Shuttle hijinks

[Torm]

Rockets are not moronic. We (the U.S. and Russia) sent people to the moon, built nine space staions, and have sent probes into interstellar space without any orbiters.

I agree, BA. The Soviets Russians have had, overall, a much more successful space program than the Americans, using tried and true rockets and capsules. Heck, one of the capsules came down in mountain terrain not too long ago, more than 200 miles off course, and without real injury to the crew - even when their stuff screws up, it works pretty well. I wish the two space programs could work more closely together.

I like the look of what NASA has planned next - a large cargo launcher capable of thrusting a container big enough to hold the whole space shuttle into orbit, and a separate simultaneous launch using a new capsule for the crew, with the two able to intercept and interact in orbit. Might actually allow for orbital prep of a vehicle to get to Mars or beyond, and at the very least, they're promising the Moon again Real Soon Now.

Now, if they'd only raise that space station up to a LaGrange Point, somehow. And add a whole bunch more onto it and make it useful. And rename it Starbase One. Or, short of that, drop the thing into the ocean and quit wasting money on it. :\

 

[Ranger REG]

This coming from the guy who proposed making a shipyard and naming it Utopia Planetia...

Oh yeah, like them SW fans would know.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Oh yeah, like them SW fans would know.

They'd just want to call it a "Death Star" and be done with it.

 

[Umbran]

I agree, BA. The Soviets Russians have had, overall, a much more successful space program than the Americans, using tried and true rockets and capsules.

Overall, the Soyuz and Shuttle programs have roughly equal death rates. However, the Soyuz has a worse track record than the shuttle in overall reliability. While the rocket concept sounds like it is a simpler, and therefore less trouble-prone, deisgn, the Soviet/Russian system has been and is run by a country that doesn't really have the money to support the endeavor.

I wish the two space programs could work more closely together.

As above - the Russian economy is such that we cannot rely on them meeting their agreements. Maybe in another decade, things will be different.

 

[Mr. T]

If the Russians had enough money and a decent (read: gansters have less than 50% of jobs) government, the cooperation thing might work.