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From: ems@aristotle.JPL.NASA.gov (Eric Slimko)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Translunar/interplanetary shuttle?
Message-ID: <1990Nov29.170952.25084@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov>
Date: 29 Nov 90 17:09:52 GMT
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In article <90332.182944AEGQC@CUNYVM.BITNET>, AEGQC@CUNYVM (Audra G.) writes:
> The latest issue of _Analog_ has an article describing how the shuttle
> could be adapted as a moon ship.  Apparently if the ship either carried
> two extra boosters or was refueled in orbit, it would be able to reach
> and return from lunar orbit, using a LEM-like craft carried in the cargo
> bay to get people to the surface of the Moon and back.  If this is indeed
> doable (and the article had a lot of mathematics), I would like to ask if,
> if still more tanks were added in orbit, the shuttle could be used to reach
> further celestial bodies as well.  Any thoughts? --Shangti

Not to flame against the shuttle, but we have enough problems trying to
make it work at what its designed for, let alone something way beyond
its design specifications. :)

I would guess the article included a lot of math about thrust, orbital mechanics
and the like showing that it is theoretically possible, but did they consider
things such as a stress analysis to the vehicle during orbit insertion?  I think
that a Earth-Moon "ferry" would have to be designed from the ground up for that 
purpose.
-- 
Eric Slimko                |  Jet Propulsion Laboratories
ems@aristotle.jpl.nasa.gov |  NASA/CalTech