Author Topic: Blue Origin's New Glenn Payload/Capsule Speculation  (Read 38619 times)

Offline oldAtlas_Eguy

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Re: Blue Origin's New Glenn Payload/Capsule Speculation
« Reply #60 on: 10/01/2016 05:01 pm »
One thing I noticed is New Glenn is about the perfect size to lift a space plane the size of the HL-42.
http://www.astronautix.com/h/hl-42.html

Even though it was down played in an earlier post partnering with SNC could be one way BO could close the gap with Spacex and Boeing.
The Dreams Chaser is based on HL-20/42. Blue are using Biconic capsule last they released any info commercial crew.

What if Blue Origins take a leaf out of SpaceX's book and design a biconic second stage designed to land like ITS?
That would surely lower dramatically the pricetag of spaceflight, which is Bezos' stated target.
I can think of a lot of uses for a fully reusable TSTO capable of say 20-30 tons to LEO, from space station assembly/maintenance to satellite constellations or crew taxi ...
Yes such a system available for operations in the early 2020s at 4-5 years prior to the ITS operational status would be a leapfrog of the F9/FH prices and capabilities. A 20mt to LEO for a price of $30M or less would be an excellent driver of reducing access to LEO costs ~$1,500/kg or $10M per passenger seat vs F9(reusable) at $3,000/kg and $20M per passenger seat.

Offline TrevorMonty

Blue a systematic in their approach to LV design, each new LV will build on last. This maybe why they decided on Biconic capsule, the shape scales.


Offline Patchouli

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Re: Blue Origin's New Glenn Payload/Capsule Speculation
« Reply #62 on: 10/01/2016 09:56 pm »
Blue a systematic in their approach to LV design, each new LV will build on last. This maybe why they decided on Biconic capsule, the shape scales.



A Biconic does allow an evolutionary path to a space plane type design see the Russian Kliper spacecraft.
« Last Edit: 10/01/2016 10:02 pm by Patchouli »

Offline TrevorMonty

After seeing NS LAS test I was wondering what Blue will use for NG capsule. They have few options.
1) place it on NG 1st stage and hope the 1st stage survives. Expensive test if stage doesn't survive.
2) use modified expendable 2nd stage with sea level BE4. May need to lower fuel load but should have enough DV to hit MaxQ.
 3) Use NS booster, assuming it can lift heavier orbital capsule. Would need extensive modifications to mount capsule.

Offline Chasm

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Re: Blue Origin's New Glenn Payload/Capsule Speculation
« Reply #64 on: 10/15/2016 11:59 pm »
A manned capsule escape test is not the first (or third) thing they would launch on NG.
By that time they should(tm) have one or more well used 1st stages. Then add a stock 2nd stage and do the test for real. Maybe do that launch partially fueled to keep the environmental impact small.

Blue is primarily interested in selling seats to tourists, they need to convince the public that their safety systems work. Easiest to do that using the actual flight configuration. For NASA they could go with a cobbled up rocket and try to save some money, but that is more difficult to explain. Also, once the booster is "free" the cost for such a test go down by a good margin. - If reuse does not work out Blue has a bigger problem.

Convincing the public is why I think that we may see another NS abort test in the future, once a booster and capsule combination reaches their end of life. Reinforcing the message that the safety systems work as intended over the full lifetime of the system.

Offline TrevorMonty

Public wouldn't care what  booster was used, just that capsule abort system worked and most important hope it isn't needed on their flight.

But you are right Blue will most likely fly a few cargo missions with crew capsule before passenger flights. Unlike Boeing I doubt they will rely on computer simulations.

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