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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
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Organization: Univ. of Minn. Computer Center, Minneapolis
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#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.