Slashdot Mirror
NASA Satellite Stranded
Account 10 writes: "BBC News has a story about one of NASA's newest and most sophisticated satellites. Launched a couple of weeks ago, it was supposed to have moved itself up into the correct orbit . Once there, one of its roles would be to route data between the ISS, other satellites and the ground as aprt of the TDRS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite) project. However a fuel tank is leaking and it cannot reach its orbit. One suggestion is that it maneuver itself into an orbit where the shuttle can reach and rescue it - to repair it and send it on its way, or bring it home to be launched again."
hen is nasa ever gunna wake up? they shoulda been buildin moonbase by now ~ if nasa was an os it would still be 8 bit ~ the whole organization needs reform ~ split it up, separate the os from the apps so to speak i.e. let nasa contract out lift to ups or fedex, build a space mall .. nikey will come!
The shuttle is designed to be able to bring satellites back. From the link:
The space shuttle is the world's first reusable spacecraft, and the first spacecraft in history that can carry large satellites both to and from orbit.
Now, whether it's more dangerous to bring back a satellite leaking fuel is another matter! I figure that they'd drain it before bringing it back though.
Pioneer 10 cost $75 million to build which translates into approx. $350 million current day prices. The TRDS project has $825 allotted for 3 sattelites that are far, far more capable than Pioneer 10, and have to fulfill a far, far more complicated role.
Pioneer 10 might have been good, but it was also expensive, and took over three years to build. Good, fast, cheap. Pick two.
Pushin' 'n dealin', shovin' 'n stealin'