Re: Alternatives to Shuttle Logistics missions

On Sat, 26 Nov 2005 04:24:44 GMT, "Blurrt" <nathansr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>The way to reduce the Number of Shuttle flights is to reduce the number of
>logistics missions.
>The options for alternative logistics transport are:
>European ATV "Jules Verne"
>Russian Progress

These two can't deliver ISPRs (International Standard Payload Racks)
needed for Destiny, Node 2, Columbus, and Kibo without being
redesigned to use the CBMs instead of the ports on the Russian side.
Redesign is possible, but it won't be cheap or quick, especially given
that ATV is still well over a year from first flight and Progress is
severely mass-limited.

HTV is probably the best bet, but it is still little more than
vaporware.

>Rapidly developed commercial alternative.

CBM berthing should be a requisite.

>NASA can easily persue additional ATV flights in 2007 by simply ordering
>some vehicles from ESA on a purchase basis.

Nothing easy about it. Congress doesn't like sending cash to people
who don't pay US taxes or vote in US elections.

>Similarly, Progress vehicle production could be ramped up to allow
>additional flights in 2007, maybe even 2006.

It is unclear Russa can ramp up Progress (and Soyuz) flights that
quickly. They've never achieved more than 6 per year, and that was way
back in 1980.

Brian
.

Relevant Pages

  • Alternatives to Shuttle Logistics missions
    ... The options for alternative logistics transport are: ... European ATV "Jules Verne" ... NASA can easily persue additional ATV flights in 2007 by simply ordering ... some vehicles from ESA on a purchase basis. ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
  • Re: Alternatives to Shuttle Logistics missions
    ... >>logistics missions. ... > that ATV is still well over a year from first flight and Progress is ... >>NASA can easily persue additional ATV flights in 2007 by simply ordering ... US has received approval to purchase Soyuz flights from Russia so purchasing ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
  • Re: Griffin on Loss of U.S. Space Leadership
    ... as well as launching 11 separate Progress ... the Progress flights in 2005. ... but we cannot ignore the fact that the U.S. shuttle ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Flight training, if you had to do it over...
    ... student will get out of each flight, ... Generally, quicker is better. ... Rapid progress ... days, nothing else going on, and simple flights. ...
    (rec.aviation.soaring)