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From: fcrary@lightning.Berkeley.EDU (Frank Crary)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: After Endeavour, what then?
Message-ID: <1991May4.081930.14921@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: 4 May 91 08:19:30 GMT
References: <346.281f448d@mwk.uucp>
Sender: root@agate.berkeley.edu (Charlie Root)
Organization: ucb
Lines: 17

In article <346.281f448d@mwk.uucp> pittman@mwk.uucp writes:
>Pardon my naivete, but what is the design lifetime of a shuttle orbiter?

According to the Office of Technology Assessment, the Shuttle system will
need to be replaced in the 2000-2010 frame. NASA Langley is working on
design concepts for a Shuttle II, now called AMLS or Advanced Manned 
Launch System, these studies include everything from just like the
Shuttle but with a fly-back payload to a Hermes-like spaceplane on
a beafed up Titan to a air-launched system similar to the German
Sanger II concept.
However, by 2010, a NASP (X-30, fly to orbit, land and take off like
a 747) derived cargo and passenger carrier may be available.
As far as operating the space station, almost anything will do. The 
soviet station is supported by a Delta-class launcher.

                       Frank Crary
		       UC Berkeley