-
#300
by
Jim
on 20 Feb, 2008 19:25
-
Paul Adams - 20/2/2008 3:23 PM
Is it just me, or does this string of near perfect missions reinforce the impression that the Shuttle is just in its prime and should not be retired?
Lets double NASA budget for 7 years and build the replacement while the shuttle is still flying.
Simplistic view I know.
Paul
Do you how much it cost to produce the string? and it is past is prime. The replacement is Orion.
-
#301
by
Paul Adams
on 20 Feb, 2008 19:30
-
Never going to get me to agree with you on that Jim, who say's it wont take Orion 100 plus flights to get all of the bugs out.
As for the cost, either you want to be the world leader in spaceflight, or you dont. USA is loseing its lead as it is. I would say, right now, there is only a 50% chance that A5 will get built. If that happens, move to the back of the line.
Paul
-
#302
by
Jim
on 20 Feb, 2008 19:49
-
Paul Adams - 20/2/2008 3:30 PM
Never going to get me to agree with you on that Jim, who say's it wont take Orion 100 plus flights to get all of the bugs out.
It will be a simpler craft and easier to fly. Apollo and Gemini worked them out quickly.
Plain and simple, the shuttle and its architecture is a pig. It uses up more resources than is required to do the job.
"world leader in spaceflight" is not defined by spacecraft with wings or the size of the booster,. It is defined by what you do once on orbit.
An EELV architecture* that performs a lunar landing beats delivering a logistics module to the ISS. An Ariane delivering JSWT to orbit beats further HST servicing missions.
The shuttle does not equate to "world leader in spaceflight". It, in fact, is the reason for the USA slipping in the lead.
Shuttle hugging is a misplaced loyalty. Other than down mass (which is in work), the shuttle doesn't provide anything special. It only provide services to a shuttle centric architecture. The US can do better on any other architecture not based on the shuttle. The shuttle paradigm is not needed to advance the US.
* just an example, not a debating point with direct
-
#303
by
James Lowe1
on 20 Feb, 2008 20:12
-
Guys, that's certainly a different thread and not for this one.
Chris will be back later (worked over 24 hours straight) to set up a new STS-125 Processing thread, so let's keep this on post landing specifics.
-
#304
by
mainengine
on 20 Feb, 2008 20:31
-
O.K. folks:
This is my experience of about 3 hours ago
-
#305
by
Davie OPF
on 20 Feb, 2008 20:31
-
Flightstar - 20/2/2008 12:51 PM
SpikeSpiegel - 20/2/2008 12:42 PM
Thats not a good sign. Buzzards flying over Atlantis.
On a different note, what can we look forward to happening to Atlantis over the next few weeks as she is in the OPF?
You sound like you'd love L2. Its all charted out and updated daily in there.
A quick list.
PLBD strongbacks installed for PLBD opening.
MPS/SSME post-flight.
WCS removal.
SCAPE ops for hyper de-servicing and APU catch bottle drains.
Lots of inspections.
To add to Flight's list. Atlantis will have her docking mech removed for the airlock in prep for Hubble. She'll get it back, with SSPTS, for the two flights that will follow for her after 125.
And thanks for the coverage. Really was a great read back. Easily hands down the best space flight site on both news and the membership of its forum.
-
#306
by
ApolloLee
on 20 Feb, 2008 21:29
-
Any word on how the area of the insulation flap performed on re-entry?
-
#307
by
Chris Bergin
on 20 Feb, 2008 21:47
-
Thanks Dave.
Also, will start the new 125 Procesing thread in the morning.
ApolloLee - 20/2/2008 10:29 PM
Any word on how the area of the insulation flap performed on re-entry?
No issues. Did not come loose etc. Right call not to EVA repair.
-
#308
by
psloss
on 20 Feb, 2008 21:49
-
Paul Adams - 20/2/2008 3:23 PM
Is it just me, or does this string of near perfect missions reinforce the impression that the Shuttle is just in its prime and should not be retired?
(Ducking moderator lightning bolts.)
I think it reinforces the impression that the people that prepare/plan/execute/support the missions are good at what they do, but they've demonstrated their abilities across the life of the program. (Really across all the HSF programs.)
Shuttle operations might be hitting a stride, so to speak, but I don't think that changes the inherent characteristics of the vehicles or the inherent risk in flying them.
-
#309
by
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:18
-
During the Post-landing Press Conference, did Mike say that he was going to work at constellation and that Doug Lyons would be doing the remaining shuttle missions as launch director?
-
#310
by
ApolloLee
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:19
-
Chris Bergin - 20/2/2008 2:47 PM
No issues. Did not come loose etc. Right call not to EVA repair.
Figured as such..... No pins should make life easier in processing... Thanks!
-
#311
by
psloss
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:32
-
Justin Wheat - 20/2/2008 6:18 PM
During the Post-landing Press Conference, did Mike say that he was going to work at constellation and that Doug Lyons would be doing the remaining shuttle missions as launch director?
No, he said that he's working about 40% of the time on Constellation. He said that Ed Mango will be working the next few launches as assistant launch director to get experience prior to Ares I-X and then he and Doug Lyons would work the rest of the shuttle launches.
-
#312
by
psloss
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:39
-
-
#313
by
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:40
-
Do you think Mike will do constellation?
-
#314
by
trlstyle
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:44
-
-
#315
by
Paul Adams
on 20 Feb, 2008 22:46
-
That is a superb photo indeed!
-
#316
by
on 21 Feb, 2008 00:47
-
-
#317
by
Lee Jay
on 21 Feb, 2008 00:59
-
-
#318
by
trlstyle
on 21 Feb, 2008 01:47
-
-
#319
by
Lee Jay
on 21 Feb, 2008 01:56
-
I was just wondering who got to stand *that close* to the runway, and why I didn't see them on the live video! Then I realized NASA would not likely let anyone be 3 feet from the runway with an orbiter landing, and realized it had to be a remote.
