In sci.space.policy Eric Chomko wrote:

At one point I really pictured ISS as some sort of cheaper Spacelab
replacement, when completed. IOW, instead of a shuttle launch for each SL
misson, many missions could be condensed into a single launch and the
many (rather than a few as from shuttle) expeiremnts could be carried out
on ISS, as well as being able to be longer than 10-14 days.

That, plus as an engineering platform for space manufacturing and testing.

That's exactly what ISS was designed to be, and it would be, if not for
NASA's institutional culture. It seems that NASA really really wants to
go to Mars, so the tremendous advance in space science that ISS is making
possible will probably not happen. 'Tis a pity.

Mike

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Michael Kent Apple II Forever!!
St. Peters, MO