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Comment Threads

• cm commented on Mike Griffin's ESAS Architecture is Dead
  "there are legitimate and serious national security implications of access to and control of cislunar space and our government is dropping that ball, possibly forever." I couldn't agree more with this. I hope 2010 & 2012 get some like-minds to DC....

• Flash001 commented on Mike Griffin's ESAS Architecture is Dead
  pspudis: "...there are legitimate and serious national security implications of access to and control of cislunar space and our government is dropping that ball, possibly forever." I agree also. One ray of hope is the X-37B. At least it can do some of the job. Maybe a larger, X-37 derivative could be manned....

• KC commented on Mike Griffin's ESAS Architecture is Dead
  >I agree also. One ray of hope is the X-37B. Isn't the X-37B an unmanned vehicle?...

• Flash001 commented on Mike Griffin's ESAS Architecture is Dead
  Re the X-37B: Yes, it's unmanned--that's why I also wrote: "Maybe a larger, X-37 derivative could be manned." But even unmanned it can do some of the retrieval-type things the shuttle did, and could act as a space tug for de-orbiting large space junk, using a remote-controlled robotic arm. If it works out as a spacecraft, there would be a proven template, and functional components towards a crew vehicle. That means a lot in the mundane business of actually delivering a real thing, instead of impressive artists' concepts, like DynaSoar, HL-42, Hermes, X-33 etc. In fact, an eventual manned version...

• Flash001 commented on Remembering Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia
  "Inordinate" is an understatement. The design and workmanship of the Apollo 1 capsule interior was insane. There was not simply a risk of a fire, there was little chance there could not be a fire. Of course there are inherent dangers in riding a rocket into space, but the Apollo 1 environment added an extreme additional danger that was not needed....