The shuttle program is NOT closed as soon as the Discovery touches down. The fleet is merely temporarily grounded until the foam insulation issue with the fuel tank is resolved.
Although, I am astounded that wasn't fixed after all that's happened. NASA really has their head up their a$$ IMO. And there's an easy fix for this. The first few shuttle flights launched, had a smooth white covering over the fuel tank. But this was judged too expensive, so the flights afterward had the cover removed.
But HELLO, people have died because of it, and more still may! They need to stop listening to the bean counters, and do what's necessary for safe operations. Sheesh!
