It takes thousands of companies to make an industry. Currently there's very few actually operating anything in space. Their argument is that they can help increase that number. Whether they can actually do that or not is the question.It's important to remember that some of us still think space will be colonized by humanity, not just Elon Musk.
It all boils down to them getting those payloads. Along with not blowing up any more times than is necessary, or whatever, but that's a given for any LV, in any stripes, sizes, flags or colours.
Quote from: The Amazing Catstronaut on 03/05/2015 10:04 pmIt all boils down to them getting those payloads. Along with not blowing up any more times than is necessary, or whatever, but that's a given for any LV, in any stripes, sizes, flags or colours.{emphasis mine}A fair point.. And presumably reliability is going to be key to their success, because, to use the "train analogy", if an entire train derails you've just trashed a whole lot more cargo (and a whole lot more people's dreams) than you would if you lost just the engine and a single carriage.
Quote from: CameronD on 03/13/2015 12:14 amQuote from: The Amazing Catstronaut on 03/05/2015 10:04 pmIt all boils down to them getting those payloads. Along with not blowing up any more times than is necessary, or whatever, but that's a given for any LV, in any stripes, sizes, flags or colours.{emphasis mine}A fair point.. And presumably reliability is going to be key to their success, because, to use the "train analogy", if an entire train derails you've just trashed a whole lot more cargo (and a whole lot more people's dreams) than you would if you lost just the engine and a single carriage.That makes no difference. Whether it's one hundred trains at one customer each or one train with a hundred customers, if the locomotive causes a crash 5% of the time, each customer has a 5% chance of being in a crash. Over time, 5% of your customers will end up being in crashes. Whether it's one out of 20 launches crashing 100 customers or 100 out of 2000 launches crashing 100 customers, it's exactly the same result.
Quote from: ChrisWilson68 on 03/13/2015 01:12 amQuote from: CameronD on 03/13/2015 12:14 amQuote from: The Amazing Catstronaut on 03/05/2015 10:04 pmIt all boils down to them getting those payloads. Along with not blowing up any more times than is necessary, or whatever, but that's a given for any LV, in any stripes, sizes, flags or colours.{emphasis mine}A fair point.. And presumably reliability is going to be key to their success, because, to use the "train analogy", if an entire train derails you've just trashed a whole lot more cargo (and a whole lot more people's dreams) than you would if you lost just the engine and a single carriage.That makes no difference. Whether it's one hundred trains at one customer each or one train with a hundred customers, if the locomotive causes a crash 5% of the time, each customer has a 5% chance of being in a crash. Over time, 5% of your customers will end up being in crashes. Whether it's one out of 20 launches crashing 100 customers or 100 out of 2000 launches crashing 100 customers, it's exactly the same result.I'd like to think so, but I'm not so sure.. IIRC, starting out, SpaceX had three strike-outs in a row with Falcon 1. After watching Elon Musk's '60 Minutes' interview following the last one, it seems to me it was only determination to not ever give up that saw SpaceX go on to be where it is today. One more might have been the end of them.Therefore, ISTM that it's not only the quantity but exactly where those crashes occur in the vehicle development cycle (and how good the company is at PR and retaining funding afterwards) that decides the success (or failure) of the entire venture.
Electron to use battery powered electric fuel pump. Cool!.http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/04/14/rocket-lab-unveils-battery-powered-motor/#more-55084
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 04/14/2015 07:22 pmElectron to use battery powered electric fuel pump. Cool!.http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/04/14/rocket-lab-unveils-battery-powered-motor/#more-55084I wonder, if Ventions' experimental SALVO rocket (built for DARPA) will fly first, which also features electric pumped engines. But they are very secretive about ithttp://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/salvo.htm
'Unlike traditional propulsion cycles based on complex and expensive gas generators, the 4,600 lbf Rutherford adopts an entirely new electric propulsion cycle, making use of high-performance brushless DC electric motors and lithium-polymer batteries to drive its turbopumps.'
Quote from: Skyrocket on 04/14/2015 08:57 pmQuote from: TrevorMonty on 04/14/2015 07:22 pmElectron to use battery powered electric fuel pump. Cool!.http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/04/14/rocket-lab-unveils-battery-powered-motor/#more-55084I wonder, if Ventions' experimental SALVO rocket (built for DARPA) will fly first, which also features electric pumped engines. But they are very secretive about ithttp://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/salvo.htmThey've already test flown the engine. I don't think Rocket Lab have flown the Rutherford, have they?
More informative article from Forbes.110kg to 500km SSO400kg to LEO 50hp from electric motor size of soda can. (Just what I need for the bike.) http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2015/04/14/rocket-lab-unveils-a-3d-printed-battery-powered-rocket-engine/
Interesting technology but getting rid of the turbine makes "electric turbopump" an oxymoron.
Quote from: R7 on 04/15/2015 07:36 pmInteresting technology but getting rid of the turbine makes "electric turbopump" an oxymoron.Still applicable as the pump is likely a centrifugal turbopump even if it's driven by electricity.