Re: USAF Heavy Lifter?

Michael Gallagher <mikejoe7g@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:4loqj1h3h3lfh7642jjmnalk4ljfgln7qs@xxxxxxx:

> I found the March SPACEFLIGHT and there was a brief item in there
> saying NASA and the US Airforce would both have to submit new plans
> for heavy lifters. Obvioulsy, the shuttle-derived boosters for
> Constellation are NASA's boosters. Any word on what the Air Force
> wants to do? Just curious.

EELV-derived, I would imagine. The existing Heavy versions
have good upgrade potential without requiring major changes
to the launch facilities.

Question is, what heavy payloads would the Air Force want to
launch that existing Delta IV Heavy vehicle can't already
handle? NASA's obviously made their choice, and there's no
indication of what commercial payloads would need beyond
bigger comsats.

If initially successful, I'm sure SpaceX will weigh in with
their proposals in due course.

--Damon

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