Re: An old idea I recall - Building a Spacestation from Shuttle ETs


<neil.fraser@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1147755323.008560.277330@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My concern would be the lack of shielding. ISS modules have
sophisticated multi-layer hulls designed to withstand impacts from
orbital debris. Shuttle's ET would be a single *** of aluminum
alloy. The next Apollo-era washer you meet results in a really bad
day.

And lack of every other system you'd expect to find in a manned LEO
spacecraft. Not the least of which is insulation and thermal control. Also
there is life support, propulsion (otherwise the ET's orbit will degrade),
power, communications, and etc.


Personally I think the only way to adequately address all the problems
would be to use a one-off custom-built and highly modified ET.

Which you'd have a hard time qualifying for flight. Witness the very
"minor" changes being made to the existing tank's insulation and the time,
energy, and money being spent on that.

Jeff
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety"
- B. Franklin, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (1919)


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