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To: RightWhale
Just build the upper stage and the crew capsule.

If you are thinking "capsule" then it ain't going to cut it. Certainly, right now, there is no need to launch more than a handful of people at a time. But for space to be a viable industry, you are going to need to move people in significant numbers. If for no other reason than reducing costs with the $/head figure.

35 posted on 01/29/2003 1:33:05 PM PST by hopespringseternal
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To: hopespringseternal
there is no need to launch more than a handful of people at a time.

I'm not interested in space tourism. That is someone elses department. I am interested in asteroid mining. It will be a business operaration with permanent staff stationed in space at a few critical locations, and most of the staff right on terra firma. There will be no need to ferry hordes of people to and from space. A few crews, perhaps 16 crews, with a staff level of 10 each will suffice. Most will travel into space and return one time and will stay in space for a few years. The work will be similar to hard-rock mining now: dangerous, highly technical, highly skilled, and boring as snot. Most workers will be able to retire after one tour in space and spend the rest of their lives impressing the impressionable at any seaside resort of their choosing for the rest of their life. Space launch capsules will suffice.

37 posted on 01/29/2003 2:28:34 PM PST by RightWhale
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