Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: What if...
Message-ID: <1989Mar25.222108.9060@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <5042@cbnews.ATT.COM> <15.UUL1.3#5131@mvac.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 89 22:21:08 GMT

In article <15.UUL1.3#5131@mvac.UUCP> mvac!thomas@udel.edu writes:
>>     What you *might* see is a Soyouz [sp] launch...
>I don't think so.  There is no way that the two craft could dock.  Even if
>the astronauts did an EVA to get to the Soyuz craft, there wouldn't be
>enough room for a Soviet pilot plus astronauts.  Don't the Soyuz craft
>only hold two people?

No, the Soyuz is routinely used to hold three, and in a serious emergency
doubtless could hold more, albeit uncomfortably and with some risk of
injury in the event of a rough landing.

Besides, who says the Soviets can't launch more than one?

As for the docking problem, that's a problem with any rescue mission,
since a normally-equipped shuttle isn't set up to dock with *anything*.
This is why the "rescue ball" exists -- the shuttle doesn't carry
spacesuits for everybody, but there are enough balls for the rest of
the crew.
-- 
Welcome to Mars!  Your         |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
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