OT - End of an era

[unusualsuspex]

An image I put together last night after reading through acres of material about the last year of Space Shuttle operations.

It doesn't seem like two minutes since I was being thrilled about the news of the first shuttle being named 'Enterprise'.

Where next I wonder?

 

[dubeau]

Nice. The shuttles were a nice design overall.

You know...I am actually afraid they go back to the rocket ship instead of finding a new technology to power the shuttle. I think you shouldn't go backward like this...

 

[sojourner]

The shuttles were a great achievement, but flawed on many levels. I remember watching Columbia lift off for the first time while I was at the beach, beautiful site. Hopefully the next system will be just as inspiring to watch and a better system.

 

[StarCruiser]

It is sad that NASA hasn't figured out that the entire issue with the Space Shuttle program revolves around the outdated and dangerous delivery system - not the Shuttle itself...

They had proposals - many years back - to replace the launch system, but they didn't pursue them since the cost was 'too high' at the time.

 

[timelord1010]

It's too bad the Nixon Administration didn't fund this version of the shuttle:
http://cid-85fb65963c1d9025.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Space/early%20shuttle%20design%20A.jpg

We would have had a flyback booster for a totally reuseable vehicle.

Instead we get the compromise version with the reusable boosters and drop tank, the two items that caused both shuttle accidents.

 

[sojourner]

It is sad that NASA hasn't figured out that the entire issue with the Space Shuttle program revolves around the outdated and dangerous delivery system - not the Shuttle itself...

They had proposals - many years back - to replace the launch system, but they didn't pursue them since the cost was 'too high' at the time.

One of the main problems is the shuttle itself is side mounted. I am not sure how "replacing the launch system" would resolve this. Nevermind the fact that the closest they ever actually came to "replacing the launch system" was a study into replacing the solid boosters with liquid boosters.

 

[judexavier]

Well, a couple of opinions...
One, the aerodynamics-hypersonic/STTO research was certainly compromised, due to funding being shifted away from exotic-but mature-research, into the Apollo project, etc. and thus unavailable for the shuttle design (this not-quite-dead research, while being a poor step-cousin to NASA, led to...? Aurora?) anyway...
Another thing, weren't the overall design and specs greatly influenced/compromised by the military (funding) concerning the need for large, bulky "secret cargo" spy sat. "star wars" requirements?

I guess everything could always be better, in hindsight.
Anyway, yeah...for some of us, the shuttle certainly brought back the excitement and inspiration that waned during the 70's.

BTW, Nice image, unusualsuspex.

 

[The Axeman]

Even the giant leap backwards to old fashioned one-shot rockets looks to have been stomped on by your President. Soon the most advanced thing flying will be that fibreglass day-trip thing being financed by Virgin.

 

[sojourner]

Nope, SpaceX has a real rocket that will be flying soon. In fact, first launch of the Falcon 9 is set to take place within the next 2 months.

 

[Kaziarl]

It's too bad the Nixon Administration didn't fund this version of the shuttle:
http://cid-85fb65963c1d9025.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Space/early%20shuttle%20design%20A.jpg

We would have had a flyback booster for a totally reuseable vehicle.

Instead we get the compromise version with the reusable boosters and drop tank, the two items that caused both shuttle accidents.

Um, isn't that how they tested the Enterprise shuttle prototype? And I don't think it was to test a launch system, it was to test the shuttles flight capability.

Still hate to see the shuttles go.

 

[BK613]

The shuttles were a great achievement, but flawed on many levels. I remember watching Columbia lift off for the first time while I was at the beach, beautiful site. Hopefully the next system will be just as inspiring to watch and a better system.

I was in Orlando at the time (at the old Naval Nuclear Power School there) and the exhaust trail was visible even from that far away. Amazing even at that distance...

 

[sojourner]

It's too bad the Nixon Administration didn't fund this version of the shuttle:
http://cid-85fb65963c1d9025.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Space/early shuttle design A.jpg

We would have had a flyback booster for a totally reuseable vehicle.

Instead we get the compromise version with the reusable boosters and drop tank, the two items that caused both shuttle accidents.

Um, isn't that how they tested the Enterprise shuttle prototype? And I don't think it was to test a launch system, it was to test the shuttles flight capability.

Still hate to see the shuttles go.

That's not a 747 it's attached to in that image. The only testing the Enterprise did was drop testing from the 747. It never tested rocket powered flight.

 

[The Axeman]

I watched a shuttle landing when I was in Florida, and there was one on the pad being prepped for takeoff, but I never got to see it go because of bad weather delays. I've always regretted not seeing that, and it looks like I never will now.

As for the old X prize contestants, I made a model of one of the entrants designs for promotional stuff. Never did get off the ground though, they always kept running out of money. While I do hope some of these commercial ventures get off the ground, it would be nice to see Nasa doing the same, let alone the big stuff like Mars missions and advanced drive systems. Going to space on V2's is not major advancement.