🚀 go-pugleaf

>The cost of shuttle operations is so high that regardless of whether the
>flight rate is 4 or 6 or 8 per year that the cost compares unfavorably with
>private launch services (or a successful DC-1).
>
>The Space Shuttle is simply the highest cost (per pound) launch vehicle ever
>operated.
>
>--- Maximus 2.01wb
>

  Space Shuttle is also the only system designed to be used repeatedly,
  is the only system capable of returning very heavy payloads to Earth,
  and is the second most-powerful booster every made in the U.S. It is
  also one of only two man-rated systems presently in use.
  
  Shuttle is also as much a technology demonstrator as it is a launch
  system. That the technology proved to costly to replace the expendable
  market is beside the point. This was the very argument used to scrap
  the Saturn V program... too expensive as I recall. Hopefully the DC
  program will eventually be able to replace both Shuttle and the aging
  expendables, but until it has proven this performance let's stick with
  what we have and use Shuttle to its fullest advantage.

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Brian S. Thorn                                    "If ignorance is bliss,
BrianT@cup.portal.com                               this must be heaven."
                                                -Diane Chambers, "Cheers"
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