Blue Origin New Glenn Thread 2: Updates and Discussion

[zubenelgenubi]

Second updates and discussion thread for the Blue Origin New Glenn launch vehicle.

Original thread, starting with the announcement of New Glenn in 2016: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41146.0

New thread, so this is a chance to conduct illuminating discussions as new updates appear.  Also, as a moderator, I implore that we retire some of the tiresome, endless re-hashing of the same arguments between spaceflight enthusiast factions that some veteran NSF members feel compelled to regurgitate.

<parody of the King of Cartoons>
Let the discussions...begin!

[zubenelgenubi]

Recent updates from the previous thread, cross-posted here for ease of quoting in discussion:

https://twitter.com/Harry__Stranger/status/1807945578711810341

Blue Origin has lowered the transporter erector at LC-36 leaving the New Glenn simulator standing vertical on its own at the pad for the first time.

http://nsf.live/spacecoast

Full video of the retraction (9000% speed)

https://twitter.com/harry__stranger/status/1807952071947440201

This follows another retraction test of the TE earlier today (450% speed)

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1808195520793661628

We successfully tested the rapid retract system yesterday, simulating disconnect during a New Glenn launch. The retract system ensures the transporter erector is quickly positioned away from New Glenn at liftoff to provide flyout clearance. We’ve been out on the pad testing since late May and plan to roll back to the integration facility in a few days.

https://twitter.com/Harry__Stranger/status/1808280776854983042

While this video focuses on the TE retraction test, there also appears to be a New Glenn engine section on a stand in the background.

The stand was labelled 'GS1 Test Area' in planning documents and has a pipeline connected to the launch pad.

CEO David Limp has confirmed that the disconnect and retraction mechanism tests were successful:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davelimp_we-successfully-tested-the-rapid-retract-activity-7213981077416103936-CLz4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

We moved another step closer to our first New Glenn mission yesterday by performing our T-0 Tipback Test using our Terminal Count Sequencer. This speed is critical to our success in hitting the instantaneous launch windows our customers demand. Pulling the TE back that quickly requires approximately 5 million pounds of force before those same cylinders reverse and apply 3 million pounds of force to then stop it at our target angle. Incredible to see all 14 first and second stage umbilical connections separate successfully.

For those who have no idea who the King of Cartoons is:

[Robert_the_Doll]

Linked to the beginning of the Blue Origin update:

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1813690261387817177

We recently completed New Glenn’s first stage test of its six landing legs—a key area for reusability, which lowers the cost of access to space. The landing gear stow inside the rocket during flight, deploying as the booster gently touches down on our landing vessel at sea.

[Robert_the_Doll]

https://twitter.com/davill/status/1813694936086462508

Congrats and thanks to the teams involved in this effort. The full landing gear bay is roughly 20 feet tall. Each leg can support over 150 tons of impact at touchdown, roughly the weight of two fully loaded 737 aircraft. The legs are a folding link design, similar to aircraft

[meekGee]

Interesting!

Very different from F9.
More legs (6 vs. 4), and shorter (20' vs 35'), starting at a pitch circle that's a bit larger (23' vs 12')

(Based on a quick internet search)

The number of legs matters since stability is determined by the line connecting adjacent legs, and 6 is better than 4 in that regard. 6 can also tolerate one failure, but of course less stable if it happens.

That's why the actual footprint is smaller.

It also looks to me like these legs end up at a steeper angle than F9's.  A bit hard to tell. Might have to so with engine-to-ground clearance.

(I don't know how high the c.g. is in either rocket)

Cool.

EDIT: Corrected numbers based on other Internet facts. 

[Robert_the_Doll]

It is the same design we have seen since 2019 in the CGI sizzle reel, and the landing gear has been shown individually before as well:

[meekGee]

It is the same design we have seen since 2019 in the CGI sizzle reel, and the landing gear has been shown individually before as well:

Yup but I don't remember BO giving us dimensions though.

If they did - apologies, but I don't keep all the numbers in my head...

Also - not everything that's in development reels makes it to the launch vehicle without change, so it's nice to see the real thing.

[Robert_the_Doll]

https://twitter.com/davill/status/1813714511360323995

Will it be installed on the booster for flight 2 or a different flight? I'm guessing the section for flight 1 is already integrated.

Flight hardware.

[DrTadd]

Is there a picture that may show if the BE4s are mounted?

[Starshipdown]

Is there a picture that may show if the BE4s are mounted?

Why would there be? This is confirmed flight hardware, but is currently serving in the role of a landing gear deployment pathfinder. It's not got the rest of the booster, so having engines installed makes no sense.

[DrTadd]

It’s an assembly.

BO is, in theory, only 2 months and change from a launch. They have said they are only building 4 boosters to start with…and one booster will be for a static fire before being refurbished for flight.

So given that, one could postulate that it may be a complete assembly despite being a test mule.

[jimvela]

It’s an assembly.

BO is, in theory, only 2 months and change from a launch. They have said they are only building 4 boosters to start with…and one booster will be for a static fire before being refurbished for flight.

So given that, one could postulate that it may be a complete assembly despite being a test mule.

Only if they've actually embraced moving faster than a snails' pace with any particular article.

[Robert_the_Doll]

Another indication New Glenn static for static tests as well as launches are getting nearer with this deluge application for LC-36.

[starskale]

https://twitter.com/davill/status/1813714511360323995

Will it be installed on the booster for flight 2 or a different flight? I'm guessing the section for flight 1 is already integrated.

Flight hardware.

I'd be a bit careful here, it's not clear that the twitter davill is actually David Limp.

[starskale]

Another indication New Glenn static for static tests as well as launches are getting nearer with this deluge application for LC-36.

Here's the full docs

[zubenelgenubi]

Moderator:
FYI, if one wonders why this thread shrunk dramatically...

I split/merged general Blue Origin discussion, New Armstrong discussion, and Jarvis/reusable upper stage discussion to the appropriate discussion threads.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/roughridersshow/status/1816481640329146427

Blue Origin has rolled out what looks to be the Interstage of the New Glenn First Stage! @NASASpaceflight nsf.live/spacecoast

[Robert_the_Doll]

New Glenn GS1 forward module interstage with fins on the move.

[seb21051]

Another indication New Glenn static for static tests as well as launches are getting nearer with this deluge application for LC-36.

Here's the full docs

Not to be an obstructionist, but you think they'll get this built in a month? One assumes they will need it for the static fire and of course launch?