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Darrius Cole
Most Exalted Highlord
Joined: 04 May 2004
Posts: 406
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| When will NASA make a new space shuttle? |
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What does it take for NASA to understand that the current generation of space shuttles are too old? Today they found that Atlantis had cracks in the landing gear, and they are checking to make sure that Discovery doesn't have the same problem.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7954407/
That generation of space shuttles is 25 years old. All types of things will be wrong with them, just like they are with any machine that is 25 years old. I wonder how many of them drive 25 years old cars, have 25 year old refrigerators, wear 25 years old watches. I know they constantly service them and put new parts on them, but they are still old. There comes a point where you have to retire a machine. I think that point is BEFORE it becomes 25 years old.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or opinions on this matter, or is it just me?
_________________
Always with you what can not be done. Hear you nothing that I say? - Master Yoda
Only the powerful are free. - Darrius Cole |
Mon May 23, 2005 8:48 pm |
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cfmdobbie
High Emperor
Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 1859
Location: London, England |
Well, there's a big difference between military and commercial hardware. Military kit is very well made, very well maintained, and costs a hell of a lot. If 'fridges were made by NASA, each one had three people looking after it, and they each cost a million pounds, I expect they'd last a long time, too.
The current workhorse bomber in the American inventory is the B-52. They're currently on the eighth revision, the B-52H. The B-52Hs were all brought into service in 1961-2, making them all 43-44 years old. It must be conceded that the Shuttle is likely under a lot more stress than your average bomber.
It would probably be fair to say that NASA have been reckless with their Shuttles, though. They haven't observed issues of safety as much as they should have, and have most likely not expended as much money on maintenance as they should have - NASA have been feeling the budget pinch for many years now.
But they are looking towards the future. They know the limitations of their machines, and are actively seeking replacements. The Crew Exploration Vehicle looks the most exciting at the moment.
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Charlie Dobbie
=Member of The Nonflamers' Guild=
=Moderator of the Morrowind/Oblivion Forums= |
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Mon May 23, 2005 11:10 pm |
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EverythingXen
Arch-villain
Joined: 01 Feb 2002
Posts: 4342
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The CEV *is* the replacement... it's been confirmed as far as I know.
It is hoped it will be in use within the decade. I'm guessing it will be closer to two.
The fact is... with only two catastrophic failures the shuttle is one of the most successful aircraft designs ever. Only what... 15? 16? 20? people have died using them. Granted, they're not flown daily... but they are used often enough under extreme stresses that the fact only two have exploded is remarkable.
Acceptable? Well, people tend to leave it to historians to figure out what was 'acceptable' and not in this sort of thing. A lot of people have died in airliner crashes but people still fly daily... people die every day in car accidents and they're still the most popular and widely used form of transportation. It's always horrible and a tragedy but it hasn't pulled planes from the sky or cars off the road for extended periods of time. Why is the shuttle program different... other than the fact that it serves no tangible purpose (like visiting family, going to work, or going on a vaction. Peanuts compared to space exploration yet tangible.).
_________________
Estuans interius, Ira vehementi
"The old world dies and with it the old ways. We will rebuild it as it should be, MUST be... Immortal!"
=Member of the Nonflamers Guild=
=Worshipper of the Written Word= |
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Tue May 31, 2005 4:45 pm |
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