Since the Chinese are planning to build their own station, would it be reasonable to assume their module would have propulsion? If so, could such a module be used to augment / replace the current Russian propulsion module?
The ISS is getting more interesting by the week....
Maybe with the shuttle being retired, there might be the option of NASA asking the Chinese to allow the flight of an astronaut aboard a Shenzhou to ISS?After all, a few years ago NASA's total reliance on the Russians for ISS access would have been unthinkable.It depends on how successful the proposed commercial US piloted spacecraft turn out to be.
Come on now. Without the shuttle there's no practical way of retrofitting solar panels. This reliance on EELVs for every need in space is silly. Even if you were able to cram a solar panel unit onto an EELV then what? How does the payload get to the ISS? How does it maneuver into position? What happens with the old panels?EELVs are not a panacea and there's much more involved than payload volume and lift capability.
Maybe with the shuttle being retired, there might be the option of NASA asking the Chinese to allow the flight of an astronaut aboard a Shenzhou to ISS?After all, a few years ago NASA's total reliance on the Russians for ISS access would have been unthinkable.
It was unthinkable because it was (and is) a bad thing.
Quote from: Jorge on 02/07/2010 02:06 amIt was unthinkable because it was (and is) a bad thing.What is a bad thing, mere use of foreign crew vehicles or reliance on them?
Quote from: mmeijeri on 02/07/2010 08:01 amQuote from: Jorge on 02/07/2010 02:06 amIt was unthinkable because it was (and is) a bad thing.What is a bad thing, mere use of foreign crew vehicles or reliance on them?The latter.