Re: Criticisms of previous NASA programs


*From:* SENECA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Date:* 05 Jan 2009 19:31:00 +0200

less for Apollo then STS. That the first flight of STS was already
manned
was an unusual risk (but hard to avoid). Specially as the STS
entered a
very new flight regime never used before.

The first (and only) flight of Buran was unmanned.

Yes, but is was more modern craft than STS-1 Columbia in 1981.
Columbia had a design problem in the RCS and would no have survived
automatic reentry. The pilot switched off the automatic and saved
the mission. That was not published then but I expect the Soviets
got some input from the US experience anyway. Buran was no copy
but probably used the same flight regime in reentry.

By "hard to avoid" I had other things in mind. Its obvious that
the shuttle had manned more chances to survive STS-1. Because in
the critical phase of reentry there was no way to remote control
it this times. Even today it wont be certain to work remote.

To risk the live of two pilots if you already risk a multi billion
dollar craft is not a far step. Years ago an expert here called it
a rational decision. But looking at Apollo 8 it seems the USA were less
hesitate to risk human lives than the Soviets. The US could be sure
on their global media superiority to sell their deaths as fallen heros
in a tragic accident for the advance of menkind.

With that in mind the US goverment could insist on NASA to go for
Apollo 8 and manned STS-1. I heard the NASA chief resigned because
of Apollo 8. This mission worked well, but was a high risk pushed
by propaganda only. The Soviets had to be more careful.



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