[FPSPACE] Shuttle C reborn?

[MattWriter at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/21/05 4:23:18 PM, zirconic1 at earthlink.net writes:


> DoD/Air Force prefers that NASA use the EELV (Atlas V and Delta IV) 
> instead, in order to lower the costs of these vehicles.
> 
> 
It's hard to imagine any circumstances that will seriously cut EELV costs.   
Hope springs eternal, I suppose.     

DoD has no requirements for anything out of the EELV class, and no serious 
ones projected.   Perhaps the most DoD would do is promise logistical support 
and ask for cooperation in   stuffing DoD experiments into the excess HLLV 
capacity, similar to the Shuttle arrangements.   

I heard from a friend at NASA that HLLV discussion is almost entirely limited 
to Shuttle C, which makes a lot of sense if you want to get the post-Shuttle 
program going as quickly as possible.   What may be getting overlooked is that 
the Shuttle infrastructure, while cheaper than building new pads, support 
facilities, etc., for a new heavy lifter, still needs major investment.   A lot 
of it is repeatedly patched Apollo stuff that is falling apart.

Matt Bille
ALL POSTS ARE SOLELY THE PERSONAL OPINION OF THE AUTHOR