"Lawmakers produce Bill to extend shuttle to 2015, utilize CxP, advance HLV"

[Arrowstar]

"Lawmakers produce Bill to extend shuttle to 2015, utilize CxP, advance HLV"

Not to introduce yet another "shuttle extension" thread, but NASASpaceFlight.com just published an article concerning a bill that will be introduced to Congress:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/lawmakers-bill-extend-shuttle-2015-hlv/

I guess we'll see if this one goes anywhere.

 

[jinglesassy]

The problem with constellation was the rockets not what they were going to do, i strongly support orion and hate with a passion ares 1 and ares 5. They could of done it alot easier using existing rockets but the nasa head people were stuck in the mind set of ares 1 and ares 5 being the only way. But it wasnt they could of used the existing rockets and saved billions and possibly already flown test orions and maybe even a test altair.

 

[Andy44]

This isn't a thread about Constellation, we have half a dozen of those, so let's keep it on topic.

 

[Ark]

Congresspeople from Florida and Texas want to extend a program that employs people in their districts while derailing plans to open new programs that employ people outside their districts. Same old crap, no surprise there.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I can see no chance of this to passing through completely: the shuttle decommission program is already underway (contracts are cancelled, staff members are retired, etc) and cannot be just stopped. The train has gone, and even the rail track itself is now elsewhere.

 

[Ghostrider]

The train has gone, and even the rail track itself is now elsewhere.

Lawmakers do not live in the same quantum universe as you and I: if they decide to ban oxygen in order to reduce the risks of fire they will do it, and then they'll make a law that says you must breathe Xenon or face a heavy fine or jailtime. And they will enforce it, aye they will.

 

[Urwumpe]

Just have a proper NASA Administrator, who calculates the costs for such a bill and publishes his findings. Our finance minister does the same when somebody gets to populist...

 

[Zachstar]

This is ZERO chance of passing.

Democrats are enraged by republican blocking of voting on bills such as the healthcare bill. And will see this as nothing but an attack on Obama's plans.

Shuttle to 2015 is a GREAT idea. But its just about impossible at this point. People have made other plans and putting the pieces back together will cost many billions.

If they were serious about extending the shuttle the decision ought to have been made in 2008 at the latest.

 

[garyw]

Shuttle to 2015 is a GREAT idea. But its just about impossible at this point. People have made other plans and putting the pieces back together will cost many billions.

It almost is but it can be done by repairing the already constructed external tanks and using the last LON tank. That'll add about 4-5 flights to the manifest. You'd probably need to remove Atlantis as well however I'm in agreement that this isn't anything more than senator grandstanding and possibly even them trying to save their own necks "Look, I tried to save the shuttle but it was too late - vote for me again".

But then I'm cynical.

 

[Urwumpe]

Also why the Shuttle? Orion would deserve a go ahead more than the Shuttle IMHO, the Shuttle had done its 30 years of service well, but it is really time for it becoming history. And a second winged reuseable space-truck like the Shuttle is unlikely in the next 50 years, not because of technology, but prejudice.

 

[garyw]

Also why the Shuttle? Orion would deserve a go ahead more than the Shuttle IMHO

Shuttle exists. It's got the infrastructure and experience base already in place. it's got flaws but those flaws are largely understood.

Even scrapping every other programme and diverting all resources to Orion on existing rockets won't get you any return for years.

 

[Urwumpe]

Shuttle exists. It's got the infrastructure and experience base already in place. it's got flaws but those flaws are largely understood.

Yes, but at the same time, you ride a old vehicle, that will need more and more maintenance in the next years.

Even scrapping every other programme and diverting all resources to Orion on existing rockets won't get you any return for years.

Sure, but it offers a relaunch of the "system". Diverting money to the Shuttle means the needed changes are further delayed.

 

[Ark]

I don't think they intend for it to pass, they just want to point to the bill a few months from now and go "See? We fought for your jobs, and the big bad government cut you anyway. We tried, so vote for us!"

 

[insanity]

I don't think they intend for it to pass, they just want to point to the bill a few months from now and go "See? We fought for your jobs, and the big bad government cut you anyway. We tried, so vote for us!"

Exactly. This is faux populism in order to get support come election time. Every one of those members knows that the Shuttle is done for, but none of them want to look like they stood by while jobs evaporated out of their district.

 

[Ark]

Exactly. This is faux populism in order to get support come election time. Every one of those members knows that the Shuttle is done for, but none of them want to look like they stood by while jobs evaporated out of their district.

90% of everything done in politics is fluff and posturing...

 

[T.Neo]

And a second winged reuseable space-truck like the Shuttle is unlikely in the next 50 years, not because of technology, but prejudice.

Ah, the defining force behind technological development: Paradigm.

 

[Urwumpe]

Ah, the defining force behind technological development: Paradigm.

You might be surprised how true this is...since the people who do the decisions are hardly interested in anything technical at all. Managers don't know what mass ratio means.

I remember how hard we lobbied with good technical arguments for getting away from the monolithic terminals and have proper workstations for the engineers, only to see a new CTO buying terminals from his old friends, because they "reduce costs". The cost saving effects of this are still waiting to come up.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I remember how hard we lobbied with good technical arguments for getting away from the monolithic terminals and have proper workstations for the engineers, only to see a new CTO buying terminals from his old friends, because they "reduce costs". The cost saving effects of this are still waiting to come up.

Smells strongly of kickbacking and nepotism. :dry:

 

[Urwumpe]

Smells strongly of kickbacking and nepotism. :dry:

It does. At least when the manager buys from his former employer (and/or future employer) despite the contracts being generally overpriced compared to local companies - Volkswagen gets their IT for a fraction of the price per work place.

 

[T.Neo]

You might be surprised how true this is

Not in the least.