METH@USC-ISI@sri-unix.UUCP (10/13/83)
>From Aviation Week and Space Technology
October 10, 1983, Page 17.
Development of a space shuttle orbiter capabitily for missions of
20-30 days in connection with a more slowly paced US space sta-
tion buildup will be floated as a compromise position between
space station advocates and station foes. Defense Dept.'s posi-
tion on an extended orbiter development is more favorable than
some managers have characterized it earlier (AW&ST Oct. 3, p.
19). Paul Thayer, deputy secretary of Defense, has written NASA
Administrator James H. Beggs that, "To the extent that a more
permanent presence of man in space might contribute to satisfac-
tion of national security goals, we believe a more promising
approach is to extend the capability of the space shuttle." A
station development could require NASA budgets of $18-20 billion
per year by the early 1990s with $3 billion per year required for
station development alone in the late 1980s. With such potential
costs there are managers in the station decision process who
intend to urge President Reagen to opt for a longer-paced devel-
opment as opposed to a 1991 station target date.
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