From: dietz@dls.net   
      
   Ian Woollard wrote:   
      
   > a) the best ore is more common in non US countries, noteably Russia   
      
   Titanium ore is available all over the world.  It's a very common element.   
   Titanium ore costs only pennies per pound.  It's almost literally dirt   
   cheap.   
      
   > b) US workforce experience with dealing with titanium was not high   
   [...]   
   > As I understand it, problem b) was perceived to be quite important when   
   > building the Shuttle- workforce that had direct experience with titanium   
   > were mostly assisting with black programs.   
      
   Which doesn't have anything to do with putative shortage of titanium itself.   
      
   	Paul   
      
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