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Author
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Topic: Foreign nations buying space shuttles
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Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 10-08-2009 08:29 AM
   
I was wondering, just suppose I was the governing body of a hugely rich nation and I decided I needed a space program to enhance my nations standing around the world. Could I purchase several space shuttle orbiters from the contractors who built them as well as all the required infrastructure? I know that for a fee the Russians will supply but me, but I'm a rich nation and I need eight shuttles and I am happy to pay. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 10-08-2009 08:30 AM
I googled 'purchase military jet' and found this forum: Civilians are not allowed to own anything on the active US inventory. Even if it gets past the wrecker's ball, any military aircraft has to be decommissioned prior to being struck off the inventory. Foreign aircraft are a different matter, hence a lot of the Migs flying around. You may want to consider the infrastructure necessary to support a program of this sort. Most importantly GOOD LUCK and let us know when the rides start. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-08-2009 08:37 AM
Any such sale would be subject to the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Enforced by the State Department, the ITAR controls the export and import of defense-related articles and services on the United States Munitions List. To quote Wikipedia: Another change [to the regulations] occurred as a result of Space Systems/Loral's conduct after the February 1996 failed launch of the Intelsat 708 satellite. The Department of State charged Space Systems/Loral with violating the Arms Export Control Act and the ITAR. As a result, technology pertaining to satellites and launch vehicles became more carefully protected. It is under ITAR that used space shuttle components, including thermal protection tiles, cannot be exported outside the United States unless cleared first by the State Department. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 10-08-2009 10:52 AM
Well, the plant where the orbiters were built is gone, the tooling has either been scrapped or used elsewhere, and most of the team that designed/built the orbiters has moved on. Plus virtually all of the electronics on the orbiter are no longer available, so there would be a tremendous redesign and test program just to incorporate the new electronic parts. And that's just the orbiter. Count in making new SRBs, ETs, and the entire ground infrastructure and the bill would be horrendous.I'd think that it would be more cost effective for said rich nation to buy Soyuz, Orions, or invest in one of the commercial ventures. | |
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