Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mailrus!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!pbs!pstinson
From: pstinson@pbs.org
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: launch ratesDOWN 18
Message-ID: <10230.27023455@pbs.org>
Date: 27 Sep 90 21:18:12 GMT
References: <10195.26fde341@pbs.org> <1990Sep25.033816.16652@zoo.toronto.edu> <10209.26ff5e6c@pbs.org> <1990Sep26.174811.8026@zoo.toronto.edu>
Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA
Lines: 15

In article <1990Sep26.174811.8026@zoo.toronto.edu>, henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes:

>  The Saturn had reached a launch rate that the
> shuttle is struggling, so far mostly unsuccessfully, to beat.
> -- 
There is not much I can say in rebutal today, but I truly believe you have
underestimated the Shuttle's capabilities.  The year 1992 has been proclaimed
an International Space Year.  Let's just wait in see what the Shuttle is doing
by the end of 1992.  I exdpect we will see at least 9 launches in 1991 and at
least 12 more in 1992.  No year after that will see less than 10.  

By the way.  How long do you think the U.S. Congress would have let NASA go on
building from scratch 5 Saturn V's a year simply to be discard them after one
launch?  The rate you mentioned from late 1968 through late 1969 was
unsustainable.