Author Topic: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2  (Read 643403 times)

Offline yg1968

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #480 on: 07/16/2014 09:29 pm »
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101838166
Also:
Confirms BA trying to sell 5th seat through Space Adventures

On this issue, it is still not clear if a taxi model or a rental model will be adopted. McAlister said that it's up to the commercial companies to decide which models they prefer to offer. SpaceX said that it's up to NASA to decide which model they prefer.
« Last Edit: 07/16/2014 09:31 pm by yg1968 »

Offline arachnitect

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #481 on: 07/16/2014 11:12 pm »
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101838166
Also:
Confirms BA trying to sell 5th seat through Space Adventures

On this issue, it is still not clear if a taxi model or a rental model will be adopted. McAlister said that it's up to the commercial companies to decide which models they prefer to offer. SpaceX said that it's up to NASA to decide which model they prefer.

Companies can propose either model, but I think rental model is starting to emerge as the favored approach. Pilot just takes up space that could be sold as a tourist seat or NASA cargo.

Offline Malderi

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #482 on: 07/17/2014 05:40 am »
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101838166
Also:
Confirms BA trying to sell 5th seat through Space Adventures

On this issue, it is still not clear if a taxi model or a rental model will be adopted. McAlister said that it's up to the commercial companies to decide which models they prefer to offer. SpaceX said that it's up to NASA to decide which model they prefer.

Companies can propose either model, but I think rental model is starting to emerge as the favored approach. Pilot just takes up space that could be sold as a tourist seat or NASA cargo.

Crew training is still a consideration. Remember early ISS - they launched a Soyuz with 3 people, every 6 months, just to rotate the lifeboat, and rotated the actual crews on Shuttle missions on the middeck. This whole exercise was done, 100%, to reduce the training burden on the ISS crews by removing the Soyuz-specific training. CST-100 is planned to have considerable automation so maybe the training time is less, but it's still something that'll be looked at.

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #483 on: 07/17/2014 06:08 am »
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101838166
Also:
Confirms BA trying to sell 5th seat through Space Adventures

On this issue, it is still not clear if a taxi model or a rental model will be adopted. McAlister said that it's up to the commercial companies to decide which models they prefer to offer. SpaceX said that it's up to NASA to decide which model they prefer.

When the smoke clears NASA will probably decide if one of its astronauts is on board then it will want that astronaut to fly the spacecraft otherwise let the commercial company do it.  No need to bring an astronaut back from say the Moon base.

This is a managerial problem not a technical one.

Offline Malderi

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #484 on: 08/07/2014 08:04 pm »
Aerojet Rocketdyne Completes CST-100 Work for Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Contract

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, completed its Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) commitment in support of Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft that will help open a new era of spaceflight and carry people to low-Earth orbit from American soil once again.

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-completes-cst-100-work-commercial-crew-integrated-capability-contract

Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

The article mentions 24 1,500lb OMAC engines. That's almost twice the thrust of the Shuttle main RCS, and about as many engines. That seems way too high for me, for a much smaller vehicle.

The CST-100 + Cygnus also looks pretty crazy, but a modified Cygnus for a hab module seems like a good match for some tourism missions, if they're considering that...

Offline abaddon

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #485 on: 08/07/2014 08:05 pm »
Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

Presumably it's this:

Quote
A CST-100 partner and team member since 2010, Aerojet Rocketdyne's CCiCap work continued the development of the service module and launch abort propulsion system from prior commercial crew contracts with Boeing.

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #486 on: 08/07/2014 08:54 pm »
Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

Presumably it's this:

Quote
A CST-100 partner and team member since 2010, Aerojet Rocketdyne's CCiCap work continued the development of the service module and launch abort propulsion system from prior commercial crew contracts with Boeing.

Service modules normally attach to the back of capsules rather than dock to the top.  Could the big module in the picture contain sufficient propellant to push the CST-100 to GEO, EML-1/2 or LLO?

Offline arachnitect

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #487 on: 08/07/2014 09:49 pm »

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-completes-cst-100-work-commercial-crew-integrated-capability-contract

Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

That image has been floating around for awhile now. I think it originated on this guy's blog here: https://astrowright.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/personal-orbital-spacecraft-within-reach/ and is not from any kind of internal effort at Boeing/ULA.

Likeliest explanation in my opinion is that someone at AJ/R ****ed up and just grabbed the image off a quick Google search. Hopefully they cleared using it with the creator (he doesn't seem to be credited in the PR). It probably would have taken about 30min. to get a current image from  Boeing... (grrr.).
Aerojet Rocketdyne Completes CST-100 Work for Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Contract

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, completed its Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) commitment in support of Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft that will help open a new era of spaceflight and carry people to low-Earth orbit from American soil once again.

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-completes-cst-100-work-commercial-crew-integrated-capability-contract

Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

The article mentions 24 1,500lb OMAC engines. That's almost twice the thrust of the Shuttle main RCS, and about as many engines. That seems way too high for me, for a much smaller vehicle.

Need the higher thrust for attitude control during aborts in the lower atmosphere.
« Last Edit: 08/07/2014 09:50 pm by arachnitect »

Offline TrevorMonty

The smaller 100lb engines can be used for ISS boost. This is only CC vehicle that can offer this service that I know about. A big plus for Boeing come down selection time.

NB the excessive 24 x 1,500lb thrusters are needed for redundancy for LAS,  same reason Dragon has redundant Super Dracos.

Offline Burninate

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #489 on: 08/08/2014 05:49 pm »

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-completes-cst-100-work-commercial-crew-integrated-capability-contract

Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

That image has been floating around for awhile now. I think it originated on this guy's blog here: https://astrowright.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/personal-orbital-spacecraft-within-reach/ and is not from any kind of internal effort at Boeing/ULA.

Likeliest explanation in my opinion is that someone at AJ/R ****ed up and just grabbed the image off a quick Google search. Hopefully they cleared using it with the creator (he doesn't seem to be credited in the PR). It probably would have taken about 30min. to get a current image from  Boeing... (grrr.).
Aerojet Rocketdyne Completes CST-100 Work for Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Contract

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, completed its Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) commitment in support of Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft that will help open a new era of spaceflight and carry people to low-Earth orbit from American soil once again.

http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-completes-cst-100-work-commercial-crew-integrated-capability-contract

Is that a CST-100 docked with a Cygnus???

The article mentions 24 1,500lb OMAC engines. That's almost twice the thrust of the Shuttle main RCS, and about as many engines. That seems way too high for me, for a much smaller vehicle.

Need the higher thrust for attitude control during aborts in the lower atmosphere.

He has the scale wrong as well.  The Cygnus diameter is 3.07m, while the CST-100 diameter is 4.56m, a full 50% larger.

Offline yg1968

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #490 on: 08/18/2014 03:05 pm »
Boeing says that it might continue at least until CRS2 is awarded if it is downselected under CCtCap:

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-nears-multibillion-dollar-decision-commercial-space-taxis-n180986

Quote
In the past, Boeing has said it couldn't proceed with the CST-100 without CCtCap funding, but Ferguson hedged a bit. "If we do not emerge victorious from this, we're going to have to step back and look at the business case," he told NBC News. Ferguson said NASA's latest solicitation for space cargo services was "a new card in the deck" — which suggests an autonomous version of the CST-100 might be offered as a option.

Offline rcoppola

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #491 on: 08/19/2014 01:31 am »
Boeing says that it might continue at least until CRS2 is awarded if it is downselected under CCtCap:

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-nears-multibillion-dollar-decision-commercial-space-taxis-n180986

Quote
In the past, Boeing has said it couldn't proceed with the CST-100 without CCtCap funding, but Ferguson hedged a bit. "If we do not emerge victorious from this, we're going to have to step back and look at the business case," he told NBC News. Ferguson said NASA's latest solicitation for space cargo services was "a new card in the deck" — which suggests an autonomous version of the CST-100 might be offered as a option.
Taking a step back and looking at the business case is consistent with what they have always said. The new angle is wrt CRS-2. Perhaps they think they can make a go using CST as a cargo platform in lieu of a crew contract.

Sounds like a decent back-up plan, if they can be competitive against Orbital in the next CRS round.
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Offline Prober

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #492 on: 08/21/2014 05:46 pm »
just hit the wire....

Boeing says completed key design review for space taxi

http://news.yahoo.com/boeing-says-completed-key-design-review-space-taxi-170631601--finance.html

some points made...

making it the only one of four rival bidders to finish the NASA work on time, company officials said on Thursday.

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Offline BrianNH

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #493 on: 08/21/2014 06:00 pm »
Quote
[Boeing VP and program manager John] Mulholland said, measured in mass, the Boeing design for the cargo module was 96-percent complete at the time of the review, while its design for the crew module was 85-percent complete, two metrics that underscored the maturity of the design.

So they are are working on a cargo version.  I hadn't heard that, but it shouldn't be surprising.  Also, "measured in mass" is a novel way of measuring design completion.

Offline TrevorMonty

The cargo version doesn't need LAS, resulting a less expensive propulsion module.
Alternatively use a larger propulsion module to enable station boosting.
« Last Edit: 08/21/2014 09:09 pm by TrevorMonty »

Offline Robotbeat

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #495 on: 08/21/2014 09:28 pm »
Measuring in mass means they can get 99% of the way there without touching the avionics... :)

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Offline IslandPlaya

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #496 on: 08/21/2014 09:36 pm »
Measuring in mass, means they can get to 100% without having anything near a functional spacecraft!
I wonder what beancounter got a bonus for suggesting that metric?

Offline docmordrid

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #497 on: 08/21/2014 09:57 pm »
ISTM the problem with CST-100 for COTS-2 is a small hatch and lack of an unpressurized cargo bay like Dragon's trunk.

Adding the latter would have to be a service module extension, and that would cover the circular solar panel at its  bottom. It would also add even more mass, perhaps requiring at least one more $RB.

Seems by using an expensive,   disposable service module instead of integrating it like DV2 & DC they've painted themselves into a corner.

My $0.02
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Offline Rifleman

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #498 on: 08/21/2014 10:45 pm »
ISTM the problem with CST-100 for COTS-2 is a small hatch and lack of an unpressurized cargo bay like Dragon's trunk.

Adding the latter would have to be a service module extension, and that would cover the circular solar panel at its  bottom. It would also add even more mass, perhaps requiring at least one more $RB.

Seems by using an expensive,   disposable service module instead of integrating it like DV2 & DC they've painted themselves into a corner.

My $0.02

I think a CST-100 derived freighter would compete much better against Orbital than it would SpaceX. Cygnus already has a smaller hatch diameter and no unpressurized cargo capacity, and as of COTS-1, is significantly more expensive than Dragon.

Offline clongton

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Re: Boeing's CST-100 capsule updates & discussion THREAD 2
« Reply #499 on: 08/21/2014 11:12 pm »
Also, "measured in mass" is a novel way of measuring design completion.

You see, that's the kind of thing that I loath about Big Corporations that make their living sucking on the government teat. "Novel" doesn't even come close. That is such a B.S. metric that I can't believe that anybody would stoop that low to actually say such a thing in public. It is incredibly imbecilic and simpleminded and reflects incredibly poorly on the management and company that fostered it. I really feel for the incredibly talented and hardworking men and women who work for that company and now have to shamefacedly face their friends, families and neighbors and try to explain to them what that "novel" metric actually means. How do you defend such an incredibly dense statement by people who are supposed to be grownups?
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