Posted by
CmdrTaco
on from the way-cooler-than-a-pillow-fort dept.
zootsuite writes "Space.com is reporting that a Russian space shuttle is on the auction block today. Minimum asking price: $6 million." Nothing says white trash like having
a multimilliondollar russian space shuttle rusting on your lawn! Better yet,
someone could buy it COD ;)
Second Space Tourist Won't be Given 'Ultimate Souv
by
anthony_dipierro
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
Mark Shuttleworth, the world's second space tourist, has said he will return to his native South Africa with his spacesuit, but without the ultimate in souvenirs - the Russian Soyuz capsule that brought him back to Earth.
The 28-year-old Internet magnate, who paid $20 million for his 10-day adventure into space, told journalists in Moscow Tuesday, that the trip was worth the cost many times over.
Mr. Shuttleworth said he expressed interest in buying the space capsule, which he nicknamed "Betty," but was not able to reach agreement with the Russian space agency.
Sergei Gorbunov, a spokesman for the agency, said the capsule is federal property, adding the Soyuz is considered space technology and the legal procedures for exporting it would be long and complicated.
Mr. Shuttleworth said he hoped to have a replica of the vehicle built, which he could take to South Africa and display to school children to interest them in space exploration.
He also thanked his two crew mates, Russian commander Yuri Gidzenko and Italian pilot Roberto Vittori, for their help during his stay on the International Space Station and during the fiery descent to earth.
The Soyuz capsule landed safely in Kazakhstan Sunday.
Story from VOANews. Some information in this article provided by AFP.
russia's space program firesale
by
lingqi
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Well... as a friend has pointed out to me -- this is a BARGAIN time for highly trained russian aerospace engineers; China is grabbing them by the bucketfull; and the US should too (we have currently no indication that the US is.
now, before anyone gets all patriotic / egotistic and claim that the US have smarter engineers anyway -- the russians have came up with a ton of stuff that the US tries to copy; their research in (other areas than aerospace, b/c i am late for work and do not have the time to sit down and think about this) ground effect aircraft / super-cavitation under-water crafts, etc, completely blows the us counterpart out of the water; besides that - russia makes huge rockets (N1), they never flew successfully, but dam* they are big and a pleasure to stare at... =)
Re:Delivery fees
by
arivanov
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
er.... How to put it politely... er... get a clue...
Buran is too heavy for any US cargo jet.
Just to remind you US cargo jets suck rocks in the heavy bulk cargo business. For example the "problematic chinese incident" plane (you know which one) had to be carried to the US by a british company subcontracting to Antonov's construction bureau using an AN 124 Anthei. This was for a reason. The fuselage of the plane did not fit in any of the Galaxy series.
The only thing that can lift a Buran intact is a AN 224 Mria which has recently been brought back from being mothballed. Subcontractable through the same UK company (forgot the name, based in Scotland). It will be more expensive then several thousands because it is a special purpose flight.
A Jumbo cannot lift a Buran off. It is heavier then the US shuttles. Dunno exactly how much. But enough to exceed both take off weight and undercariage structural limits on Boeing 747.
-- Baker's Law: Misery no longer loves company. Nowadays it insists on it
http://www.sigsegv.cx/
Re:Russia's Space Program.
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 1, Interesting
even though they had a better shuttle design than NASA
I've recently seen an interview with one of Buran constructors. He said the design was actually worse then Shuttle because another department wanted a powerfull rocket as a "side-effect" of Buran construction process. Thus the main engines are built into the rocket (Energia, energy in Russian) and it also has its own control system. All this is destroyed when Buran is detached from its "carrier" rocket in flight.
Shuttle to the contrary has the most costly parts (engines, control system) reusable lowering the overall flight cost.
Unfortunately I am completely ignorant in space engineering, so this optinion is presented "as is" without any warranty expressed or implied.:)
- A Russian/. reader.
Private space travel?
by
theolein
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
While the idea of some Hollywood start having one of these is ridiculous, the idea of selling one to a private enterprise company would be a huge boost for breaking the monopoly that governments hold on space travel. I'm sure that in the US it should not be too difficult for a space industries startup to gather $6 million from investors. The problem of course would be infrastructure (boosters, fuel, launchpads, tracking stations) but it would be a lot further down the road than current efforts are.
The Buran actually flew and according to most reports is very reliable compared to the space shuttle (12 years of testing, can fly automatically).
The ability for smaller firms to get into space would surely be paid back in terms of travel, industry etc.
Slashdot Mirror
Mark Shuttleworth, the world's second space tourist, has said he will return to his native South Africa with his spacesuit, but without the ultimate in souvenirs - the Russian Soyuz capsule that brought him back to Earth. The 28-year-old Internet magnate, who paid $20 million for his 10-day adventure into space, told journalists in Moscow Tuesday, that the trip was worth the cost many times over. Mr. Shuttleworth said he expressed interest in buying the space capsule, which he nicknamed "Betty," but was not able to reach agreement with the Russian space agency. Sergei Gorbunov, a spokesman for the agency, said the capsule is federal property, adding the Soyuz is considered space technology and the legal procedures for exporting it would be long and complicated. Mr. Shuttleworth said he hoped to have a replica of the vehicle built, which he could take to South Africa and display to school children to interest them in space exploration. He also thanked his two crew mates, Russian commander Yuri Gidzenko and Italian pilot Roberto Vittori, for their help during his stay on the International Space Station and during the fiery descent to earth. The Soyuz capsule landed safely in Kazakhstan Sunday. Story from VOANews. Some information in this article provided by AFP.
Well... as a friend has pointed out to me -- this is a BARGAIN time for highly trained russian aerospace engineers; China is grabbing them by the bucketfull; and the US should too (we have currently no indication that the US is.
now, before anyone gets all patriotic / egotistic and claim that the US have smarter engineers anyway -- the russians have came up with a ton of stuff that the US tries to copy; their research in (other areas than aerospace, b/c i am late for work and do not have the time to sit down and think about this) ground effect aircraft / super-cavitation under-water crafts, etc, completely blows the us counterpart out of the water; besides that - russia makes huge rockets (N1), they never flew successfully, but dam* they are big and a pleasure to stare at... =)
My life in the land of the rising sun.
er.... How to put it politely... er... get a clue...
Buran is too heavy for any US cargo jet.
Just to remind you US cargo jets suck rocks in the heavy bulk cargo business. For example the "problematic chinese incident" plane (you know which one) had to be carried to the US by a british company subcontracting to Antonov's construction bureau using an AN 124 Anthei. This was for a reason. The fuselage of the plane did not fit in any of the Galaxy series.
The only thing that can lift a Buran intact is a AN 224 Mria which has recently been brought back from being mothballed. Subcontractable through the same UK company (forgot the name, based in Scotland). It will be more expensive then several thousands because it is a special purpose flight.
A Jumbo cannot lift a Buran off. It is heavier then the US shuttles. Dunno exactly how much. But enough to exceed both take off weight and undercariage structural limits on Boeing 747.
Baker's Law: Misery no longer loves company. Nowadays it insists on it
http://www.sigsegv.cx/
even though they had a better shuttle design than NASA
:)
/. reader.
I've recently seen an interview with one of Buran constructors. He said the design was actually worse then Shuttle because another department wanted a powerfull rocket as a "side-effect" of Buran construction process. Thus the main engines are built into the rocket (Energia, energy in Russian) and it also has its own control system. All this is destroyed when Buran is detached from its "carrier" rocket in flight.
Shuttle to the contrary has the most costly parts (engines, control system) reusable lowering the overall flight cost.
Unfortunately I am completely ignorant in space engineering, so this optinion is presented "as is" without any warranty expressed or implied.
- A Russian
While the idea of some Hollywood start having one of these is ridiculous, the idea of selling one to a private enterprise company would be a huge boost for breaking the monopoly that governments hold on space travel. I'm sure that in the US it should not be too difficult for a space industries startup to gather $6 million from investors. The problem of course would be infrastructure (boosters, fuel, launchpads, tracking stations) but it would be a lot further down the road than current efforts are.
The Buran actually flew and according to most reports is very reliable compared to the space shuttle (12 years of testing, can fly automatically).
The ability for smaller firms to get into space would surely be paid back in terms of travel, industry etc.