somber_pieces
New member
- Jun 6, 2008
- 17
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...in case of emergency departure? At present, there is only the one soyuz emergency lifeboat (which seats 3). When the ISS upgrades it's staffing - what are they going to do if everyone had to evacuate the ISS?
Instead of retiring all the space shuttles in 2010, why not refurbish one as a large capacity emergency lifeboat for the ISS. The crew seating could be expanded & the fuel capacity for maneuvering could also be expanded into the existing cargo bay. As well as having a stash of tile patching supplies.
At best, they may never have to use it.
In a worst case scenario, the shuttle is already built & ready to be customized for its possible future fate. As a high capacity lifeboat.
It would be better than setting all three out to rot out in the desert with all the other former flying machines. Since mothballing aircraft is otherwise very expensive. And in this global economic environment, its hardly likely that even the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, will be able to cobble together a 65 million $ fund to save just one for a future exhibit.
Instead of retiring all the space shuttles in 2010, why not refurbish one as a large capacity emergency lifeboat for the ISS. The crew seating could be expanded & the fuel capacity for maneuvering could also be expanded into the existing cargo bay. As well as having a stash of tile patching supplies.
At best, they may never have to use it.
In a worst case scenario, the shuttle is already built & ready to be customized for its possible future fate. As a high capacity lifeboat.
It would be better than setting all three out to rot out in the desert with all the other former flying machines. Since mothballing aircraft is otherwise very expensive. And in this global economic environment, its hardly likely that even the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, will be able to cobble together a 65 million $ fund to save just one for a future exhibit.