From: Spike Jones (spike66@attglobal.net)
Date: Fri Mar 16 2001 - 00:19:10 MST
> Spike Jones wrote: Suppose you
> are a rocket designer and you are given the same set of requirements
> the shuttle designers were given in 1965. To orbit with 30 tons,
> 18.5 meters by 4.8 cylindrical, *return to earth with 10 tons*
> and land with dignity. What would it look like? spike
OK part 2 of the same exercise. In 65 it seemed like a good
idea to build a spacecraft that could return satellites from
orbit to earth for servicing. It wasnt. The shuttle has never
really been used for that, for good reason: its scary to
return with much in the payload bay. Its dangerous,
and you dont want to risk that big expensive orbiter,
when it is cheaper to just make two identical satellites
and if the one conks, send up the other.
So now assume yourself a rocket designer. You are
given all the same constraints as the rocket designers
had in 65, with the exception that you need not return
payloads. The only things you must return are the motors
and the meat. And no fishing astronauts outta the sea,
thats dangerous. Now what does your craft look like? spike
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