Why are you being such a simpleton here? Think for a minute and you can easily see the answer to that. At this time there is still the very real possibility of future flights of the STS system!<br /><br />After 2010 and the retirement of all the shuttles, there will be no future flights. That IS the difference. <br /><br />How many will be needed to change the launch facilities over to the CEV, and then further needed when launches actually start would be anybodys guess at this time. <br /><br />What others don't seem to realize is there is such a thing as attrition, that is, people going to other jobs (not even necessarily in even the aerospace industry) itself. People retiring ( this is a much older work force), and finally (but hopefully a much smaller amount) people dying. I really don't think that the problem is anywhare near as large as people here think it is!<br /><br />Also, if the efforts of such as Burt Rutan prove out well, there could be launch facilities all over the country in places that don't even normally have launch facilities! True, less people would be needed at each of these facilities, but there would be more of the facilities themselves. These are highly technical experienced people, those that have to find jobs will do so!