Author Topic: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System  (Read 118865 times)

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« on: 03/17/2015 04:53 pm »
Looks like the announcement is coming up soon:

https://twitter.com/SNCspacesystems/status/577878296358051840

"SNC's Space Systems
‏@SNCspacesystems
Today we debut the Dream Chaser® Cargo System #backinblack #staytuned #CRS2"

Opening up new thread for discussion of the bid.

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #1 on: 03/17/2015 06:20 pm »
https://twitter.com/SNCspacesystems/status/577912034383138816

"SNC's Space Systems
‏@SNCspacesystems
The Dream Chaser® Cargo System has a folded wing design to fit inside a standard fairing for multiple launch vehicles"

Cool picture. Kind of surprised they went with an in-fairing system. Maybe simplifies things significantly, when you don't have to worry about crewed abort cases.

Offline arachnitect

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1553
  • Liked: 501
  • Likes Given: 759
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #2 on: 03/17/2015 06:21 pm »
fits in a 5meter fairing. Has a support module on back. 5550 kg. press and unpress.

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #3 on: 03/17/2015 06:23 pm »
Jeff Foust doing his thing again, too.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/577906902178234368

SNC’s Mark Sirangelo says this is “next step” in the evolution of Dream Chaser. Fits in Atlas 5 fairing, has module w/solar panels on back.
Steve Lindsey: cargo module attached to aft port of Dream Chaser accommodate add’l pressurized and unpressurized cargo. #satshow
Lindsey: can carry a total of 5,550 kg upmass (pressurized and unpress) to ISS, exceeds NASA requirements for CRS2. #satshow
Sirangelo: besides Ariane 5 and Atlas 5, can launch on Delta 4, H-2, possibly Falcon 9. #satshow
Lindsey: can return cargo gently (1.5g max in reentry), runway landing, quick access to cargo after landing. #satshow

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #4 on: 03/17/2015 06:24 pm »
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/577913004425007104

Lindsey: will do a second Dream Chaser glide test by the end of this year (1st was in October 2013).

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #5 on: 03/17/2015 06:25 pm »
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/577913512212635648

Lindsey: still working with Lockheed Martin on manufacturing the first orbital vehicle. #satshow

Offline Lars-J

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6809
  • California
  • Liked: 8485
  • Likes Given: 5384
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #6 on: 03/17/2015 06:28 pm »
Inside the fairing? The folding wings seem like quite a change. Is this the smaller or full size DC?

Offline Patchouli

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4490
  • Liked: 253
  • Likes Given: 457
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #7 on: 03/17/2015 06:48 pm »
https://twitter.com/SNCspacesystems/status/577912034383138816

"SNC's Space Systems
‏@SNCspacesystems
The Dream Chaser® Cargo System has a folded wing design to fit inside a standard fairing for multiple launch vehicles"

Cool picture. Kind of surprised they went with an in-fairing system. Maybe simplifies things significantly, when you don't have to worry about crewed abort cases.

I'm thinking it eliminates the need for a custom aerodynamic adapter for each vehicle so you can treat it as a typical payload.
It being LV agnostic would free it from RD-180 supply issues or it's LV getting grounded due to an accident.
« Last Edit: 03/17/2015 06:48 pm by Patchouli »

Offline abaddon

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3051
  • Liked: 3899
  • Likes Given: 5264
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #8 on: 03/17/2015 06:51 pm »
"Possibly" Falcon, interesting.  Is the Falcon9 PLF too short?  That would seem to be a "yes/no" kind of deal though.

IMHO this is SNC's only shot to get funding to develop a Dream Chaser variant.  Hope their proposal is competitive enough, I'd like to see it happen.

Offline arachnitect

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1553
  • Liked: 501
  • Likes Given: 759
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #9 on: 03/17/2015 06:52 pm »
another picture:

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #10 on: 03/17/2015 07:05 pm »
One major weakness: Still using a docking APAS (or whatever they're calling it these days), not a CBM. Means a smaller diameter for cargo, and no racks. This will carry up a large quantity of food, supplies, etc., but zero large experiments. I wonder how much of the Dragon downmass so far is experiment results that wouldn't fit through the smaller diameter hatch.

Offline Malderi

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 528
  • Liked: 53
  • Likes Given: 52
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #11 on: 03/17/2015 07:07 pm »
I also think them calling out Ariane 5 and H-2 compatibility means they'd sell it to ESA or JAXA for any future cargo requirements. Maybe ESA barters out a few more crew slots in exchange for a couple Ariane 5's and a DCCV or two.

Offline gosnold

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 571
  • Liked: 240
  • Likes Given: 2113
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #12 on: 03/17/2015 09:11 pm »
I also think them calling out Ariane 5 and H-2 compatibility means they'd sell it to ESA or JAXA for any future cargo requirements. Maybe ESA barters out a few more crew slots in exchange for a couple Ariane 5's and a DCCV or two.
Italy would block such a deal, they want to develop their own mini shuttle.

Offline Bob Shaw

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1427
  • Liked: 727
  • Likes Given: 676
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #13 on: 03/17/2015 09:28 pm »
Were this to happen, it would be good and would prove the DC TRL for the full-scale vehicle.
« Last Edit: 03/17/2015 09:28 pm by Bob Shaw »

Offline manboy

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2086
  • Texas, USA, Earth
  • Liked: 134
  • Likes Given: 544
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #14 on: 03/17/2015 10:36 pm »
Inside the fairing? The folding wings seem like quite a change.
Reminds me of BOR-4.
"Cheese has been sent into space before. But the same cheese has never been sent into space twice." - StephenB

Online adrianwyard

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1140
  • Liked: 322
  • Likes Given: 367
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #15 on: 03/17/2015 10:50 pm »
I don't see any orbital maneuvering engines depicted in these graphics... I wonder what the plan is.

Also, here's an image from their Facebook announcement:

Offline AnalogMan

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3429
  • Cambridge, UK
  • Liked: 1597
  • Likes Given: 50
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #16 on: 03/17/2015 10:55 pm »
Copied from the Dream Chaser update thread:

http://www.sncspace.com/press_more_info.php?id=426

SPARKS, Nev. (March 17, 2015) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)  unveiled a new Dream Chaser® mission variant today, the Dream Chaser Cargo System, SNC’s complete system solution for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) contract.

The Dream Chaser Cargo System features include: an innovative folding-wing design which allows the Dream Chaser spacecraft to fit inside existing fairings, making it compatible with a suite of launch vehicles; the ability to exceed all of NASA’s cargo requirements for pressurized and unpressurized cargo during flights to the International Space Station (ISS); high reusability, allowing it to serve the required number of missions for the full life expectancy of the ISS; non-toxic, non-hypergolic propulsion system and other fluids; low-g entry to a runway landing with immediate access to cargo.

“SNC is proud to offer NASA a complete system that exceeds all criteria set forth by NASA in the proposal,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC’s Space Systems. “The autonomous and upgraded Dream Chaser Cargo System is a mission variant of the Dream Chaser Space System, whose heritage includes over 10 years of development and maturation, the last five of which were complete as part of an ongoing public-private partnership between SNC and NASA.  Our Dream Chaser Cargo System provides unrivaled capability for pressurized and unpressurized cargo transportation, including accelerated return of cargo and critical science on every mission. It also enables a wide portfolio of other space exploration capabilities, including servicing/construction for future space stations, satellite servicing and deployment, as well as retrieval and orbital debris removal.  SNC continues to grow its U.S. team which has expanded to 30 states.  We are also expanding our international partnerships, and have agreements in place with many of the current ISS partners and global space agencies.  Our SNC team looks forward to becoming a cargo transportation provider for NASA missions.”

« Last Edit: 03/17/2015 10:56 pm by AnalogMan »

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #17 on: 03/17/2015 10:58 pm »
The is video on web showing the thrusters, 3 small ones on each side.

Can't compete with Dragons trunk for bulky unpressurized cargo.

Offline okan170

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1111
  • Los Angeles
  • Liked: 6806
  • Likes Given: 1345
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #18 on: 03/17/2015 11:17 pm »
Video on youtube:



(Bonus points for accurately depicting the station reconfiguration!)

Online adrianwyard

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1140
  • Liked: 322
  • Likes Given: 367
Re: CRS-2: Dream Chaser Cargo System
« Reply #19 on: 03/17/2015 11:26 pm »
The is video on web showing the thrusters, 3 small ones on each side.

Can't compete with Dragons trunk for bulky unpressurized cargo.

Hmmm, if you ask me it looks like those thrusters are aimed at the solar panels...

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0