Shuttle to Orion Challenges

[holmec]

<p>SDC article</p><p>For the 4+ year "GAP" </p><p>Options according to the article:</p><p>1. Extend waiver for US Astronauts to ride on&nbsp; Soyuz</p><p>2. Have extra Shuttle missions</p><p>3. Have no manned missions. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The lesser of three evils?</p><p>What do you think?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also what could be other options whether possible or not.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A couple I can think of:</p><p>A. Help SpaceX develop Falcon 9 and Dragon with oversight and money to accererate the project.</p><p>B. Pay ArianeSpace to get Soyuz launches from them - really big hurtles for ArianeSpace though. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[samkent]

The logical and cheapest is 3. “have no manned missions until Orion”. What do we gain from a few more trips to the ISS? A few more medical tests, a couple extra crystals grown in micro gravity? Most likely will be 1. “extension for Soyuz”<BR/><BR/>The worst possible would be 2. “ramp up for more shuttle flights” The price per flight would be 2-3 times current shuttle prices. And the parts needed wouldn’t be flight ready until after Orion goes on line.

 

[trailrider]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>SDC articleFor the 4+ year "GAP" Options according to the article:1. Extend waiver for US Astronauts to ride on&nbsp; Soyuz2. Have extra Shuttle missions3. Have no manned missions. &nbsp;The lesser of three evils?What do you think?&nbsp;Also what could be other options whether possible or not.&nbsp;A couple I can think of:A. Help SpaceX develop Falcon 9 and Dragon with oversight and money to accererate the project.B. Pay ArianeSpace to get Soyuz launches from them - really big hurtles for ArianeSpace though. <br />Posted by holmec</DIV><br /><br />This is pretty much of a no-brainer.&nbsp; Without the Soyuz docked at the ISS, there will be NO capability to continuously man the station, regardless of what is done about the Shuttle program.&nbsp; Shuttle orbiters have only a 2-week stay time capability!&nbsp; So #1 is the ONLY practicable option...IF Congress will pass the waiver!&nbsp; And right now, that is NOT a slam-dunk!</p><p>Of the A & B "options", B is a non-starter since the Iran Syria Non-Trade law prohibits (unless I am badly mistaken), such a purchase through a third party, e.g., RUSSIA. Which is why we need the waiver passed "mo' skosh"!</p><p>My strong recommendation is to contact your Representatives and Senators and ask them to pass the extension to the waiver.&nbsp; Otherwise, find the nearest class in Mandarin Chinese!</p><p>Ad LEO! Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!</p>

 

[bc]

<span style="border-collapse:collapse;font-family:verdana;font-size:12px;-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing:2px;-webkit-border-vertical-spacing:2px" class="Apple-style-span">Good news! As a great first step in moving beyond the shuttle the house of representatives has passed the waiver...<br /><br />http://science.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=2306</span> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>