Study was done in the past concerning space flight cost. The conclusion was
that space flight cost will never come down close to jet flight cost.
Typical airliner flight consists of flying to point A to B, refuel, pilot
gets out and kick the tire, and fly back to point A. Typical space flight
is totally different. Space craft leave for orbit, come back, technicians
must go over and certify all systems for flight worthiness before the next
flight. That includes checking every inch of external surface. The space
system consequently has terrible turnover, not to mention capacity of
delivery is a fraction of system weight.

Emilio.

"robert arndt" wrote in message
om...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/01/sc...=1057636800&am
p;en=e08df88fc4310282&ei=5062&partner=GOOG LE

Rob