Huh? How do you get Merlin 2 and Raptor?Merlin2 is to replace 9 Merlin 1's. They already test the F9 first stage their with 9 engines. So, using logic and not unwarranted fanboi speculation, there is no need for infrastructure changes for Merlin 2. And there still is no indication for Merlin 2 development.As for Raptor, again no indication for it. What is Spacex looking to do next other than F9H? Not Merlin 2, not Raptor, but commercial crew. So logic would say this extra area is for Dragon LAS and maybe powered landing testing.
Quote from: docmordrid on 03/10/2011 12:44 amC'mon - there's a helluva quantitative and safety difference between teasing Dracos on a stand and flying a crew Dragon.Who said flying.
C'mon - there's a helluva quantitative and safety difference between teasing Dracos on a stand and flying a crew Dragon.
Quote from: Jim on 03/10/2011 12:53 amQuote from: docmordrid on 03/10/2011 12:44 amC'mon - there's a helluva quantitative and safety difference between teasing Dracos on a stand and flying a crew Dragon.Who said flying. That means propulsive landing and pad abort tests.
Quote from: Jason1701 on 03/10/2011 07:17 pmQuote from: Jim on 03/10/2011 12:53 amQuote from: docmordrid on 03/10/2011 12:44 amC'mon - there's a helluva quantitative and safety difference between teasing Dracos on a stand and flying a crew Dragon.Who said flying. That means propulsive landing and pad abort tests.FWIW, the PAs and landing tests will likely be carried out at Edwards or at the Nellis Range. I know that SpaceX is a civilian private organisation, but as it's doing work for NASA (and, potentially, for DoD), I'm sure that DoD will see their way clear to allow full-up tests of the hardware to take place on military ranges.That said, no doubt that McGreggor will be the site of tests of the engines on test stands. One day, we might see post-manufacture hotfire tests of every capsule's landing/abort system engines on test stands at McGreggor too, before the vehicle is shipped to CCAFS.[edit]Added some thoughts about what could be happening in the near future
Of course, Spaceport America would be more than accommodating too. Probably have fewer hoops to jump through and be more responsive too.
Quote from: Cherokee43v6 on 03/10/2011 09:27 pmOf course, Spaceport America would be more than accommodating too. Probably have fewer hoops to jump through and be more responsive too. Not really, they wont have the infrastructure for such tests.
What about the possibility of a new test stand for Falcon Heavy? Not a tall, vertical stand like the big "tripod", but a horizontal one like ATK's in Utah.
Quote from: corrodedNut on 03/10/2011 10:32 pmWhat about the possibility of a new test stand for Falcon Heavy? Not a tall, vertical stand like the big "tripod", but a horizontal one like ATK's in Utah.horizontal doesn't work for liquid stages. Also, what reason? the individual cores can be tested, there is nothing to gain buy ground testing 3 of them at once.
Horizontal seemed to work for this liquid stage.
Quote from: Jim on 03/10/2011 11:54 pmQuote from: corrodedNut on 03/10/2011 10:32 pmWhat about the possibility of a new test stand for Falcon Heavy? Not a tall, vertical stand like the big "tripod", but a horizontal one like ATK's in Utah.horizontal doesn't work for liquid stages. Also, what reason? the individual cores can be tested, there is nothing to gain buy ground testing 3 of them at once. Horizontal seemed to work for this liquid stage.
Reread "Taming Liquid Hydrogen: The Centaur Upper Stage Rocket, 1958-2002", the RL-10 was initially tested horizontally, worked well, then when they went to test it vertically it did not work. It required changes.