Copyright 2005-2008 Peter Wilson scienceline.co.uk
Back to the future
Why go back to old technology after the shuttle
There is a very good reason if you plan to venture out of low earth orbit you need something more robust and versatile than the shuttle. The shuttle is truck to earth orbit but capsule and unit systems allow greater distance and also allow space bound 'ships' in future use, there will 2 levels of space transport being robotic for equipment and manned. Manned missions will only be needed when necessary you don't need a manned mission to transport a piece of equipment .
The test will be the Moon, going back there means it may be possible to set up base using remote control devices to build it rather than the autonomous type needed for Mars. The use of Ion drive systems to move equipment to the Moon or Mars would mean using smaller launch ships, a transport could be complied in orbit composed of maybe 3 to 4 units docked together plus a Ion drive unit.
On reaching the moon orbit it would be met by a lander unit which would be refueled from one of the units and undock a unit and land it on the surface returning for each unit and eventually staying in orbit in wait for the next supply transport.
Why capsules
In a word safety the space station has only been manned because there is a capsule attached at all times as an escape route in case of any problems. Of course there are other reasons such as one off designs for special missions and the fact that it can be part of a very large space craft by the edition of a number of robotic launched units.
please note do not take this as fact this is my view of the future
Due to fact that everything including water as to be brought up to orbit at the moment this is still a long way off but could be done in a cut down form
