Shuttle Discovery Launched

THE NEWS

As the title suggests, the SS Discovery was launched on Saturday, Dec. 9 2006 at 8:47 p.m. The launch was relatively error-free. In an interview with Spaceflight Now, Tony Ceccacci, shuttle's flight director, said they don't "anticipate any large foam shedding or debris impacts." He also added that it's still important to check if there are any and match those with the data on Earth.

The mission, STS-116 is to supply the International Space Station (ISS) as well as attach a truss an rewire some solar panels, which will provide power until STS-117 can install additional solar panels, which will help the station to expand. STS-117, which will be carried by SS Atlantis, has a launch window between Feb. 22 and March 16. Source


THE OPINION

Let me be blunt: I don't like the shuttle. It's not because it's ancient technology (to me, it's not), but because of its size. The shuttle is about 2 million kilograms. In comparison, the Soyuz launch vehicle's mass, including Soyuz, is about 312,000 kilograms. If you launch Soyuz and Progress, you'd be launching about 14,590 kilograms. While the Space Shuttle can lift about twice more, one has to wonder about practicality about the space shuttle.

The Russians launched Zarya - one of the most critical modules of the ISS, which weighs about 19,000 kilograms - with a Proton rocket. Another Proton will deliver the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module in 2007 as well as two other systems. Even though Proton is a different rocket than the R-7 used to launch Soyuz and Progress, fact remains that it's still possible to deliver a payload using an unmanned rocket. Plus, NASA is developing its Aries series of rockets, which will act very similar to Russia's Soyuz-Progress program, which, compared to the Space Shuttle, is very successful.

Reusable vehicles are a great thing, but we are not ready for them just yet, mainly because we are using the same technology, enhancing it over and over. There are several replacements for that:

• A single-stage jet-rocket combination - the vehicle would take off using air-breathing propulsion and in space would use a rocket.
  
• A two-stage jet-rocket combination similar to White Knight and Spaceshipone. A jet carrier plane reaches a certain height and launches its rocket payload. Similar plan was developed by the Russians using its An-225 Mriya and Buran (Russian space shuttle) as well other combinations with European spacecraft.
• A space elevator. Oh, sure - it sounds like a crazy idea, but in a few decades, the technology will be ready. Some would say that the terrorists might attack the new tower. While this may happen, we shouldn't let our fears get the best of us. Progress must be made.