Shuttles are sheduled to retire in 2010, what will take their place? Is there a new generation of space "airplanes" coming or is there going to be rockers and all that other "one-time-use" junk?
2006-12-09 13:49:33 · 11 answers · asked by rockability 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I have heard that there is to be a new generation of low-earth-orbit "shuttles" that are less expensive to build and to maintain, and that have some additional flexibility in terms of function (transporting people to the ISS, working in earth orbit to repair satellites, etc.).
2006-12-09 13:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As technology grows so shall we as a human race. The world does not wait for those of us that are to scared to go forward. We push the boundaries every day. Though we are told that shuttles will be retired in 2010, I am sure that there is something in store already to replace it. There are some things that happen in space that will require a humans touch to fix. There is only one way that we know how to get a person into space and so there is no way that we would just abandon what we worked so hard to achieve so many years ago.
2006-12-10 00:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by Joshua H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NASA is talking about replacing the shuttle with the CEV (crew exploration vehicle) which is "simpler". Since they haven't flown a prototype I simply wouldn't expect them to be flying in 4 years. At the rate the shuttle missions are going, the ISS is screwed if they don't fly the shuttles longer than 2010
2006-12-09 22:06:03 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are currently looking to place a permanent settlement on the moon surface close to the south polo, do to the amount of sun light there (solar power), After that the plan from what i understand is to go to mars, the moon is going to be practice, And yes i do believe that there is another line of shuttle to come out you have probable seen pictures of the prototype in poplar science.
2006-12-09 22:31:52 · answer #4 · answered by matt v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With nothing on the drawing boards and in flight test I doubt very much the shuttle will be retired in four years. It will probably take 10 years to have something else ready.
Unless, of course, something pops out of any of those black projects. Who knows.
2006-12-09 21:58:24 · answer #5 · answered by Manny L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The next generation of space vehicles are planned to be single stage to orbit vehicles such as the prototype X-33.
2006-12-09 22:07:23 · answer #6 · answered by socialdeevolution 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space planes capable of making hundreds of trips each. They will not be disposable, they will be reuseable only requiring refueling and repairs.
2006-12-09 22:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Some kind of "heavy lift vehicle" would be required. http://www.thespacereview.com/article/146/1
2006-12-09 22:08:29 · answer #8 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The x-33 was scrapped years ago when funding was cut.
It's disappointing, it was looking quite promising.
2006-12-10 15:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by a_hollow_wish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ares i think is the spelling,we go back to the moon and to mars.i just looked it up at nasa.com, ares is the new lanuch rocket.
2006-12-09 22:41:42 · answer #10 · answered by goofball 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋