It's that time again -- 250 pages in the last thread means it is time to start *another* new thread! I can't believe just how many pages of comments this topic has created in total. Truly amazing and humbling.Ross.
To start this thread off in a rather unusual way, I'm going to reveal a little bit of news. We are all in a holding-pattern waiting to see what comes out of the Bolden study, so this has actually allowed us to examine some off-shoot opportunities which have come along recently.I can't reveal many details, but following this 4 year volunteer effort, the DIRECT Team is currently beginning to form a new team -- a new Commercial Team.Some existing members and some new ones will, in the new year, be forming a new Corporation intending to create and produce commercial space products.We already have a source for major investment to support us with substantial seed money and operating capital.At this time we are investigating the extremely wide range of products which we could possibly produce. There are a lot of possibilities and while launch vehicles are an obvious direction for us to consider, we are keeping all of our options open.So I guess I'll leave that there and turn this over for discussion. Let the speculation begin!!LOL Ross.PS -- Don't expect to hear much about this until some time in the new year. "DIRECT" remains our primary focus right now, and when the Bolden study comes out we expect to be busy on this for a while so the commercial operation will go on a back-burner again.
I can't reveal many details, but following this 4 year volunteer effort, the DIRECT Team is currently beginning to form a new team -- a new Commercial Team.Some existing members and some new ones will, in the new year, be forming a new Corporation intending to create and produce commercial space products.We already have a source for major investment to support us with substantial seed money and operating capital.
I wish to offer a potential application for Commercial DIRECT:Support an EML-1 transfer station and reusable lunar lander(s) that can provide logistical support to various private sector and non-U.S. national governments that might wish to try their hand at prospecting and extracting water and other volatiles from locations near the lunar South Pole.Very recent LRO data suggests there are multiple craters that might contain significant quantities of water. Let different players try their hand in different locations, all supported by a DIRECT supported EML-1 logistical pipeline.
We're really waiting for a thread called "DIRECT Wins!"
After a PM just now, I just wanted to make something very clear: The new commercial operation is *not* planning to operate Jupiter vehicles as a commercial venture. All that hardware is already owned and operated by other organizations. We're going to do something new.Ross.
Hmm. I'm guessing you are looking at some kind of 'kit' product; very standardized components. High(ish) temperature parts made from Ali castings at a guess, especially going on what you have talked about recently. Certainly lets you leverage existing production setups. As you asked for names before, try Katech, Worral and Gardner and Ricardo.
Astronaut Bobble Heads?
After a PM just now, I just wanted to make something very clear: The new commercial operation is *not* planning to operate Jupiter vehicles as a commercial venture. All that hardware is already owned and operated by other organizations. We're going to do something new.
Quote from: Downix on 11/19/2009 11:59 pmAstronaut Bobble Heads?You better be collecting your coat after that one 'cause I'm comin' for ya!Ross.
Is it a commercially owned and operated propellant depot?
Quote from: Eric Hedman on 11/20/2009 12:29 amIs it a commercially owned and operated propellant depot?I thought that too, but figured the cost implications would be enormous.But considering that the Direct proposal to the Augustine Commission was a key player in having Propellant Depots as an important & effective enabling technology for the future of spaceflight, it seems fitting to be a part of it.