Thread about possible uses for Cygnus in addition to ISS resupply:http://spirit.as.utexas.edu/%7Efiso/telecon/Walz_9-10-14/Walz_9-10-14.pdf
^^^Interesting. The Cygnus power and propulsion bus could also be used to deliver new modules to ISS or other spacecraft. The bus could detach and fly away after delivering a module, in the case of ISS. Or remain and provide power for a BEO mission.
http://www.universetoday.com/95623/surprise-nasa-gets-two-free-hubble-like-space-telescopes/Cygnus structure and systems + 2x 7.8m Wide-field primary and Adjustable secondary mirrors =Two "cheap" asteroid or near-infrared survey telescopes.
There is talk of using a Cygnus as an Exploration Augmentation Module:http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/42127nasa-studying-habitation-module-for-asteroid-mission
Nope. Thermal/"pointing"/acquisition/data handling not enough. And the big problem is in repurposing the optics for very different application then they were designed for. ...
the inclusion of an airlock [...] would prevent the wasteful and dangerous decompression cycle of Orion. Combined with added supplies, missions would be longer and much more productive.
Quote from: rusty on 10/09/2014 05:42 amhttp://www.universetoday.com/95623/surprise-nasa-gets-two-free-hubble-like-space-telescopes/Cygnus structure and systems + 2x 7.8m Wide-field primary and Adjustable secondary mirrors =Two "cheap" asteroid or near-infrared survey telescopes.Nope. Thermal/"pointing"/acquisition/data handling not enough.And the big problem is in repurposing the optics for very different application then they were designed for.About the only interesting application I can think of for this and space telescopes in general would be to apply the ISS cargo capability CBM to allow replaceable instrument sections, such that you could track technology developments more quickly to on orbit instrument use in a unmanned, automated way. No SSRMS, but something along the lines of Jon Goff's "sticky boom".
Do you think the service module on Cygnus could be adapted to easily add new large modules like the nodes or another permament MPLM to the ISS?
Would the addition of a way to separate the Service Module from the cargo be too much trouble for its worth?
Cygnus requires forward thrusters for control authority over it and its nose-mounted payload. Cygnus cannot simply mate with a payload and move it around, the payload must have forward thrusters that somehow join with the Cygnus prop system.
I was just wondering if this was feasible or if there were better options.