Space policy and the size of the space shuttle fleet |
| |
Authors: | Valerie Neal |
| |
Institution: | Space History Division, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, P.O. Box 37012, Washington DC 20013-7012, USA |
| |
Abstract: | During the space shuttle era, policy makers have repeatedly wrestled with the issue of fleet size. The number of shuttles had both practical and symbolic significance, reflecting the robustness of the space transportation system and US preeminence in space. In debating how many shuttles were needed, NASA and other government entities weighed various arguments to determine the optimum number of vehicles for human spaceflight. Deliberations and decisions about shuttle fleet size reflected changing policy priorities and attitudes about the role of the shuttle. That history frames issues that may arise again in planning for new space transportation vehicles beyond the shuttle. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|