Dale.Amon%CMU-RI-FAS@sri-unix.UUCP (04/11/84)
The funding effort Prudential Insurance was involved with was Spacetran, run by Klauss Heist. William H. Sword Investment was also involved. Spacetran recently disbanded, partially due to a falling out between Sword and Heist. Additionally, NASA never accepted officially accepted their proposal for review, as has occured with Cyprus (now Astrotech International). NASA had the attitude that Spacetran was 'too greedy'. This is not to say that Cyprus will fair any better, but considering the Rockwell connections, I suspect the chances are somewhat more realistic. In any case, don't hold your breath. NASA has indicated that it still considers the shuttle to be an R&D vehicle that is not yet 'debugged'. For those who follow launches religiously, the continuing glitches show that these is indeed a correct opinion. Realistic commercialization is going to require, at the very least, a cure for the excessive engine wear they are experiencing, not to mention the problems of upper atmosphere oxygen penetrating and damaging shuttle structural materials. It is my feeling that when the time comes (a few years) Cyprus will be given a serious opportunity. It will take several years of negotiation with NASA in the best of cases, so Cyprus is wise to start the ball rolling at this time.