Jan 9 1991
From The Space Library
NASA announced it modified its Space Shuttle orbiter production contract with Rockwell International Corporation, Space Systems Division in Downey, California. The modifications, at a cost of $93.5 million, extend the mission duration of Columbia flights from 10 days to 16 days, plus a two-day contingency. Measures required include a regenerative carbon dioxide removal system, improved waste collection provisions, added gaseous nitrogen and crew stowage provisions, and additional power furnished by an Extended Duration Orbiter cryogenic pallet holding spherical tanks of liquid oxygen. (NASA Release C91-c)
Construction of Endeavour, authorized by Congress in 1987, is 90 percent complete and at a cost of $1.88 billion, not including main engines, was under budget and on schedule. Despite improvements, the command console technology is 20 years old to be consistent with other orbiters. Endeavour has the capacity of 28-day flights; the rollout date was scheduled for April 1991. (CSM, Jan 9/91)
NASA planners discovered that despite the problems it encountered, Astro-1 brought back much valuable data on December 10, 1990. However, there was no money in the FY 1992 budget for Astro-2. Instead, NASA appeared to be concentrating on such priorities as the Space Station program. The Astro program is Shuttle-dependent, with the assumption that the Shuttle would provide cheap and reliable space transportation. The Astro program needs to be reexamined. (CSM, Jan 9/91)
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