NASA ponders over next space destination

Actually NASA, in conceert with private industry (as always) should be doing what they were trying to do...finally, after all those years: Developing the means of return to the lunar surface with spacecraft that would allow variable mission profiles and long term stays...which would of course lead to what you speak to. yes i know. i always thought that that eracter set we call a spacestation was a bad idea since we had better designs on the books. but, then one day i realized that we had to learn how to build in space before we could do anything better.

yes i know. i always thought that that eracter set we call a spacestation was a bad idea since we had better designs on the books. but, then one day i realized that we had to learn how to build in space before we could do anything better. There were originally some pretty far-reaching ideas about a manned space station, but the conflict and delays over building one resulted, quite happily I might add, in the idea of an international partnership building a station. I think the effort paid off, as the ISS is perhaps the single greatest engineering accomplishment in human history. It is far from ... [More]

There were originally some pretty far-reaching ideas about a manned space station, but the conflict and delays over building one resulted, quite happily I might add, in the idea of an international partnership building a station. I think the effort paid off, as the ISS is perhaps the single greatest engineering accomplishment in human history. It is far from an erector set, daniel. It's an amazing construct and a wonderful on orbit scientific research station, reflecting the talents of thousands of people the world over, and providing a laboratory to develop the skills necessary to live and wo... [More]

There are still some lose thinkers who want to De orbit the ISS in the next ten years. I just don't understand that!

There are still some lose thinkers who want to De orbit the ISS in the next ten years. I just don't understand that! The idea is insane, isn't it?

There are still some lose thinkers who want to De orbit the ISS in the next ten years. I just don't understand that! if we dont have something to push it back into orbit then it will come down anyways. and by killing the current program, we may not have a ship strong enough to do so. i remember the shuttles first mission to the station it had to do exactly that since the solar winds had pushed it out of orbit.

if we dont have something to push it back into orbit then it will come down anyways. and by killing the current program, we may not have a ship strong enough to do so. i remember the shuttles first mission to the station it had to do exactly that since the solar winds had pushed it out of orbit. Yes... Actually, the primary mission of the original Shuttle was to boost Skylab into a higher orbit. That of course didn't quite work out due to the compromises and delays inherent in the Shuttle's design and flight certification process. It's true that ISS orbit and attitude adjustments are done regu... [More]

Yes... Actually, the primary mission of the original Shuttle was to boost Skylab into a higher orbit. That of course didn't quite work out due to the compromises and delays inherent in the Shuttle's design and flight certification process. It's true that ISS orbit and attitude adjustments are done regularly by the Shuttle, using small venier burns. Not massive maneuvers by any stretch of the imagination. It also does avoidance maneuvers. However, the Russian segment of the stations contains thrusters which can do similar maneuvers. They're done prior to Progress cargo vehicle launches and such... [More]

ok sorry i didnt know about the man. thrusters. No problem, pal!

The idea is insane, isn't it? Mid get me there numbers ,those that want to de-orbit the ISS ! I`ll de-re-direct there ABS system`s ! And Poof no more Crazy`s!