Re: CEV a Step Backwards

Mark Lopa wrote:
> But why don't we improve on this technology? This is technology from the
> 70s. We can't think of anything better than going back to 60s stuff?

NASA has plenty of plans for an improved shuttle. They even have plenty
of plans on upgrading the current shuttles, and in fact, the remaining
shuttles are quite different from what they were back in the early
1980s. Much of tile system was reworked and blankets replacing tiles
over much area.

> a spacecraft that goes from 150 miles up and lands on a runway in an hour,
> and now we're going to go back to splashing down in the water or slamming
> into a field? What a joke.

No. The real problem is that you have a spacecraft capable of doing work
in space. Think of it as a glorified tonka truck. The CEV is just a
capsule with no ability to build anything, nor return any sizeable cargo
back to earth.

Replacing the shuttle will also require at the very least a space tug
(similar to the progress and ATV orbital propulsion/guidance module) as
well as automated berthing capability.

Also consider the launch sequence of building a new space station or
mars expedition ship. You send the first module equivalent to Zaria. You
then launch the arm. How does the arm get installed ? Without the arm,
you can't berth new modules. You can't install the bigger solar arrays
etc etc.

>NASA should realize this now and make good on the space shuttle.


The shuttle naysayers have won. They've shouted loud enough to convince
the government and even NASA administation that the shuttle is a
dangerous costly piece of crap to be retired ASAP. The best that can be
hoped at this point is a delay in the grounding of the shuttle to
perhaps 2015 to allow the shuttle to finish the work that needs to be done.
.

Relevant Pages

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  • NASA Appoints Board to Investigate Shuttle Arm Incident (Forwarded)
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    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Space Shuttle
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    (rec.boats)
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