Asri-unix.1144
net.space
utzoo!decvax!cca!sri-unix!David.Smith@CMU-10A
Sat Apr  3 13:03:21 1982
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From: David.Smith at CMU-10A (C410DS30)
There was a discussion of using the external tank about a year ago.
Martin Marietta (maker of the ET) is looking into ways to utilize the
tanks.  The reason the ET is dropped short of orbit is to avoid the
Skylab syndrome.  The OMS burns required to boost the shuttle the rest
of the way into orbit amount to about 300 mph, so it is clear that the
tank could be taken into orbit, too.