Xref: utzoo sci.space:25975 sci.space.shuttle:6757
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu!v071pzp4
From: v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Craig L Cole)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Translunar/interplanetary shuttle?
Message-ID: <48848@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 3 Dec 90 17:13:36 GMT
References: <3550@orbit.cts.com> <7089.275a4245@abo.fi>
Sender: news@acsu.Buffalo.EDU
Reply-To: v071pzp4@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: University at Buffalo
Lines: 28
Nntp-Posting-Host: ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS V1.3-4.4

In article <7089.275a4245@abo.fi>, mlindroos@abo.fi writes...
>As for the problem with the main engines (we've been told here that they are
>not restartable), would it be possible to use the extra fuel for the OMS 
>engines instead...? (my guess is it won't be, anyway).

This was my suggestion to the NASA Outreach program - the OMS are
capable of burns long enough to propel the shuttle toward the Moon,
but I had no idea how much fuel would be required. I suggested
adding additional OMS tanks to the rear of the shuttle a la Extended
Duration Orbiter kit, or mounting tanks to the outside of the
shuttle back by the OMS fuel connections. These tanks could be
lofted by an expendable. Along with a lunar module, etc. This way,
none of it actaully has to fit in the cargo bay.

>BTW, do you think the shuttle would survive the atmospheric re-entry: a
>spacecraft returning from the moon is after all moving at higher velocities (11
>km/s?) when it hits the upper atmosphere than the shuttle was designed for 
>(6-7 km/s). Or would it be possible to avoid the problem by first performing an
>aerobraking maneuver, the re-enter and land? The soviet Zond 5-8 lunar probes 
>used this technique in the late sixties.

I may be mistaken, but back in the Apollo days, they skipped the
capsule across the atmosphere before actaully deorbiting to slow it
down a bit.

Craig Cole
V071PZP4@UBVMS.BITNET
V071PZP4@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com