Quote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI don't see why that would be the case. They need to demo FH if they want to attract customers for it. Unless there's been a drastic change, the only customer for this behemoth is the US air force.The commsat folks would demand a lot more than just the one demonstration flight.
I don't see why that would be the case. They need to demo FH if they want to attract customers for it.
Bigelow.
There is a very good reason not to do demos out of the Cape, now that a Vandy launch site is available: the lack of beaches full of tourists and news crews, all filming the possible unscheduled fireworks display.
I think the last few words were what you wanted to say, but tried to dress it unsuccessfully. An old Russian engine is more likely to make it a July 4 for the US then 27 newly built and tested ones.
I'm am curious about why they switched to KSC though, maybe they have a payload that needs to launch east.
Quote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI'm am curious about why they switched to KSC though, maybe they have a payload that needs to launch east.I'm guessing that KSC was chosen so that a used Dragon could be sent around the Moon on FH's first flight. I'm sure the connection to LC-39A having launched Apollo will not be lost on some.
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 06/13/2014 05:26 amQuote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI'm am curious about why they switched to KSC though, maybe they have a payload that needs to launch east.I'm guessing that KSC was chosen so that a used Dragon could be sent around the Moon on FH's first flight. I'm sure the connection to LC-39A having launched Apollo will not be lost on some.Nice thought, but they won't want to get NASA angry by upstaging Orion/SLS.Speaking of NASA, they are a potential customer for interplanetary missions, including Mars.
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 06/13/2014 05:26 amQuote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI'm am curious about why they switched to KSC though, maybe they have a payload that needs to launch east.I'm guessing that KSC was chosen so that a used Dragon could be sent around the Moon on FH's first flight. I'm sure the connection to LC-39A having launched Apollo will not be lost on some.Np, they chose it for this payload, STP-2.
Jim's post is a good point to come back on topic: STP-2 and not FH demo flight.
Quote from: MTom on 06/13/2014 11:55 amJim's post is a good point to come back on topic: STP-2 and not FH demo flight. They will be one and the same
Quote from: Jim on 06/13/2014 01:20 pmQuote from: MTom on 06/13/2014 11:55 amJim's post is a good point to come back on topic: STP-2 and not FH demo flight. They will be one and the sameIs there any written source that can confirm this? (although it is an obvious choice for the FH maiden flight)
Quote from: QuantumG on 06/13/2014 01:15 amQuote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI don't see why that would be the case. They need to demo FH if they want to attract customers for it. Unless there's been a drastic change, the only customer for this behemoth is the US air force.The commsat folks would demand a lot more than just the one demonstration flight.Bigelow, if the 5.2x19m fairing is any indication. Seems perfect, if not purpose built, for BA-330.
Quote from: docmordrid on 06/13/2014 02:37 amQuote from: QuantumG on 06/13/2014 01:15 amQuote from: Jcc on 06/13/2014 01:10 amI don't see why that would be the case. They need to demo FH if they want to attract customers for it. Unless there's been a drastic change, the only customer for this behemoth is the US air force.The commsat folks would demand a lot more than just the one demonstration flight.Bigelow, if the 5.2x19m fairing is any indication. Seems perfect, if not purpose built, for BA-330.Yes, they have been building hardware to fly on FH specifically. They already have some completed and are waiting in storage to launch (remember FH has been delayed 2 years+).