New Glenn rocket from @blueorigin will have 7-meter fairing from the start; aiming at constellations.
Clay Mowry of Blue Origin announces New Glenn will debut with 7-meter fairing on first launch. 2x volume of any 5-meter fairing flying today
This for the initial two-stage version? - Ed Kyle
Given customer response, we’re going straight to the 7m fairing and skipping 5.4m. Customers liking options the 2X volume provides.
Not needing to make satellite as compact for launch should add significant savings to build cost.
I would expect launch prices to be competitive, unlike competition Blue don't need to recover R&D costs. While their fairing and maybe US is more expensive, the reuseable booster is lot cheaper to fly than smaller ELVs.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 09/13/2017 03:56 amNot needing to make satellite as compact for launch should add significant savings to build cost. A statement often spoken yet not proven, almost bordering on wishful thinking. But I hope you are right.
Silly question perhaps, but do they mean 7m in length or 7m diameter?
Quote from: M.E.T. on 09/13/2017 06:41 amSilly question perhaps, but do they mean 7m in length or 7m diameter?It's length. Blue Origin's graphic clearly shows same width as rocket, just like previous 5.4m fairing.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/13/2017 06:46 amQuote from: M.E.T. on 09/13/2017 06:41 amSilly question perhaps, but do they mean 7m in length or 7m diameter?It's length. Blue Origin's graphic clearly shows same width as rocket, just like previous 5.4m fairing.I'm pretty sure they mean 7 m in diameter. The rocket is 7 m in diameter.
Quote from: Lars-J on 09/13/2017 05:38 amQuote from: TrevorMonty on 09/13/2017 03:56 amNot needing to make satellite as compact for launch should add significant savings to build cost. A statement often spoken yet not proven, almost bordering on wishful thinking. But I hope you are right.Blue think it is a valid point, but comsat owners want redundant LVs. They would only build satellite for NG if there is alternative LV with 7m fairing.