"Jorge R. Frank" wrote:
And you'll have to send replacements more frequently, since you'll have no
real idea why they keep failing if you can't bring the failed ones back to
the ground intact.

The next step in space evolution would be to have the tools and
documentation to allow the ISS crewmembers to perform the forensic
analysys of failed components. (assuming CMGs could be fitted through
airlock hatch, or at least a CMG with creative use of an empty MPLM with arm.

(vacuum, in MPLM, arm keeps it away from CBM hatch. EVA cremembers put
failed CMG in MPLM. close hatch. Arm then berths MPLM to node. They then
repressurise MPLM and can then work in the MPLM to dissect the CMG).


If CMGs cannot fit through any of the station's hatches, then it is a
design issue. For a mars expedition ship, perhaps it should be a
requirement that every device have the ability to be brought back in for repair/analysis.


The ability to dissect failed components (and possibly repair them)
on-board the station would greatly alleviate the lack of the shuttle's
ability to return gear to earth.