Additional Lab To Be Added To the ISS 81
Matt_dk writes "Apparently the International Space Station is going to get bigger. NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) are preparing to sign an agreement to add another laboratory to the ISS by using a modified multipurpose logistics module (Raffaello) during the final Space Shuttle mission. It will be attached in September 2010 during Endeavour's STS-133 mission. The idea had originally been rejected, but earlier this year ISS program manager Michael Suffredini said using an MPLM for an additional module was being reconsidered."
Re:I don't see the point of adding to it. (Score:5, Interesting)
As the Russian modules have the motors that would be used for controlled de-orbit, this poses a potential issue if Russia takes that capability to a new, on-going station. Other options include using a European Automated Transfer Vehicle. One option stated for an ongoing station is for Russia to build a ball-shaped, six-port module to which existing modules could be attached.
Decommissioned doesn't necessarily mean EOL.
Why Don't They Leave the Shuttles Up There, Too? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Why Don't They Leave the Shuttles Up There, Too (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes. Long-term storage of human beings in space.
Two ships go up, one ship comes down. It shouldn't be hard to leave at least a little bit of equipment up there.
On the topic of leaving them up their with their robotic arms, I would like to see some sort of small, orbital building yard - for now it doesn't have to do much, but even some sort of recycling processor to deal with random bits of junk that float past would be interesting, and pave the way for a whole new set of interesting technology.
Re:I don't see the point of adding to it. (Score:1, Interesting)
I'm not a queer or nothin, but even I wonder what a shpritzen of jizm would look like in zero G!
Re:Not surprised (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm hoping that eventually we can use an Aries V translunar (or transmartian) stage converted into a lab as a Skylab sized addition to the station. Skylab dwarfed any of the modern individual shuttle launched modules. An Aries V stage, if comparable to a Saturn V stage as they should be would be big enough to play a televised 0-G "Spaceball" game in.
Re:Why Don't They Leave the Shuttles Up There, Too (Score:1, Interesting)
Leaving my topic of the humans-a-returning (or not):
Nice thought, but space debris is so rare an event you have to wait for years for it to even come close. And, if it does, it will do so possibly with several thousand mph. Winky-winky with your little robotic arm ...
Decommissioning != De-orbited (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Not surprised (Score:2, Interesting)
This has been discussed for several years (Score:3, Interesting)
Personally, I would really like to see us add a Sundancer AND a BA-330. If we put these up in the next 2 years, they will get a nice shake out (similar to how the 2 are running around). If NASA is really concerned about lifetime, then the easy answer is to use these for storage for a time and keep the hatch closed. Though, I would not be surprised if the crew do not push to have space there. Apparently, the regular ISS is VERY noisy. The BA* should be very quiet.