Another post on the HST

What minimum service is required to keep HST up and running for another 5
years? In know there are other packages that were hoped to be spliced
on...

Since the ISS is now a "way station", perhaps it could be turned into a
filling station complete with a tow truck. Could an extra Soyuz be
outfitted with the necessary acoutrements to install new Evereadys in HST,
until such time as a new leavy lift platform is operational? Spacewalk
capability comes along with the Soyuz, but does it have, or could it be
delivered onsite with enough fuel to get to HST and either reenter with its
crew, or redock with the ISS.

No real reason a mantenance staff *needs* the kitchen sink along, is there?

David A. Smith

"N:dlzc D:aol T:com (dlzc)" N: dlzc1 D:cox wrote in
message news:ltv%b.1533$h23.1152@fed1read06...
What minimum service is required to keep HST up and running for another 5
years? In know there are other packages that were hoped to be spliced
on...

Since the ISS is now a "way station", perhaps it could be turned into a
filling station complete with a tow truck. Could an extra Soyuz be
outfitted with the necessary acoutrements to install new Evereadys in HST,
until such time as a new leavy lift platform is operational?

Unfortunately, no. There is no realistic means to get a manned Soyuz
spacecraft to Hubble's altitude and inclination. Robots of sufficient
complexity and dexterity to accomplish the range of specific tasks
necessary to change out the gyros and batteries simply do not exist
nor is there anything equivalent even on the drawing boards.
There are no extra Soyuz spacecraft available. There is no new
heavy lift platform on the horizon. That about covers it.
Unfortunately, if the Shuttle doesn't do it, it won't get done.

Spacewalk
capability comes along with the Soyuz, but does it have, or could it be
delivered onsite with enough fuel to get to HST and either reenter with
its
crew, or redock with the ISS.

No. The fuel requirements are beyond anything available. Not to and from
the ISS. Nor from existing or planned manned Soyuz launch sites
on the ground.

No real reason a mantenance staff *needs* the kitchen sink along, is
there?

Actually, yes (depending on what you mean by the kitchen sink.)

Dear Chosp:

"Chosp" wrote in message
news:MJB%b.4805$id3.3694@fed1read01...

"N:dlzc D:aol T:com (dlzc)" N: dlzc1 D:cox wrote in
message news:ltv%b.1533$h23.1152@fed1read06...
What minimum service is required to keep HST up and running for another
5
years? In know there are other packages that were hoped to be spliced
on...

Since the ISS is now a "way station", perhaps it could be turned into a
filling station complete with a tow truck. Could an extra Soyuz be
outfitted with the necessary acoutrements to install new Evereadys in
HST,
until such time as a new leavy lift platform is operational?

Unfortunately, no. There is no realistic means to get a manned Soyuz
spacecraft to Hubble's altitude and inclination. Robots of sufficient
complexity and dexterity to accomplish the range of specific tasks
necessary to change out the gyros and batteries simply do not exist
nor is there anything equivalent even on the drawing boards.
There are no extra Soyuz spacecraft available. There is no new
heavy lift platform on the horizon. That about covers it.
Unfortunately, if the Shuttle doesn't do it, it won't get done.

Spacewalk
capability comes along with the Soyuz, but does it have, or could it be
delivered onsite with enough fuel to get to HST and either reenter with
its
crew, or redock with the ISS.

No. The fuel requirements are beyond anything available. Not to and from
the ISS. Nor from existing or planned manned Soyuz launch sites
on the ground.

I was imagining an extra empty Soyuz delivered to the ISS, with perhaps a
"booster" delivered in the Space Shuttle cargo bay. Soyuz+booster married
together might make it. Of course engineering up such a cludge prior to
the loss of the HST would be no mean feat.

No real reason a mantenance staff *needs* the kitchen sink along, is
there?

Actually, yes (depending on what you mean by the kitchen sink.)

The Shuttle. And I am answered.

David A. Smith