XPost: sci.space.policy   
   From: kimekeller@yahoo.com   
      
   "ed kyle"  wrote in message   
   news:88d21cfd.0401262124.7534ead9@posting.google.com...   
   > Interesting.  Note that a fully fueled Delta IV 5-meter   
   > diameter second stage weighs nearly 31 metric tons (less   
   > than 4 tons empty), several tons in excess of what   
   > Delta IV-Heavy is reported to be capable of boosting to   
   > low earth orbit.  The logical approach would be to upgrade   
   > Delta IV-Heavy enough to be able to put 31 tons into LEO   
   > so that these stages could be orbited fully fueled.  This   
   > two-stage plus CEV stack, which appears capable of   
   > translunar insertion, would then require three Delta IV-   
   > Heavy launches.   
      
   Trouble is, Delta IV isn't exactly suited to salvo launch operations. For   
   that matter, neither is Atlas V. Both would require additional facilities to   
   make such a mission achievable. From the look of budget numbers, there won't   
   be enough money to take that approach.   
      
   Using just existing facilities would lead to some components having to wait   
   in orbit for quite some time before the mission package is assembled. Now,   
   that may not be a huge challenge but it does complicate things, particularly   
   if cryogenic fuels are used.   
      
   -Kim-   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)