🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec22.182600.29193@iti.org> aws@iti.org (Allen W. Sherzer) writes:
>In <ggm2ljr@rpi.edu> strider@clotho.acm.rpi.edu (Greg Moore) writes:
>
>>	I think we differ big-time when it comes to DC-1.  Allen seems
>>to me to be saying, "Things will work out, and this is how it will be."
>
>From a technical point of view I am saying that a fully reusable SSTO
>vehicle carrying a reasonable payload (10 to 20 K pounds) and operational
>costs of $10 to $29 million per flight *CAN* be built with available
>technology. I also believe that operational costs can drop to $1 to $5
>million range if utilization is high enough.
>
>I believe this partly from my own assessment and the fact that every
>assessment done has concluded that it is possible. Even the internal
>NASA assessment say it can be done and that it could save billions.
>
>Now this doesn't mean that DC-Y WILL work. The biggest problems however
>are managerial, not technical. Using conventional government procurement,
>it will be impossible to build SSTO. Using a commercial like process however
>should work.

Finally, an intelligent position on SSTO from Allen. I would quibble,
however, that while there are no known *theoretical* technical issues
unresolved, there remain numerous practical technical problems to 
solve in the DC program. DC is a complex technical vehicle, even if
it is designed to be much simpler than Shuttle, and like any complex mechanism, 
teething problems are almost certain to arise. That's the type of contingency 
for which less optimistic management systems provide alternative actions
and funding. Whether McDD and any government sugar daddies they can attract 
will be willing to continue to fund them through the inevitable setbacks 
remains to be seen. I also suspect that cheaper alternatives to SSTO are 
technically possible with MSTO expendibles for some missions, though whether 
anyone will build them remains unknown. I wish McDD luck, but ask that they 
stay away from Hartsfield International until they've developed a good track 
record of operations.

Gary

-- 
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary      
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     | emory!ke4zv!gary@gatech.edu