R
rocketwatcher2001
Guest
In another thread, about the Chinese Space Port, WVB said the Shuttle can't go to the Moon, which is true, at face value, but.......<br /><br />Out of respect to Oak, I didn't want to highjack that thread, so I started this one.<br /><br />One of the things that bothers me about the Shuttle program is that it has so much potential that isn't used. The overall configuration of STS hasn't changed. There have been some upgrades, but those are small potato items, a new field joint in the SRB, a lighter ET, new avionics, etc.....<br /><br />I see no reason why we can't come up with huge configurations, using the Orbiter, a much bigger ET complete with payload fairing, and 4 liquid boosters. It doesn't have to be exactly like I've described, it might be completely different, but I know we can do better.<br /><br />I know that it's all about the money, because I'm sure that Shuttle_Guy, Pad Rat, Propforce, and all the rest could come up with something awesome, far better than myself. <br /><br />The current STS can't go to the Moon, but with a more ambitious program, the Shuttle could be a very big part of a semi-self sustaining Lunar Base, partly out of spent ET's. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>