On Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:31:07 -0600, "Jorge R. Frank"
wrote:


...One must still ask if an M=1 launch is capable, with the Shuttle
arriving within one orbit from launch.

No. Not enough time to do even the post-insertion configuration of the
orbiter. And the amount of braking required would produce enough plume
impingement to seriously damage just about any target. M=4 or M=5 might
be doable, on a very crowded timeline. Plume impingement would still be
a problem.

Silly question...

Can't they "overshoot" and come back in from ahead of the target, with
the plume going out into oblivion instead of into the target?

Brian