[FPSPACE] minimizing future deaths in space

[M.Wade@iaea.org]

IMHO this Damocles sword has been hanging over the entire US space programme
since Challenger.  It would seem inevitable that sooner or later someone
will  again come to grief during launch, in space, or during landing.
Congressional and public support for the ISS seems very marginal anyway. In
the absence of a space race, or a grand objective (Mars!) that seems worth
the sacrifice, one has to consider that such a loss could be the end of
manned spaceflight.

A Russian speaker at FPSPACE 97 made some very interesting comments on their
view of the excessive vulnerabilities of the US portion of ISS (more brittle
alloys, larger sections of the hull => much graver consequences than Mir for
a space debris impact). The vision here was of the station quickly spinning
out of control - let alone time for sealing off compartments, donning suits,
etc.

Recent Av Week coverage on the problems with the shuttle launch rate buildup
for ISS - reminiscent of those before the Challenger disaster - makes one
realise the risk of continued launch of a vehicle with no crew escape
system.

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Mark Wade