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From: dietz@SLB-DOLL.CSNET (Paul Dietz)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Future of the Space Program
Message-ID: <8601292120.AA01872@s1-b.arpa>
Date: Wed, 29-Jan-86 13:15:00 EST
Article-I.D.: s1-b.8601292120.AA01872
Posted: Wed Jan 29 13:15:00 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 02:39:42 EST
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Organization: The ARPA Internet
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>  - What kind of escape mechanism (if any) does the shuttle have for the crew?

At that point, the only escape mechanism was to detach the orbiter from
the fuel tank and hope it doesn't blow up before you get away.  I'll
add that if they had been able to get away but had to ditch in the ocean
they still would probably have died; the shuttle decelerates from 190
knots to zero in 100 yards when ditched and the TDRS would probably have
smashed through the cabin.

> - Will this be a setback for the space program, due to public disapproval
>  or the government's need to find (and punish) someone?

I was surprised by the immediate and almost universal support for the
program expressed by the public and politicians alike.  This might
change.  I doubt it will lead to more money, though.

> - Might this redirect (to some extent) the focus of the manned space
> program away from the shuttle (large, complex) back toward simpler or
> alternative launch systems?

It will certainly deflect satellite launching back to unmanned
expendable vehicles (mainly Ariane).  The disaster has probably soured
DOD permanently on the shuttle, so DOD may push for a small TAV.
France will go ahead with Hermes, which is smaller and simpler,
consisting of a small spaceplane on top of an Ariane-5 launcher.