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Jim
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« on: 05/08/2007 12:48 AM » |
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The spacecraft has arrived at KSC this evening
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« on: 05/08/2007 12:48 AM » |
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MKremer
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« Reply #1 on: 05/08/2007 03:33 AM » |
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Thanks, Jim. Will Phoenix be at the Astrotech facilities, too?
If so, they'll be plenty busy with both Dawn and Phoenix - two pretty big missions (with critical timelines) processing through at almost the same time.
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CFE
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« Reply #2 on: 05/08/2007 04:07 AM » |
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Did NASA ever consider switching Phoenix to Atlas V from Delta II? The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes, but keeping Delta II makes the most sense because Phoenix was designed for Delta II launch loads.
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MKremer
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« Reply #3 on: 05/08/2007 05:20 AM » |
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CFE - 7/5/2007 11:07 PM
Did NASA ever consider switching Phoenix to Atlas V from Delta II? The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes, but keeping Delta II makes the most sense because Phoenix was designed for Delta II launch loads. In short, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (which includes additional new and differenct course calculations (different booster/stages = completely different course patamaters and timings. integration design/engineering/spacecraft, plus their instruments (whatever parts/experiment or can't be recovered) lost, too);
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Analyst
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« Reply #4 on: 05/08/2007 07:40 AM » |
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CFE - 8/5/2007 6:07 AM
Did NASA ever consider switching Phoenix to Atlas V from Delta II? The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes, but keeping Delta II makes the most sense because Phoenix was designed for Delta II launch loads. Why? NASA is very happy with the Delta II and science fears the end of Delta II flights at the beginning of the next decade. I still wonder if launching DMSP and GPS on EELVs is the most cost effective way comared to using Delta II. But it has been decided to do so. Analyst
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CFE
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« Reply #5 on: 05/08/2007 08:21 AM » |
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How many Delta II's are left, and will more be built? I suppose that Atlas V is baselined for the 2009 Mars Science Lab mission, but there could still be debate as to which booster should be baselined for future Mars probes.
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Analyst
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« Reply #6 on: 05/08/2007 08:47 AM » |
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There are about 20 flights left.
Discovery, Midex, Mars/Mars Scout and EOS missions (from Vandenberg) all use/used Delta II. Delta II was quite cheap when it launched GPS AND all these missions above (and Globalstar and Iridium). With GPS switching to EELV and the NASA science program reduced (much less missions in all the above programs), Delta II gets more and more expensive per mission, which results in even fewer science missions which in turn ...
I doubt any replacement (?) will achive the flexibility (CCAFS, Vandenberg; two and three stages; different types and number of solids) and reliability (~98%) of Delta II within the next decade. Today Delta II may almost be as expensive as the cheapest EELV. But this does not mean it won't be missed, because it has been much less expensive with a higher flight rate. It will be a great loss.
Analyst
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Jim
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« Reply #7 on: 05/08/2007 11:26 AM » |
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MKremer - 7/5/2007 11:33 PM
Thanks, Jim. Will Phoenix be at the Astrotech facilities, too?
If so, they'll be plenty busy with both Dawn and Phoenix - two pretty big missions (with critical timelines) processing through at almost the same time.
Nope, PHSF
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Jim
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« Reply #8 on: 05/08/2007 11:29 AM » |
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CFE - 7/5/2007 12:07 AM
Did NASA ever consider switching Phoenix to Atlas V from Delta II? The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes, but keeping Delta II makes the most sense because Phoenix was designed for Delta II launch loads. Never was considered. Also "The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes" is not true. Atlas V just happened to win the competition. There was no overt (or convert for the matter) action by NASA to favor any one LV
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Jim
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« Reply #9 on: 05/08/2007 11:35 AM » |
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CFE - 8/5/2007 4:21 AM
How many Delta II's are left, and will more be built? I suppose that Atlas V is baselined for the 2009 Mars Science Lab mission, but there could still be debate as to which booster should be There are 5 GPS left. 11 NASA . 4 commerical. There are also some unassigned vehicles. Most of the vehicles are not built yet, but are in different stages of assembly. Thee will be no " baselining of any booster". Each launch will be completed
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punkboi
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« Reply #10 on: 05/08/2007 05:35 PM » |
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Photos of Phoenix's arrival at KSC: ![]("<a) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1055-m.jpg" width="722" border="0" />
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1058-m.jpg" width="722" border="0" /> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1060-m.jpg" width="722" border="0" />
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Chris Bergin
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« Reply #11 on: 05/08/2007 06:05 PM » |
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Lockheed Martin delivers Phoenix Mars lander spacecraft to NASA
Next Mission to Mars Working Toward August Launch
DENVER, May 8, 2007 – A NASA spacecraft touched down on the coast of Florida after a brief 3-½ hour trip from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, but the spacecraft’s next and final trip will be a 9-½ month journey to Mars.
The spacecraft, the Phoenix Mars Lander, was delivered by its builder Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] aboard an Air Force C-17 to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla. May 7. The vehicle will undergo three more months of testing and integration in preparation for its launch on a Delta II launch vehicle in early August.
Phoenix is NASA’s next mission to Mars and is the first mission of NASA's Mars Scout Program. Scheduled to arrive at Mars in May 2008, the spacecraft will land on the icy northern latitudes of Mars. During its 90-day primary mission, Phoenix will dig trenches with its robotic arm into the frozen layers of water below the surface. The spacecraft will use various on-board instruments to analyze the contents of the ice and soil – checking for the presence of organic compounds and other conditions favorable for life.
“We’ve worked closely with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Arizona to design and build an amazing spacecraft,” said Jim Crocker, vice president of Sensing and Exploration Systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Denver. “The Phoenix mission is thrilling as it will be the first spacecraft to land in the polar regions of Mars and will also be the first to touch water.”
The Phoenix spacecraft was previously known at the 2001 Mars Surveyor lander, before the mission was canceled in 2000 and the spacecraft was mothballed. In early 2006, the spacecraft started the assembly, test and launch operations (ATLO) period of the now Phoenix mission.
“It’s taken a great deal of dedication and hard work to bring us to this moment,” said Ed Sedivy, Phoenix program manager at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “I’m proud that we have been able to get a well-tested Phoenix to the launch site ahead of schedule and maintain focus on ensuring mission success for our customer.”
The University of Arizona, Tucson, leads the Phoenix mission. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, manages the Phoenix Mars Lander for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.
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simonbp
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« Reply #12 on: 05/08/2007 07:13 PM » |
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CFE - 7/5/2007 11:07 PM
Did NASA ever consider switching Phoenix to Atlas V from Delta II? The agency seems to be promoting Atlas V for future Mars probes, but keeping Delta II makes the most sense because Phoenix was designed for Delta II launch loads. American Mars missions today fall into two classes: flagship and scout. Flagship missions, like MRO or MSL, are generally big enough to require an Atlas V. Scout missions, like Phoenix and the aerometry orbiter, are smaller and low-cost, and thus suited for a Delta II... Simon 
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CFE
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« Reply #13 on: 05/09/2007 02:20 AM » |
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Jim - 8/5/2007 5:35 AM
Thee will be no " baselining of any booster". Each launch will be completed
I don't think I comprehend what you're trying to say. All payloads, if designed correctly, have a booster in mind (baselined,) or are designed to a set of loads that encompasses the loads for several launch vehicles. In the case of Phoenix, the 2001 Lander had a Delta II as a baseline booster.
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punkboi
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« Reply #14 on: 05/09/2007 06:05 AM » |
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1061-m.jpg" width="482" border="0" /> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1065-m.jpg" width="720" border="0" /> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1066-m.jpg" width="720" border="0" /> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/punkboi/07pd1067-m.jpg" width="720" border="0" />
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