Posted on 08/29/2009 5:51:17 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Europe has offered to buy a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to continue manned flights after the US retires the Shuttle in two years.
The European Space Agency, which is based in Paris, said a space vehicle of its own would enable European astronauts to continue working at the International Space Station even if the American shuttles cease operating.
The scheduled launch of the first Russian Soyuz from the ESA base in French Guiana was postponed on Wednesday to 2010.
To deliver the module the Russian space programme would have to increase production of the vehicle to five units per year.
Simonetta Di Pippo, the director of human spaceflight at the ESA, said discussions with her Russian counterparts had been fruitful. "From 13 [2013] on, we would like to have at least one European astronaut per year flying and this can be done in various ways. One of the proposals we are putting on the table is to buy a full Soyuz," she said. "The feeling with the Russians was really good. We had a great meeting and I think in two or three months, we will be able to come out with a firm proposal."
The head of the Russian space agency has announced that Russia also plans to double the number of civilian satellites in orbit by 2015. French Guiana's closeness to the equator allows heavier payloads as launches can gain extra momentum from the Earth's own spinning motion. The Soyuz rockets will be able to carry three tonnes instead of the usual 1.7 tons.
But the first launch from Guiana was called off because of problems adapting the mobile launch pad.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Hm, they don’t want to buy a shuttle, wonder why?
Too bad we shut down Apollo vintage (or even Gemini vintage) production. Soyuz is a cheap and fairly reliable “chevy”.
Between South Korea and Japan, it would not take long to make a new space ferry from scratch.
Had to buy dim votes with Great (Hardly) Society. How dare the welfare rolls be diminished so that nation could advance in space for the overall betterment of mankind? Perish the thought. Food stamps versus new and better technology? Priorities need to be made.
South Korea’s satellite launch vehicle was a disaster, and this happened only a couple of days ago.
China, India and Japan have more advanced space programmes than the Koreans.
The Soukies got their satellite up OK. It’s the Norkies who can’t shoot straight (yet).
South Korea loses satellite after first space launch
August 26th, 2009
“Hm, they don’t want to buy a shuttle, wonder why?”
It may have something to do with the billion dollar a year cost to maintain and turn over a shuttle for launch.
I say put up a prize 50 mil. for someone to figure out how to cheaply produce carbon nanotubes. Once the cost comes down on those boom space elevators. Then all these rockets etc.. go the way of the dinosaur. Costs to put material in orbit go way down too. m2c
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