re single launch space station in article c qa j w cs cmu edu mcimail com karl dishaw wrote andy cohen cohen ssdgwy mdc com writes the single launch core station concept a shuttle external tank and solid rocket boosters would be used to launch the station into orbit shuttle main engines would be mounted to the tail of the station module for launch and jettisoned after et separation why jettison the ssmes why not hold on to them and have a shuttle bring them down to use as spares good question i asked that myself however since this option is as expensive as the freedom derivative the issue will likely be moot
