tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28823501.post1581881606671451092..comments2023-06-19T23:26:32.126+10:00Comments on QuantumG's Blog: Russian FailureQuantumGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336493213317053535noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28823501.post-11030170775124923812010-06-22T12:17:20.056+10:002010-06-22T12:17:20.056+10:00I have a lot of respect for Glenn also, but I too ...I have a lot of respect for Glenn also, but I too was finding some lapses in reality (wishful thinking, not anything else). For instance:<br /><br />"The world’s only heavy lift spacecraft and the U.S.’s only access to space should stay in operation until suitably replaced by a new and well tested heavy lift vehicle."<br /><br />If the Shuttle is a "heavy lift" spacecraft, then so is the Delta IV Heavy, since they both have the same cargo capacity to LEO. If there was a need, then Atlas V Heavy could also be brought online, and it would have 20% more payload mass capability than either Delta IV Heavy or the Shuttle. He's ignoring the elephant in the room.<br /><br />"Cost savings with Shuttle cancellation are minimal, if any, when all factors of Russian launch are considered, and with the charge per astronaut undoubtedly going higher and higher in subsequent years."<br /><br />The Shuttle program manager, not one to overstate the costs of the Shuttle program, stated publicly that the Shuttle program costs $200M/month, regardless if they launch anything - that's $2.4B/year. The cost of rotating six astronauts to the ISS on the Soyuz would be less than $360M.<br /><br />If he really wanted to use American launchers for the ISS, then maybe he should push for NASA to fund ULA's proposal to man-rate the Delta IV Heavy for $1.3B (vehicle + facilities), with a per/launch cost of $300M for Orion. Or their offer to man-rate Atlas V for a commercial capsule ($400M), and charge $130M/launch. Atlas & Deltas are proven launchers, and Boeing/Lockheed Martin are the most experienced spacecraft entities in the world.<br /><br />I did like the detail he provided on the science we're getting (and could still get) from the ISS, and I personally think the ISS is a national treasure that should be fully utilized and expanded.Coastal Ronnoreply@blogger.com