problems are insoluble. Indeed, the most difficult question to answer is the one concerning the present or future market for the ET. It has been demonstrated that there are myriad uses of the ET in almost every area of space endeavor. All that remains is the decision to use the tank or to allow it to be used. Recommendations for the use of the ET are: 1. Quickly fly the ET and store it in a permanent storage facility in relatively high earth orbit. 2. Arrive at a pricing policy that covers the cost orbital storage and maintenance of the tank. Sales should be based only on average storage costs. If a tank is purchased for orbital use, the purchase cost and agreement can be determined prior to launch. The only stipulation should be that the buyer be able to physically do something with the ET in a specified period of time. 3. Design and offer the ACC as an enhancement of the STS itself. The ACC is initially thought of as a secondary cargo carrier. This need not be the case if the ACC payload is the primary payload for that flight. The External Tank is simply too flexible and valuable a resource to continue throwing away in the upper atmosphere. We as a nation are fortunate that such a great opportunity for program advancement exists at so little cost. The use of the ET is well within our current capabilities and would be a welcome addition to the future of the United States in space. We recommend that the tank be flown early and often.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==