Comments on: “This re-entry capsule now cannot be used for manned spaceflight.”

By: Kelly Starks

Kelly Starks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:34:35 +0000

In reply to Art Harman. Musk is already to fond of cutting corners - I wouldn't push him to be more reckless.

By: wade

wade — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:28:12 +0000

still, there exists an element of injected drama consisting of a mental cock-tail that is thick of propaganda and emotion lending itself to absorb your mindset and perhaps distract your awakened thoughts from the true course of their actions.

By: Art Harman

Art Harman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:13:29 +0000

Bob, here’s my letter to Elon Musk. We must shorten the gap until we are no longer at the mercy of the Russians.

Dear Mr. Musk: Your fine company alone has the ability to save ISS from possible long-term (and dangerous) un-crewed operations; nobody is as far ahead as Space X. 2011 was a catastrophic year for Russia’s space program, and their Soyuz failure almost caused the evacuation of ISS. Now 2012 is starting out with another possible threat to the survival of ISS from the cracked Soyuz capsule. Are all of their existing capsules potentially flawed?

I am the man who asked you at your National Press Club speech if you could accelerate development to launch a manned Dragon to ISS within two years, and I urge you to do all in your power to accelerate development to meet such a goal.

You know the market for launch services will collapse if a de-crewed ISS becomes unable to survive until American launch services are ready. Therefore, the very survival of ISS and our space program is in peril until we have American launch capabilities. Let’s shorten the gap!

It is not your fault this responsibility ends up resting upon your shoulders; that fault lies with short-sighted US politicians and an imploding Russian space program. Like it or not, the burden rests upon your shoulders because of your success in building an excellent Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule; which as you said, would be ready now for manned launches except for the launch abort system. That is the price, perhaps, of leadership and success–you offer your shoulders! But I believe you can meet the challenge.

Thank you very much for your success and innovation; and I hope you will accept the challenge to launch at least a test manned mission within two years.

Godspeed,
Art Harman, Director, Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration.
http://www.SaveMannedSpace.com
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/01/27/russia-to-postpone-two-manned-launches-to-international-space-station/?test=latestnews

By: Kelly Starks

Kelly Starks — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:12:11 +0000

Labor relations issues on steroids. They don’t pay them dirt, so they can’t hire replacement staff. No one writes anything down for fear someone will use it to steal their job. so as the old guys quit/die, so does their knowledge base.

Not a good way to keep operations going.

By: wade

wade — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:12:02 +0000

while i have to agree with Kelly, this all stinks of contrived Drama. and a dash of unsettled Labor Relations

By: Kelly Starks

Kelly Starks — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:40:01 +0000

Russia’s had increasing problems even staffing, much less keeping any quality, in their space industry – especially Soyuz. Since we’re dependent on Russia for access and operation of the station (as well as critical refueling). If their space program continues to unravel – the US (really no one else in the world) has any capacity even on the drawing board capable of keeping it operating. It really could force the end of the ISS.