NASA selects in-line SDLV

[mattblack]

NOVA, NEPTUNE, HERCULES, GOLIATH. I've never taken the name "Magnum" seriously: I keep thinking of a large bottle of champagne or a brand of condom!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

I keep thinking of Tom Selleck - not a good thing I can assure you.<br /><br />The 4xRS-68+ 2x5 seg SRB "Longfellow" needs a more beastier name.<br /><br />But, hey - we're not going to have romantic names like Atlantis and Endeavour anymore, so who cares, so long as they do the job.

 

[larper]

Phoenix or Lazarus would be appropriate, I think.<br /><br />We keep using gods. How about instead we use something from Tolkein. The "Isengard" launcher might be fitting, given how it looks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Vote </font><font color="#3366ff">Libertarian</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[sequencor]

Personally, I like the names Intrepid or Excelsior.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[mikejz]

I perfer the name the "ATK Employer"

 

[shuttle_rtf]

"MSFC Slice of cake and cup of tea" - That'd give George Diller a mouthful <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"...not going to have romantic names like Atlantis and Endeavour anymore..."</font><br /><br />All of the U.S. manned spacecraft have had individual names and I doubt this will stop. However -- the booster, as an expendable, won't be given an individual name but instead a class (e.g. the orbiters are named, but the ET and the SRBs are not).<br /><br />Just as I was writing this -- I had to go back and add in the "U.S.". I don't think Soyuz capsules are ever named, but I can't say for sure. Suppose I could Google for it, but if they're not (as I beleive) then all I'll find is the 'lack' of names... which won't really be proof.

 

[emerrill]

"All of the U.S. manned spacecraft have had individual names and I doubt this will stop. However -- the booster, as an expendable, won't be given an individual name but instead a class (e.g. the orbiters are named, but the ET and the SRBs are not)."<br /><br />Just to note: The self contained part(or parts) that have crew space have a name, the non-crew parts do not. Expendable or not in both cases. To the best of my knowledge.<br /><br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Um... The Gemini capsules didn't have individual names... The mercury had names, and then they stopped it (though, if i recall correctly, there was one... it may have been a test flight.)<br />i checked here, and though it's about patches, it confirms the above...

 

[mrmorris]

<font color="yellow">"The Gemini capsules didn't have individual names"</font><br /><br />Dang -- you're right. I knew the Mercury capsules did, and both the Apollo CSMs and LMs had names. I knew the Gemini had patches and <b>assumed</b> (always dangerous) that the capsules themselves were named. Weird that it was stopped, and then started back up with Apollo.

 

[thecolonel]

I believe Gus Grissom named his (their) Gemini 3 capsule "Molly Brown" after a movie of the era to poke fun at this Mercury capsule sinking incident.

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Yeah! that's it. that's the one i was thinking of. <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Yeah. Like the link says, they got tired of names and didn't let them name the gemini capsules... Apollo 1 was nameless as well, But after the fire, they began naming them again.

 

[vt_hokie]

Do you think they'll ever use the names "Columbia" and "Challenger" again? Personally, I'd hate for superstition to prevent it.

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Oh, i almost expect it... I love the name Columbia for a ship, so i really hope so. I don't think they'd be very superstitious about it.<br />Personally, i say the First manned ship to Mars be named after them...

 

[emerrill]

"Oh, i almost expect it... I love the name Columbia for a ship, so i really hope so. I don't think they'd be very superstitious about it. <br />Personally, i say the First manned ship to Mars be named after them..."<br /><br />I personally think that they wouldn't. It is in part, diluting the name, and hense the memory to some extent IMHO (AKA if you here Columbia you are going to remember the ship and the crew of STS-107, but if a new ship has that name, it may not evoke those memories after time). Personally, even tho I was too young to remember it (~3yro), hearing the word Challenger always makes me think of that crew and accident. I think that all 5 names should be always tied to theses orbiters. While I love the idea of those names carrying on in honor, Im not sure if I think it would overall dilute the memory of the orbiters.<br /><br />Being that age that I am (and always interested in space travel), I've grown oddly attached to the orbiters. I have a favorite (Atlantis, followed closely by Endeavor), and I'm almost sad to the point of wanting to (but i'm to manly for that <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> ) at the prospect of their retirement. The whole fact that they are reusable, and it has been the same 4 ships throughout most of my lifetime, has made me make a weird bond to them, more so then I think any expendable craft could. It just saddens me to no end, knowing that they are going to be mothballed before 'their time' when really, in my opinion, the orbiters themselves have flown like real champs overall. Knowing that there is only a finite number of launches left makes me want to go and see every single remaining launch, no matter the cost, even tho I know that can't really happen. *sigh*<br /><br />Wow. Have I digressed?<br /><br />sorry for the speal<br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[john_316]

If I can recall correctly... Columbia and Challenger were both Apollo Capsules names as well...<br /><br />I think Snoopy was one of the Landers or Service Modules.. I think they named the SM's too not sure on that...<br /><br />Excelsior or Reliant for the next manned orbiters or shuttle type ships would be awesome but not for capsules. Just use numbers and or a common name like regular navy ships... CEV 001 or name them after the constellations like Orion or such or name them after the zodiac if they build like 12 of them... LOL<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[JonClarke]

My understanding is that the names of Russian missions are strictly speaking the call signs of the mission commander. If a crew swap takes pace a ASoyuz would launch under one name and recover under another. I don't know whether commanders use the same call sign on different missions.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Good post.<br /><br />The Orbiters sure do have an indentification.<br /><br />The comments from Steve Robinson when Discovery arrived back at KSC said a lot. There were a lot of stories about Columbia when she was lost - how the "Pad Rats" said she was their favourite....and most of all, that brilliant speech by Robert Crippen at the STS-107 memorial.<br /><br />Maybe one for SG - but I hear about how engineers do 'care' about the Orbiters. I'm sure they are seen mainly on work sheets as OV-104 etc. But there are quotes from people going out to recover Columbia which show they are more than just hardware.<br /><br />I suppose when they are such a long-term part of people's careers it's understandable.<br /><br />Maybe SG would be kind enough to say how this is for people who work on them?

 

[emerrill]

"My old suggestion was to apply the insulating foam on the internal surface of the ET skin"<br /><br />I think that would be a very time/money expensive design change. You would need to structually modify the tank design to make room for the foam internally (and I think add another lay. I thought the ET skin is also the wall of the tank).<br /><br />Remember, until a president grants a reprieve, time is everything for the shuttle.<br /><br />-eric <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[halman]

emerrill,<br /><br />It is recognition of the contributions made by the namesake in the hope that the current vessel can be as great. Not using names indicates that the ships were cursed, or did poorly.<br /><br />'Challenger' is one of the greatest ship names in the English language, and certainly will be used again, but not on a shuttle class ship.<br /><br />'Columbia' is a particularly American name, although of English nature. It may not be seen again for a while, or it could be the name of the first CEV. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[soccerguy789]

I look at this and find myself slightly disapointed. true, It is the most powerful choice, but probably the most expensive. although regardless of the CEV proposal that wins. they will only need 1 of these per launch. lplus at least one, probably 2 SRB launchers. what this does do though, is create the base on which we can produce a "super-booster". currently, the ET doesn't have the structural strength to support the thrust from more than 2 SRB's. With the addition of another 2-4 SRB's and ET structural modifications (maybe just minor additions) they have talked about a 200 ton to LEO booster. Then we're talking some space station/interstellar ship building!

 

[ronatu]

wrong...

 

[soccerguy789]

how so? I've read articles that say that such suggestions have already been made.

 

[ronatu]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>"I don't think Soyuz capsules are ever named, but I can't say for sure." <br />I believe they do all names. I know Gagarin did and some of the others so I assume they all do. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Sorry, I refer to russian space capsule's name...<br />No name <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br />Cosmonauts team, crews, had a names.