Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Space Shuttles - Space Station
  What if the Launch-on-Need needs rescue?

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   What if the Launch-on-Need needs rescue?
Fezman92
Member

Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 10-05-2010 12:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Fezman92   Click Here to Email Fezman92     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is a hypothetical situation: Let's say that there was a shuttle mission and the Launch-On-Need (LON) vehicle had to be launched. While the LON is doing it's mission, something happens to the LON orbiter and it can't return to Earth. What would happen?

SpaceAholic
Member

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-05-2010 12:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ISS Rendevouz and Soyuz ferry...

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-05-2010 12:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Obviously, every resource we have would be focused on returning the now two-stranded crews to Earth, but it would not be without its difficulties.

Even with the space station's safe haven (CSCS) reserves, its systems would be put under strain supporting 16 people (six ISS crew members, six prime shuttle crew members and four LON shuttle crew members).

Soyuz would be difficult given the number of vehicles needed and how many could be made ready in time. Assuming you need one trained Soyuz crew member on each craft, you would need five Soyuz for just the shuttle crews, and another two to either remain with (or if supplies are truly dwindled) return home the station crew members.

That's at least two, if not three more Soyuz then are nominally readied yearly (Roscosmos has authorized Energia to increase to five Soyuz per year starting in 2011).

There would also be issues with the lack of fitted Sokol suits and seat liners.

Fortunately, the chances of two shuttles being rendered incapable of returning to Earth are low...

SpaceAholic
Member

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-05-2010 12:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My presumption is that six crew members would immediately be returned (via Soyuz) to decrease ISS loading; ramp-up of additional Progress/ATV support for sustainment.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 10-05-2010 01:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The statistical chances of two shuttles ending up with a crippling condition to keep them from coming home are so astronomical that winning the lottery would be easier.

I would say it depends on the failure. If both ended up with a form of TPS damage, then I suppose it would be possible that unless the damaged areas were identical (chances of that happening are even more astronomical) that a contingency would be found to scrounge undamaged TPS tiles from one orbiter and place them on the second one in orbit in such a way as to allow one vehicle to come home.

Only difficulty I can see is only one shuttle can be docked to the ISS at one time. So if such a contingency were to take place, it would be a bit more complicated with EVAs going on while a shuttle is station keeping with the station.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 10-05-2010 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What ever happened to the personal rescue spheres? I know they were used in training, but were they ever carried on board the orbiters?

cspg
Member

Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 10-12-2010 12:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Assuming that STS-135 is approved and something goes wrong. ISS docking and Soyuz rescue would be the solution for the crew. But then, what do you do with a 100-ton useless spaceship docked to the ISS?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-12-2010 12:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You don't leave it docked to the station.

The plan calls for NASA to remotely pilot the orbiter into a destructive reentry over the ocean.

Skylon
Member

Posts: 274
From:
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 10-12-2010 02:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skylon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Though they would try for an automated landing using the RCO/IMF cable stowed on ISS. They'd try for a Vandenberg AFB landing (the closest landing site to the Pacific, in the event ditching became required).

ilbasso
Member

Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 10-12-2010 03:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ilbasso   Click Here to Email ilbasso     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's interesting to wonder if and why they would try to save the orbiter when it's never going to fly again anyway. If they ditched Atlantis (Atlantis sinks into the sea again?), NASA would save millions by avoiding the cost of having to retrieve the orbiter, fly it back to KSC, and safe it before sending it on to a museum. That's what logic would dictate, anyway, but we all know that national pride would mandate bringing her back if at all possible.

music_space
Member

Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 10-12-2010 10:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for music_space   Click Here to Email music_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Indeed.

Lou Chinal
Member

Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 10-15-2010 10:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Jay, I don't think trying to remove undamaged TPS tile in orbit had ever been done before.

But than again if it is your only option - you'll try anything.

Hart, what ever happened to the 'personal rescue spheres' is a good question. Other then a few publicity photos taken with the 'TFNG' I never saw them again. Were they ever flown?

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement