Does this mean the SM/US can be readapted to be a tug?
Only the shell is Italian, the service module is the spacecraft and US. Especially, since it can be used with an unpressurized logistics carrier.
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/08/2010 05:32 pmHere's a great article about Cygnus being assembled by Thales Alenia Space (TAS) in Torino, Italy.BBC News'/Jonathan Amos' "Spaceman" Blog: "The private spaceships taking shape in Torino".www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2010/07/cygnus.shtmlThe article refers to a "37-inch hatch, specially developed by TAS". I thought Cygnus is going to use the CBM hatch (which is 50-inches in diameter)?In the audio clip right near the end of the article Walter Cugno (programme manager on Cygnus at TAS) describes this a bit. Short synopsis: no ISPRs, so no need for 50 in. hatch.It's apparently still compatible with CBM, though. The vacuum seal must be out at the circular perimeter rather than the square hatch?
Here's a great article about Cygnus being assembled by Thales Alenia Space (TAS) in Torino, Italy.BBC News'/Jonathan Amos' "Spaceman" Blog: "The private spaceships taking shape in Torino".www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2010/07/cygnus.shtmlThe article refers to a "37-inch hatch, specially developed by TAS". I thought Cygnus is going to use the CBM hatch (which is 50-inches in diameter)?
Quote from: sandrot on 07/09/2010 02:19 pmDoes this mean the SM/US can be readapted to be a tug?Yes, please go to http://servicingstudy.gsfc.nasa.gov/presentations_final/day3/Warren_Frick/Cygnus_Satellite_Servicing_R4.pdf.This presentation by Orbital Sciences was made during an international workshop on 24-26 March 2010 at NASA Goddard as part of the latter's current Servicing Study (http://servicingstudy.gsfc.nasa.gov/).All presentations made at the workshop can be accessed through http://servicingstudy.gsfc.nasa.gov/workshop_1_presentations.htm.Coincidentally, SpaceX also presented at the workshop and gave a presentation of how its Dragon spacecraft, as one example, could be used to service the Hubble Telescope. Please see http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=post;quote=616394;topic=21179.0;num_replies=42;sesc=bcb95b60f305387c44351521c7627548.
I don't know why Cygnus isn't using the CBM hatch - surely it would have been cheaper & quicker to use a proven system than design, build & test a new one?
Quote from: Space Pete on 07/09/2010 08:08 pmI don't know why Cygnus isn't using the CBM hatch - surely it would have been cheaper & quicker to use a proven system than design, build & test a new one?It uses up too much space.
After all OSC has the most experience with autonomous R&D in the US right now, and the bus seems almost tailor made for such an application.
Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 09/06/2010 04:40 amAfter all OSC has the most experience with autonomous R&D in the US right now, and the bus seems almost tailor made for such an application. What do you mean? (honestly curious)
Quote from: GncDude on 09/12/2010 10:33 pmQuote from: Ronsmytheiii on 09/06/2010 04:40 amAfter all OSC has the most experience with autonomous R&D in the US right now, and the bus seems almost tailor made for such an application. What do you mean? (honestly curious)DART:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DART_(spacecraft)
Heh. Bear in mind that Orbital Express wasn't autonomous but remotely operated.