[FPSPACE] Lunar Clipper

[David Woods]

Folks,

It looks like our list server is back on line.  I encountered some 
problems trying to post this the other day.  Lets see if it goes through 
this time.

The September issue of Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine features a nice 
article by list member and frequent contributor Anatoly Zak entitled  
Lunar Clipper.  
http://www.airspacemag.com/issues/2007/september/lunar_clipper.php
Anatoly as many of you know, has his own web site at: 
http://www.russianspaceweb.com that contains a wealth of information on 
the Russian space program.  The Air & Space magazine article is a good 
overview of the details and possibility of a circum-lunar flight using a 
modified Soyuz spacecraft, following its mission to the International 
Space Station and before its scheduled return to Earth.  As pointed out 
in the article, the Soyuz would have to be upgraded with a heavier 
heatshield and other equipment to support the mission out and back, but 
it would not represent a major top-to-bottom redesign.  Anatoly also 
included an excellent illustration that he prepared showing that Soyuz 
as it would appear during the flight above the Moon.  I am truly 
impressed with the realism of the picture.  Congratulations Anatoly.

Dave