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I've always wondered why other companies / projects wouldn't claim parts of the ISS for use elsewhere in orbit. Is the amount of delta-v needed to changes orbit

I've always wondered why other companies / projects wouldn't claim parts of the ISS for use elsewhere in orbit. Is the amount of delta-v needed to changes orbit and inclination really so high that it's easier and cheaper to send stuff from Earth rather than make use of what's there? Perhaps we should ask Scott Manley.

John23832 3y ago
> Is the amount of delta-v needed to changes orbit and inclination really so high that it's easier and cheaper to send stuff from Earth rather than make use of what's there? Yes. The ISS has a less the optimal orbital inclination (51.6 degrees) purely due to Russian involvement. To meaningfully change that would take a lot of delta v. From Texas, Florida, or French Guiana, the US and EU would really have benefited from a more flat inclination. It also orbits at 400 km. In the grand scheme of things, that's pretty low. The amount of delta v to change this is much less (but significant because the total mass of the iss is 400,000kg), but who wants to do this for a 30 year old space station that you're also going to to pay to maintain? You'd also have to have something you'd want to do with the the thing, which nobody really has show that they have. It also apparently smells lol. It will end up in the middle of the Pacific.
- euroderf 3y ago
  What's the chance they can install cameras and black boxes that will document the re-entry and breakup in a way that can be recovered for video playback ?
  - John23832 3y ago
    There already is all of the necessary equipment in the iss. We’ll have metrics of its deorbit. There is no black box that will survive reentry.
    - euroderf 3y ago
      > There is no black box that will survive reentry. Not yet. Calling MIT!
wkat4242 3y ago
Most of it has been in use for decades and isn't in prime condition. Radiation embrittlement, micrometeorite impacts will have weakened it. Not to mention lacking the benefits of decades of advancements of material science and the ability to test components together on the ground. Not being able to take advantage of lessons learned during ISS design and operations. And having to tie your design to parts that were designed and manufacturing in a previous century. That are probably not capable of being certified against today's standards. I don't really see it being feasible. Better to just clean room the design based on today's knowledge and tech. Heavy lift is getting cheaper and cheaper anyway.

John23832 3y ago

> Is the amount of delta-v needed to changes orbit and inclination really so high that it's easier and cheaper to send stuff from Earth rather than make use of what's there? Yes. The ISS has a less the optimal orbital inclination (51.6 degrees) purely due to Russian involvement. To meaningfully change that would take a lot of delta v. From Texas, Florida, or French Guiana, the US and EU would really have benefited from a more flat inclination. It also orbits at 400 km. In the grand scheme of things, that's pretty low. The amount of delta v to change this is much less (but significant because the total mass of the iss is 400,000kg), but who wants to do this for a 30 year old space station that you're also going to to pay to maintain? You'd also have to have something you'd want to do with the the thing, which nobody really has show that they have. It also apparently smells lol. It will end up in the middle of the Pacific.

euroderf 3y ago
What's the chance they can install cameras and black boxes that will document the re-entry and breakup in a way that can be recovered for video playback ?
- John23832 3y ago
  There already is all of the necessary equipment in the iss. We’ll have metrics of its deorbit. There is no black box that will survive reentry.
  - euroderf 3y ago
    > There is no black box that will survive reentry. Not yet. Calling MIT!

wkat4242 3y ago

Most of it has been in use for decades and isn't in prime condition. Radiation embrittlement, micrometeorite impacts will have weakened it. Not to mention lacking the benefits of decades of advancements of material science and the ability to test components together on the ground. Not being able to take advantage of lessons learned during ISS design and operations. And having to tie your design to parts that were designed and manufacturing in a previous century. That are probably not capable of being certified against today's standards. I don't really see it being feasible. Better to just clean room the design based on today's knowledge and tech. Heavy lift is getting cheaper and cheaper anyway.