Minimum Number of Rocket Designs

"Charles Talleyrand" wrote in message ...


I chose the Space Shuttle over the Soyuz simply because the
Space Shuttle is more flexible.

Can you clarify this. Their appears to be much more flexibility in the
Soyuz Transport system than the shuttle transport system from what I
have read.

Just to name a few.

Shuttle is limited to one lauch and retreival site, Soyuz has numerous
launch sites and can land in many locations.

Soyuz can be reconfigured to progress configuration for delivery of
fuels and various cargoes etc, while shuttle can only carried those
items considered safe.

Soyuz has capabilities such as automated docking the shuttle does not.

The soyuz launcher can launch payloads to heo or interplanetary
missions, whereas the shuttle is limited to the leo.

The shuttle operates for weeks in space while soyuz can operate for
months if not more.

Availability of soyuz transportation system is dependant on customer
money available whereas shuttle is dependant on bureaucracy,
scheduling also interrupted by military payload requirements.

Soyuz engineering is mature and solid, where as shuttle is marginal
and hanging at the edge.

Or is the nature of your question to define a minimum number of
american rockets, as some of your other selections could also be
performed better by foreign launchers.