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Rather than halt the remaining space shuttle missions when there are still three useable orbiters...they should be used exclusively to complete the ISS in cooperation with fully financed Soyuz and Progress craft. Simultaneously, proceed with top-priority six-crew launch-and-flyback craft development and production. Meanwhile, utilize all three above-mentioned LEO launch systems--fully funded--to (1) maintain and service the ISS for six crew members (2) perform increasingly elaborate micro-gravity research as facility growth permits--including Mars crew-survival in space (3) develop tethered orbital transfer techniques (4) light sail development (5) plasma sail feasibility experiments ( ) more currently do-able projects....
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This just in! Russia and France agree to build a Soyuz launch complex in South America. I think that, along with the Chinese new multipurpose reinforced concrete launch-support tower, is really great news for space exploration in the near term (while we scramble to get our respective acts together)!
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Have you seen any indication the Kourou facility is to launched MANNED spacecraft? Soyuz is also the name of a booster that puts satellites into orbit. I haven't been able to figure out whether the Soyuz pad will also be used for manned launches. I hope so; Baikonur is too far north to be efficient.
-- RobS
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Just a reminder, for quick reference when arguing for and against ISS potential utilization, post Columbia:
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION DESCRIPTION
Maximum scientific unity is the prime driver for the design of the International Space Station.
The laboratory modules are positioned to take the greatest advantage of the microgravity environment on orbit.
The orientation of the core laboratory and habitation modules while on orbit is held fixed with respect to the Earth's surface. Power is supplied by solar arrays that rotate on the Integrated Truss, maximizing their exposure to the sun without moving the core modules.
During assembly and operation of the Space Station, the U.S. will exercise command and control responsibility from Houston, with the Kaliningrad Control Center in Russia as backup.
Thirty-four assembly flights by the U.S., Russia, and possibly Europe will deliver components to orbit.
After only eight months of construction, science in a microgravity environment will begin in the U.S. laboratory module.
When completed, the Space Station complex will cover the area of two football fields.
The total volume of the U.S., Russian, European, and Japanese pressurized modules is nearly equal to the passenger compartments of two 747 airliners.
Crews will be on board for up to six month increments once the Space Station is operational.
On-orbit maintenance periods will include extravehicular activities by the astronauts.
Supplies and fuel will be delivered, and crews replaced, using the Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles.
External activities will be restricted for periods of 30 to 60 days to produce the "quiet microgravity" environment necessary for delicate scientific experiments.
The Space Station will slowly lose altitude because of minute drag forces and will require rocket reboost about every 90 days thoughout its lifetime.
The ISS Description information was supplied by NASA.
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The Space Station will slowly lose altitude because of minute drag forces and will require rocket reboost about every 90 days thoughout its lifetime.
One of the many tradeoff of it's "International" inclination...
Added complexity both in building and long-term operation...
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It doesn't lose altitude because of its inclination, but because it is in low Earth orbit. Move it higher and it won't lose velocity to air drag as fast. But the higher you go, the more energy it takes to haul stuff to it, and the greater the radiation astronauts encounter.
-- RobS
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