Hobbes said:In the images attached to Sferrin's post there are two Nova configurations that look like they borrowed an N-1 first stage ;D
Yes, anything conical clearly ripped off the N-1s design. :
Hobbes said:In the images attached to Sferrin's post there are two Nova configurations that look like they borrowed an N-1 first stage ;D
Grey Havoc said:Battle Over Space Launch Heating Up (UPDATED) [National Defense magazine]
Grey Havoc said:http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/29/11526886/spacex-red-dragon-spacecraft-mars-propulsive-landing
On another note:
![]()
ORIGINAL CAPTION: Falcon Heavy concept art
Grey Havoc said:Battle Over Space Launch Heating Up (UPDATED) [National Defense magazine]
I wonder if it would be possible to ditch the heatshield entirely? Make the propulsive landing require less fuel / last longer and allow for a sensor payload to be located on the bottom of the capsule without having to potentially compromise the heatshield. Or of course, considering that this is just a test and the capsule isn't carrying a 'real' payload, you could probably easily fit millimeter radar / LIDAR sensors that pop out of the sides after having decelerated.blackstar said:A decent article on the subject. Except that I'd like to see a little more discussion about terminal guidance. RD is going to need a downward looking radar and maybe a lidar for precision landing. How do you point that out of the vehicle? (Maybe that sticks out of a hatch in the heat shield?)
fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
blackstar said:fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
So what has taken them so long? This should be a pretty straightforward upgrade--or at least the fanboys have been saying so for years. It's just strapping three Falcon 9s together (they gave up on crossfeed years ago).
fredymac said:blackstar said:fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
So what has taken them so long? This should be a pretty straightforward upgrade--or at least the fanboys have been saying so for years. It's just strapping three Falcon 9s together (they gave up on crossfeed years ago).
I am a fan of people spending their own money and working towards a long term objective of making space more affordable. To the extent that ULA is self-financing development of a new, lower cost rocket, I applaud that as well. I am agnostic on who as long as the process doesn't involve the usual political-tax based funding. As for how long they are taking, I don't care since it doesn't cost me anything. Companies that expose themselves to risk and failure will show greater motivation than those living off the public dole. I know they are ultimately chasing government launch contracts (initially) but they are developing the means on their own. I am perplexed that people can be disturbed by this.
fredymac said:blackstar said:fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
So what has taken them so long? This should be a pretty straightforward upgrade--or at least the fanboys have been saying so for years. It's just strapping three Falcon 9s together (they gave up on crossfeed years ago).
I am a fan of people spending their own money and working towards a long term objective of making space more affordable. To the extent that ULA is self-financing development of a new, lower cost rocket, I applaud that as well. I am agnostic on who as long as the process doesn't involve the usual political-tax based funding. As for how long they are taking, I don't care since it doesn't cost me anything. Companies that expose themselves to risk and failure will show greater motivation than those living off the public dole. I know they are ultimately chasing government launch contracts (initially) but they are developing the means on their own. I am perplexed that people can be disturbed by this.
blackstar said:fredymac said:blackstar said:fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
So what has taken them so long? This should be a pretty straightforward upgrade--or at least the fanboys have been saying so for years. It's just strapping three Falcon 9s together (they gave up on crossfeed years ago).
I am a fan of people spending their own money and working towards a long term objective of making space more affordable. To the extent that ULA is self-financing development of a new, lower cost rocket, I applaud that as well. I am agnostic on who as long as the process doesn't involve the usual political-tax based funding. As for how long they are taking, I don't care since it doesn't cost me anything. Companies that expose themselves to risk and failure will show greater motivation than those living off the public dole. I know they are ultimately chasing government launch contracts (initially) but they are developing the means on their own. I am perplexed that people can be disturbed by this.
I asked a question. You wrote an opinion.
blackstar said:fredymac said:Spacex still targeting first flight of Falcon Heavy before year end.
So what has taken them so long? This should be a pretty straightforward upgrade--or at least the fanboys have been saying so for years. It's just strapping three Falcon 9s together (they gave up on crossfeed years ago).
My guess is that it is several things:
1. they keep changing the Falcon 9 design, which then forces the people working on Falcon Heavy to reconfigure
2. they don't have enough people to work on Falcon 9 and FH at 100%, so FH lags
3. Falcon Heavy does not have as many customers, no pressing requirement
4. bigger rockets are harder to develop
Add up all those things and it may explain the delay.
blackstar said:I asked a question. You wrote an opinion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The question was framed with "fanboy" which I assume connotes a juvenile boosterism absent of intellectual merit. As for a guess as to why the delays, I would say low priority is the most likely. The manned Dragon capsule development should be receiving the highest support given the contractual schedules and financial obligations.
Grey Havoc said:http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_Russian_Medium_Class_Carrier_Rocket_Could_Compete_With_SpaceXs_Falcon_999.html
Salt may be required.
fredymac said:Grey Havoc said:http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_Russian_Medium_Class_Carrier_Rocket_Could_Compete_With_SpaceXs_Falcon_999.html
Salt may be required.
Whatever happened to Angara? It was supposed to be a modular concept allowing coverage of small to heavy payload classes. It has been almost 2 years since the last flight.
fredymac said:Whatever happened to Angara? It was supposed to be a modular concept allowing coverage of small to heavy payload classes. It has been almost 2 years since the last flight.
Flyaway said:SpaceX’s final Falcon 9 design coming this year, two Falcon Heavy launches next year
http://spacenews.com/spacexs-final-falcon-9-design-coming-this-year-two-falcon-heavy-launches-next-year/
sferrin said:Flyaway said:SpaceX’s final Falcon 9 design coming this year, two Falcon Heavy launches next year
http://spacenews.com/spacexs-final-falcon-9-design-coming-this-year-two-falcon-heavy-launches-next-year/
That's what they said last year.![]()
TomS said:sferrin said:Flyaway said:SpaceX’s final Falcon 9 design coming this year, two Falcon Heavy launches next year
http://spacenews.com/spacexs-final-falcon-9-design-coming-this-year-two-falcon-heavy-launches-next-year/
That's what they said last year.![]()
What they actually are saying now is that the Falcon Heavy demo will fly by the end of this year, with two commercial flights next year.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/spacexs-shotwell-1-falcon-heavy-demo-year-satellite-broadband-remains-side/
TomS said:My understanding is that, assuming the first two FH flights go as planned, this should be the last of three flights needed to certify FH for national security missions?
Byeman said:TomS said:My understanding is that, assuming the first two FH flights go as planned, this should be the last of three flights needed to certify FH for national security missions?
They have to do more than just certification. They need a west coast capability, a longer fairing and vertical payload integration
Michel Van said:Makes four flight, enough for NRO qualification for a Key Hole Satellite launch by Falcon Heavy from 2019 on.
source