Re: next shuutle flight fall 2006


David Ball wrote:
> On 1 Dec 2005 11:13:07 -0800, "Rusty" <reuben_barton@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >Why not refit the remaining shuttles for unmanned launch and landing
> >after 2010. Continue to use unmanned shuttles as heavy lift vehicles to
> >resuppy the ISS until real heavy lift launchers are ready. A CEV or
> >Soyuz could meet the shuttle in orbit, a crew could board it and guide
> >it to dock with the ISS. Once the mission is over, land it unmanned. If
> >the Russians could fly a shuttle unmanned in 80's there is no reason
> >NASA couldn't do it today as a stop gap measure.
>
>
> Would they need to land it unmanned if there was a good inspection of
> the heat shield components on-orbit?
>
> -- David

Completely unmanned elminates the risk of more deaths, in a already
shakey system. this could permit flying freight past 2010, till the new
heavy launcher is ready

.

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