Did someone mess up by allocating LC-40 to Space-X instead of, say LC-36? Atlas could have used 40 and 41, Delta 37A and B, and Space-X 36 A and B. I know there's currently a Space Florida deal for launching Athena III from LC 36, but allocating the old Atlas pad to such a smaller LV just seems like major overkill.
New paper on the ULA website: Atlas and Delta Capabilities to Launch Crew to Low Earth Orbit.
Ok, I trust them on their schedule for Atlas human rating (don't even want to know their costs...), but what really strikes out is the spacecraft development. They are baselining Orion and as much as LM tries to affirm they can get things done by 2013 on the cheap, they won't.
1) Ok, I trust them on their schedule for Atlas human rating (don't even want to know their costs...)2) as much as LM tries to affirm they can get things done by 2013 on the cheap, they won't.3) I somehow doubt LM could finish Orion development for less than a billion
I particularly like how using the same tricks from Ares-I PRAs (and another independent method based on a combination of PRAs and demonstrated flight heritage) they come to a LOC number for commercial crew launches on Atlas V 401 that is competitive with Ares-I... :-)
A similar approach for Delta IV is more problematic. The Delta II has enjoyed a long string of success, but the design similarities between Delta IV and Delta II are few. The Delta IV system itself has flown ten times with 100% success in nine operational missions.
A. Atlas does not need two pads. It needs two processing facilities. The vehicle is at the pad for less than a week
Jim, do you know if they would still want an access tower at 41 would they be okay with some type of access off the MLP?
How many VIFs could be reasonably added to an existing pad before you would need a new pad?
Hmm, that's not much. What about Delta? A HIF takes up more space, so that doesn't sound good. Could you have 37A&B + 4 HIFs?
Wow, that on the other hand is impressive. That presumably means it can also support 3 mediums, or is it more?
Quote from: Jim on 02/14/2010 01:33 pmQuote from: mmeijeri on 02/14/2010 11:16 amHow many VIFs could be reasonably added to an existing pad before you would need a new pad?Two total. I think there would be other constraints for more, like LCC or horizontal processing space. Hmm, that's not much. What about Delta? A HIF takes up more space, so that doesn't sound good. Could you have 37A&B + 4 HIFs?
Quote from: mmeijeri on 02/14/2010 11:16 amHow many VIFs could be reasonably added to an existing pad before you would need a new pad?Two total. I think there would be other constraints for more, like LCC or horizontal processing space.
Does the SMARF still exist? Didn't SpaceX tear down all the Titan facilities?