What is the best possible space ship humanity could create today with current technology?

Question

surely the space shuttle isnt the best we can do, but will we ever know due to the costs? or are the space shuttle and all the little toys NASA makes the best possible innovations in space technology

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure if money was no object we could easily get a manned tour of the solar system including a few landings. The problem is that nasa spent millions developing a pen which worked in space - the russians just used a 15 pence pencil... my vote goes to the Russians to make the decisions, the Japanese to engineer it and the Chinese to build it. The Americans can pay for it!

Answer 2

I am afraid the space shuttle IS the best we can do. All the new space ships like Burt Rutan's SpaceShip One and the new NASA Orion space capsule, are not more advanced than the shuttle. They are just cheaper.

Answer 3

I've read an article about "solar sails". these thingys are supposed to catch and reflect photons of light from the stars, pushing the "sail" through space. but if you're looking for a more conventional answer, then yes, the space shuttles (with probably improved fuel efficiency) are probably the best manned, fully maneuverable spacecraft.

Answer 4

Well they know how to make a "space hotel" dont they..With a plane to get to a platform from which a shuttle blasts you into space to the hotel. But i think its too expensive. I remember seeing it in the paper a while back. :) x

Answer 5

If cost and safety (and more important - ROI) weren't issues, you could make a very impressive craft.

Unfortunately, at least to some degree, all these factors are figured in the design of what we use.

Answer 6

Yes they are good but we are very short on propulsion. NASA seldom uses the newest technology ,they prefer something that has been tried for several years.

Answer 7

i doubt they are the best possible, but probably the best allowable with the budget constraints.