Shuttle-C

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Richasi
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Shuttle-C

Post by Richasi »

Inquiring minds who have stopped inquring about this sort of thing some time ago... wants to know what ever happened to the Shuttle-C project?

I remember they talked about it a lot at Space Academy being the wave of the future... but it's not here. For those who don't know, it was to take the SRBs, the ET and attach a shuttle like cargo carrier and use it as a heavy lifter.

I heard at one point that the project was possibly scrapped but I've not really heard anything on it since. Anyone know?
Space Camp • June 11-16, 1989 - Session 31 - Martin Marietta
Space Academy, Level 1 • June 16-21, 1991 - Session 24 - BDM
Adult Space Academy • September 26-28, 2003 - Session 52 - Discovery
Alumni Camp • June 14-17, 2007 - Session 38 - Challenger
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Post by Boomerang »

According to a friend of mine who is a former NASA engineer and worked on the Shuttle-C project the project was cancelled. I'm not sure the exacct reason though.
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Post by Richasi »

Of course, cancel the projects that make sense. :)

Ahh well, just curious.
Space Camp • June 11-16, 1989 - Session 31 - Martin Marietta
Space Academy, Level 1 • June 16-21, 1991 - Session 24 - BDM
Adult Space Academy • September 26-28, 2003 - Session 52 - Discovery
Alumni Camp • June 14-17, 2007 - Session 38 - Challenger
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Post by Boomerang »

Unfortunately most of the projects that make sense do end up scrapped. Look at the Venturestar and the Crew Return vehicle both put on indefinate hold because of budgetary restraints. As it is now the alreay 20 year old space shuttle will most likely be fltying for another 20 years or more. Unfortunately its age and ite repeated use increse the chance of another challenger type accident. I believe the statistics say 1 flight in every 100 will end in disaster we are now past 100 flights with 1 disaster unfortunately the statistics arent on our side.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
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Richasi
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Post by Richasi »

Yup, 1 in 100...

but at least they're making the attempt to update the shuttles. The "Glass Cockpit" was nice. I remember seeing photos of that. Seeing pictures of the Atlantis' new cockpit was nice.
Space Camp • June 11-16, 1989 - Session 31 - Martin Marietta
Space Academy, Level 1 • June 16-21, 1991 - Session 24 - BDM
Adult Space Academy • September 26-28, 2003 - Session 52 - Discovery
Alumni Camp • June 14-17, 2007 - Session 38 - Challenger
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Post by Boomerang »

The Glass Cockpit is a big improvement and something i'm happy to see on the shuttle because it was a project of NASA Langley Research Center here in my home town. It was first tested on Langleys old Flying laboratory a modified 737. Hopefully the new upgrades can keep the shuttle fleet flying safely for as long as needed.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
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Post by Richasi »

Only time will tell... the cockpit has been upgraded but everything else seems to be cracking and falling apart. Heh.
Space Camp • June 11-16, 1989 - Session 31 - Martin Marietta
Space Academy, Level 1 • June 16-21, 1991 - Session 24 - BDM
Adult Space Academy • September 26-28, 2003 - Session 52 - Discovery
Alumni Camp • June 14-17, 2007 - Session 38 - Challenger
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Post by Boomerang »

Well some cracking and falling apart is to be expected. The shuttle is 21 years old, Most people dont have cars that are that old. Just like any machin=e the shuttle will require maintenance. We take cars in for tune ups so many thousands of miles but the shuttle has flown any millions of miles each. The technologyis now more than 20 years old and some problems are to be expected. Look at it this way its older than Mir was and its still in better shape than Mir was when it crashed.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
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