How can ShuttleCom increase the flight rate; what payloads are you flying?
While we will pursue every NASA and USAF launch service mission that we can obtain, we also plan to launch commercial payloads (satellites). To be competitive with expendable launch service providers, we could launch commercial payloads into space without astronauts, since the Shuttle already has the capability to launch and land without astronaut intervention. But, up to six space tourists could be along for the flight and offset the cost of the mission. Increasing the flight rate is the core reason why the Space Shuttle should be privatize. A for-profit private company will operate the Shuttle program in the most efficient manner while taking on payloads (human passengers) that would be off-limits in a government vehicle. A private company will not be bound by the political whims of powerful congressional leaders and be obiligated to certain suppliers. Q: How does ShuttleCom envision NASA privatizing the Shuttle? A: ShuttleCom will lease the three orbiters (Endeavor, Atlantis, & Disc
