Bonsoir Raoul. Oui, ca fait du temps.

In response:

"First, Columbia won't likely go to ISS as it is too heavy, but you suggest perhaps a lighter payload anyway."

The Columbia has gone to the ISS (I don't have the particular flight(s) at my fingertips), but you're right, it is only marginally able to get there. I haven't tried to work out the projected mass lift capabilities as I still need to figure out the differences between the standard NASA SpaceHab versus the custom model the Venture'd be interested in.

You must have read my mind, though, re: the windows in the ceiling. That is EXACTLY what I had in mind. Some kind of alternating layers of glass and aerogel structure that could handle some pitting.

As far as the safety goes, no one really has a good method of escaping the Columbia in the event of an emergency. I have considered that aspect of things, and the best I've been able to come up with would be some kind of mechanism that would seal the SpaceHab and blow it out of the cargo bay to parachute to safety. Added mass and cost. I'm not really optimistic about that scenario. IF there were an accident, all hands would likely go down, just like on an airliner. No one wants that.

"Why must the Shuttle tourists go to the ISS, BTW? If there are 15 of them, they'll be a nuisance more than a bless to the ISS occupants. An unmanned platform with large solar panels could do the job."

Agreed, but the ISS could validly be considered a destination for visitors. They'd spend the bulk of their time in the hotel module, but there would no doubt be formal dinners with the crew and so forth. Something akin to an ocean cruise, but where everyone is first class. And of course there are plans floating about for Mini-Stations. This kind of volume passenger delivery could unlike the barriers to financing that exist now. 2 passengers per year vs. 15 passengers per year. (I honestly don't believe the Russian 2 passenger plan. I don't think they really want to give up the engineer. It's likely just a ploy to try and stimulate more expressed interest in space tourism)

"And the EVA with MMU stunt? Only a few could do that and they'll need special training beforehand."

Why only a few? They'll be up for two weeks or more. Plenty of time for anyone that does want to do it. Maybe even twice. Yes, there will be a need for some training, probably somewhere between Space Camp level and a full-blown NASA training regimen. They'll also need some spacesuit training and general safety lectures. Nothing major, though.

Merci pour m'avoir repondu. A vrai dire je n'avais pas beaucoup vu recemment auquel j'ai voulu repondre. Et je m'occupe dans les recherches cislunaire, le boulot temporaire, le cherche pour un boulot dans le secteur spatial (quel blague! Je crois que les mecs financiers les donnent un peur irreelle).

Peut-etre que je serais bientot revenu en Europe a Strasbourg. On verra.

A bientot,
Kadet Ken