Author Topic: Milestone For Future Human Spaceflight/MPCV/Orion Announcement  (Read 93422 times)

Offline TexasRED

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New page up on NASA.gov

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv/

(at least I think its new)
« Last Edit: 05/24/2011 06:11 pm by TexasRED »

Offline mr. mark

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How about a real picture of a very real spacecraft.

Offline jacqmans

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RELEASE: 11-164

NASA ANNOUNCES KEY DECISION FOR NEXT DEEP SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

WASHINGTON -- NASA has reached an important milestone for the next
U.S. transportation system that will carry humans into deep space.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced today that the system
will be based on designs originally planned for the Orion Crew
Exploration Vehicle. Those plans now will be used to develop a new
spacecraft known as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV).

"We are committed to human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and look
forward to developing the next generation of systems to take us
there," Bolden said. "The NASA Authorization Act lays out a clear
path forward for us by handing off transportation to the
International Space Station to our private sector partners, so we can
focus on deep space exploration. As we aggressively continue our work
on a heavy lift launch vehicle, we are moving forward with an
existing contract to keep development of our new crew vehicle on
track."

Lockheed Martin Corp. will continue working to develop the MPCV. The
spacecraft will carry four astronauts for 21-day missions and be able
to land in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. The spacecraft
will have a pressurized volume of 690 cubic feet, with 316 cubic feet
of habitable space. It is designed to be 10 times safer during ascent
and entry than its predecessor, the space shuttle.

"This selection does not indicate a business as usual mentality for
NASA programs," said Douglas Cooke, associate administrator for the
agency's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. "The
Orion government and industry team has shown exceptional creativity
in finding ways to keep costs down through management techniques,
technical solutions and innovation."

To learn more about the development of the MPCV, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv

       
-end-


Jacques :-)

Offline Namechange User

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New page up on NASA.gov


So what is "Copernicus" in the fancy new computer generated image? 
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Offline Robotbeat

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New page up on NASA.gov


So what is "Copernicus" in the fancy new computer generated image? 
"MTV", which (given the context of the background) must mean Mars Transfer Vehicle. (EDIT:I'm sure you figured that out yourself. I am also very interested in if this is just merely a conceptual sketch or if it's some real design that's being worked.)
« Last Edit: 05/24/2011 06:30 pm by Robotbeat »
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

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Offline bad_astra

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Are the dimensions quoted the same as for the Orion?
"Contact Light" -Buzz Aldrin

Offline TexasRED

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New page up on NASA.gov


So what is "Copernicus" in the fancy new computer generated image? 
"MTV", which (given the context of the background) must mean Mars Transfer Vehicle.

Thats what I was gonna say, except I think its the same old image from CxP, I'd have to dig for it. At a glance it looks like most images are borrowed from CxP days.

Offline DGH

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For me there are only three questions.

1) How many and what kind of test flights are planned.
2) When are the test flights scheduled.
3) Have the purchased the Delta IV Heavies they need yet.

Offline Namechange User

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New page up on NASA.gov


So what is "Copernicus" in the fancy new computer generated image? 
"MTV", which (given the context of the background) must mean Mars Transfer Vehicle.

Thats what I was gonna say, except I think its the same old image from CxP, I'd have to dig for it. At a glance it looks like most images are borrowed from CxP days.

Of course they are the same images, see my previous posts. ;)

I just find it odd that they would show this picture with an MTV so prominently (I knew what it was but just being a bit silly) when the new MPCV webpage states that somehow MPCV is to be the “Spacecraft to serve as the primary crew vehicle for missions beyond LEO"
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Offline Robotbeat

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New page up on NASA.gov


So what is "Copernicus" in the fancy new computer generated image? 
"MTV", which (given the context of the background) must mean Mars Transfer Vehicle.

Thats what I was gonna say, except I think its the same old image from CxP, I'd have to dig for it. At a glance it looks like most images are borrowed from CxP days.

Of course they are the same images, see my previous posts. ;)

I just find it odd that they would show this picture with an MTV so prominently (I knew what it was but just being a bit silly) when the new MPCV webpage states that somehow MPCV is to be the “Spacecraft to serve as the primary crew vehicle for missions beyond LEO"
So, would a vehicle like a MTV (or a more general sort of transfer vehicle) be more suited to that definition?

BTW, I found this:
"Copernicus:
Multi-body, multi-spacecraft, continuous thrust trajectory tool in development at University of Texas – Center for Space Research" in a 2003 powerpoint presentation about low-thrust nuclear-electric propulsion mission modes for a Mars Transfer Vehicle (and lander) mission stack (they also looked at a SEL-2 mission). Could be that's what gave them the idea for the name.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline Namechange User

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So, would a vehicle like a MTV (or a more general sort of transfer vehicle) be more suited to that definition?


Well, I don't see how you can go to "deep space" do *something* (NASA has still not given us that "milestone") then come home all in 21 days........
« Last Edit: 05/24/2011 06:52 pm by OV-106 »
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Offline vt_hokie

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I'm not sure exactly why this is news.  Wasn't it already official policy to keep Orion (aka MPCV) development going?  Also, I'm not sure why they had to change the name, other than that I guess the Obama administration wanted to put its own stamp on a program that started under the Bush presidency.

Offline 2552

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Offline Ronsmytheiii

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here we go

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Doug Cooke on, Orion is MPCV, moving on with existing contract
« Last Edit: 05/24/2011 07:33 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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mentions other aspects of the integrated transportation will be announced in the upcoming weeks (SLS?)

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Big differences considered were alternative systems for Orion, but confirmed design approach appropriate to kept baseline.

Offline Namechange User

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How lame. 

"Hi, I'm NASA. I took two years to decide that MPCV will be Orion.  It's a milestone!  However, I won't or can't tell you when it will fly.  I hope that, generally speaking, we have test flights in this decade......

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Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Interesting, they looked at using commercial crew for launch and landing while having MPCV in space or only return, and also looked at use of other things like composite pressure bodies or pusher escape systems but did not offer enough savings, even looked at starting over but the previous concept won out

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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