Fwd: Crimean crisis points to Russia, US space interdependence

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: March 7, 2014 11:48:58 AM CST
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: Crimean crisis points to Russia, US space interdependence

I like Dennis's assessment.

Gary

 

From: Pate, Dennis W.
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 10:43 AM
To: Gary Johnson;
Subject: RE: Crimean crisis points to Russia, US space interdependence

 

Yep.  Without the US, Russia still has a functional space station to for the majority of Mir-2, complete with all critical functions (power, guidance, propulsion – boost, propulsion – attitude control, propulsion - DAM, resupply, crew emergency return, crew access, …).  Without Russia we lack several critical functions (propulsion – boost, propulsion – attitude control, propulsion – CMG desaturation support, propulsion - DAM, crew emergency return, crew access).  I think the only decrease in function for the Russian segment would be in electrical generation and increased propellant usage for attitude control.  And they have a module supposedly on the way that would fix the loss of power generation.  Russia without the USOS still has a viable space station.  The USOS without Russia is doomed to an uncontrolled re-entry.

 

I have a feeling we may be coughing up a lot more money to continue this friendship.

 

Moral of the story – Don't piss off your only ride to work when you don't have your own ride.