So i hear N.A.S.A. is retiring there space shuttles by 2010, any idea's what there going to use after that?

Question

is there anything new in the works or will they be grasping at straws to find a replacement for the shuttles?

well guess what jim k boyo i don't care if you don't like the way i spell.

Answer 1

Yes, NASA is cancelling the Shuttle program in about 2010. The Shuttle, though obsolete, has advanced our knowledge of space exponentially since its inception. But all people hear is the bad things about it. Not to mention that it is a symbol of American ingenuity and technological acheivement as well as humanity's.

To answer your question:

Yes, NASA is working on a new system that is very reminiscent of the Apollo era. The new program is called Ares. (A pseudonym for Mars)

In the works now are 2 new rockets... the CLV (Crew Launch Vehicle, or Ares I) and the HLV (Heavy Lift Vehicle, or Ares V)... the designators are references to the Saturn I and V rockets.

Ares I will be a smaller 2 stage rocket capable of carrying a 4-man capsule into orbit. There will be no "shuttle" stage, it will be a capsule much the same as Apollo's and will land in the ocean. It will have minimal cargo capacity (food, supplies, etc.) Ares V will have the capability of launching about 130 metric tons into orbit and will carry larger satellites as well as the TLI (trans-lunar injection) motor for the manned CLV upper stage. This will allow for versatility and maximize the usefulness of both rockets. Ares V will be powered by 2 strap-on 5-segment motors slightly (25%) larger than the SRB's on the space shuttle and modified J-2X liquid rocket engines (J-2's were used as 2cd stage engines on the Saturn V).

Go to

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/spacecraft/ares_naming.html

for more info and a pretty decent video that details how a launch to the Moon will work with the new rocket system.

Answer 2

Easy question. And the answerer was correct about the apollo design. Except it will be MUCH larger. Of course, that was the proposed layout and design.. It could change in favor of a Shuttle-design. but the ship would be alot larger. Why?

Fusion Reactor. When its development is finished around 2020-2024 we will have a tool for unlimited power (within a certain rating) with very little waste, no Chernobyl accidents, and thrust. The plasma that would be siphoned off the reaction would be used to create electricity, but could also be siphoned and Directed, under control to thrust nozzles. I believe the reaction process would be pretty simple.. you drop or spray a reaction mass into the plasma stream and you get a violent explosion. Wouldnt be nuclear, but it would be big! thats why a small drop of reaction mass would be needed. While you wouldnt need rocket fuel or boosters, you would need a large store of this reaction mass. Water is the top choice for experiements but im sure some kind of gas could be used.

Self-propelled shuttle is NASA's future goal. No boosters, no liquid nitrogen or LOX. Self propelled with an unlimited power source. With unlimited power on board, recycling units can recycle oxygen and water for constant use. Over time, fresh oxy would need to be refilled, as well as flushing the many-times-recycled water. Ack.

Greenhouses within a ship? Weve seen great examples in movies, Etc.. but what is realistic? Trays. Stackable trays of synthetic bio-engineered plant sponge that does the same thing trees do. Take Carbon dioxide and create oxygen. When this material is developed, it may be able to accelerate the process, thus providing a constant supply of fresh oxygen within a shuttle or space station, while scrubbing the carbon dioxide from the air.

Then self sufficient space ships, warships, freighters, space stations, asteriod bases or orbital habitats can be constructed and maintained without constant resupply of water or air.

What a thought ey?

Heres a good article on the Fusion Shuttle idea.
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/fusion_rockets_000719.html

Answer 3

The shuttle will be replaced by the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The CEV consists of two parts, a command module (which looks something like the Apollo command module), and a cylindrical service module. The CEV is part of a new system called Project Constellation, which also includes the earth departure stage (EDS), the lunar surface access module (LSAM), and the shuttle derived launch vehicle (SDLV).

See the links below for more info about the new systems.

Answer 4

The space shuttle is an obsolete idea & an expensive method of transporting the concerned projectile into orbit. The multi-million dollar equipment will cause some concern to NASA. Although there is respite for NASA. Space tourism has been developing over the years & private firms may want to purchase the shuttles to augment their business.

Answer 5

a new shuttle design, unless they figured out how to get the UFO at Area 51 to fly.....lol NASA has made it thier primary objective to go to Mars....I would imagine a rocket/shuttle hybrid.

As far as people answering your question...NASA does a whole lot more than fly space craft. They are responsible for a lot of things. For example, a lot of wireless technologies have been invented by these folks, so I wouldn't be expecting them to close up shop any time soon.

Answer 6

Volkswagon Beetles

Answer 7

Uh, what has space travel done for us so far? Is it worth the billions we spend to send people to space? I think we proved to the Soviet Union we could out-do their program years ago. Oh, and they collapsed, so I guess it worked. Sorry, I'm just not a space travel supporter at all. It's a waste of money.

Answer 8

Way to go roman above.

The way I figure it -but I do get the creeps thinking about it- by 2010 we may have a hosed up mess so big on our hands that space programs will be pretty low on the menu.

I HOPE I'M COMPLETELY WRONG ON THIS ONE, BTW.

Answer 9

They will probably just use satellite launch vehicles - like the Atlas.

Or maybe they have a super secret aircraft that is already capable of this. Perhaps the Aurora.

Answer 10

There are some new plans for space exploration after the shutles are retired. one idea is remenicent to the apollo designs.