In Boeing's proposal, Orion could easily replaced by an upgraded Dragon since the spacecraft doesn't go further than the L2 Gateway.
Quote from: yg1968 on 07/10/2014 12:29 amIn Boeing's proposal, Orion could easily replaced by an upgraded Dragon since the spacecraft doesn't go further than the L2 Gateway. What? You're saying Boeing is making a proposal for SLS etc. that doesn't depend on the success of Lockheed-Martin's MPCV development effort? I wonder why they would do that?
Yeah, the Raftery proposal keeps Orion at EML2. Good idea, actually. You can really optimize the heck out of the transit hab that way.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 07/10/2014 08:11 pmYeah, the Raftery proposal keeps Orion at EML2. Good idea, actually. You can really optimize the heck out of the transit hab that way.Yes but what happens if SpaceX decides to develop an upgraded Dragon that can make it to L2. Wouldn't NASA be forced to use the commercial option (instead of Orion) in such a case? I suspect that is why NASA's study decided to bring Orion all the way to Mars orbit. P.S. From your sig: "To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers."
For human cargo, an LEO rendezvous with a chemical boost stage which brings the craft to high orbit to rendezvous with the depot / departure stage is a practical way to avoid super-heavy-lift for this sole point.
Quote from: Archibald on 07/09/2014 08:01 amThe pictures on that pdf, they were so beautiful, I made a 5 minutes powerpoint animation with them. I added Coldplay "a sky full of stars" as soundtrack. I should post that on YouTube That'd be cool.
The pictures on that pdf, they were so beautiful, I made a 5 minutes powerpoint animation with them. I added Coldplay "a sky full of stars" as soundtrack. I should post that on YouTube
I'm sure many here would say, "The autonomous refueling of the SEP tug is a 'no-brainer' detail." I would gladly dispute that on both technical and political grounds!
Quote from: sdsds on 04/24/2015 08:47 pmI'm sure many here would say, "The autonomous refueling of the SEP tug is a 'no-brainer' detail." I would gladly dispute that on both technical and political grounds! In the Jupiter concept by LM the next cargo also brings the fuel along. They bring the fuel in a new tank. If that is easier than refuelling then go that way.
Jupiter refuels from the Exoliner, it does not swap tanks.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 05/01/2015 04:54 pmJupiter refuels from the Exoliner, it does not swap tanks.Does Jupiter even have tanks? It takes its fuel from the tanks Exoliner brought along. What advantage would transfering fuel have?