The predictable "oh-noes! The shuttle can't retire!" articles are beginning to appear. In addition to the problems mentioned in the article is one of capacity. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, NASA needs both pads of the 39 complex to make the Orion program work, and they're already doing some creative schedule juggling to ensure they get converted to their new tasks in time. As it stands now, 39A (scheduled as the Ares I site) will end up being a "hybrid" pad during the new system's development. Having the shuttle stick around longer will only delay moving onto the new program.

They were a cool solution to a difficult problem, but in my opinion it's time for them to go.