Wow america must be under hard times.
Scrap shuttle, replace with generic rocket.
PROGRESS.
Maybe im just being highly cynical, but the more i see of the worldwide disinterest for space exploration and colonisation, the more it makes me lose faith in humanity. Its something that is pretty much vital if we are to grow as a collective.
But then again, people are more interested in funding super lasers to kill guys in the desert armed with 40 year old assault rifles 
It IS progress though!
The Space Launch System (SLS) is the heavy-lift component to fulfill NASA's goals for the coming future, that is exploration of deep space by humans as well as the moon and eventually mars. Possibly even an asteroid. It will provide heavy lift capability, meaning heavy cargo as well as human space exploration capabilities BEYOND EARTH ORBIT. Something the shuttle could never, and wasn't design to do.
The shuttle was a antiquated system designed around technology from 10 years after the moon landing. They updated the systems over time but still there is only so much you could do. The new Orion capsule, which just started being assembled, is a work of art. Sure, it can't land under controlled thrust, but so what.
I still don't understand why everyone wants to go to Mars. The fuel to run nuclear fusion reactors is on the moon, not Mars.
Silly politicians, you're going to the wrong planet.
Wrong planet? Whats your suggestion? Venus,which would be interesting?
The Moon is not a planet. Though I agree with the sentiment. There are a ton of reasons to go to the moon first resource wise (Helium-3 for experimental reactors - the science still isn't there yet for a positive energy reaction) and as a launch point further way from Earth. However, exploration isn't one of them. Mars would be a new
planet. And because it isn't a complete vacuum, and has somewhat of an atmosphere, it's less hostile as well. None the less it is further away, but the hard part is getting out of Earths orbit.
Regardless, really the entire program promotes technological development in the space industry and space exploration. We reach new breakthroughs in technologies by finding ways to solve problems. Doing nothing, or doing the same thing over and over, doesn't provide nearly the opportunity for technological - and the result economic - growth as does actually
doing something.
