Author Topic: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3  (Read 213695 times)

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #240 on: 05/29/2012 09:08 pm »
There will be a drop and automated landing IIRC…
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Offline Lee Jay

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #241 on: 05/29/2012 09:25 pm »
A first tethered test flight? I assume that it remained tethered, or was there an actual drop and landing?

This was a captive carry test - it remained attached to the Skycrane the entire time.

Offline vt_hokie

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #242 on: 05/30/2012 12:55 am »
Any indication on how close they are to rolling out the atmospheric test vehicle?  Seems like all is quiet on the vehicle development front...

Looks like they're pretty close: http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_20733780/spacecraft-tested-tuesday-at-broomfield-airport
The first tethered test flight from a SkyCrane helicopter took place earlier today :D
Also, great pics and video of the flight and preparation in the L2 section.

How about that timing?!  Awesome!  I think I wanna work for these guys... :)

Offline david1971

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #243 on: 05/30/2012 09:24 pm »
SNC press release announces completion of four Dream Chaser milestones.

"The four Milestones included: Separation System Testing, Flight Article Main Landing Gear Drop Testing, Captive Carry Interface Testing, and a Captive Carry Flight Test Readiness Review."

http://www.sncorp.com/press_more_info.php?id=492

(Of course, we could infer some of these from recent events...)
I flew on SOFIA four times.

Offline happyflower

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #244 on: 05/30/2012 09:42 pm »
I am still not entirely sure how they will attach to the ISS. If they attach from the back portal, dont they need to have a window per NASA rules?

Im for capsules most of the time, but the Dream Chaser is one sexy spaceship though!!

Rooting for you Dream Chaser, go make us proud.

Offline adrianwyard

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #245 on: 05/30/2012 10:37 pm »
I think the expectation is the rear hatch will have a small window for a center-line camera - just like on the Shuttle docking system hatch.

Some depictions of the Dream Chaser show what could be an instrument bay door on the left of the fuselage (see below) which could house star-trackers, etc. (maybe airspeed also?).

Of course you can just point rangefinders out the cockpit windows too.

So my guess is you approach ISS 'frontwards' and then turn 180 degrees in place, and then come in by camera.

Offline Lars_J

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #246 on: 05/30/2012 11:22 pm »
I think the expectation is the rear hatch will have a small window for a center-line camera - just like on the Shuttle docking system hatch.

Some depictions of the Dream Chaser show what could be an instrument bay door on the left of the fuselage (see below) which could house star-trackers, etc. (maybe airspeed also?).

Of course you can just point rangefinders out the cockpit windows too.

So my guess is you approach ISS 'frontwards' and then turn 180 degrees in place, and then come in by camera.

If a center-line camera is insufficient for Dragon, I would imagine that it would be insufficient for Dream Chaser as well. (This assumes that a pilot direct line of sight will be in the final requirements)

Offline QuantumG

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #247 on: 05/30/2012 11:25 pm »
If a center-line camera is insufficient for Dragon, I would imagine that it would be insufficient for Dream Chaser as well. (This assumes that a pilot direct line of sight will be in the final requirements)

I wanna know if there will be beeping as the Dream Chaser reverses in for docking ;)
Human spaceflight is basically just LARPing now.

Offline jtrame

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #248 on: 05/30/2012 11:39 pm »
I think the expectation is the rear hatch will have a small window for a center-line camera - just like on the Shuttle docking system hatch.

Some depictions of the Dream Chaser show what could be an instrument bay door on the left of the fuselage (see below) which could house star-trackers, etc. (maybe airspeed also?).

Of course you can just point rangefinders out the cockpit windows too.

So my guess is you approach ISS 'frontwards' and then turn 180 degrees in place, and then come in by camera.

If a center-line camera is insufficient for Dragon, I would imagine that it would be insufficient for Dream Chaser as well. (This assumes that a pilot direct line of sight will be in the final requirements)

Are there front windows on the Soyuz, or am I missing something here?

Offline Arceus12345

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #249 on: 05/30/2012 11:44 pm »
I apologize if this isn't related to the spacecraft's real function, but doesn't the Dreamchaser look very awkward on the rocket? There's the rocket, and then the dreamchaser looks out of place on top. Many foreign people might think: Oh look! The U.S just makes a shuttle clone to fly themselves up again!

Offline Lars_J

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #250 on: 05/30/2012 11:45 pm »
Are there front windows on the Soyuz, or am I missing something here?

Yes, there is a front window on Soyuz, but it is rarely (if ever) used during docking - a periscope attached the descent module is used by the pilot.
(I added a pic below - the front window is above the docking ring, and the green periscope is on the left)

But Soyuz is 'grandfathered' into ISS operations anyway (just like Shuttle was), so any requirements for future manned visiting spacecraft does not apply to it.
« Last Edit: 05/30/2012 11:52 pm by Lars_J »

Offline jtrame

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #251 on: 05/30/2012 11:51 pm »
Are there front windows on the Soyuz, or am I missing something here?

Yes, there is a front window on Soyuz, but it is rarely (if ever) used during docking - a periscope attached the descent module is used by the pilot.

But Soyuz is 'grandfathered' into ISS operations anyway (just like Shuttle), so any requirements for future manned visiting spacecraft does not apply to it.

a couple of thoughts...

The requirements may change over time, if they had a major problem with Dreamchaser, would they have gone this far with funding...

When the requirements were written, they were thinking of Orion, which at one time was the Shuttle replacement, and it has forward facing windows...

So of course, only time will tell.

Online rdale

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #252 on: 05/31/2012 08:04 pm »

Offline psloss

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #253 on: 05/31/2012 09:03 pm »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcrYurGgs_0
Stumbled onto this a few hours later...couple of interesting slides in this ConOps video.

Offline TomH

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #254 on: 05/31/2012 09:09 pm »
I apologize if this isn't related to the spacecraft's real function, but doesn't the Dreamchaser look very awkward on the rocket?

Not at all to me; in fact it looks awesome! From the x axis, there is no symmetry. From the z axis, there is some symmetry. A descending view from above and down the y axis, however, gives an image of a beautiful and gracefully symmetrical spaceplane backed by an incredibly powerful rocket.



There's the rocket, and then the dreamchaser looks out of place on top.

ON TOP is exactly where it ought to be! Seven astronauts died on Challenger because of a flawed design known as side mount coupled with no launch abort system. Seven more died on Columbia due to the flawed side mount design. Any manned launcher needs to have the human carrying spacecraft on top with an abort system for two reasons. 1) The spacecraft can rocket away from an exploding LV during launch. 2) Debris falling from above cannot damage the spacecraft causing a catastrophe during reentry or landing.

Many foreign people might think: Oh look! The U.S just makes a shuttle clone to fly themselves up again!

Not to be unkind, but truly, why does it matter what foreign people think? Why does it matter what citizens think for that matter?

You are right about this having no relation to the spacecraft's real function. Some things look asthetic in the eyes of some people and not in the eyes of another. I personally like it, but what matters is whether or not it can do the job, how safely, and for how much. Unfortunately, for some it also matters whether it is providing jobs in their constituents' district.
« Last Edit: 05/31/2012 09:43 pm by TomH »

Offline Chris Bergin

Nicely dealt with Tom!
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Offline TomH

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #256 on: 05/31/2012 09:45 pm »
Nicely dealt with Tom!

Thanks, (feeling sheepish) my first reply was not as tactful. Sometimes, I read something over after I post and realize I could have done better.

Offline JBF

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #257 on: 06/01/2012 01:13 am »
That does bring up a good point. What and where is the LAS?
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Offline Downix

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #258 on: 06/01/2012 01:15 am »
That does bring up a good point. What and where is the LAS?
Not on the engineering model, which is just using weights to fill the space most likely.  The LAS uses the same engines you'll find on Space Ship Two, which are also it's OMS units.
chuck - Toilet paper has no real value? Try living with 5 other adults for 6 months in a can with no toilet paper. Man oh man. Toilet paper would be worth it's weight in gold!

Offline TomH

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Re: Dream Chaser making impressive progress ahead of CCDev-3
« Reply #259 on: 06/01/2012 02:43 am »
That does bring up a good point. What and where is the LAS?

Might be wrong on this, but I think all 6 or so spacecraft in the CCDev running have pusher type LAS. Several of those are talking about using the same system to land vertically following reentry. SNC says DC can use the system for cross range and power assisted landings. Soyuz and Orion may be the only ships around using tractoring towers.

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