On 09/12/2010 01:20 PM, David Spain wrote:
Jorge R. Frank wrote:
On 09/11/2010 05:15 PM, David Spain wrote:
Jorge R. Frank wrote:
Will not happen on 134 (AMS flight). Will happen on 135 if 135 is
approved and funded.

Jorge,

How many shuttle flights could be approved after 134? I thought the
limiting factor was the fact that Michaud has been shut down and there
are only a limited number of ETs available?

STS-134 and 335 [135?] are planned to be stacked with ET-138 and 122.
It is probable that if 135 is approved that the ETs will be swapped
and 122 will fly on 134, since 122 is the "Katrina tank" and NASA
doesn't want to fly that one on a flight that doesn't have a LON
rescue flight after it.

Geez, cutting it close aren't we? STS-134 is scheduled for Feb 26. When
is the
commit date to pick an ET?[/quote]

Right after we find out if 135 is going to happen or not.

There are no other completed SLWTs. There is one LWT that can be
refurbished (ET-94) and enough piece parts to assemble a few more
SLWTs (ET-139 through 141, IIRC).

So if I did my math correctly [always a problem ;-)] there are two ETs
available, but one only for use if there is no LON (Launch On Need?)
backup. Enough piece parts to assemble 3 more and a possible one can be
refurbished. That's a total of six more if we play our cards right. And
ttttthat's all folks.

Hmm, how close does that get us to a manned Dragon if we drag that out
to one
(shuttle) per year? Can we bridge the gap?

Sure, at the right price.