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Next Generation Space Shuttles

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the boldly-going dept.

zymano writes "Popular Science has an article about the next generation space shuttles. If you're wondering about what happened to all those cool ideas for a new shuttle and what happened to them then this story will explain it. Mentions the politics, design, costs and time for a new shuttle." There's some neat images of mockups as well.

10 of 226 comments (clear)

  1. Hey hey, by Freston+Youseff · · Score: 4, Funny

    As long as the new space shuttles have some modern computers on board (as opposed to the dated ones on the current shuttles) and the re-entry tiles are properly glued on, then the new shuttles will be just spiffy.

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    1. Re:Hey hey, by gilesjuk · · Score: 2, Funny

      Not to mention they need cable TV and a fast net connection to share MP3s, I'd love to see the RIAA send an anti-piracy taskforce into space. I wouldn't put it past them though:)

    2. Re:Hey hey, by Bold+Marauder · · Score: 3, Funny

      With funding being what it is, they may have to settle for 99 cent scotch tape instead of glue!

    3. Re:Hey hey, by Tyrseil · · Score: 3, Funny

      Wouldn't most of our problems be solved if they'd just have used duct tape in the first place?

      --
      Everything I say is a lie...
  2. Something must be wrong... by HaloZero · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...I don't see a saucer-section, or anything of the sort. What kinda 'Next-Generation' is this, anyway?

    I swear to God, though, if they make a mock up of this one, call it 'Enterprise', and try to pretend like it was actually made before the first shuttle Enterprise , I'll shoot someone.

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    Informatus Technologicus
    1. Re:Something must be wrong... by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 2, Funny

      You won't have to. The pile of lawsuits from Rick Berman will make them want to shoot themselves.

  3. Much as I love my Athlon... by delphi125 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If in a hundred years time AMD is producing the CPUs for NASA spacecraft, they won't need tiles. They'll need cooling fins instead.

    1. Re:Much as I love my Athlon... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 2, Funny

      Christ almighty, someone mod parent up! This is the funniest joke I've ever heard, it's not based on specs of products from 3 years ago, and what's more I've never heard this joke before!

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      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
  4. Just gotta say... by EpsCylonB · · Score: 2, Funny

    I want one.

  5. It looks like the Farscape Space Craft by Unixinvid · · Score: 2, Funny

    The proposed shuttle looks like Crightons experimental shuttle that can go through worm holes in space.