In 25 years, shuttle program never reached potential

It will be retired in 2010; new vehicle will be aimed at moon, eventually Mars

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

In the 1970s, NASA promoted the space shuttle as reliable, economical and safe as flying an airplane. It didn't quite work out that way.

During their 25 years of flight, the shuttles were often over budget and risky - as the Challenger and Columbia accidents demonstrated. And instead of the 30 to 60 flights a year, the most flights NASA got was nine in 1985.