OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Shuttle lifts off

Great to see the shuttle back in action.

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Great news about the successful lift off, but:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4719847.stm

What will they do if they find the shuttle is not fit for re-entry? Can they fix it up there, or would they have to use the escape modules on the ISS to get the crew home? Are there anough escape modules to bring them all back down?

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

I think they have some resin putty to place over any damaged tiles.

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

And this putty is as good as the asbestos for heat resistance? Why not just make the entire shuttle out of it?

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Its about damn time too!

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

More expensive?

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Putty is probably not good for structural integrity... it can plug a crack, but a ship made out of it would be like a giant Drushockan booger. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Attack of the Giant Space Booger!

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Probably it's as good for heat resistance on one trip. The tiels are designed to last for several reentries. The Giant Drushokan Space Booger would get the job done once, but it would have to be rebuilt after every flight.

Makes me think of that SNL skit about the "Adobe" car. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

I just hope it lands safely.

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

oh dear... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4723109.stm

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

That's too bad. But maybe it will help get the next generation of space craft out just a little bit faster...

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

Imho there are two solutions for this problem, one might be possible with the current shuttle design but might be impossible due to physics, the second is for the next shuttle design.

First the maybe now possible one: why not install a protective jacket around the heatshield of the shuttle ? it doesnt need it when lifting off, only when coming down.

Second, make it so that in the next shuttle the fuel tanks and booster rockets are on the less vulnerable side, this should be the backside for the current space shuttle, or maybe even the sides.

both solutions however are quite expansive I think so it'll be for the next shuttle.

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

For the 'next generation' they should finish the development of the system rather than leave it as a half-baked hack/kludge. You do know that the shuttle was supposed to have a flying 'lifter' to carry it (like the 747 transporter does but more gracefully) to 50,000 feet or so and then launch from there? The current system with the external tank and the boosters is a kludge because they couldn't get the money to complete the original design. That is the real problem. They are using the shuttle in a way it was not intended/designed for.

Re: OT: Space Shuttle returns to flight
 

That assumes they get a budget to do this. Bear in mind this isn't the amount of money they ask for, it's the amount they'll need.

Major engineering projects do not come in on-spec, on time and on budget. Ever. You might get one, maybe, if your lucky and the project isn't ambitious, you'll get two. But never all three.