ISS: It's All Decked Out. Give It Somewheto Go

> I would make a far more modest proposal. Use ion engines to
> gradually adjust the orbit of ISS to something a lot closer to
> equatorial orbit, and then equip it as a fuel manufacturing and
> storage depot.

I have to agree with Mike; this would make a lot more sense. An
orbital transfer/assembly station and fuel (and other supplies) depot
can be extremely useful, provided it's in a sensible orbit, which ISS
currently is not. But its orbit could be changed -- with much
difficulty, but with far less difficulty than trying to turn it into
an interplanetary craft.

> The Russians would object to this. The reason why ISS is in the
> relatively high-inclination orbit it's in is because it's easier to
> reach that orbit from the latitude of the launch site Russia uses.
> But if the ISS were in an equatorial orbit, that would make it a
> better launching point for expeditions to the moon (or GEO, or
> Lagrange points) as it would eliminate a plane-change maneuver.

Yes, and the Russians recently struck a deal to launch from somewhere
in South America (does anyone happen to recall the details?), so maybe
they wouldn't mind as much as they used to.

Best,
- Joe