posted 09-19-2006 12:11 PM
Other than as a 'rescue' operation as debated in the wake of the Columbia disaster (ie a known damaged orbiter in space), in the entire shuttle program was a 'two orbiter' mission ever discussed? And if it was what would the mission have been?
Paul
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 09-19-2006 05:42 PM
It was never planned but in 1986 it was one of the might have been twice. STS 61-F and 61-G had a tight launch window. They were the flight to launch Ulysses and Galileo. I think it was like a F was to launch on May 15 and G on the 21. Any delay could might have put both in space at the same time. they were to be like 4 day flights with the Centaur upper stage and fule being so heavy they were the only payload going up hill. STS 62-A, first flight from Vandenberg and STS 61-I from KSC were both going for a July flight time so there was another possable.