"Catherine Janeway" wrote in message
...
Hallerb wrote:
Besides theres a long time of no launch possible if they miss the fall
2004
target date due to new flight constraints. like a just 3 day window in
january.

When you consider the scrubs due to weather, I really wonder how many
launches
they will be able to make during one year. Miss your window and you have
to
wait months before you're allowed to launch again.

Will they want to leave an orbiter on the pad for months ? Or will they
bring
the orbiter back in the VAB ? For a few months, would they de-stack and
leave
it all ready on the MLP ? What impact would this have on the
processing/preparation of the other orbiters ?

Is the VAB big enough to assemble shuttle #2 while shuttle #1 is parked on
an
MLP, all stacked and ready to go ?

Yes. The VAB is now capable of having 3 fully assembled shuttle stacks.
And we just happen to have three MLPs, so it works out.




The daytime launch criteria may be the shuttle's downfall and may render
the
shuttle useless if it means it can only fly a couple times a year.

Once they have tested the on-orbit inspections and tile repair, is there
any
chance that they would then allow shuttles to launch in dark since launch
film
won't be so important anymore ?