4 ms·
Hmm... - Starliner's current showstoppers all seem to be in its Service Module's propulsion systems - Relatively little delta-V is needed to deorbit from the
by bell-cot 2y ago
Hmm...
- Starliner's current showstoppers all seem to be in its Service Module's propulsion systems
- Relatively little delta-V is needed to deorbit from the space station
- Rocket Labs has been zealously developing several "as a service" versions of their Photon satellite bus/kickstage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab_Photon#Photon_versions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab_Photon#Photon_versi...
SO: Could Rocket Labs quickly launch a "space tug" Photon, capable of replacing the Starliner Service Module's propulsion system well-enough for the undocking and controlled de-orbiting? Hard to imagine NASA allowing that with a manned Starliner. But is there any current capability to handle "dead" spacecraft near the ISS? Docking ports are very limited, and "drifting nearby" can be damned dangerous in orbit.
- tim333 2y agoThe "space tug" thing sounds complicated. I imagine if they don't feel the Starliner is safe they could send it to earth without anyone on board and send the SpaceX Dragon to get the astronauts.
- bell-cot 2y agoYes, the space tug idea would be bleeding-edge. But if Starliner does not have a working propulsion system, then they can't send it anywhere.