[Robert A Cook PE]

yes, but it's those "washers, nuts, bolts, connectors, gaskets, rivets, ball bearings, and clamps that aren't being made to those spec's any more.

It IS a real problem, but not the THE real problem.

See, would you REALLY want to rebuild a 1950-1960's era rocket, when a new design can give you more power and less weight ... and can be made cheaper. The Apollo 10-function "computer" weighed over 50 lbs and has less functions that a modern cell phone or calculator.... repeat that era design 10,000 times ...)

(Cheaper, that is, IF (and it's a big IF) NASA could really get off it's bureacracy and designed it as engineers, not paper-pushers....)

[XBob]

154 - you got it right - "yes, but it's those "washers, nuts, bolts, connectors, gaskets, rivets, ball bearings, and clamps that aren't being made to those spec's any more."

as a very simple portion of it. And each design has to be approved by all levels, and tested. We were paying $89 for simple 1 inch long sheet metal screws. That is $89 for each individual screw. A real 'screw' job.

"(and it's a big IF) NASA could really get off it's bureacracy and designed it as engineers, not paper-pushers....)"

They know no other way, and there really is no other way today. The institutional memory of the 'other' ways is gone. VonBraun and company are all dead. Now all we have left is the burro-ocracy.

[Dead Dog]

yes, but it's those "washers, nuts, bolts, connectors, gaskets, rivets, ball bearings, and clamps that aren't being made to those spec's any more.

1) Standard Hardware ain't going to be a problem. NAS is NAS, AN is still AN. Substitutions are done all the time, There probably isn't much on the Shuttle that hasn't been phased out and substituted.

2) Were not talking about a replica, were talking about a updated booster. The Ruskies are doing quite well with their 1950's BDMs. In fact, those 1950s technology are now our only ride into space.

We've done a ton of work on H2 LOX motors, but the old F-1 is still a bench mark for heavy lift. The Saturn V just needs to be evolved to the point where it would have been if we hadn't waisted time on the shuttle. But at least we have the SSME's...jewels of efficiency they are. I've read that the Saturn V was one iteration from 120 ton LEO. I would guess with improved materials the same basic system would push 150 ton.