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Shuttle Derived Launchers

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posted on Jun, 27 2005 @ 07:59 PM
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Instead of the Delta IV Heavy or Atlas EEV's, it appears NASA is headed in the direction of using current Shuttle architecture and systems to get back into space quickly:
www.safesimplesoon.com...
Recents statements by new NASA chief Griffin seem to support this idea.
Seems to be a plan to keep current contractors and NASA employees busy.



posted on Jun, 28 2005 @ 08:48 AM
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Robert Zubrin's "The Case for Mars" (HIGHLY recommended) lays out a plan for using modified shuttle lifters for launching payloads to Mars. I have no doubt they could also be used to get to the moon.

I wonder if a cluster of 3-5 shuttle SRBs could lift the shuttle liquid fuel tank to orbit? Several such launches would put a LOT of fuel in orbit, which a "trans lunar/trans martian" module could dock with and use to get to those locations.



posted on Jun, 29 2005 @ 08:22 PM
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Capsules make more sense than lifting bodies; sending useful payload into orbit rather than dead weight. Modularity makes a lot of sense as well, allowing for the tailoring of componants into different craft for different missions. I think this is what Mike Griffin has in mind:
www.safesimplesoon.com/media-images.htm

A better, safer, cheaper idea for manned flight is what Rutan is working on:
www.t/space.com.

The best idea is to leave people on the ground and let nanobots do the job, but I won't start that fight again.



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