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From: loren@dweasel.llnl.gov (Loren Petrich)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: New Shuttle Engines
Message-ID: <86387@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV>
Date: 20 Nov 90 01:07:19 GMT
References: <1990Nov14.071003.24567@cimage.com> <1990Nov16.175907.18177@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov> <2154@cybaswan.UUCP>
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In article <2154@cybaswan.UUCP> iiitsh@cybaswan.UUCP (Steve Hosgood) writes:
>
>Someone (Henry probably) once pointed out that the existing shuttle could 
>be massively improved (and lightened) by use of newer computers,
>newer engines etc etc. When asked though, NASA insisted on only more
>of what it already had - even for building Endeavour.
>
>*That* is not the way forward.

	True, but this is equipment that has to work EXTREMELY
reliably, all because of the people on board. So that's why NASA has
stuck to its older, clumsier hardware. I guess that's why unmanned
spacecraft will still be necessary -- there is less to lose with
failure.

	I know someone elsewhere in LLNL who knows of a Lab project
that is to be sent up on a Pegasus rocket. To LEO, a Pegasus can send
up about 500 kg, if I remember correctly. Furthermore, there is only a
six-month wait for the Pegasus, as opposed to a three-year wait for
the Shuttle. He also told me that, because it was unmanned, they could
design it closer to performance limits. Thus, they could use 1/2 burst
pressure in one place, as opposed to 1/5 burst pressure for a Shuttle
payload. Currently, with about $6m per Pegasus and 500 kg to LEO, it
works out to $1200 per kilo -- more than competitive with the Shuttle.


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Loren Petrich, the Master Blaster: loren@sunlight.llnl.gov

Since this nodename is not widely known, you may have to try:

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