I wouldn't. Not $100,000

Not 50,000

The orbiter would be exciting in a scientific prospect...

But I think if I had $100,000 to spare like that- I would pursue something that would pay off more scientifically than just the thrill of having "been in space."

I know. Im awful...

But all my life, since I was a wee lad, I've day dreamed about space and space travel.
The orbiter is usefull and good for humanity. But it's a baby step.

It's humanities of touching its toe in the water.
I'm looking forward to a return to the Moon. To Mars. Beyond. Almost to the point of being uncertain as to whether or not I'm glad I was born in this era; If I came too late (missed Apollo) or too soon.

I don't know if I'm making sense here.
But to me the orbiter isn't enough. Saying I went to space wouldn't be enough to justify doing it.

I'd LOVE to do it...
But it isn't enough.

If I was given a choice between being the bold astronaut who got to go up in the shuttle for two or three missions...
Or the guy who sits in a back room at NASA designing and developing projects to reach out into the solar system for life...

I would choose the latter.
Sure I can look up at the sky and day dream. Marvel and wonder like all our ancestors did, instead of having gone up for a couple missions. But in the long run...
Hmmm

ETA: I would also take a cut of that money and hire a typing instructor