By using the silica tiles, everything underneath the thermal protection system was conventional aircraft technology. At the structural level, the Space Shuttle orbit vehicle was surprisingly similar to a Boeing 707. The solid rocket boosters though big, also represented established aerospace technology (similar to the Titan-3C solid rocket strap-on boosters). The External Tank was a variation of a Saturn-V lower stage fuel tank. The risky technology was limited to the thermal protection tiles and the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The Space Shuttle Main Engine was a major technological leap from the stand point of performance and reusability but still a direct derivative of the J-2 rocket engine.
From a bean counter's perspective, the decision to go with the current Shuttle was a slam dunk. The aeronautical engineers had to accept the decision or have their careers terminated.
Gary
Space/Science » in reply to Craziness
From a bean counters perspective, the decision was a slam dunk
The whole thread (44 posts)
- Mike Griffin's road map to Mars
- I think rocket technology is about as good as it's going to get
- Other good points
- I agree
- The 30+ years hasn't been a complete waist.
- re: I agree
- Could the shuttles be redesigned?
- I agree