Re: Arguments for keeping shuttle around longer

Henry Spencer wrote:
> In article <1128283201.805567.264160@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Ed
> Kyle <edkyle99@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >The remaining orbiters are not "worn out". They have flown only a
> >fraction of their design airframe lifetimes...
>
> Careful here -- how the design lifetime relates to the actual lifetime is
> most uncertain.

Perhaps, but with Discovery we do have a kind of
precursor airframe test vehicle. Discovery has
flown 31 times and has not shown any career-ending
airframe fatigue problems. Atlantis has flown
26 times. Endeavour has flown 19. If canary
Discovery starts showing airframe fatigue, it is
very likely that enough life will still remain
in the two other orbiters to complete four or five
years worth of missions.

- Ed Kyle

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