Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site minn-ua.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!stolaf!umn-cs!minn-ua!sew From: sew@minn-ua.UUCP Newsgroups: net.columbia Subject: Re: Space tug - (nf) Message-ID: <989@minn-ua.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Feb-84 21:29:06 EST Article-I.D.: minn-ua.989 Posted: Thu Feb 16 21:29:06 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Feb-84 04:21:08 EST Sender: notes@minn-ua.UUCP Organization: Univ. of Minn. Computer Center, Minneapolis Lines: 26 #R:decwrl:-563000:minn-ua:4400002:000:1059 minn-ua!sew Feb 16 14:36:00 1984 . > ***** minn-ua:net.columbia / decwrl!lipman / 6:13 am Feb 15, 1984 > From: dvinci::fisher (Burns Fisher, MRO3-1/E13, 231-4108) > > > I wonder if a remotely controlled "space tug" could be built and launched > > for under $20 million... > > I doubt that you could even get someone to give you a space-tug proposal > for under $20 million! It might depend upon whether you want a tug which will last for 10 years and can handle any job (such as the one launching in 4-5 years), or you want a tin can with a rocket nozzle and a net. Maybe someone is willing to gamble a little with some collection of spare parts which has a reasonable chance of costing less than the $50 million cost of a new satellite. Especially if the tin top might end up with enough fuel left to fetch the second satellite. (Repair is left as an exercise to the reader..but postings to the net are probably not necessary unless someone announces they're going to play catch) From the analogue digits of: ...ihnp4!umn-cs!mecc-ua!sew Scot E. Wilcoxon, MECC Technical Services.