Re: Delta 4 Heavy -- the engine for humans beyond LEO?

From: Henry Spencer (henry_at_spsystems.net)
Date: 12/15/04 

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 07:09:33 GMT

In article <iqvur01n1770kc7a36pqebbsninu4tm5ip@4ax.com>,
Brian Thorn <bthorn64@cox.net> wrote:
>>Why exactly is Delta IV in particular so wonderful? I don't get it.
>
>It might be worth a few points in that it is entirely non-polluting
>(well, as non-polluting as we're ever gonna get) compared to the
>kerosene-and-solids Atlas 5.

No, this is a myth. Neither water vapor nor unburned hydrogen is
"non-polluting" in the stratosphere -- both are harmful to the ozone
layer. And current hydrogen production is from natural gas, and it
releases more CO2 than burning the natural gas would (!).

Atlas V Heavy, the proper comparison for Delta IV Heavy, has no solids.

There's no meaningful difference in pollution from the two.

>Might come in handy when the
>environmentalists start coming after NASA for the high number of
>launches it will need for the new exploration program.

The launch rates are not going to be that high; launcher pollution will
remain, as it is now, negligible. The rational environmentalists know
this, or can learn it. The irrational anti-technology ones aren't going
to be convinced by claims that hydrogen is better. 

-- 
"Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend."    |   Henry Spencer
                                -- George Herbert       | henry@spsystems.net

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Delta 4 Heavy -- the engine for humans beyond LEO?
    ... >significantly heavier loads, has a substantially shorter launch cycle, and ... >Why exactly is Delta IV in particular so wonderful? ... It might be worth a few points in that it is entirely non-polluting ... kerosene-and-solids Atlas 5. ...
    (sci.space.policy)
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