How an aerospace company could make some money…

[mikejz]

Just a quick thought. An aerospace company could build the ‘STS Payload bay/EELV interface’ Basically an interface for cargo designed to fly on the shuttle so that it can be launched on an EELV. Beginning development of the interface, then unveil the design and lobby congress to retire the shuttle early and use that companies interface on an EELV.

 

[nacnud]

Like SpaceHabs apex<br /><br />or Kistlers K1 etc. <br /><br />There just hasn't been the return on investment available to fund such vehicles, so far anyway.

 

[j05h]

Not like Apex. It sounds like he is saying that Boeing or Grumman (they own Rockwell, right?) build a "clone" of the Shuttle payload bay and market it as a reason for retiring Shuttle early. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[nacnud]

Oh OK, must learn to read what is writen <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. Sounds like a good idea, I wonder how possible it might be, Even if its just for small stuff like the CMGs or ESPs etc.

 

[mikejz]

True, you you hoped for directly docking with the ISS, however you could also have the shuttle capture it and bring it to the station. Not really retiring the shuttle early, but increasing the effective amount of cargo of each mission.

 

[propforce]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>They would also have to supply electrical power, propusion, attitude control etc. , duplicate the Shuttle Orbiter functions. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Yeah !!! Why just make <font color="yellow">some</font>money when you can make <font color="yellow">a lot </font>of money !!! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacefrak]

Right, you could deliver atleast two ISS components per each Shuttleflight.. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Would keep crews really busy though. Longer flights with that powercord system from station?

 

[gunsandrockets]

Excellent idea!

 

[nacnud]

<font color="yellow">Not like Apex.<br /><br /><font color="white">Apex is designed to give power, thermal, acoustic etc support/protection to a payload. The only difference between that and the shuttle cargo bay is the shuttle cargo bay gives some stuctual support as well. I'm sure that could be added easily.</font></font>

 

[mrmorris]

It'd probably need to be shades of the HTV -- namely made to approach the station, be captured by the SS Arm and maneuvered to a Common-Berthing Mechanism. In many ways, it could be simpler than the HTV -- there doesn't have to be a pressurized section or any provisions for ECLSS. Once attached to the CBM, the manipulator arm, in combination with EVAs could be used to remove the cargo and install it. Once the cargo is removed, the 'payload bay equivalent' is filled with trash, the arm un-berths it, and it maneuvers to a firey re-entry death.<br /><br />Of course it has applications even beyond the ISS completion. I have mentioned a couple of times here recently that the ISS is in deep trouble once the shuttle is retired. Long-term ISS logisitcs <b>requires</b> the shuttle -- especially with a completed station and full crew. The ATV and HTV are only stopgaps.