Norman Augustine, chair of the Human Space Flight Review Committee, front center, is joined by other members of the committee, clockwise from left, Bohdan Bejmuk, Leroy Chiao, Dr. Wanda Austin, Philip McAlister, Dr. Edward Crawley, Jeffrey Greason and Dr. Christopher Chyba prior to the start of the first of several public meetings at different U.S. locations, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following the space shuttle's retirement. The committee wil present its results by August 2009. Members of the committee that were not in attendance and are not pictured are Dr. Charles Kennel, Retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles and former astronaut Sally Ride. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Norman Augustine, chair of the Human Space Flight Review Committee, makes a point during the first of several public meetings at different U.S. locations, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following the space shuttle's retirement. The committee wil present its results by August 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., at podium, addresses members of the Human Space Flight Review Committee, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. Seated from left are Jeffrey Greason, Bohdan Bejmuk, Dr. Leroy Chiao, Norman Augustine (chair), Dr. Wanda Austin, Dr. Edward Crawley, Dr. Christopher Chyba and Philip McAlister. The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following the space shuttle's retirement. The committee wil present its results by August 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Norman Augustine, chair of the Human Space Flight Review Committee, listens to a comment from the audience during the first of several public meetings at different U.S. locations, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following the space shuttle's retirement. The committee wil present its results by August 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Douglas R. Cooke, Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, at podium, addresses the Human Space Flight Review Committee, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe, innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following the space shuttle's retirement. The committee wil present its results by August 2009. Seated from left on the panel is Jeffrey Greason, Bohdan Bejmuk, Dr. Leroy Chiao, Norman Augustine (chair), Dr. Wanda Austin, Dr. Edward Crawley, Dr. Christopher Chyba and Philip McAlister. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)