Obba Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 NASA today, mentioned about going to the moon (heard it before). Then i read that they want to make a 125tonne heavy lifting launcher... Why don't they just make a small 50tonne lifter (the shuttle does 20 i think), and have it dock at the ISS, then send up the next 50tonnes and assemble the whole thing in space? At least it will maintained by the existing ISS crew. Include some additional thrusters to keep the whole thing 'up there'. Maybe no need for the 50tonne part to even be connected to the ISS - just have it floating around close by (tethered), so the ISS crew can go over and look after it. If a 125tonne launch fails, then all is lost. 125tonnes seems a hell of lot of weight and power to risk in one shot. I thought the whole idea of a ISS was to have a platform manned 'BASE' in orbit - about time we used it for a platform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insane_alien Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 the saturn V could lift 125 tonnes quite nicely. i'm assuming that one built today could lift as much and be smaller and lighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obba Posted September 16, 2005 Author Share Posted September 16, 2005 I wasn't aware of anything that could do 125tonnes, so i did a quick google. Which model of Saturn V are you reffering to? The biggest i found was Model: Saturn V. Family: Saturn V. Country: USA. Three-stage lunar landing booster. LEO Payload: 118,000 kg. to: 185 km Orbit. at: 28.0 degrees. Payload: 47,000 kg. to a: Translunar trajectory Thats a LEO only, admittedly it's 118tonnes. But to get 'out there', it's only 47tonnes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPL.Luke Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 the energia rocket russia built could do a bit more. the shuttle does 60 launching two rockets that can do 50 is probably more expensive, everything would need to be built in space as well (very expensive and difficult). The modular construction would probably hinder structural integrity as well. and finally if you want to launch a 125 tonne space craft you better build a 125 tonne rocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calbiterol Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Don't forget, there's a difference between metric tonnes and imperial tons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insane_alien Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 my source on the saturn V said it could lift a payload of 125,000 kg into LEO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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