Re: Getting to Space (was shuttle breaks up on re-entry

From: Michael M. Butler (mmb@spies.com)
Date: Sun Feb 02 2003 - 14:45:19 MST


> The idea has been suggested for many years of doing just that. NASA
> could get into the business of selling orbiting main fuel tanks too to
> make up for budget shortfalls. Right now, they burn up on reentry -- a
> waste, IMHO.

Doesn't all the fragile outgassable insulation need to be stripped off the
ET (external tank) in order to make it a good orbital neighbor?

It's chicken and egg time. How you gonna strip the crap off without producing
lots of space junk and without humans doing truly routine EVAs?

I like the idea, too, but let's not blind ourselves to the actual gnarl, or
the actual situation maned spaceflight is in. At the moment, properly looking
at things, what would we be doing with all those tanks hanging up there--
and three grounded shuttles?

MMB



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