After the end of the Cold War, NASA's big push was to replace the shuttle with a new reusable spacecraft capable of performing a wide variety of functions. But although NASA sought revolutionary change, it was not always forthcoming. A case in point is the Space Launch Initiative, aimed at developing the next generation reusable launch vehicle. The project was curtailed in October 2002 and ultimately canceled, after nearly $ 1 billion had been expended on efforts such as the X-33 and X-34 prototype test vehicles. Neither was ever launched on a test flight, and the related advanced technology work in structures, heat shields, and advanced high-performance rocket engines ended during the tenure of NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, to make room for Project Constellation.
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