Russia currently fields 780 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), of which about 60% are beyond their warranty life. Most Russian liquid-fuelled missiles of the fourth and fifth generation have a warranted life of seven to 10 years in operation. At the end of this period they must be removed from their silo and sent back to the plant for remanufacture as the corrosive oxidant can begin to leak, electronics deteriorate, and the warhead has to be serviced. This cannot be done in the silo due to the use of transport-launch containers that envelope the missile.
Jane's defensehttp://www.janes.com/defence/news/j...01002_1_n.shtml
I think the shuttles can't be compared to ICBMs. What kind of electronic equipment may remain up-to-date after 30 years of service?
In which way can you earn money with the shuttles? Can they carry satellites?
And even those shuttles after 30 years of service had that many systems replaced then it's only the shell that lived through to the end.
As far as I know, you don't launch shuttles anymore... since "Columbia" crashed, may the 7 crewpeople rest in peace...
Indeed, Shuttle service will resume soon - and with the least amount of increased attention possible. Indeed the shuttle service is a satellite launch and repair service that costs major telecommunications and media companies MANY ducats. That is the reason they make so many flights - any sort of scientific research you hear about in the news that comes from shuttle flights is purely stuff they do "for fun" while they're up there and typically is not associated with the revenue-based program.
Sean Kelly said this in post #17 : Indeed the shuttle service is a satellite launch and repair service that costs major telecommunications and media companies MANY ducats.
Do ypu really mean they catch satellites in space and repair them ???
They catch & repair AND they launch new ones, particularly the most expensive and sophisticated ones that can't risk blowing up on the end of a rocket. Hubble Space Telescope, for example, was put into orbit by the shuttle.
11-23-2004 09:54 PM
