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TUCSON - There's only two NASA shuttles missions left for the United States and U of A scientist Marc Tischler can remember when the NASA program was at its peak.

Tischler said, "I was very lucky to be able to actually do three space shuttle experiments."

While Tischler remembers how it used to be, scientist Robert Erdmann is working on a NASA project that requires current shuttle missions.

Erdmann said, "We're working on a project to perform directional solidification in space."

Since the program is soon coming to an end, he's says there are other ways to get into space.

Erdmann said, "A different country's space program will be used to bring the experiments to the international space station and to bring them back down."

Although these scientists will miss the way it used to be and have to find new ways to get into space, they're hoping the U.S. shuttle program will return.

Tischler said, "I think now that it's coming to an end there's a lost opportunity to really study biology in space and it would be nice to see it come back."

The last shuttle launches are scheduled for September and November of this year.