Funny how the X-15 used a nose wheel and this uses a skid. Just interesting...
Quote from: mike robel on 08/29/2013 09:54 pmFunny how the X-15 used a nose wheel and this uses a skid. Just interesting...Pretty interesting I would say... They figured the skids at the rear of the X-15 added stability as well as braking on the dry lake bed. The X-20 was going to use similar skids at the rear with “wire steel brushes” underneath them.Since DC will be landing on paved runways may have been a factor for the wheels on the main gear as on the HL-20
Quote from: Rocket Science on 08/31/2013 01:10 amQuote from: mike robel on 08/29/2013 09:54 pmFunny how the X-15 used a nose wheel and this uses a skid. Just interesting...Pretty interesting I would say... They figured the skids at the rear of the X-15 added stability as well as braking on the dry lake bed. The X-20 was going to use similar skids at the rear with “wire steel brushes” underneath them.Since DC will be landing on paved runways may have been a factor for the wheels on the main gear as on the HL-20Wheels on the main gear allow steering via directional braking, while eliminating nose wheel steering.
Correct, I've mentioned that before a while back on other DC threads as well. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=9921.msg878422#msg878422
Quote from: Lurker Steve on 08/16/2013 07:40 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 08/16/2013 07:07 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 07:02 pmQuote from: Lars_J on 08/16/2013 06:36 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 06:32 pmSpacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle. I think we all know that. The point is that many systems that will be in common HAVE been tested on orbit, in an actual flying spacecraft. Not a partial/structural test article - even if the shape of this "partial vehicle" is close to the final vehicle.Understand and point taken. It's true that some of Dragon's manned systems have flown on an actual cargo vehicle to orbit. It will be interesting to see how the race shakes out in 2014 with Spacex's pad abort and inflight abort tests. I have a feeling though that a successful Dreamchaser drop test could go a long way in cementing a top 2 position in the upcoming dowselection. Especially if Boeing or SpaceX appear to lag for whatever reason.I'm not sure it'd cement them ahead of Boeing just because Dreamchaser isn't going to build more airframes and so plans to use this test airframe for the flight vehicle.I don't believe this actual airframe is going to space. That's the job of the next one. I do believe this ETA is a lot more functional than the aluminum shells used in the capsule drop testsMore functional than the ones that went to ISS?I'll be very interested when I see an airframe with full TPS and full propulsive capability tested. Then it'll be real!
Quote from: Robotbeat on 08/16/2013 07:07 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 07:02 pmQuote from: Lars_J on 08/16/2013 06:36 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 06:32 pmSpacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle. I think we all know that. The point is that many systems that will be in common HAVE been tested on orbit, in an actual flying spacecraft. Not a partial/structural test article - even if the shape of this "partial vehicle" is close to the final vehicle.Understand and point taken. It's true that some of Dragon's manned systems have flown on an actual cargo vehicle to orbit. It will be interesting to see how the race shakes out in 2014 with Spacex's pad abort and inflight abort tests. I have a feeling though that a successful Dreamchaser drop test could go a long way in cementing a top 2 position in the upcoming dowselection. Especially if Boeing or SpaceX appear to lag for whatever reason.I'm not sure it'd cement them ahead of Boeing just because Dreamchaser isn't going to build more airframes and so plans to use this test airframe for the flight vehicle.I don't believe this actual airframe is going to space. That's the job of the next one. I do believe this ETA is a lot more functional than the aluminum shells used in the capsule drop tests
Quote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 07:02 pmQuote from: Lars_J on 08/16/2013 06:36 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 06:32 pmSpacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle. I think we all know that. The point is that many systems that will be in common HAVE been tested on orbit, in an actual flying spacecraft. Not a partial/structural test article - even if the shape of this "partial vehicle" is close to the final vehicle.Understand and point taken. It's true that some of Dragon's manned systems have flown on an actual cargo vehicle to orbit. It will be interesting to see how the race shakes out in 2014 with Spacex's pad abort and inflight abort tests. I have a feeling though that a successful Dreamchaser drop test could go a long way in cementing a top 2 position in the upcoming dowselection. Especially if Boeing or SpaceX appear to lag for whatever reason.I'm not sure it'd cement them ahead of Boeing just because Dreamchaser isn't going to build more airframes and so plans to use this test airframe for the flight vehicle.
Quote from: Lars_J on 08/16/2013 06:36 pmQuote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 06:32 pmSpacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle. I think we all know that. The point is that many systems that will be in common HAVE been tested on orbit, in an actual flying spacecraft. Not a partial/structural test article - even if the shape of this "partial vehicle" is close to the final vehicle.Understand and point taken. It's true that some of Dragon's manned systems have flown on an actual cargo vehicle to orbit. It will be interesting to see how the race shakes out in 2014 with Spacex's pad abort and inflight abort tests. I have a feeling though that a successful Dreamchaser drop test could go a long way in cementing a top 2 position in the upcoming dowselection. Especially if Boeing or SpaceX appear to lag for whatever reason.
Quote from: mr. mark on 08/16/2013 06:32 pmSpacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle. I think we all know that. The point is that many systems that will be in common HAVE been tested on orbit, in an actual flying spacecraft. Not a partial/structural test article - even if the shape of this "partial vehicle" is close to the final vehicle.
Spacex's cargo vehicle is very different in some ways from the manned version. So really the dragon manned version has not been tested yet physically. Boeing's CST-100 capsule drop test was really just a shell. Dreamchaser will be the first test of an actual, although, partial vehicle.
They are building another airframe already (the FTA - under construction at MAF by LM) which they plan to fly propulsively and at higher speeds and altitudes, and possibly to orbit.
Quote from: Lee Jay on 09/05/2013 12:49 amThey are building another airframe already (the FTA - under construction at MAF by LM) which they plan to fly propulsively and at higher speeds and altitudes, and possibly to orbit.A Sierra Nevada ship is being built by Lockheed Martin at a NASA Facility?
Any word on when the drop test will be?