True but it would eliminate running out of propellant as a life ending failure mode. CMGs worked pretty well on Skylab and are working quite well on ISS.
...Magnetic torque bars and a low earth orbit is the only way to get out of using thrusters with CMG's. Kepler has thrusters.
Magnetic torque bars and a low earth orbit is the only way to get out of using thrusters with CMG's. Kepler has thrusters.
Honestly, when providing communications in regional conflicts, short of GTO, a highly eccentric orbit makes sense. It can be tailored to a geographic region and provides the most dwell time over the battle space.
SWORDS has been cancelled. It was cancelled last Thursday, 13 March 2014. The KTE horizontal engine testing will run through completion and then the program will be totally closed up by September this year.
Quote from: KSC Sage on 03/17/2014 11:51 amSWORDS has been cancelled. It was cancelled last Thursday, 13 March 2014. The KTE horizontal engine testing will run through completion and then the program will be totally closed up by September this year. That is a good thing. Never should have got as far as it did.
With "free" Minotaurs available, why would DoD invest in a new launcher?
Quote from: Danderman on 03/18/2014 03:00 amWith "free" Minotaurs available, why would DoD invest in a new launcher?Because the DOD is not monolithic and SWORDS was an Army project. Also, Minotaurs are not transportable.
Quote from: KSC Sage on 03/17/2014 11:51 amSWORDS has been cancelled. It was cancelled last Thursday, 13 March 2014. The KTE horizontal engine testing will run through completion and then the program will be totally closed up by September this year. Has a reason been given for the cancellation? - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 03/18/2014 02:41 amQuote from: KSC Sage on 03/17/2014 11:51 amSWORDS has been cancelled. It was cancelled last Thursday, 13 March 2014. The KTE horizontal engine testing will run through completion and then the program will be totally closed up by September this year. Has a reason been given for the cancellation? - Ed KyleOne reason given was the cost of tanks was coming in at 10x what they could afford.