Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!decwrl!shlump.dec.com!moon.dec.com!fisher
From: fisher@moon.dec.com
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Launch capability (USA)
Message-ID: <2588@shlump.dec.com>
Date: 26 May 89 21:49:10 GMT
References: <457@cybaswan.UUCP>
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Re the question about how many shuttles can be ready at once:

Pads 39A and B are both shuttle pads.  The first 24 missions used
39A.  The Challenger accident was the first time 39B was used.  39B
has been used ever since.  I believe that 39A is currently in the process
of being upgraded.

The VAB does have multiple bays; it was originally intended to prepare
multiple Saturn V rockets at once (sigh!).  I think there is only one
shuttle in it at one time, though, but that is not a problem.  The orbiter
is only in the VAB for a couple of weeks.  Not much in the entire processing
cycle.

I suspect there are several different sorts of problems that would preclude
which you are suggesting:

1.  People.  They are out straight doing ~one at a time.

2.  Safety.  Is it worth risking two billion-dollar shuttles at the same
time in case of a pad accident?

3.  Mission control.  Can two shuttles in space be dealt with at the same time?
Last time anything like this was done was Gemini 6/7 (unless you want to count
the CM/LM pair during the lunar missions.)

Burns