So what will SpaceX do, when the shuttle retires?
Quote from: tobi453 on 11/19/2010 02:40 pmSo what will SpaceX do, when the shuttle retires?That depends on the SLS. If the new SLS uses ATK segmented SRMs, then the Freedom Star and Liberty Star will still be operational and ready to collect their core stages. Otherwise, they'll have to find an alternative - maybe even lease or purchase one of the ships for their own use.
SpaceX won't stay with the old expensive methods. No matter what Jim believes they are outdated and expensive and SpaceX will find more efficient and ways of retrieval.
Quote from: beancounter on 11/20/2010 03:57 amSpaceX won't stay with the old expensive methods. No matter what Jim believes they are outdated and expensive and SpaceX will find more efficient and ways of retrieval. What is old and outdated about the SRB ships? And how can it be more efficient?And another comment. Spacex has been getting their comeuppance on a lot of things and finding out that they have to end up doing it the old school ways. This goes back to the very first launch.
Normally you make a lot of sense Jim and I have great respect for your comments but here on this one, you're just plain wrong.
Quote from: Jim on 11/20/2010 11:14 amWhat is old and outdated about the SRB ships? And how can it be more efficient?And another comment. Spacex has been getting their comeuppance on a lot of things and finding out that they have to end up doing it the old school ways. This goes back to the very first launch. It's ok Jim, seems I touched a raw nerve for which I apologies. I just think people are entitled to their view, even when it differs from your's. See previous comment. Cheers.
What is old and outdated about the SRB ships? And how can it be more efficient?And another comment. Spacex has been getting their comeuppance on a lot of things and finding out that they have to end up doing it the old school ways. This goes back to the very first launch.
Much smaller and the ships would not be quick enough/have the capacity to carry the spent stages.
Two words: ocean tug. Yes, a radar boat would have to do tracking, but then they're not as tied to NASA's schedule if ATK's lobbyists get their way.
Quote from: docmordrid on 11/21/2010 04:50 pmTwo words: ocean tug. Yes, a radar boat would have to do tracking, but then they're not as tied to NASA's schedule if ATK's lobbyists get their way. Spaced wont be launching enough for that to be a factor
Insufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.
Quote from: beancounter on 11/22/2010 01:00 amInsufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.Plenty of data is available, why else would I make.
Quote from: Jim on 11/21/2010 06:14 pmQuote from: docmordrid on 11/21/2010 04:50 pmTwo words: ocean tug. Yes, a radar boat would have to do tracking, but then they're not as tied to NASA's schedule if ATK's lobbyists get their way. Spaced wont be launching enough for that to be a factor Insufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.However, speculating and assuming 'Spaced' is SpaceX:Should Bigelow get his stations up and operating with 2 or 3 stations as he's stated, and should SpaceX get into HSF, and should SpaceX get a decent slice of that business, then SpaceX could well be launching at least once per month. It may then be worth their while to do their own thing. SpaceX certainly seems to have a perchant for doing things in-house - the latest report is the turbopump.Assuming also that they get 1st stage return and reusability sorted as well. That's by no means assured but it would be fantastic if they could.
Quote from: beancounter on 11/22/2010 01:00 amQuote from: Jim on 11/21/2010 06:14 pmQuote from: docmordrid on 11/21/2010 04:50 pmTwo words: ocean tug. Yes, a radar boat would have to do tracking, but then they're not as tied to NASA's schedule if ATK's lobbyists get their way. Spaced wont be launching enough for that to be a factor Insufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.However, speculating and assuming 'Spaced' is SpaceX:Should Bigelow get his stations up and operating with 2 or 3 stations as he's stated, and should SpaceX get into HSF, and should SpaceX get a decent slice of that business, then SpaceX could well be launching at least once per month. It may then be worth their while to do their own thing. SpaceX certainly seems to have a perchant for doing things in-house - the latest report is the turbopump.Assuming also that they get 1st stage return and reusability sorted as well. That's by no means assured but it would be fantastic if they could. SRB recover is a 3 day operation last I checked, SpaceX acknowledged that the max launch rate from the cape will be around 12 a year, and even if the SLS matched the max flight rate of the Shuttle, which is not likely, that still has the SRB recovery teams only busy 54 days a year. That's not a full schedule at a good therietical max for the teams work.If SpaceX has 6 a year from the cape and SLS launches 2-3 times a year, which is the likely maxes, the SRB recovery teams will still never have as much work as they did at the max of the Shuttle program.
Quote from: Jim on 11/22/2010 01:03 amQuote from: beancounter on 11/22/2010 01:00 amInsufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.Plenty of data is available, why else would I make.Ok. What's wrong with the above assumptions? If you agree the assumptions then the end result is possible. If they don't hold then I'll agree that in-house 'might' not make sense but either way it's not a given.
Quote from: beancounter on 11/22/2010 01:11 amQuote from: Jim on 11/22/2010 01:03 amQuote from: beancounter on 11/22/2010 01:00 amInsufficient data to support or disprove this statement at this time.Plenty of data is available, why else would I make.Ok. What's wrong with the above assumptions? If you agree the assumptions then the end result is possible. If they don't hold then I'll agree that in-house 'might' not make sense but either way it's not a given.It has nothing to do with available missions to fly. They won't achieve those flight rates.
It has nothing to do with available missions to fly. They won't achieve those flight rates.
SpaceX certainly seems to have a perchant for doing things in-house - the latest report is the turbopump.