Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Path: utzoo!henry From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) Subject: Re: Secondary launch systems Message-ID: <1988Sep27.175719.16972@utzoo.uucp> Organization: U of Toronto Zoology References: <364@asuvax.UUCP> Date: Tue, 27 Sep 88 17:57:19 GMT In article <364@asuvax.UUCP> system@asuvax.UUCP (Marc Lesure) writes: >With the recent passage of the INF tready, I was wondering if it would be >possible to destroy the warheads and recycle the delivery systems to be >used as a low level satellite launch system? No. The treaty requires destruction of all affected missiles in a rather limited time by carefully-specified methods; use as space launchers is not among them. >... However, can't the Titan class of >launch system place an object in orbit? Yes, but the Titans are ICBMs and have nothing to do with the INF treaty. (In any case, the last fifty or so military Titans are all now in storage pending conversion to space launchers -- for USAF payloads, since the USAF owns them -- already.) The missiles banned by the INF agreement are a bit small for space launchers. One can hope that the forthcoming (we hope) treaty on reduction of strategic missiles provides for conversion to space launchers. The trouble is, though, that in such a treaty one wants to be sure the missiles are *really gone* and will not be put back into service as soon as your back is turned. The Soviets could use up missiles as launchers relatively quickly, but the US is not prepared for the high launch rate that would be needed. -- NASA is into artificial | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology stupidity. - Jerry Pournelle | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu