Author Topic: Masten Space Systems  (Read 503210 times)

Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #700 on: 01/20/2016 06:31 pm »
Orlando Sentinel: New player Masten eyes Space Coast for launches, research

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-masten-space-kennedy-20160120-story.html

It's crazy to hear they're up to 30ppl now in Mojave. I hope that they can either manage to land the XS-1 Phase II contract, or can find other incremental revenue streams to augment their existing EDL flight testing revenue streams, so they can continue growing.

~Jon
« Last Edit: 01/20/2016 06:32 pm by jongoff »

Offline Star One

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #701 on: 01/20/2016 08:47 pm »
That story is behind a paywall of some sort.:(

Offline Zed_Noir

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #702 on: 01/20/2016 09:01 pm »
That story is behind a paywall of some sort.:(

Just refresh the page.

Offline MikeAtkinson

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #703 on: 01/20/2016 09:09 pm »
The XS-1 image in the article is similar to what I expect the SpaceX BFS to be shaped like.

[Please don't comment on that further on this thread]

Offline Elmar Moelzer

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #704 on: 01/21/2016 01:31 am »
So similar to Boeings X-33 proposal which I think is a good thing, actually:

Offline Lars-J

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #705 on: 01/21/2016 03:55 am »
So similar to Boeings X-33 proposal which I think is a good thing, actually:

It's a great starting point.  :)

Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #706 on: 01/26/2016 06:59 pm »
This tweet has a great picture of Masten's Xombie-replacement vehicle (I think they're calling it Xodiac, but can't remember where I saw that detail) out being put through its paces:

https://twitter.com/mastenspace/status/692040186293686272

~Jon

Offline strangequark

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #707 on: 02/04/2016 01:13 am »
So similar to Boeings X-33 proposal which I think is a good thing, actually:

As Dave is fond of saying, "The physics is what it is." Wish you could see all the CFD geometry trades.

Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #708 on: 02/05/2016 01:13 am »
Some new tweets from Masten about some LOX/Methane engine tests and new test infrastructure:

https://twitter.com/mastenspace/status/694933335055831040
https://twitter.com/mastenspace/status/694943709893255168

In reply to my question about what it was for:
".@rocketrepreneur this is ops/logistics shake out testing with a small 1200lbf engine. We have 50k test rig under construction"

A test stand for engines up to 50klbf is probably for developing an engine for their XS-1 class vehicle.

[speculation]Their XS-1 team originally had XCOR on the team. I'm wondering if this is for testing a derivative of the 7500lbf LOX/Methane engine XCOR did with ATK way back in the day. IIRC, I think XCOR had mentioned that the 7500lbf engine was running at very low pressures, and that at more typical pump-fed pressures, the same chamber would probably have done a much as 25klbf...[/speculation]

The CFD trades aren't the only things we wish you could share with us. :-)

~Jon
« Last Edit: 02/05/2016 01:16 am by jongoff »

Offline Elmar Moelzer

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #709 on: 02/05/2016 02:31 am »
The CFD trades aren't the only things we wish you could share with us. :-)
yep :)

Online TrevorMonty

Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #710 on: 02/05/2016 06:22 am »
The last Masten XS1 picture had 7 engines. So that is 7x25-50klbs 175-350klbs.

Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #711 on: 02/05/2016 04:58 pm »
The last Masten XS1 picture had 7 engines. So that is 7x25-50klbs 175-350klbs.

Well, a 50klbf test stand doesn't mean their engine will start at 50klbf. We typically sized our stands with room for growth over time. But yeah, on second read you do mention 25k on the low end, which is probably more realistic for a first engine. Total guessing here though.

~Jon

Online TrevorMonty

Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #712 on: 02/05/2016 05:21 pm »
A 25klbs LH/LOX engine is what XCOR were developing for ULA as RL10 replacement. Not sure how easy it is to modify LH/LOX engine to methane, but I doubt they would be starting from scratch.


Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #713 on: 02/05/2016 05:59 pm »
It's interesting to note that the latest render shown in the Orlando Sentinel article from a few days ago includes several logos from Masten team members, but also doesn't include some...

~Jon

Offline Robotbeat

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #714 on: 02/05/2016 07:48 pm »
It's interesting to note that the latest render shown in the Orlando Sentinel article from a few days ago includes several logos from Masten team members, but also doesn't include some...

~Jon
...meaning not XCOR? Not everyone wants to click through an article with pop-ups on their phone.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

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Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #715 on: 02/05/2016 10:33 pm »
It's interesting to note that the latest render shown in the Orlando Sentinel article from a few days ago includes several logos from Masten team members, but also doesn't include some...

~Jon
...meaning not XCOR? Not everyone wants to click through an article with pop-ups on their phone.

Sorry, yeah that was the big one that stuck out to me--XCOR's logo isn't on there anymore, which kind casts doubt on my earlier speculation that the XS-1 engine is an XCOR LOX/Methane engine...

~Jon

Offline Hauerg

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #716 on: 02/06/2016 01:31 pm »
So similar to Boeings X-33 proposal which I think is a good thing, actually:

As Dave is fond of saying, "The physics is what it is." Wish you could see all the CFD geometry trades.
Is our wish too. Feel free to post those trades.   ;D

Offline strangequark

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #717 on: 02/07/2016 04:06 pm »
Oh, there'll be interesting things to post soon enough. Recall that this phase is the technical demo phase.

I think you'd all really get a kick out of the package I got last week. Depending on what the leadership says, we might be sharing that soon.

Offline jongoff

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #718 on: 04/07/2016 11:45 pm »
Some interesting tidbits from Dave's Space Access presentation (via Twitter--I couldn't make it there in person this year):

1- They're up to 37 FTEs from 16 last year. Expanding from just the one building they were in previously to several new ones.

2- They're raising a $50M round now, and will try to raise a follow-on round next year if they win the XS-1 Ph2 bid.

3- Xodiac is the name of the rather sleek-looking Xombie replacement, and Xephyr is the name of their XS-1 vehicle.

4- They're up to over 400 flights over 5 airframes now...

5- And here's a better picture (though still very fuzzy) of Xephr releasing an upper stage: https://twitter.com/ikluft/status/718222803003129857

6- XCOR isn't listed as part of their XS-1 team anymore. https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/718222924101087234

7- They're developing they're own 60klbf LOX/Methane Dual-Expander engine ("Broadsword") for their Xephyr vehicle. Starting injector testing on a 25klbf subscale version. https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/718223677704310785  They list Exquadrum as a partner on the turbomachinery development at the previous twitter link.

8- Working on a lunar lander XL-1 and a terrestrial demonstrator for it (XL-1T) as part of the Lunar Catalyst program.

9- Claiming that they will be pushing to high altitudes and high mach numbers "as soon as possible". https://twitter.com/spacecom/status/718224381021986817

~Jon
« Last Edit: 04/07/2016 11:55 pm by jongoff »

Offline savuporo

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Re: Masten Space Systems Update
« Reply #719 on: 04/07/2016 11:47 pm »
Lots of tweeing about Masten from Space Access '16 in Phoenix.

- company has grown from  16 full time employees to 37 - thats a lot
- operating on revenue for past 4 years
- trying to get a $50M funding round, and will go after another if win XS-1 contract
- Xareo-B apparently flying ( pics or it didnt happen !)
- have hit one flight a day cadence for 10 days

.. courtesy of #sa16phx hashtag

EDIT: doh, the resident Space Accessian of course beat me to it
« Last Edit: 04/07/2016 11:48 pm by savuporo »
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