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Why couldn't the remainder of the pressurized modules for the ISS be delivered to orbit by a Delta IV or Atlas V heavy configuration using a bus/upperstage of somesort and then docked. The crew on ISS could do the nessecary EVAs to hook up all the connections. I the remainder of the truss segements could be launched as well, but I would guess that these would have to be comletely manually removed from the upper stage and connected using the ISSs Canadarm II and EVAs. Each Delta and Atlas launch is the fraction of the cost a shuttle launch.
I don't think that we shold waste the billions on shuttle upgrades for a system that is fundmentally moribound with it's retirement date looming.
Personally I would say just scrap the ISS or sell to it comercial concerns but I relize that is not a politically viable solution and also would major egg on the collective face of NASA as it would be the end of essentially their entire main effort of the 80s and 90s.
Last edited by SpaceNut (2019-08-02 17:15:35)
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Welcome LindaPeterson NewMars, your post is a bit dated as if you just read a decade old news article of when the shuttle was to be retired and we still had modules to bring to the space location to finish it up.
The space shuttle did finish the US part of the station in 2010 with a few possible changes coming from our partner nation Russia. No further modules are expected for the US as the station will be retired sometime after 2024 through 2028 at which time its use could be extended again.
As for commercial turn over its 150 billion dollars to build it may not be possible unless there still is a controlling body of partners involved. The US is just now in a condition that private launch bussiness could keep it afloat but as for adding to it or replacing old modules might not be something that they would want to do if they could not own them after providing them.
Then there is the question as to what could be done onboard the station since it would not be for a science research center any longer. As we are now in the realm of tourism and consumer delight of vacationing joy riding rich.
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