Re: Orlando Sentinel Says it Has Moon Plan

Alex Terrell wrote:

2. I can see the merit in a new Shuttle Derived HLV, and the pros and
cons of this versus Delta / Atlas add ons have been debated here
extensively. However, this should make only limited modifications. An
in line configuration with the same SRBs would lift 75-80 tons. This is
enough to put 10 tons on the lunar surface, which is more than enough.
Such a launch must also aim to be significantly cheaper than a space
shuttle launch.
3. I'm not sure what the benefit of the stick is over exising Atlas /
Delta options.


I think the Delta/Atlas just come in too expensive.  I can't say
this is the wrong conclusion.

The SDHLV shouldn't need the manpower that's required to support
the orbiter, so I suspect it would be cheaper to operate.
OTOH, there are development costs, and the SSMEs that are
discarded(?).  I hope the SSMEs come down in price as their
production goes up (their use in both the Stick and SDHLV
would help there.)

I also hope the architecture is leaving room for use of future
launchers from SpaceX (Falcon V and beyond).

	Paul
.

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