Re: Alternatives to Shuttle Logistics missions


"Brian Thorn" <bthorn64@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0bbho15q0ukqtt37oqc0j4tva9v7a5bq2i@xxxxxxxxxx
> 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.

The europeans seem to think they can manage with the currently designed
system. Equipment will just have to be carried thru in smaller peices then
stacked to fill a rack. Solution should be to redesign the rack not the
vehicle!
Thinking Progress solely for food, water and mainenance equipment.


>
> 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.

US has received approval to purchase Soyuz flights from Russia so purchasing
from other nations should not be a problem as long as it is a short term
requirement. Preference should go to a commercial provider once they come
online.

>
> >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.


Hmm... I suspect that money is one of the main issues here. Any business can
respond to a market need provided the money is there. An additional 2
flights per year given a 2 year lead time should be possible.

I just think that the alternatives that are actually in place should be
utilised until the US has it's own solution.
And NASA can't afford the number of flights it has on the books.



.

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