Sure would be nice to be able to send up a rescue ship if the one up there has a problem such that it is expected it can't land, but what would having two ships ready simultaneously do to the budget? We would need two of the support items we currently only need one of. Also how would we be able to get the rescue ship to connect with the other one that's in trouble, so the occupants from the one can transfer to the other without going adrift in space? There's nothing to hook.
Call 9 1 1 huh?
Right.
(Welcome to the big leagues kid - where it is a high wire act *without* a net ...)
It would surely increase it,but not as much as some people might think. We already have more than 2 shuttles,so we wouldn't have to build a special one. We already have plenty of astronauts,and they are getting paid at the same rate regardless of if they are sitting in some "ready shack",or out on the golf course. Ditto with the launch crew. They ain't hired by the hour. All are already on the payroll,and I doubt any of them would object to being placed in a ready status on call.
Also how would we be able to get the rescue ship to connect with the other one that's in trouble, so the occupants from the one can transfer to the other without going adrift in space? There's nothing to hook.
A astronaut from one ship could EVA to the other ship with a line they others could use to cross the gap. They could also use some sort of flexible hose similiar to what airliners use as a "tunnel" to connect the two ships,and the astronauts could just walk across from one to the other using the tunnel. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------