This would make an interesting build....

**dhanners** · #1 08-19-2009, 08:17 AM

Hmmm..... Two of Ton's Orions glued nose to nose.....

Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Dual Orion capsules studied for manned asteroid missions

**dansls1** · #2 08-19-2009, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the link - in addition to the modeling implications it's news that I find interesting and missed!

**jparenti** · #3 08-20-2009, 06:55 PM

I hadn't seen this one yet. That will make an interesting build.
As great as going to an asteroid will be, I do hope it won't be the ONLY thing they do with Orion besides visiting the ISS. I still want them to head out to the moon, too.
Sadly, if the Shuttle had been used to its potential, a manned asteroid landing wouldn't have been out of the question. If we'd upgraded to metal tiles instead of ceramic (developed but never used) and stuck some landing equipment (a small lander and other items) in the cargo bay, it may have been feasible if fuel was launched separately on an unmanned booster and docked to the orbiter once reaching orbit.
Sigh, silly dreams, I suppose... :D

**Retired_for_now** · #4 08-20-2009, 07:45 PM

Actually J, an asteroid makes the best long term solution. You need resources (volatiles - comets; carbonates - asteroids) to sustain an independent habitat ($10,000 a pound, or even $1,000 a pound to the ISS makes for very expensive groceries). The moon may have resources, but the shallower gravity well of an asteroid makes it an ideal place to start developing the infrastructure to supply missions and habitation. Watch the Dawn mission to Vesta (2011) and Ceres (2015), just passed Mars this spring and refired its ion engines two weeks ago.

You need the space infrastructure and resources before you can build a space elevator from earth geosynchonous orbit down to the planet - only then will space access from the surface really be affordable.

Yogi (OK, down off the soapbox now)

**lee4752** · #5 08-20-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired_for_now

You need the space infrastructure and resources before you can build a space elevator from earth geosynchonous orbit down to the planet - only then will space access from the surface really be affordable.
(OK, down off the soapbox now)

Yogi, I'm holding out for the Space Escalator.:D Much more scenic, unless you'r talkin' the glass Space elevator.

**Retired_for_now** · #6 08-20-2009, 07:58 PM

Lee, you'll need a fast ride - or hold 'yer breath on that one. It would be a kick, beat the heck out of that roller coaster on the roof in Vegas.

Yogi

**lee4752** · #7 08-20-2009, 08:04 PM

I'm just thinkin about the ride up the escalator at the Pentagon Station of the DC metro times around 100,000. Through a transparent tube, of course.

**doctormax** · #8 08-21-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired_for_now

Lee, you'll need a fast ride - or hold 'yer breath on that one. It would be a kick, beat the heck out of that roller coaster on the roof in Vegas.

Yogi

Not get me in that elevator, I have to close my eyes going up the see through elevator in the Jervis center and that is only up one story..