You might say why should NASA make upgrades to the shuttles with only two years left in the old program?

However, the new manned space program, called Project Constellation, will use many of the features from the space shuttle program (officially called the Space Transportation System [STS]).

For instance, when the astronauts go up in space inside their new Orion capsule they will be powered to the International Space Station using an updated version of the solid rocket boosters (SRB) now used with the space shuttles.

This Ares I launch vehicle will contain only one SRB for manned missions into space, instead of two SRBs  currently used for shuttle missions. However, Ares will have a five-segment SRB rather than the current four-segment SRBs used for shuttle flights.

For the Ares V launch vehicle, which will take cargo up into space (unmanned missions), it will contain two five-segment SRBs and one modified external tank, similar to the ones used for shuttle launches.

The heat shield on the Orion space capsule will also contain a few thermal tiles like those used on the thermal protection system (TPS) of the shuttles.

In other words, even though the shuttles will be retired in a couple of years, the knowledge learned and experience gained now at providing for safer missions can be applied for future missions with the new Orion space capsules and Ares launch vehicles, all within the new Project Constellation.

For additional information on the new Project Constellation, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2014-2015, please go to:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/index.html.

In addition, take a look at the video provided by NASA on this Constellation webpage called "Return to the Moon: The Journey Begins." It is a good simulation on what it will look like to go to the Moon and explore its surface.