Asri-unix.550
net.space
utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!menlo70!sri-unix!JoSH@RUTGERS
Sat Jan 16 20:59:34 1982
Firms sign up to use less costly European rockets
From: JoSH <JOSH AT RUTGERS>
According to a news story (Gannet) under this title, three
US companies, Western Union, Southern Pacific Comm., and
GTE have signed up for a total of 5 satellites so far on
the "mostly-French" Ariane. At $20 million a shot that
comes to $100 million, instead of spending $125 to $135
million at NASA (which would have used McDonnell-Douglass
Deltas).
"Despite the shuttle's potential as an efficient cargo
carrier into space, America's space transportation system
could price itself out of the market by the end of the
decade if--as expected--NASA raises its shuttle cargo
rates due to escalating costs of the external tanks and
solid rocket boosters."
The story says the French completed the Ariane test flight
program last month after four launches. The satellites
are scheduled to go up in 83 and 84.
--JoSH
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