"Brian Thorn" wrote in message
...

On Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:35:36 -0500, "Greg \(Strider\) Moore"
wrote:

Personally I'd argue Obama is a bit more culpable as I believe (I will
admit
to not checking the timeline too closely) it would have been easier for
Obama to reverse the shuttle decision (or even to simply get a couple more
flights with some of the remaining tanks)

He did by authorizing ET-122 be restored from Katrina damage and using
ET-138 on an actual flight and not held in reserve for a rescue
flight. The only remaining complete, flightworthy tank is ET-94, the
last Light Weight Tank, heavier than the Super Light Weight Tanks
(ET-96 and up, ET-95 was never built, neither was ET-7) used for Space
Station missions, and thus not really suitable for Station work.


I believe there were 3 more in the works (I'd have to wiki/google it but my
browser is acting up right now.)

And ET-94 was usable, just limited the payload. Which for post construction
flights was less of an issue.

Brian



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Greg D. Moore President Green Mountain Software
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