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