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[Freddy]

.. when the space shuttles go out of service ?

Anyone know ?

[Data]

I was wondering about that too, all I know is that Russia have a rocket or space vehicle of some kind that they use to take supplies and things to the international space station and that’s going to be used instead of the shuttle when the shuttles get decommissioned.

I also remember seeing something on the news about a new kind of space vehicle that America if working on but can’t remember much about it.

Snowcrash do you know what is going to happen?

[Snowcrash]

Of course 

USA is now trying to develop an X craft replacement. Still no definites but this is where they're at...
X33 was the big hopeful but is shelved. They did build a 1/3 scale one.
http://www.spaceprojects.com/x33/

Lovely looking machine.

X37B is the current hopeful and some secret tests have happened recently
http://gizmodo.com/5545562/amateur-astronomers-spot-super-secret-x+37b-space-shuttle-replacement

What is going to happen to the space station..

The only 2 countries that can put a man into space after the shuttle is grounded are Russia and China. They both use Russian developed Soyuz. Here are the variations...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(spacecraft)
Fired from a non reusable heavy lifter of the same name

[Freddy]

Cool, thanks guys, some pretty amazing stuff out there 

[Snowcrash]

Actually read my links. Doh!

Looks like the X37B is unmanned, hence no cockpit.

How can an unmanned craft be a replacement for the shuttle? The whole point of the shuttle was that it was manned.

So maybe it is a spy plane. Or there's something else they're not telling us about.

You're only paranoid if they're not talking about you!!

[Data]

Thanks for the detailed response Snowcrash.

The X33 looks modern to me, I know I’ve seen it before on TV, it’s a shame its been shelved though.

[Snowcrash]

x37b test on 28/05/10 caught by amateur astronomer

Killed dead link. Found it on YouTube

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ah9rsGIlTk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ah9rsGIlTk</a>

There is a youtube embedded video on that page.

[Snowcrash]

and I found an X33 engine test video

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgy89YtgUSM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgy89YtgUSM</a>

[Snowcrash]

The x33 is very similar looking to the x24 lifting body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin-Marietta_X-24

You will have seen the famous crash of this craft in the title sequence of the 6 million dollar man

And this link has a list of all the x craft inc a few with 'unknown' next to them
http://www.anigrand.com/AA5008_RLV.htm

[Snowcrash]

And back to the main thread.

I missed out NASA's constellation program. This is the latest from NASA but as far as I know, congress has severely cut funds to this program.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/index.html

This would be equivelent to Russia's Soyuz rather than a shuttle.

[Data]

This came up on the BBC news site:

A prototype spaceplane built for the US military has returned to Earth after seven months in orbit...

Read More

[Freddy]

Interesting, it's like a squished up shuttle 

[Diesel]

I was just wondering what do you think they will do with the old shuttles?, will they feature on E-Bay?.


One owner from new, (various drivers), full service history, only used occasionally and always the same route, bodywork and brakes may need attention plus several million miles on the clock, hence the price !!!.  Sold as seen.


Not sure if it will quite fit in my garage, so I won't bother.

[Snowcrash]

x37b test on 28/05/10 caught by amateur astronomer

Killed dead link. See video above.
 
There is a youtube embedded video on that page.

Although this is now a dead link, it was a link to the X37-B taking off earlier this year. Data's post was it returning to Earth.

Diesel, I like your thoughts. Can we club together and make some money as an attraction?

[Data]

One owner from new, (various drivers), full service history, only used occasionally and always the same route, bodywork and brakes may need attention plus several million miles on the clock, hence the price !!!.  Sold as seen.

HaHa Diesel, good one 

LOL Snowy 

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