[ale] OT: Space Shuttle Columbia

[Geoffrey]

Jeff Hubbs wrote:
>>>I believe that an EVA might have provided key information regarding the
>>>survivability of re-entry.  I envision two courses of action that could
>>>have been explored: 1) rendezvous/offload of crew to the ISS followed by
>>>an attempted remote re-entry
>>
>>This was deemed not possible since the orbits of the ISS and Columbia 
>>were on different orbits.  Columbia is not equipt with engines to 
>>transfer to the ISS orbit.
> 
> 
> But it's equipped with engines (from the pad on up) to get it to the
> ISS; that much is self-evident.  I feel that Shuttle missions that don't
> have firm orbital targets (e.g., satellite capture) ought to be
> scheduled and aimed such that an ISS rendezvous is possible using the
> available OMS fuel at at least one point in the mission.

No, actually it's not.  It has engines for maneuvering, not for actual 
going from point a to point b.  I've heard it said many times, it's 
nothing more then a huge glider.  To get it to the ISS it is 'pointed' 
at it and the orbit does most of the work.

I agree with the ISS orbital solution, but I don't know enough about the 
whole thing to understand why this isn't done.  I think I recall them 
saying that, to do so, requires not only a particular direction, but a 
particular date/time.  Wouldn't do any good to send it up to the ISS 
orbit when the ISS is on the other end of the orbit.


-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net

The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user agreement.
Think about it...

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