🚀 go-pugleaf

>In article <1993Jan4.154842.13841@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> rbw3q@rayleigh.mec
h
>.Virginia.EDU (Brad Whitehurst) writes:
>
>>       If men are part of the payload, the Shuttle is (currently) the
>>only way to fly!
>
>I think if you consult the Russians they can show you the error in
>this statement.
>
>BTW, the team evaluating Soyuz has finished its work. They concluded that
>there is no reason Soyuz couldn't be used as ACRV. It should also be
>possible to use Soyuz on an Atlas or Titan for US manned space.
>
>    Allen

    Excellent news about Soyuz ACRV, but even considering Shuttle
    launch costs, it seems cheaper to launch by Shuttle or Russian
    booster instead of Titan or Atlas. Neither is man-rated, and
    neither has existing facilities for manned launches. Atlas-Centaur
    has never been man-rated, and after Challenger, it would be
    difficult to man-rate the Titan SRMs. Let's send the two Soyuz up
    on one Shuttle if we decide to not let the Russians deliver.
    
    If it is your contention to replace Shuttle with Atlas-Soyuz, that's
    another matter. I think it would cost too much to reconstruct Atlas
    manned launch facilities for just two or three launches per year,
    and I think manned Titan III/IV is now a pipedream.
    
    -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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