NASA weighed retiring Columbia in 2001

Zim Hosein

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Since there isn't any replacement that we have at the moment, NASA will be forced to use the 3 shuttlles we have for almost the next 10 years.
 

Grasshopper27

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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Since there isn't any replacement that we have at the moment, NASA will be forced to use the 3 shuttlles we have for almost the next 10 years.
They could always build another one...

I doubt they will, but it is one possible option...

Hopper
 

Zim Hosein

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Originally posted by: Grasshopper27
Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Since there isn't any replacement that we have at the moment, NASA will be forced to use the 3 shuttlles we have for almost the next 10 years.
They could always build another one...

I doubt they will, but it is one possible option...

Hopper

I remember hearing today that w/o a complete redesign, they couldn't build a new one due to costs and the technology the shuttles are based on.
 

wfbberzerker

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i think they will seriously concentrate efforts on designing a new spacecraft, since the shuttle is nearing the end of its lifespan anyways. i'm sure they will continue to use the remaining shuttles, but they will accellerate the time-table for moving to a new vehicle.
 

Grasshopper27

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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
I remember hearing today that w/o a complete redesign, they couldn't build a new one due to costs and the technology the shuttles are based on.
I didn't say it would be cheap or easy, I just said it was a possible option. :)

BTW, Endevour was reasonably easy and cheap to build because NASA had enough spare parts around (including structual spares) that they put more than 1/2 of it together using spare parts.

None of those exist anymore, so it would have to be built from scratch. Like I said, not likely to happen, but anything is possible.

Hopper
 

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