Great article - I look forward to seeing this bird fly.
How long will the ALT test program last.How fast will the DC go with its rocketsHow high will she get.
Quote from: BrightLight on 06/09/2012 02:50 pmHow long will the ALT test program last.How fast will the DC go with its rocketsHow high will she get.I asked all those questions. For the first, they weren't sure because it would depend on how things went, sort of like SpaceX and C2/C3/C2+. For the second two, they weren't ready to share that information yet, but they did point out that the engines are quite powerful and so they could expand the envelope significantly compared to a free drop.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/06/snc-dream-chasers-enterprise-test-approach/Really, really enjoying writing these up. Again thanks to Lee Jay for carrying out the interview for this latest series of content (full resources in L2).Another article to come in this series.
What exactly is the challenge with tires in space ? I assume they aren't inflatable tires, but one solid piece of rubber-like material. I can understand the issues with handling a gas-filled tire in space. Too much expansion / contraction with the pressure changes. Is the problem with a "steer-able" wheel, where the steering mechanism might freeze up , and that doesn't happen with the rear wheels that are only expected to roll in a fixed direction ?
Quote from: Lurker Steve on 06/09/2012 03:19 pmWhat exactly is the challenge with tires in space ? I assume they aren't inflatable tires, but one solid piece of rubber-like material. I can understand the issues with handling a gas-filled tire in space. Too much expansion / contraction with the pressure changes. Is the problem with a "steer-able" wheel, where the steering mechanism might freeze up , and that doesn't happen with the rear wheels that are only expected to roll in a fixed direction ?Given the thermal environment and ranges it sees the tire pressures have to monitored appropriately. In addition, in order to keep the tires healthy this could be a driver from a thermal perspective. And given this vehicle projected length of stay on orbit it is easier if one tire can be removed, especially when it is in a different zone of the vehicle.
Quote from: Go4TLI on 06/09/2012 03:26 pmQuote from: Lurker Steve on 06/09/2012 03:19 pmWhat exactly is the challenge with tires in space ? I assume they aren't inflatable tires, but one solid piece of rubber-like material. I can understand the issues with handling a gas-filled tire in space. Too much expansion / contraction with the pressure changes. Is the problem with a "steer-able" wheel, where the steering mechanism might freeze up , and that doesn't happen with the rear wheels that are only expected to roll in a fixed direction ?Given the thermal environment and ranges it sees the tire pressures have to monitored appropriately. In addition, in order to keep the tires healthy this could be a driver from a thermal perspective. And given this vehicle projected length of stay on orbit it is easier if one tire can be removed, especially when it is in a different zone of the vehicle.I understand there may be a challenge there, but hasn't that already been tested in the X-37? Does it have a nose skid or a tire?