Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

GCNRevenger · 2004-08-13 14:13:48

I think that its pretty obvious that its a far higher risk relativly speaking to try and cut price of an STS-to-SDV flight in half, not counting the tens of millions in expendable hardware, given the temptation to retain as much of the Shuttle Army as possible and the high intrinsic cost of the STS infrastructure. The Delta-IV is assembled by big robot arms guided by lasers, and rolled out to the pad horizontaly. Atlas rockets are compact with their dense fuels for easy carriage too and can fit in cargo planes. It is possible that the STS infrastructure can be operated on the cheap, but I think that is a much bigger risk than launching larger versions of EELVs... The EELVs are simply not as man-power intensive, so their costs are a more certain factor.

Delta-IV and Atlas-V rockets are economical... Compared to non-foreign boosters. Titan-IV's go for around $500M a pop you know... Delta-IV HLV is a great deal if you can't go and spend your money on Proton.

SpaceNut · 2004-08-19 07:10:26

US Working To Resume Space Shuttle Flights In March
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/shuttle-04u.html
The ISS urgently needs large scale resupply.

SpaceNut · 2004-08-23 05:13:19

Speaking of derivative vehicles How can India do this when we can not even get started.

India designs next generation launch vehicle GSLV-MkIII, a heavier lift launcher that would meet the four tonne class communication satellite requirements, the new generation vehicle which would be developed by ISRO by 2007-2008.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_962531,0008.htm

Also if we are looking to Boeing for solutions we may need to look further.
Boeing delays first launch of Delta 4 Heavy rocket
http://www.floridatoday.com/news/space/ … delta4.htm

SpaceNut · 2004-08-26 05:34:56

The eventual return to flight of the shuttle is progress though be at a snails pace.

Radar Test During Messenger Launch May Help "Return To Flight"
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/au … _test.html

Snipet:
Radar tracking data gathered during the Delta II launch of the MESSENGER spacecraft earlier this month has provided promising results that may benefit NASA's Space Shuttle Program and Discovery's Return to Flight.

SpaceNut · 2004-08-26 05:44:40

It seems like Nasa has no control over its own personel to get the jobs done. Giving up is not a option nor is ignoring the problems.

I myself have sent into the return to flight several ways to overcome ands actually recieved replies of which some have comfirmation that they were following those same suggestions. Now I find that they are giving up on the RCC tile wrap over appoach to repair.

I say how about a wrap over prevention of another harder material than the RCC tiles. Something that does not matter if it degrades an burns off on re-entry or is jetisoned before.

*****************************
Time crunch looms over shuttle fixes

Work remaining on 10 of 15 shuttle return-to-flight initiatives must wrap up by mid-December to meet the March-April launch window
http://www.flatoday.com/news....AIN.htm

*************************************
NASA's backup plan involves rescue shuttles, space station

http://www.flatoday.com/news....CUE.htm

GCNRevenger · 2004-08-26 09:28:22

The trouble with an RCC "wing wrapper" is that anything that signifigantly disrupts the airflow over the wing will make the Shuttle unflyable, and it will encounter even higher heating than normal which would destroy any available material. The best idea is probobly an improved "space cement" like the kind proposed to patch small holes.

SpaceNut · 2004-08-26 09:44:11

True about the large hole cement but if you have ever done any auto bondo work you would know that it will not stay in the hole unless you put in some sort of backing materiel to aid with holding it in place.
Also a protective wrap that is used at launch need not be overly aggressive since it does not see the re-entry heat. We are not looking to protect the ship once in orbit with the wrap only on the way up.

SpaceNut · 2004-08-27 21:00:49

Major shuttle return to flight implementation plan announced for end of month. Since Nasa seems o be giving up on some recommendations.

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/au … _plan.html

SpaceNut · 2004-09-03 09:24:10

If this actually works this could be the one thing that would make the hubble mission by a shuttle more possible to do.

Inflatable spaceship set for test flight
'Lifeboat' might carry astronauts to Earth or robots to Mars
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040830/ … 830-8.html

An inflatable lifeboat could one day ferry stranded astronauts back to Earth, if a prototype's test flights are successful next month.

GCNRevenger · 2004-09-03 10:38:35

The only thing that could make a HST mission possible is to either delete an ISS module or to break the December 2010 Shuttle retirement date. Period.

SpaceNut · 2004-09-09 13:25:26

Another reason why Hubble will not be saved.

The power of adaptive optics will render Hubble-class space telescopes obsolete. (File image of the rings of Uranus, as taken by the VLT facility)

Grypd · 2004-09-16 15:49:17

Well will this be the final deathknell for Hubble and any form of a replacement

http://spacedaily.com/2004/040916062050 … ]Australia plans new telescope

If this can be done then it will kill most of the arquements that the save the Hubble crowd have and it might well stop a replacement.

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#101 2004-08-13 14:13:48

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#102 2004-08-19 07:10:26

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#103 2004-08-23 05:13:19

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#104 2004-08-26 05:34:56

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#105 2004-08-26 05:44:40

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#106 2004-08-26 09:28:22

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#107 2004-08-26 09:44:11

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#108 2004-08-27 21:00:49

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#109 2004-09-03 09:24:10

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#110 2004-09-03 10:38:35

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#111 2004-09-09 13:25:26

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

#112 2004-09-16 15:49:17

Re: Might Shuttle C - save Hubble?

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