Re: Worth The Mission?

Agreed, it all hinges on the value of the mission. If you think
assembling ISS and servicing HST is worth it, then fly - and fly now; no
amount of tinkering with the foam will make the overall mission risk much
lower than it is already. Otherwise, don't fly, period.

Good summary.

Rand's contention, that the hand-wringing over whether to launch is a
symptom of a program of marginal utility (or perceived utility) is an
interesting one. A possibly related idea is that a grounded shuttle
is the best way to achieve "slow progress towards an ill-defined goal"
(Henry Spencer's phrase for the best way to keep a standing army fed).

As for servicing HST, I'm still curious how that is going to shake
out. That crew won't have the option of sheltering at ISS (I don't
know whether there are plans being worked to make a rescue by a second
shuttle - or even perhaps Soyuz - feasible. It is harder than the ISS
case because the wounded shuttle has to provide life support
unassisted long enough for rescue craft to arrive).
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Worth The Mission?
    ... A possibly related idea is that a grounded shuttle ... As for servicing HST, I'm still curious how that is going to shake ... That crew won't have the option of sheltering at ISS (I don't ... unassisted long enough for rescue craft to arrive). ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Bush cancels Hubble telescope rescue mission
    ... The point is that Hubble will continue to get used if repaired. ... you tell me why ISS is more important than Hubble? ... The closest thing is a shuttle. ... :>: Where did the money the Hubble repair mission was going to ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Bush cancels Hubble telescope rescue mission
    ... >But none compete with Hubble. ... Where did the money the Hubble repair mission was going to ... >To ISS, as I understand it. ... the new general purpose Shuttle bucket. ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Shuttle launch delayed until July
    ... It might even be the end of NASA itself, as Bush would really like to give "space exploration" over to the hands of the military anyway, rather than that pansy-ass organization that is trying to put up satellites to monitor the Earth's ecology rather than seizing the military high ground of space (did you read that Space Command "High Frontier Journal" BTW?: ... I can see why the astronauts like the idea of staying on the ISS until they can be rescued. ... the astronauts stated their concerns regarding trusting an in-flight repair during reentry rather than seeking refuge on the ISS until a rescue Shuttle could arrive. ... Contact NASA and tell them that you were all ready to get up in the morning and fly the repaired Shuttle back home...but aliens stole it in the night, and now you are stuck on the ISS and your only hope is that somebody sends up a rescue Shuttle to get you. ...
    (sci.space.history)
  • Re: What else could you do with the Stick?
    ... >>I fail to see the relevence to launch costs and ISS life support. ... based on a few launches of a brand new rocket. ... > (88 Shuttle flights, each with 2 SRBs since Challenger.) ...
    (sci.space.policy)