🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan8.183031.12692@ke4zv.uucp> gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman) writes:

   In article <C0Hun4.13t@zoo.toronto.edu> henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes:
   >In article <1993Jan7.033118.1652@cerberus.ulaval.ca> yergeau@phy.ulaval.ca (Francois Yergeau) writes:
   >>But the airlines do not contract out their operations.  They procure
   >>planes, and fly them, just like NASA buys shuttles and operates them.

   >Actually, it is not at all uncommon for airlines to lease planes complete
   >with crews, or to contract with specialists for support services like
   >maintenance.  Leasing services are among the airliner companies' biggest
   >customers.

   Ok, let's try it another way. NASA sells Shuttle and it's support facilities
   at cost to Rockwell. NASA then buys a *ticket* when it needs a launch on
   Rockwell Spacelines, about 8 times a year. Rockwell Spacelines sells them
   the tickets at about 1.5 times current Shuttle flight costs, got to recoup
   the investment and turn a profit. The poor taxpayer takes it in the neck.

I'm coming in late on this thread, but consider why NASA operates its
own fleet of aircraft rather than lease them for all purposes.
In particular do people contend that say the Kuiper Observatory
should be put on a AA flight rather than a NASA owned Starlifter?

|  Steinn Sigurdsson	|I saw two shooting stars last night		|
|  Lick Observatory	|I wished on them but they were only satellites	|
| steinly@lick.ucsc.edu |Is it wrong to wish on space hardware?		|
| "standard disclaimer"	|I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care - B.B. 1983	|