I don't want to get my hopes up, but perhaps some big changes are finally in the works at NASA.

The article mentions the resurrection (or is it continued heroic measures?) of Alternate Access, now retitled "Assured" Access, to be online around 2011. The implication is that this capability will take over for Shuttle on the cargo side, while OSP takes over the crew transfer functions.

Also interesting is the mention of the need to preserve the heavy lift capability inherent in the Shuttle stack:

However strong the call NASA hears to stop flying humans aboard Space Shuttles, NASA still sees the need to have a heavy cargo carrying capacity in place - just in case future projects should require it. As such, NASA is still reluctant to do away with the Shuttle system entirely. Alas, NASA has no identified heavy lift requirements after the ISS is completed to actually drive future planning. Discussions are being held at the White House on possible new directions - but so far these discussions are, only discussions.

I know I'm being overly-optimistic here, but one could see this as a promising shift towards privatization of NASA functions (AAS, in the form of Kelly and Constellation), and the beginnings of a move towards Moon or Mars missions.

I see this as an acceptable compromise position between where we are now (NASA monopoly) and where we should be (space as another branch of private industry) -- NASA (or some variant/substitute) extending the range of human activities through manned exploration and space R&D activities, and private enterprise taking over the nearer-to-home roles behind it as its focus moves outward.