Thanx for all the follows. We're thrilled to have you paying attention as our endeavor kicks off. #aerospike #ramjet #LEO #SSO
Why rule out Sea Launch? It looks small enough.
Quote from: Darren_Hensley on 01/09/2014 04:49 pmWhy rule out Sea Launch? It looks small enough.Because Sea Launch is not going to let a competitor use its facilities and there are ITAR issues.
The ramjet flight regime would cover a relatively small portion of the ascent profile.
This tweet suggests that it is a ramjet: https://twitter.com/Firefly_Space/status/421130849845661696QuoteThanx for all the follows. We're thrilled to have you paying attention as our endeavor kicks off. #aerospike #ramjet #LEO #SSO
Quote from: Rabidpanda on 01/09/2014 08:20 pmThis tweet suggests that it is a ramjet: https://twitter.com/Firefly_Space/status/421130849845661696QuoteThanx for all the follows. We're thrilled to have you paying attention as our endeavor kicks off. #aerospike #ramjet #LEO #SSO"Hashtag" if one were to be fully Technical However those hashtags are indeed interesting. Aerospike engine, ramjet engine, and what I assume stands for "Single Stage to Orbit" and LEO...Aerospike allows automatic sea-level to vacuum exhaust expansionRamjets are capable of boosting accelleration between speeds of Mach-2 to around Mach-6 (Possibly to Mach-8 but that's rought)SSO? Looks like at least a TSTO to me and it doesn't strike me as an RLV but an ELV, performance wise I don't see a small launcher having the ability to do RTLS. "Fly-forward" yes.We just don't have enough information! Dang it! "One of our themes at Firefly will be transparency" my left foot! It has been OVER 24 hours since markusic posted the first time, and we still have no further information! What is this, "Blue Origin light?" Information wants to be free! We demand details! We demand schematics! Blueprints! Icecream!(Yep now that I think about it we can be a pretty obnoxious bunch can't we Randy
One interesting tidbit from the announcement is that it sounds like they will be focusing on sun-synchronous orbits, which makes sense for comm sat constellations and downward-looking telescopes, but also means they need a launch site like Vanderburg where they can launch polar, slightly retrograde.
I was thinking "SeaLaunch" as more of a method, rather than a the existing SeaLaunch company making provisions. It seems to me launching at sea, with this relativly small vehicle would enhance the overall program.
What about Kodiak? Might be easier for a startup to launch from a non USAF facility.
SSO = Sun synchronous orbit.
Quote from: Darren_Hensley on 01/10/2014 05:21 pmI was thinking "SeaLaunch" as more of a method, rather than a the existing SeaLaunch company making provisions. It seems to me launching at sea, with this relativly small vehicle would enhance the overall program.Small doesn't really matter, sea launch is still not off the cuff easy task. There still is significant logistics involved, such as two ships required.
Entire ascent profile, yes. First stage ascent profile, I'd respectfully disagree.
Quote from: Jim on 01/09/2014 06:53 pmQuote from: Darren_Hensley on 01/09/2014 04:49 pmWhy rule out Sea Launch? It looks small enough.Because Sea Launch is not going to let a competitor use its facilities and there are ITAR issues.I was thinking "SeaLaunch" as more of a method, rather than a the existing SeaLaunch company making provisions. It seems to me launching at sea, with this relativly small vehicle would enhance the overall program.
Sea-Bee the world FIRST RLV that was actually REUSED for multiple flights!