vehicles, astronauts, missions, moon exploration, etc.) for LESS (money and time)... well, I'm SURE that, if NASA will use different designs and architectures to SAVE money (and make MORE missions), President, Congress and American taxpayers may be only VERY HAPPY of any cheaper, smarter and efficient NASA choice!!!<br /><br />4. don't forget the (possible) influence on design and missions of (possible) international cooperations, privates, new ideas, alternative vehicles and rockets, etc... VSE plan covers 20+ years... many unexpected things may happen in so much time!<br /><br />