Re: Can NASA survive another preventable accident?

On Jun 6, 9:27?pm, "Jorge R. Frank" <jrfr...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sylvia Else wrote:
Derek Lyons wrote:
Sylvia Else <syl...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

hall...@xxxxxxx wrote:
Oh and what of the future of the station? Is there a way to loft the
remaing segments?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_IV_rocket

According to that page, the payload to LEO is 25,800 compared with
the shuttle's 24,400.

Not sure about the payload bay's length though.

Or course what about the weight of the support systems needed for the
modules (they aren't passive cargo) and the weight of the manuevering
and control systems needed (the modules have no way of docking
themselves)?

D.

The Delta 4 has an extra tonne and half of payload. How much do the
maneuvering and control systems need to mass?

The dry mass alone of the maneuvering and control systems will be more
than 1.5 tonnes. Then you have to add the propellants. And the mass of
the structural supports (necessary because ISS modules designed for the
shuttle take structural loads through the longeron trunnion pins rather
than through the base as ELV payloads do), sensors, and berthing systems.

That is not to say that ISS modules cannot be carried by ELVs, only to
say that they will require expensive mods in order to do so. The only
exception is the Columbus module, which was designed to be compatible
with the Ariane V. Not coincidentally, that is also why Columbus is
smaller than most of the other modules.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

what plans were there for additional modules once the station was
complete?

.