At about 27,500 fps, an orbiter can make it n-y-where.

 

Think you got boost? Just to give you guys an idea what a machine the Shuttle is, the following is a dynamic description of the propellant turbo FUEL PUMP for a SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine). There is one per engine.

"Built by Pratt and Whitney in West Palm Beach, Fla., the 1,010-pound turbo-pump generates enough pressure to shoot a column of liquid hydrogen - the second-coldest liquid on Earth at 423 degrees below zero - some 36 miles into the air. The dresser-size pump portion of the main engine alone delivers as much horsepower as 28 locomotives."

Again....that's just a fuel pump. Now who the heck doesn't want to watch this shizit goin' down?

 

I am 1000% down. Next one is in sep, right?

btw - 36 MILES straight up!? so hard to believe.... harder to believe we haven't designed anything better since before I was born...

 

...that we know of...

J

 

Don't discount the technology in that shuttle! Most folks understand too little about it and let what they hear about it shape their views into it being a Sopwith Camel. It's not!

 

I'm not disparaging the shuttle at all!! My meaning was missed - I mean it's a shame we haven't developed the next generation of spacecraft after the shuttle. The shuttle project started in '76 and designs were nearly complete in '79! Enterprise "flew" before I was born!

Its not science to blame - it's government & bureaucracy taking over NASA instead of engineers and scientists.

 

AMEN!

J

 

There's no doubt about that.

 

Hear hear!

Now, NASA states that the next launch (attempt) is in September. Let's start the planning now for the trip so we get a good group!

Date: Sept. 16 +
Mission: STS-133
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: 11:57 a.m. EDT
STS-133 Description: Space shuttle Discovery will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4), a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MLPM) and critical spare components to the International Space Station.

(This is a Thursday, not easy unless they scrub and try again over the weekend.)

The Only other launch is this one which looks dubious:
Date: Mid-Nov. *
Mission: STS-134
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center - Launch Pad 39A
Launch Time: To Be Determined
STS-134 Description: Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver an EXPRESS Logistics Carrier-3 (ELC-3) and an Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) to the International Space Station.

 

That's the schedule that has been posted a a while now. Remember though they are talking about rolling both dates back a bit so need to check frequently.

When I get an email offering up launch tix for sale I'll be sold on a firmer date.