Author Topic: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED  (Read 4918 times)

Offline NASA_Twix_JSC

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28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« on: 06/18/2005 05:10 am »
Down to 23 launches now, maybe 15! before retirement. Griffin's decision.

Online Chris Bergin

RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #1 on: 06/18/2005 05:33 am »
Nice turnaround from one of our guys (Jason Harris) with some quotes found from Griffin at the Paris Air Show...

"I'll be very strong on this. We know that we cannot execute 28 flights between now and shuttle retirement."
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Offline Tahii

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #2 on: 06/18/2005 07:03 am »
If the worst comes through, and we drop to 15 launches, would it be worth finishing off Endevour, seeing as it is in its major modification period, or would it be scrapped there and then, kept as parts etc, and let Atlantis and Discovery do the final launches?

Offline NASA_Twix_JSC

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #3 on: 06/21/2005 03:17 am »
We really need three Orbiters otherwise, we'd be down to one for 18 months as even over 15 launches one Orbiter will be due for a maintinance period.

Offline Ben E

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #4 on: 07/13/2005 03:26 pm »
The only concern I have about reducing the flight mandate from 28 down to 15 is how are they going to do the heavy-lift logistics and resupply?

We only realistically need 15 more Shuttle ASSEMBLY flights:

* 2 RTF test missions
* 5 to install the truss
* Node 2
* Columbus
* 3 missions to install Kibo
* Node 3
* Cupola
* Centrifuge Accommodation Module

...but it's logistics and outfitting that will keep the fully-built station running. How will large refrigerator-sized racks be transported to the station (the circular hatches of ATV and HIITV, bear in mind, are too small)? How will large quantities of experiment samples and other materials - far too bulky to be carried in anything other than an MPLM with its big square hatch - be returned to Earth? The ATV and HIITV are not designed to bring stuff back to Earth, so NASA needs to find a replacement for the MPLM - and fast - or it will find it has to manifest at least one more MPLM flight per year to keep up with the demand of materials going up and down. Admittedly, there ARE single Spacehab modules flying on STS-116 and STS-118 for logistics and resupply, but these have nowhere near the capacity of the MPLM.

Ben

Offline Flightstar

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #5 on: 07/14/2005 04:47 pm »
A reduction in the heavy lift ability of the Shuttle would possibily lead to the reduction of the actual finished station. the mandate only has to cover the commitments we already have with international partners.

Offline Ben E

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #6 on: 07/14/2005 08:00 pm »
Ironic, isn't it, that before STS-107 the International Space Station WAS the future for NASA, in both the near- and far-term. Now, two-and-a-half years down the line, not only does NASA seem increasingly disinterested with the outpost that it has spent 20 years and untold billions of dollars designing and building, but phrases such as "commitments to international partners" seem to be the only reason the agency is bothering with it! The far-reaching microgravity research such as crystal growth, materials processing, combustion science and fluid physics that NASA touted for years - and for which STS-107, ironically, was supposed to be a forerunner - seems now to have disappeared down the toilet. I'm not saying NASA should ignore the Moon and Mars (far from it!) but they seem to be behaving like a bored child presented with a choice of 'old' and 'new' toys.

How times change! NASA should use the station as a springboard and real testing ground for the Moon and Mars and not go down the Skylab-to-Shuttle route!

Ben

Offline rubicondsrv

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #7 on: 07/15/2005 10:48 pm »
Quote
Ben E - 13/7/2005  11:26 AM
...but it's logistics and outfitting that will keep the fully-built station running. How will large refrigerator-sized racks be transported to the station (the circular hatches of ATV and HIITV, bear in mind, are too small)
Ben
I belive that the HTV is designed to accomodate the ISPRs so the racks can be delivered to the station the only problem is the HTV dose not survive rentery.

Offline rubicondsrv

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #8 on: 07/15/2005 10:51 pm »

Offline SimonShuttle

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #9 on: 07/17/2005 09:19 am »
What's these ATV and HTVs?

Offline Ben E

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RE: 28-launch mandate SCRAPPED
« Reply #10 on: 07/17/2005 09:58 am »
They are cargo-carrying freighters (bigger volume than Progress, about equal to the MPLM) for the International Space Station. The ATV is provided by Europe and the HTV by Japan. They can more or less truck the same stuff into orbit as does the MPLM, but unfortunately they burn up during re-entry so can't bring stuff back.

Ben

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