Asri-unix.1331
net.space
utzoo!decvax!cca!TCS@USC-ECL@sri-unix
Sun Apr 25 14:58:55 1982
ET IN ORBIT
From: Terry C. Savage <TCS USC-ECL AT>

I WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE COST OF OWNING AN ET IN A FAIRLY STABLE ORBIT (AT LEAST 10 YEARS BEFORE DECAY). IF ANYONE CAN PRVIDE ANSWERS TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL:

     1) HOW HIGH AN ORBIT IS REQUIRED TO BE CONFIDENT OF A MINIMUM 10 YEAR LIFE?
     2) WHAT IS THE PAYLOAD PENALTY TO CARRY THE ET TO AN ORBIT STABLE ENOUGH TO LAST AT LEAZT A WEEK OR SO?
     3) HOW MUCH ENERGY IS REQUIRED TO BOOST THE ET TO THE 10 YEAR ORBIT. HOW MUCH IS THIS IN EQUIVALENT UPPER STAGES (IE HOW MANY IUS'S WOULD BE REQUIRED, FOR EXAMPLE)
     4) WHAT IS THE COST PER IUS (OR OTHER UPPER STAGE) TO BE USED?
     5) HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO INSURE THE OPERATION, IN TERMS OF BOTH LIABILITY AND SUCCESS OF THE MISSION?
     6) WHAT OTHER COSTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED?

    I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THE COST EXCEEDED THE $35M CURRENTLY CHARGED FOR A FULL SHUTTLE BAY, AND IT SHOULD BE A GOOD DEAL LESS. THE NEXT QUESTION OF COURSE IS WHAT TO DO WITH IT ONCE YOU HAVE IT, ASSUMING IT COULD BE OBTAINED IN A FEW YEARS.

T.C.SAVAGE
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