Quote from: yg1968 on 02/01/2010 10:23 pmThe good news for SpaceX is that their proposal was for a launch abort system (LAS) and it doesn't seem like any of these other companies' proposal were for a launch abort system (as far as I know). So they didn't lose out to anybody in that sense. SpaceX insists that they only need help with the LAS and that they have enough money for Falcon 9 and Dragon with the COTS and CRS contracts. In a nutshell, NASA's not going to give SpaceX money for something that they are not even asking for. They may get money for a LAS once NASA stars awarding contracts for that. I admit that this is a guess on my part. But it seems logical to me...Well, I can report now that HMX's proposal was for a universal launch abort system applicable to several capsule concepts. Obviously we didn't win, but we remain interested in developing the system. It's a novel concept that we'll present later this year at AIAA Space 2010.
The good news for SpaceX is that their proposal was for a launch abort system (LAS) and it doesn't seem like any of these other companies' proposal were for a launch abort system (as far as I know). So they didn't lose out to anybody in that sense. SpaceX insists that they only need help with the LAS and that they have enough money for Falcon 9 and Dragon with the COTS and CRS contracts. In a nutshell, NASA's not going to give SpaceX money for something that they are not even asking for. They may get money for a LAS once NASA stars awarding contracts for that. I admit that this is a guess on my part. But it seems logical to me...
This is one of the few good news that came out today. The Dream Chaser is one of the coolest vehicule there is. I was quitely rooting for the Dream Chaser.
Quote from: HMXHMX on 02/01/2010 10:38 pmQuote from: yg1968 on 02/01/2010 10:23 pmThe good news for SpaceX is that their proposal was for a launch abort system (LAS) and it doesn't seem like any of these other companies' proposal were for a launch abort system (as far as I know). So they didn't lose out to anybody in that sense. SpaceX insists that they only need help with the LAS and that they have enough money for Falcon 9 and Dragon with the COTS and CRS contracts. In a nutshell, NASA's not going to give SpaceX money for something that they are not even asking for. They may get money for a LAS once NASA stars awarding contracts for that. I admit that this is a guess on my part. But it seems logical to me...Well, I can report now that HMX's proposal was for a universal launch abort system applicable to several capsule concepts. Obviously we didn't win, but we remain interested in developing the system. It's a novel concept that we'll present later this year at AIAA Space 2010.It should be interesting. NASA may prefer a universal solution for Boeing's capsule and for the Dragon capsule. Although I believe that Jim was saying that the Dream Chaser already has a LAS.
It should be interesting. NASA may prefer a universal solution for Boeing's capsule and for the Dragon capsule.
"These selections represent a critical step to enable future commercial human spaceflight," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for Exploration Systems at NASA. "These impressive proposals will advance NASA significantly along the path to using commercial services to ferry astronauts to and from low Earth orbit, and we look forward to working with the selected teams," Cooke said.
Quote from: yg1968 on 02/01/2010 11:01 pmIt should be interesting. NASA may prefer a universal solution for Boeing's capsule and for the Dragon capsule. No. That would not be within the scope of a commercial crew service. NASA may request "a" escape system but not a specific one.
Here is the source selection statement, which is public information.What I find interesting is that apparently the Blue Origin proposal involves a pusher abort system as well.
Quote from: HMXHMX on 02/02/2010 12:10 amHere is the source selection statement, which is public information.What I find interesting is that apparently the Blue Origin proposal involves a pusher abort system as well.Did you receive this letter today or on December 8th?
Quote from: HMXHMX on 02/02/2010 12:10 amHere is the source selection statement, which is public information.What I find interesting is that apparently the Blue Origin proposal involves a pusher abort system as well.Wow, thanks!For future reference, I've typed up the ratings from that doc below. Ratings are Blue (very high level of confidence), Green, White, Yellow, and Red (very low level of confidence). First color is for the evaluation of the Commercial Crew Capability Maturation Plan, while the second color is for the Company Information Evaluation. If there's values in parentheses, it's what the final evaluation was after due diligence by the company.