Re: Cost and Complexity
Sure, but that shouldn't scare us.
Besides, there may be simple workarounds. Orbital Recovery Corps. SLES may be ideal for attaching to an ET to boost it into a parking orbit. If the shuttle's going to the station anyway you might be able to park it relatively close to the ISS.
I'd like to see an ET cored like an apple with a TransHab balloon blown up inside and an airlock/node on one end. Fill up the space between the balloon and the tank walls (from the slosh baffles) with water to serve as radiation/micrometeorite insulation.
Or you could do a lot of complex welding and other stuff which we'll eventually have to learn to do anyway.
Good to see you're still around, Kim.
Cheers,
kadet ken