Space Forum / Shuttle / May 2006

Water is the second most abundant substance in the Universe, second
only to hydrogen.
Water is on the Moon as verified by Clementine and Lunar Prospector.  A
large quantity -- about 600 billion metric tons -- exists at both of

Delurk time for me for the first time since the mad scientists sub
thread last year.....
I just reread Niven and Pourvelles novel Footfall for the first time in
15 years. Without launching (no pun intended) into a book critique, I

A few questions regarding launch platforms. I've read the basics I can
find about STS MLP (vertical) and the Buran-Energia platform
(horizontal), but I wonder if people could expand.
Basically I can't really see WHY the US always seems to have chosen

No, I'm not talking about the Sun going supernova, just a nearby star.  
This is not a rare event at all, they have been recorded in history
about every hundred years, possibly including the Star of Bethlehem.  A
hundred years ago a nearby supernova meant a really bright star, ...

In the event of an RTLS abort, are there shut off values on the
umbilical lines to prevent remainning fuel to leak out of the tank once
the orbiter separates? I could see leaking fuel being a danger at that
moment, not to mention pollution in the water. Also, when the tank hits

I can't help but be reminded by the famous "Cape Winds" painting when
looking at this photo from Friday. Although Discovery is much further
away from the pad in the photo, the fact the pad is visable where it is
instantly reminded me of the painting:

Is there an atomic energy powered electrical generator or other significant
radioactive package aboard the ISS?  If so, wouldn't that complicate
deorbiting if that time should ever come?

Low-Q, High-Q, and 'Normal-Q' Ascent Profiles -- Clarification Needed
In recent discussions about lowering the Q on the
121 ascent profile, to the 'Lo-Q' trajectory (and
accepting the performance penalty), I saw some

NASA to forego tanking test
Shuttle Discovery's modified external tank will not be put through a
fuel-loading test prior to its planned July 1 launch on NASA's second
post-Columbia mission.

  I seem to recall an idea proposed back in the early 1980's when talk
of the U.S. building a permanent (or really semi-permanent - nothing
lasts forever) orbiting space station was being promoted by the Reagan
administration.  There were several proposals put fourth for what ...

Nasa keeps getting more muddled....
Put CEV on expendable and build shuttle C for cargo using existing
shuttle form....
CEV Update

see
http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/2006/05/discovery-safel
y-inside-vab.html

Dear Folks,
I am wondering what are characteristic of heat shield tiles of the
shuttle would be. First it needs to have a high heat insulation as well
as high heat dissipation. I guess it must be quite porous and fully

I have a question about the way the external tank is jettisoned. You've
probably guessed that already.
How much fuel does remain in the ex-tank, when the main engines cut off, and
is the tank then sealed?

Is there now a high degree of confidence that Discovery will be able to
make the July launch window ?
Or are there still enough loose ends that there is still a significant
risk of  NASA having to postpone launch to the next window ?