When in 1988 (after Challenger) plans for HLLVs were brought up (again), Fletcher said "no", because he feared they would reduce the number of shuttle flights and make them thus even more expensive and harder to justify.....I was quite disappointed!
After Challenger, the shuttle program was kept alive because too many upcoming missions were depending on it (Spacelab, space station, HST, interplanetary probes, etc). At that time, there still was support for a shuttle replacement (Endeavour) which turned out to be 1) financed, 2) finished on time, 3) less costly than first feared and 4) better than the 3 other shuttles !
After Columbia, the only shuttle missions planned for the future, concerned the completion of the ISS.
Once Endeavour was built, there was no plan to build another 6th shuttle.
This meant, things were going to change.
Up to now, manned space programs are sustainable because they are so, politically !
Weather they can become economically sustainable is a matter that depends on the private sector and this has, so far in 50 years, not been demonstrated.
Space/Science » in reply to Real prestige will come from actually using space and making a profit
HLLV and sustainable mannes space program
The whole thread (34 posts)
- A View of the Obama Admin's Revamp of Manned Spaceflight Future
- I think the most important questions haven't been addressed.
- Is it feasible to mothball the ISS instead of deorbiting it?
- You'll live long enough to see the Chinese on the Moon
- sexing up unmanned vs doing manned
- re: sexing up unmanned vs doing manned
- re: unmanned vs manned
- Why manned flights matter
- re: sexing up unmanned vs doing manned
- Disapointing but not shocking...