The end of shuttle

[spacedog12]

The other day I saw the story in Space.com that President Bush signed the bill that funds the remainder of shuttle flights.  There was a line in the statement that said something to the effect that an additional flight would be added to take a "multi-billion dollar payload" to the station.  I've been trying to find out what this is?  I seem to remember something about a science platform that was built years ago and never funded to fly.  Is that what this is?  What's if for?  Or is this payload some new hab module or something?  Can anyone tell me?

 

[tanstaafl76]

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The other day I saw the story in Space.com that President Bush signed the bill that funds the remainder of shuttle flights.&nbsp; There was a line in the statement that said something to the effect that an additional flight would be added to take a "multi-billion dollar payload" to the station.&nbsp; I've been trying to find out what this is?&nbsp; I seem to remember something about a science platform that was built years ago and never funded to fly.&nbsp; Is that what this is?&nbsp; What's if for?&nbsp; Or is this payload some new hab module or something?&nbsp; Can anyone tell me? <br /> Posted by spacedog12</DIV></p><p>They are filling the shuttle bay with risky mortgage backed securities purchased from failing wall street investment banks so they can see if they gain value in zero G.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacedog12]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;They are filling the shuttle bay with risky mortgage backed securities purchased from failing wall street investment banks so they can see if they gain value in zero G.&nbsp; <br />Posted by tanstaafl76</DIV><br /><br />So helpful.&nbsp; Thanks so much.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>So helpful.&nbsp; Thanks so much. <br />Posted by spacedog12</DIV><br /><br />really. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

It's called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and will be the main payload if STS-134 launches. It is a big, $1 billion (approx.) scientific instrument already built by the European Space Agency. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[trailrider]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It's called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and will be the main payload if STS-134 launches. It is a big, $1 billion (approx.) scientific instrument already built by the European Space Agency. <br />Posted by bpcooper</DIV><br /><br />While it is true that HR 6063 AUTHORIZES STS-134 and two other flights, it does NOT to my understanding appropriate the FUNDS.&nbsp; That must be done as part of the budget that the 112th Congress must pass. Whether that happens or if the next President will sign such an appropriation remains to be seen!&nbsp; And that applies to EITHER of the candidates!

 

[centsworth_II]

<p><font color="#333399"><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Whether that happens or if the next President will sign such an appropriation remains to be seen!&nbsp; And that applies to EITHER of the candidates! <br /> Posted by trailrider</DIV><br /></font>Well, McCain thinks a planetarium projector is an "overhead" and a waste of money.&nbsp; He probably thinks the</p><p>&nbsp;<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0c/Alpha_Magnetic_Spectrometer.jpg" border="0" alt="Image:Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.jpg" width="220" height="121" /></p><p>Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a metal detector.</p><img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:kC75aStCz9OM1M:http://www.urbanjunkie.co.uk/shopimages/products/extras/metal%2520detector%25204002.jpg" alt="" width="77" height="141" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The other day I saw the story in Space.com that President Bush signed the bill that funds the remainder of shuttle flights.&nbsp; There was a line in the statement that said something to the effect that an additional flight would be added to take a "multi-billion dollar payload" to the station.&nbsp; I've been trying to find out what this is?&nbsp; I seem to remember something about a science platform that was built years ago and never funded to fly.&nbsp; Is that what this is?&nbsp; What's if for?&nbsp; Or is this payload some new hab module or something?&nbsp; Can anyone tell me? <br />Posted by spacedog12</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There is no funding for the extra launch. The bill only tells NASA to do the mission <strong>IF</strong> funding is provided by the next US president and his administration. The payload woul be the ISS "telescope" that you mentioned.<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, McCain thinks a planetarium projector is an "overhead" and a waste of money.&nbsp; He probably thinks the&nbsp;Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a metal detector. <br />Posted by centsworth_II</DIV><br /><br />ROFL...<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[samkent]

Depending on the orbital altitude, they can only float those securities for so many months without a direct fed injection of delta v. That assumes we could get some asian or mid east country to purchase our note for the delta v.

 

[bearack]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, McCain thinks a planetarium projector is an "overhead" and a waste of money.&nbsp; He probably thinks the&nbsp;Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a metal detector. <br />Posted by centsworth_II</DIV><br /><br />It isn't? Whoa! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /></p> </div>

 

[spacedog12]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It's called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and will be the main payload if STS-134 launches. It is a big, $1 billion (approx.) scientific instrument already built by the European Space Agency. <br />Posted by bpcooper</DIV><br /><br />Thanks.&nbsp; That's the info I was looking for.&nbsp; You rock!

 

[spacedog12]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, McCain thinks a planetarium projector is an "overhead" and a waste of money.&nbsp; He probably thinks the&nbsp;Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a metal detector. <br />Posted by centsworth_II</DIV><br /><br />Good one!&nbsp; Ha.&nbsp; You nailed it!

 

[tanstaafl76]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>So helpful.&nbsp; Thanks so much. <br /> Posted by spacedog12</DIV></p><p>Hey if I had known the answer I would have provided it, but I didn't so I gave you some bad humor and a post bump, that so bad?&nbsp; <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[dougbaker]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Hey if I had known the answer I would have provided it, but I didn't so I gave you some bad humor and a post bump, that so bad?&nbsp; &nbsp; <br />Posted by tanstaafl76</DIV><br />yes </p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[tanstaafl76]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>yes &nbsp; <br /> Posted by dougbaker</DIV></p><p>Lighten up doug, it's Friday!</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[l3p3r]

This is a great thread! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>