NASA and ULA agree SAA to complete the human rating of Atlas V

[Chris Bergin]

Expanded article based on today's announcement from ULA/NASA:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/07/nasa-ula-saa-complete-human-rating-atlas-v/

[Space Pete]

Here's the official ULA press release:
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/74

And video:
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/Video/videos/NASAULA_SSA.wmv

[robertross]

Great article Chris!

This part is interesting to point out:

"According to ULA, those two companies recognize that the use of the flight proven and NASA Certified Atlas V eliminates all risk of launch vehicle development and early flight failures inherent in new, unproven designs – something which gives ULA an advantage over commercial “rival” SpaceX."

[Chris Bergin]

ULA note they are recording the teleconference.

[janmb]

Thanks for the comprehensive article Chris, glad to see man rated US solutions moving forward - on the drawing board at the very least.

Is the Atlas V launcher at all relevant when it comes to Orion as well?

[demorcef]

This is fantastic news.  Hopefully that stupid gap in American HSF capability just got a little bit shorter...

[sdsds]

Curious about the term "Design Equivalency Review."  Is this something used only by LM, or is it used elsewhere in industry?  And:  what does it mean?

[Namechange User]

Curious about the term "Design Equivalency Review."  Is this something used only by LM, or is it used elsewhere in industry?  And:  what does it mean?

It's not a term you here a lot but basically it is saying how the design and certification of the hardware under its current use translates over for this new potential use. 

[Chris Bergin]

Huzzah, got three questions in and didn't get any "Eh? You've got a weird accent, try asking again, but talk normally"

Lots of media on the line! Lots of people who don't do Shuttle pressers (I don't as Chris G and Philip are better at them than I am).

[aquanaut99]

Thanks for the comprehensive article Chris, glad to see man rated US solutions moving forward - on the drawing board at the very least.

Is the Atlas V launcher at all relevant when it comes to Orion as well?

No, Orion is too heavy for Atlas V. But it would be the perfect launcher for CST-100 or Dreamchaser.

BTW, I would love to see Dreamchaser on top of an Atlas V lifting off from the Cape. That would be a worthy successor to Shuttle.

[clongton]

Great article Chris, thanks. I notice you mentioned specifically that the Delta-IV was not included in this SSA. Do you have any specifics of why that was?

[Chris Bergin]

Great article Chris, thanks. I notice you mentioned specifically that the Delta-IV was not included in this SSA. Do you have any specifics of why that was?

Thanks, and thanks to the above people on the above. Looking back on my notes, it wasn't anything negative on D-IV, it was mainly because the commercial crew companies opted to ride on Atlas V.

[clongton]

Is the Atlas V launcher at all relevant when it comes to Orion as well?

No, Orion is too heavy for Atlas V.

This may be the impetuous to develop the Atlas-V Heavy because that would be Orion capable.

[Chris Bergin]

PS, I asked:

About how for several years now various documentation has expressed confidence in human-rating the Atlas 5 401 and 402, requiring only minor modifications to the vehicle. Can it be explained as to why it taken until 2011 to get the stage announced today.

(Good answer about how it could have been done, but the conditions - funding, post shuttle, into commercial - are right now)

And assuming a successul Atlas 5 Human Rating certification, could you compare and contrast the launch vehicles currently being considered for commercial crew.

(That was kinda dodged)

And how Shuttle always work on flight history/lessons learned.

(Got some great answers from both Dr Sowers and Mr Mango). That'll be the basis of a follow up, when the audio is put on line, as that's very much up my street.

[yg1968]

Chris,

Can you ask how many rounds of CCDev will there be and which round will include test flights?

Second question, is there any plans for testing the dual centaur for commercial crew purposes? 

Thanks,

YG