🚀 go-pugleaf

>        Shuttle could have lower costs then  NASA currently has,
>        but it still needs a tremendous infrastructure.  The OPF,
>        the VAB, Tilting bay,  the crawler/transporter.  Launch towers.
>
>        The DC  will not need much more infrastructure, then a
>        airline hangar.  Henry, alan and I all believe that eliminating
>        all this structure and cost  will make up for any lower
>        vehicle lift capacity.
>pat

         Pat, the SLC-6 facility at Vandenberg did not have a VAB,
         "tilting bay" (that's ths same as the VAB, though) or a Crawler.
         SLC-6 reversed the action at the Cape's Complex 39. At 39,
         the Shuttle moves from facility to facility to pad. At SLC-6
         the Shuttle was to move from OPF straight to pad, eliminating
         the VAB. Orbiter, ET, and SRBs were to be stacked on the pad.
                  
         Apparently, somebody said that NASA could save money on the
         Shuttle if they used the Saturn 5 facilities. Another blunder.
         
         -Brian


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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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