[net.space] Workload for the remaining shuttles

Dave-Platt%LADC@CISL-SERVICE-MULTICS.ARPA (Dave Platt) (02/24/86)

According to an article in this morning's Los Angeles Times, intensive
studies by NASA, DoD, and the NSC have found that the loss of Challenger
will severely handicap the nation's space program for years to come due
to the cutback in payload capacity.  National security requirements for
placing military payloads in orbit will likely consume more than 75%
of the capacity of the three remaining shuttles for the next five years,
leading to a cutback of more than 50% in scientific and commercial
payload space, and the likely mothballing of payloads that have
taken years to develop.