Author Topic: Sierra Space Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread (was SNC)  (Read 740733 times)


Offline guckyfan

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Offline Lars_J

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Offline vt_hokie

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #383 on: 03/21/2014 06:01 am »
This I like!

"We announced that our first launch is November 2016. We bought the rocket to do that. That's going to happen regardless of what goes on with NASA."

Offline guckyfan

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Offline newpylong

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #385 on: 03/21/2014 12:48 pm »
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/basics/orbit.html

74.3 cubic meters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Chaser

16 cubic meters

Though the second source isn't exactly concrete it doesn't appear close.

Offline ChefPat

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #386 on: 03/21/2014 01:55 pm »
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/basics/orbit.html

74.3 cubic meters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Chaser

16 cubic meters

Though the second source isn't exactly concrete it doesn't appear close.
Wiki got their info from Encyclopedia Astronautica
Characteristics

Crew Size: 6. Habitable Volume: 16.00 m3.

Gross mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb).
Height: 9.00 m (29.50 ft).
Span: 7.00 m (22.90 ft).


Playing Politics with Commercial Crew is Un-American!!!

Offline adrianwyard

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #387 on: 03/21/2014 03:49 pm »
You do indeed get to ~16m^3 by assuming an average pressure vessel diameter of 5.5ft and a length of 24ft, which seems plausible. This compares to 10m^3 for Dragon.

Offline StealerofSuns

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #388 on: 03/22/2014 10:44 pm »
http://www.dream-space.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-2399-m.jpg

Not sure if anyone here has seen this. Looks like the damage is being repaired (pic is likely from a while back).
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Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #389 on: 03/22/2014 10:48 pm »
http://www.dream-space.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-2399-m.jpg

Not sure if anyone here has seen this. Looks like the damage is being repaired (pic is likely from a while back).

Or they are disassembling DC to go back to Colorado....

Offline adrianwyard

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #390 on: 03/22/2014 11:08 pm »
Or it could have been taken when it first arrived at Dryden last year. Based on plastic on the ground I think this is unpacking rather than packing.

I can understand SNC not wanting to release pictures of a beaten up DC, but I would have thought it would be in a photogenic state by now - i.e. in pieces and under construction.

Edit: yep, taken May of last year: http://www.dream-space.fr/preparation-du-body-lifting-en-vu-du-test/
« Last Edit: 03/22/2014 11:24 pm by adrianwyard »

Offline Lars_J

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #391 on: 03/23/2014 07:36 am »
http://www.dream-space.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-2399-m.jpg

Not sure if anyone here has seen this. Looks like the damage is being repaired (pic is likely from a while back).

This is a picture of the unpacking and assembly at Dryden(?). Not after the bad landing.

Offline Prober

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #392 on: 03/23/2014 12:22 pm »
Received this real nice view when I turned the computer on today.

Thanks Yahoo

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Offline Chris Bergin

Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #393 on: 03/25/2014 05:22 pm »
A presser from SNC. Doesn't really say anything, unless I'm missing something.

Sierra Nevada Corporation and Lockheed Martin
Expand Dream Chaser Orbital Vehicle Manufacturing

Sparks, Nev., March 25, 2014 – In a press conference held today at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in Michoud, La., Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Dream Chaser® strategic partner Lockheed Martin announced the expansion of SNC Dream Chaser spacecraft orbital vehicle manufacturing operations.

As a valued member of SNC’s Dream Chaser Dream Team, Lockheed Martin is under contract to manufacture the next Dream Chaser composite structure which will be for the first orbital vehicle scheduled to launch on November 1, 2016. The MAF, which is owned and operated by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, has been operational since 1961 and has played a significant role on our nation’s space programs ranging from Apollo to the space shuttle. Today, leveraging the experience, technical expertise and current infrastructure at Michoud, next generation vehicles such as SNC’s Dream Chaser and Lockheed Martin’s Orion are being fabricated within the same walls as   legendary programs.

“Michoud and the state of Louisiana, have a vital role in our nation’s space program,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC’s Space Systems. “We look to continue this valuable role through our partnership with Lockheed Martin for the build of our next Dream Chaser composite structure at the Michoud Assembly Facility.  We will be utilizing MAF’s existing facilities, partnerships and the workforce of Louisiana to bring America’s future transportation vehicles for low-Earth orbit  to reality while continuing to expand the Dream Chaser program footprint, which now provides employment in over 30 states.”

SNC chose Lockheed Martin to manufacture the Dream Chaser orbital composite structure based on their rich human spaceflight manufacturing heritage, including building the External Tank for the space shuttle program, and their  work for  the Orion program Fabricating key elements of Dream Chaser structures at MAF leverages Orion manufacturing efforts currently underway, while also taking advantage of existing facilities, relationships and assets, such as the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NCAM).

“Lockheed Martin’s history at MAF brings a wealth of experience to the Dream Chaser program,” said Jim Crocker, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems Company Civil Space Line of Business. “Not only are we leveraging manufacturing processes and technology, we are also leveraging the Human Rating Certification methodology developed by the Orion program, which was then tailored to Dream Chaser.”

Currently, the Dream Chaser spacecraft orbital vehicle is in the early stage of the fabrication process at MAF. Fabrication of composite structures started in January 2014 with cabin ring frame production at MAF. Complex part fabrication will begin upon receipt of tooling in April 2014. As each composite structure is completed, it will then be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for assembly and final inspection before being released to SNC.
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Offline Helodriver

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #394 on: 03/25/2014 05:29 pm »

 As each composite structure is completed, it will then be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for assembly and final inspection before being released to SNC.


Reading that, including Michoud in the production process seems very inefficient. LM has ample composite manufacturing capability in Fort Worth for its military aircraft productions. The only value added by Michoud is probably political.

Offline BrightLight

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #395 on: 03/25/2014 05:40 pm »
Reading the latest presser - does LM own the tooling for the DC: "for assembly and final inspection before being released to SNC."?

Offline newpylong

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #396 on: 03/25/2014 05:56 pm »

 As each composite structure is completed, it will then be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for assembly and final inspection before being released to SNC.


Reading that, including Michoud in the production process seems very inefficient. LM has ample composite manufacturing capability in Fort Worth for its military aircraft productions. The only value added by Michoud is probably political.

No, the tooling at Forth Worth is specific to their aircraft lines and that facility is busy with the JSF currently. MAF has the excess capacity and is a naturally place to build the airframes.

Offline Jim

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #397 on: 03/25/2014 06:02 pm »

Reading that, including Michoud in the production process seems very inefficient. LM has ample composite manufacturing capability in Fort Worth for its military aircraft productions. The only value added by Michoud is probably political.

It is not political.

1.  Fort Worth is not the center of LM composite'
3.  LM has a manufacturing presents at MAF already.  And it does spacecraft.
4.  This is a way of sharing a workforce.
« Last Edit: 03/25/2014 06:03 pm by Jim »

Offline BrightLight

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #398 on: 03/25/2014 06:07 pm »
How many DC's is LM building? Will they store the tooling when there done with this "block" at Michaud?

Offline Jim

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Re: SNC Dream Chaser UPDATE Thread
« Reply #399 on: 03/25/2014 06:23 pm »
How many DC's is LM building? Will they store the tooling when there done with this "block" at Michaud?
Reading the latest presser - does LM own the tooling for the DC: "for assembly and final inspection before being released to SNC."?

Both are between SNC and LM.  Prime to subcontractor agreements that we are usually not privy to.

 

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