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From: jwm@wdl76.wdl.fac.com (Jon W Meyer)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: best of all worlds
Message-ID: <1990Oct10.004908.23197@wdl1.wdl.fac.com>
Date: 10 Oct 90 00:49:08 GMT
References: <10265.2708917a@pbs.org> <49492@olivea.atc.olivetti.com> <143360@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> <10314.2711c063@pbs.org>
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pstinson@pbs.org writes:

>In article <143360@sun.Eng.Sun.COM>, jmck@norge.Eng.Sun.COM (John McKernan) writes:
>> In article <49492@olivea.atc.olivetti.com> donehoo@olivee.olivetti.com (Doyle W. Donehoo) writes:
>>>In article <10265.2708917a@pbs.org> pstinson@pbs.org writes:
>>>>We could design the next generation Apollo as a lunar taxi that would fit
>>>>inside a Shuttle.
>>>
>>>What a great idea!
>> 
>> No, what a dumb idea. The posting you quote envisioned launching an
>> Apollo derivative in two pieces on shuttles, followed by fuel on a
>> Titan IV, and then rendezvousing the whole mess in Earth orbit.( ETC....)

>That's just for the first time.  After the system is up there fewer launches
>will be required for subsequent trips.  By the way, the vehicle does not have
>to be a strict Apollo derivative.  It can be derived as well from Spacelab
>modules or something else, if we prefer.  The only restraint is that it fit
>inside the Shuttle.

>Now I make a challenge.  Instead of simply writing this off as a "dumb" idea as
>some people so readily do in this group, why not see if you can make it better.
>Some poeple called the Wright brothers idea "dumb".  That is the easy part. 
>Now come up with something better, if you can that will get us to the moon on a
>regular basis.

You mind if I start playing this game?  What's so magical about fitting inside
the shuttle?  The idea of a space to space (or even space to space to
airless landing) taxi is (IMO) a good one, but why incur the costs of a
shuttle launch.  Do an earth orbit rendevous for assembly with expendables for
your launch vehicles.  Use the shuttle (for now) as the earth-leo-earth crew
taxi.

Jon