tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post3124992193579648991..comments2024-03-11T07:26:04.670-05:00Comments on Posthuman Blues: Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074004681516756703noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post-42891934073090262262007-11-08T23:21:00.000-06:002007-11-08T23:21:00.000-06:00The shuttles were incredibly expensive to build --...The shuttles were incredibly expensive to build -- especially given their somewhat limited mission -- and remain incredibly expensive to maintain. And, interestingly, NO U.S. astronauts were ever lost on a flight before Challenger. Fourteen human beings have now died on shuttle flights.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully, the money saved on construction and maintenance can go towards humanned lunar and Mars expeditions....<BR/><BR/>--W.M. BearAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post-3258510461626919372007-11-08T12:48:00.000-06:002007-11-08T12:48:00.000-06:00NASA plans for Orion to do ISS duties until privat...NASA plans for Orion to do ISS duties until private companies catch up technologically to bid out orbital services Tony.<BR/><BR/>I too was disappointed in the Orion design. It would have been nice to see something innovative, but NASA as always was underfunded and the Apollo-style capsule is a proven design for re-entering the atmosphere at 25,000 mph.<BR/><BR/>At least the capsule is supposed to be reusable. That's an improvement if you look at it that way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post-64138943472748654642007-11-08T10:05:00.000-06:002007-11-08T10:05:00.000-06:00What does NASA have planned to continue missions t...What does NASA have planned to continue missions to the ISS or for satellite delivery? Seems like they'd need a shuttle-type vehicle for that kind of thing.<BR/><BR/>I'm all for retiring the shuttle; especially with all the problems its had in the last couple missions with heat tiles and such. I can't still help but feel a wave of disappointment at the Orion design; like we've reached the limits of what we're capable of in space, or we're afraid to take bold new steps.Tony F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02536207264140526105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post-75574156665613372942007-11-08T09:14:00.000-06:002007-11-08T09:14:00.000-06:00I was watching Mars Rising the other morning and t...I was watching <I>Mars Rising</I> the other morning and the engineers were discussing Orion.<BR/><BR/>The explanation given for the retro capsule design is because since its' primary function is Lunar exploration/transport, it would be re-entering Earth's atmosphere at 25,000 mph, too high for a winged vehicle to survive.<BR/><BR/>I forgot that was the escape velocity needed for a Lunar injection flight path.<BR/><BR/>It's been so long.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4147219.post-25710274423890157522007-11-08T03:26:00.000-06:002007-11-08T03:26:00.000-06:00It sure has plenty of (gold foil wrapped) balls!It sure has plenty of (gold foil wrapped) balls!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com