...Core stage test fire is planned for early 2018 as far as I can tell. ...
I wonder would it be possible to start the tower extension work now and build a spacer under the ICPS so they don't have to incur that delay later. Forget about performance on EM1, just fly a demo to whatever orbit they can.
Quote from: GWH on 05/02/2017 02:01 pmI wonder would it be possible to start the tower extension work now and build a spacer under the ICPS so they don't have to incur that delay later. Forget about performance on EM1, just fly a demo to whatever orbit they can.The pad mods for 1B after EM-1 is a durration of 33+ months more like about 40 months. If they started now that would be a NET date for EM-1 with a EUS sized spacer of Sept 2020.
Quote from: oldAtlas_Eguy on 05/02/2017 03:21 pmQuote from: GWH on 05/02/2017 02:01 pmI wonder would it be possible to start the tower extension work now and build a spacer under the ICPS so they don't have to incur that delay later. Forget about performance on EM1, just fly a demo to whatever orbit they can.The pad mods for 1B after EM-1 is a durration of 33+ months more like about 40 months. If they started now that would be a NET date for EM-1 with a EUS sized spacer of Sept 2020.All the more reason to just build another ML with a tower tailored to Block-1B from the get-go. That way NASA can continue to launch SLS missions with Block-1, while EUS is being developed and the ML-1B is being built. An additional 3-4 year stand-down waiting for all Block-1B items to be finalized and built is ridiculous.NASA might as well fit out another VAB high bay for SLS-1B while they're at it. Go big or go home!
He didn't.Although, the 3-stage NG should put about 20 tonnes to TLI with a 7 meter fairing. That's a lot closer to SLS class than anything else that will fly in the next 5 years or so.
Quote from: envy887 on 04/08/2017 02:52 amHe didn't.Although, the 3-stage NG should put about 20 tonnes to TLI with a 7 meter fairing. That's a lot closer to SLS class than anything else that will fly in the next 5 years or so.DoubtfulULA have stated they have investigated (and could meet) customer needs for a 7.2m PLF on Atlas V. On that basis an SLS 8.4m PLF would be well within their range for Vulcan and in fact applying the Centaur to PLF ratio of Atlas V suggests 10.2m is possible. Vulcan should be flying by the early 2020's.
Wasn't that on Atlas V Phase 2? Agreed that Vulcan could support a 7+ m fairing, but still think NG is the only one that is likely to actually fly a 7+ meter fairing in the next 5 years. And that includes SLS.
Quote from: alexterrell on 04/07/2017 01:23 pmSo far the only useful thing that SLS can do that Falcon Heavy can't, is launch a 10m diameter, single piece heat shield for Mars reentry. I suppose a Bigelow BA-2100 would also count. There's that. The other things I got were a really big telescope or a nuclear reactor.The other things that Boeing have suggested for SLS are basically cutting the travel times to distant locations. Examples they cite are the trip to Saturn and the 200AU interstellar precursor (cuts 15 years off that).Essentially anything is better with a really big propellant tankset strapped to it. Still not quite clear why Boeing got the contract for this given that ULA has all the rocket building skills.
So far the only useful thing that SLS can do that Falcon Heavy can't, is launch a 10m diameter, single piece heat shield for Mars reentry. I suppose a Bigelow BA-2100 would also count.
None of those elements are part of NASA's plan.
"None of those elements are part of NASA's plan. "Current plan.
So if ITS is doing orbital testing in 2021, what happens to this plan?
Quote from: Negan on 05/12/2017 09:13 pmSo if ITS is doing orbital testing in 2021, what happens to this plan?I think SpaceX may be a little starved for funds unless they get more investments or a gov contract to do Mars to meet a 2021 date. Think more like 2025 for first flight of just the ITS no BFR and no payload.