February 17th, 2003
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This week I was finally able to meet with Mr. Peters and discuss my project.  The foremost question in my mind was whether or not my vehicle can even reach ISS altitude.  MAKS, the original launch system I am using, was designed to carry an orbiter of 27 metric tons to a 200km orbit.  After doing the energy calculations I mentioned last week, I realized I could send 25 metric tons into a 400km orbit, the maximum orbit of ISS.  I thought these numbers were too good to be true, but after consulting Mr. Peters, it ended up being correct!  I’m going to try to design my orbiter to weigh 20 metric tons, leaving plenty of margin.

I also contacted Mr. Pritchett at NASA for detailed information and schematics for the X-33 and X-38 vehicles.  He says he will try to get back to me this week.  He’s been quite busy now  in the post-Columbia investigation.

This project is dedicated to the crew of STS-107.

May we learn from our mistakes and improve the safety of manned spaceflight.