Quote from: Jim on 12/06/2013 06:00 pmAV-007 was assigned to MRO. The vehicle was swapped for one with block II avionics, but kept the same tail number. Was it only the upper stage that was swapped (containing the avionics), or was the first stage swapped as well?And when did LM/ULA stop painting the upper stage yellow/orange?
AV-007 was assigned to MRO. The vehicle was swapped for one with block II avionics, but kept the same tail number.
2. The light green rings appear to be the stage/pad hold-down or attachment points - correct? Is there a reason why they are not evenly spread around? The two nearest ones are clocked 90 degrees apart, but there appears to only be one more (hidden).
Sorry, if this has been asked before (couldn't find it).When the Atlas 5 uses solid rocket boosters, why aren't they mounted on the first stage symetrically like the Delta launch vehicle?For example, when 3 boosters are used, two are mounted together, with the third on the other side.Thank you.
Avionics pod and propellent feed line are in the way.
Among reciprocal Russian sanctions, defined by Rogozin one is not discussed in policy topics, while potentially have serious and nearly immediate consequences.When he speak about restrictions for Russian engines for military-related launches of American rockets, he add that not only selling could be prohibited, but the technical maintenance by Russian servicemen of any engine already bought (and already on American soil) could be prohibited too.So my questions are:* Does RD-180 and/or AJ26/NK-33 have parts that currently should be periodically/before installation in rocket/before start serviced by production plant personnel (NPO Energomash or Kuznetsov DB)?* If so, could RD Amross / Aerojet do such maintenance independently (both from technological and legal points of view)?* If not, are ULA / Orbital really have "more than 2 year's reserves of engines" or they have "unserviceable and therefore useless junk" instead?PS. I am write question here, because policy forum is read only for me.
Why is the first stage tank bronze? Is it for checking ice buildups? as i can see here http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av047/launch/ATLAS-V-PAD13.JPG there is a lot of ice on the upper part of the stage, what should be bronze is all almost white.
I suddenly realized that the Atlas V mobile launch platform looks rather similar to the MLP for the old Titan III/IV. Was it modified from one of them?