"Alan Erskine" writes:

"Josh Gigantino" wrote in message
om...
What would be necessary to launch the remaining ISS modules - Node 2,
Centrifuge, Kibo, Columbus - without the Shuttle?

Proton, like the Russians have been using since the '60's and have used to
launch all their ISS, Mir and Salyut modules.

What about the 'American Proton' - Delta IV heavy?

You're forgetting that after you launch a module, you have rendezvous,
then actually dock or berth the thing to ISS. All the while you have
to provide these modules services like power, communications, and
cooling.

Russian modules either do all of this themselves (e.g. FGB and SM), or
they're delivered by a service module like Piers on ISS or Kvant on
Mir. The Russians have at least two versions of such a module. If
memory serves, the one used for Piers was a modified Progress service
module (launched by a Soyuz) and the one used for Kvant on Mir was TKS
derived and launched on Proton.

The US has no such service module, as it's relied on the shuttle for
far too long to even need such a thing.

Jeff
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