P
PJay_A
Guest
First, for those who are unfamiliar with the VASMR project.... VASIMR is a plasma rocket engine technology being developed by a private company. NASA has an agreement with that company to allow tests of this new technology aboard the International Space Station. If successful, VASIMR will remain attached to ISS permanently and keep the station from drifting to lower orbits, seriously keeping station operating costs down by eliminating the need to launch new fuel to ISS for routine reboosts.
According to what NASA says about VASIMR (on NASA's website), the engine is planned to be lifted to and installed on ISS in the 2011-2012 timeframe. My question is, with the shuttles retired by then, on what vehicle will carry it?
Also, I noticed that NASA added a new shuttle flight to the manifest (without Congressional approval). Apparently they had an emergency flight already paid for in the event that the then-scheduled last shuttle flight needed rescue. Well, NASA cut the crew size for that mission and got the Russians to agree to have two Soyuz' ready for launch in the event an emergency rescue is needed. The newly-added shuttle mission will carry an MPLM.
No word if this MPLM will be converted to a second Permanent Logisitics Module.
According to what NASA says about VASIMR (on NASA's website), the engine is planned to be lifted to and installed on ISS in the 2011-2012 timeframe. My question is, with the shuttles retired by then, on what vehicle will carry it?
Also, I noticed that NASA added a new shuttle flight to the manifest (without Congressional approval). Apparently they had an emergency flight already paid for in the event that the then-scheduled last shuttle flight needed rescue. Well, NASA cut the crew size for that mission and got the Russians to agree to have two Soyuz' ready for launch in the event an emergency rescue is needed. The newly-added shuttle mission will carry an MPLM.
No word if this MPLM will be converted to a second Permanent Logisitics Module.