Author Topic: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)  (Read 1064568 times)

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #20 on: 07/16/2012 09:46 pm »
Would it possible to drop launch the DC from an aircraft at some point down the line?
You would need something along the lines of Stratolaunch plus booster stages...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
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Offline BrightLight

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #21 on: 07/16/2012 10:44 pm »
Would it possible to drop launch the DC from an aircraft at some point down the line?
You would need something along the lines of Stratolaunch plus booster stages...
So, would Stratolaunch et al., be more cost effective then Atlas V?
Which one is safer?

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #22 on: 07/16/2012 10:50 pm »
Would it possible to drop launch the DC from an aircraft at some point down the line?
You would need something along the lines of Stratolaunch plus booster stages...
So, would Stratolaunch et al., be more cost effective then Atlas V?
Which one is safer?
There is only one choice at this time for both safety and cost between the two, Atlas V…

“Actuality always trumps potentiality”… ;)
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Helodriver

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #23 on: 07/16/2012 11:11 pm »
If the nose skid actuator were built in such a way to provide extension and retraction forces, the skid would make a very effective speedbrake for control of descent rate and approach speed once in aerodynamic flight.

Offline Star One

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #24 on: 07/17/2012 01:28 pm »
Would it possible to drop launch the DC from an aircraft at some point down the line?
You would need something along the lines of Stratolaunch plus booster stages...

Thanks. I thought I had read there was some kind of plan to launch it from a future version of the White Knight.
« Last Edit: 07/17/2012 01:30 pm by Star One »

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #25 on: 07/17/2012 01:34 pm »
Would it possible to drop launch the DC from an aircraft at some point down the line?
You would need something along the lines of Stratolaunch plus booster stages...

Thanks. I thought I had read there was some kind of plan to launch it from a future version of the White Knight.
Yes, you are correct for the test flight phase, but on the current WK2... :)
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/02/13/cool-images-sierra-nevadas-dream-chaser/
« Last Edit: 07/17/2012 01:38 pm by Rocket Science »
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
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Offline zerm

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #26 on: 07/20/2012 06:11 pm »
If the nose skid actuator were built in such a way to provide extension and retraction forces, the skid would make a very effective speedbrake for control of descent rate and approach speed once in aerodynamic flight.


Such equipment would probably cause an un-needed weight penalty as well as an un-needed addition of a series of systems/ sub-systems that could fail. Simple and lightweight is better.

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #27 on: 07/20/2012 06:41 pm »
If the nose skid actuator were built in such a way to provide extension and retraction forces, the skid would make a very effective speedbrake for control of descent rate and approach speed once in aerodynamic flight.


Such equipment would probably cause an un-needed weight penalty as well as an un-needed addition of a series of systems/ sub-systems that could fail. Simple and lightweight is better.
I agree with you Wes. The HL-20 was tested with vaious combinations of control sufaces to act also as speed brakes. We may yet see something like a split rudder in it's final configuation....

~Robert
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
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Offline BrightLight

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #28 on: 07/27/2012 03:00 pm »
screen capture from video (around 49:35) dated 7/26/12 shows the crew access tower at LC-41 for either CST-100 or DC.

Offline Orbiter

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #29 on: 07/28/2012 11:56 pm »
Out of curiosity, does SNC plan on Dream Chaser to utilize TAL abort sites in the unlikely event they are necessary? Haven't heard it addressed.

Orbiter
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Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #30 on: 07/29/2012 01:03 am »
Out of curiosity, does SNC plan on Dream Chaser to utilize TAL abort sites in the unlikely event they are necessary? Haven't heard it addressed.

Orbiter
Any city airport with a 7000' runway should suffice for any landing...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
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Offline Orbiter

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #31 on: 07/29/2012 01:20 am »
Out of curiosity, does SNC plan on Dream Chaser to utilize TAL abort sites in the unlikely event they are necessary? Haven't heard it addressed.

Orbiter
Any city airport with a 7000' runway should suffice for any landing...

True, but they really can't land it anywhere they please overseas without permission. Maybe I should rephrase as will Dream Chaser use TAL or will they just ditch it in the event of a failure going uphill?

Orbiter
KSC Engineer, astronomer, rocket photographer.

Offline zt

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #32 on: 07/29/2012 01:27 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #33 on: 07/29/2012 01:28 am »
Out of curiosity, does SNC plan on Dream Chaser to utilize TAL abort sites in the unlikely event they are necessary? Haven't heard it addressed.

Orbiter
Any city airport with a 7000' runway should suffice for any landing...

True, but they really can't land it anywhere they please overseas without permission. Maybe I should rephrase as will Dream Chaser use TAL or will they just ditch it in the event of a failure going uphill?

Orbiter
I say this as a pilot. If the declare a "mayday", permissision will be granted to land in any friendly nation. The TAL sites are still there but it will not need all the support crew convoy like Shuttle did the "safe" the vehicle.
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #34 on: 07/29/2012 01:28 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
WK2
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Jason1701

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #35 on: 07/29/2012 01:34 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
WK2

That would likely require a special agreement with Virgin, as all WK2s should be in regular use by the time DC flies. I wonder if one will be forthcoming.

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #36 on: 07/29/2012 01:36 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
WK2

That would likely require a special agreement with Virgin, as all WK2s should be in regular use by the time DC flies. I wonder if one will be forthcoming.
Skycrane then...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline manboy

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #37 on: 07/29/2012 01:39 am »
Out of curiosity, does SNC plan on Dream Chaser to utilize TAL abort sites in the unlikely event they are necessary? Haven't heard it addressed.

Orbiter
Any city airport with a 7000' runway should suffice for any landing...

True, but they really can't land it anywhere they please overseas without permission. Maybe I should rephrase as will Dream Chaser use TAL or will they just ditch it in the event of a failure going uphill?

Orbiter
Most likely the former.

How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
I'm guessing by boat.
"Cheese has been sent into space before. But the same cheese has never been sent into space twice." - StephenB

Offline manboy

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #38 on: 07/29/2012 01:45 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
WK2

That would likely require a special agreement with Virgin, as all WK2s should be in regular use by the time DC flies. I wonder if one will be forthcoming.
Skycrane then...
Skycrane doesn't have the range to transport it across the Atlantic.
« Last Edit: 07/29/2012 01:45 am by manboy »
"Cheese has been sent into space before. But the same cheese has never been sent into space twice." - StephenB

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Sierra Space Dream Chaser DISCUSSION Thread (was SNC)
« Reply #39 on: 07/29/2012 01:47 am »
How can the Dream Chaser be transported back to the launch/processing site after landing at some random airport? It can't take off on it own, it doesn't fit on a truck (is that right?), and AFAIK it doesn't have a special transporter plane and mounting harness.
WK2

That would likely require a special agreement with Virgin, as all WK2s should be in regular use by the time DC flies. I wonder if one will be forthcoming.
Skycrane then...
Skycrane doesn't have the range to transport it across the Atlantic.
Once again WK2...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

 

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