PMN1 - 16/11/2005 9:48 AMYou have the chance of redesigning the STS but you have got to keep to the same basic configuration - central core, boosters (unless you can avoid them) and a winged return vehicle - what changes would you make to improve operations and any guestimates on changes (if any) to operating costs?
Flightstar - 16/11/2005 11:56 AMQuotePMN1 - 16/11/2005 9:48 AMYou have the chance of redesigning the STS but you have got to keep to the same basic configuration - central core, boosters (unless you can avoid them) and a winged return vehicle - what changes would you make to improve operations and any guestimates on changes (if any) to operating costs? Crew Escape System. No idea on the cost.
FransonUK - 16/11/2005 10:15 AMNone. Given your parameters.
nacnud - 16/11/2005 8:16 PMJust a note about the Energia. The Zenith boosters were also planned to be reuseable. In the picures of Energia you can see big grey bulges on the Zeniths, these were to house the parachutes but the system was never fully developed.
nacnud - 16/11/2005 7:36 PMOnly if the flight rate increases dramaticaly would some thing like a liquid flyback booster become viable.
Avron - 17/11/2005 12:14 AMChanges1) Place the SSME's at the base of the tank and place the Orbiter on top of the tank - inline - bye-bye foam issue2) Make the lower structure ( at least) of the Orbiter out of Titanium with a disposable heat shield and leading edges that could be bolted on for the next flight -- bye-bye tile issue - reduce the corrosion issue3) More modular design at macro level - plug in - plug out crew compartment - wings, airlock etc.4) Always wondered, it the top surface of the wings could be lined with solar pannels.5) Four SRB's6) Go around landing capability7) Launch escape system, like Apollo/CEV, a lot bigger, to pull away the above crew compartment module from the rest of the Vehicle Plug in extended crew compartment moduleenough...
Avron - 16/11/2005 11:14 PMChanges1) Place the SSME's at the base of the tank and place the Orbiter on top of the tank - inline - bye-bye foam issue