SNC DSG NextSTEP-2

[Ronsmytheiii]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

[Lar]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

Fascinating use of some existing components... Nice proposal from a scrappy company (but why ILC Dover instead of Bigelow?)

[yg1968]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

Fascinating use of some existing components... Nice proposal from a scrappy company (but why ILC Dover instead of Bigelow?)

Bigelow has its own NextSTEP-2 proposal.

[brickmack]

Aesthetically way less ugly than their previous concept at least...

Previous proposal involved ISS staging with buildup on Dream Chaser launches, right? Looks like they've gone for a more conventional (rigid) airlock too. I like the reusable LEO-to-cislunar cargo system as well, not 100% sold on use of electric propulsion there though

[yg1968]

SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION SIGNS TWO NEXTSTEP-2 CONTRACTS WITH NASA
Deep Space Habitat Prototype Production to Begin
https://www.sncorp.com/press-releases/snc-nasa-sign-two-nextstep-2-contracts/

[Patchouli]

I like this concept esp the use of solar electric propulsion which would save a lot on refueling.
The hab looks large enough enough it shouldn't feel cramped.

[ncb1397]

Tried to get a sense of the scale of their proposal, so put together this graphic based on known measurements on each spacecraft(NASA reference DSG, SpaceX BFS, SNC DSG and Orion)



As far as avoiding shadowing on the arrays when putting together a "DST" with multtiple 100 KW PPE units, you can achieve that by adjusting the truss structure.



Main problem is that that the indicated 15 mN/KW thrust to power ratio on the AEPS thruster seems low. Other engines are in the 50-90 mN/KW range which would be better for manned interplanetary travel(AEPS works fine for cargo/cislunar). I'm guessing that the magnetic shielding on AEPS extends life considerably at considerable power usage. Anyways, dual habs would provide about 600 cubic meters of volume which is more than you need for interplanetary trips and essentially equivalent to BFS.

[yg1968]

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Lunar Orbital Platform:

[yg1968]

Here is an article that discusses the video above:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-sierra-nevada-corp-lunar-orbital-platform-20180517-story.html

[brickmack]

Have they dropped the 2 arrays on the DC-Cargo module-derived portion then? Seemed weird to include that anyway, when they had that giant array on the PPE

[Rocket Science]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

Fascinating use of some existing components... Nice proposal from a scrappy company (but why ILC Dover instead of Bigelow?)

Legacy NASA contractor?

[whitelancer64]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

Fascinating use of some existing components... Nice proposal from a scrappy company (but why ILC Dover instead of Bigelow?)

Legacy NASA contractor?

Or... Bigelow isn't the only company in the world that could make an inflatable habitat.

[Rocket Science]

Presentation to the NASA FISO telecon group from Jeff Valania on SNC's NextSTEP-2  Deep Space Gateway project:

 http://fiso.spiritastro.net/telecon/Valania_1-3-18/

Fascinating use of some existing components... Nice proposal from a scrappy company (but why ILC Dover instead of Bigelow?)

Legacy NASA contractor?

Or... Bigelow isn't the only company in the world that could make an inflatable habitat.

Sure, why not... My observation of Mark at SNC over the years is that he likes to do things the "NASA way" which my thinking is that 'he" believes it gives him a "leg-up" for his company so that the agency feels comfortable with him. Off the top of my head the one time SNC deviated from the "NASA way" was in the proposed use of Hybrid engines for the Crewed DC and it may have cost them the contract and they probably learned from that... IMHO...

[Ronsmytheiii]

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) completed a NASA study for the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), which is the first module planned to be launched for NASA’s Gateway in lunar orbit. The study was performed under one of SNC’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) contracts. SNC plans to submit a bid to win the NASA contract when the agency issues its formal solicitation for the element later this year.

http://parabolicarc.com/2018/08/10/sierra-nevada-completes-key-step-nasas-nextstep2-longduration-space-travel-study/

[b0objunior]

Seems like it's ready to test!

https://twitter.com/SierraNevCorp/status/1113131405532368897

The prototype at least.

[b0objunior]

Two videos





Seems to be very large and nicely furnished!

[Lars-J]

Very cool!  It is exciting to see more companies bringing expandable habitats to the market.

[yg1968]

https://twitter.com/SierraNevCorp/status/1112858213890834437

[yg1968]

Here is a screenshot of SNC's PPT from the above video:

 

[A_M_Swallow]

To take part in Trump's lunar manned landing in 2024 the habitat and PPE would have to be launched no later than 2022. Could SNC's Gateway equipment be ready by then?

[Tywin]

It's coming a new presentation of her new habitat for the Gateway...

https://twitter.com/SierraNevCorp/status/1164198780587118592

Will see...

[yg1968]

SNC is advancing the development of our LIFE™ Habitat under @NASA’s NextSTEP-2 Partnerships! In this phase, we'll focus on habitat design concepts that could be used on the lunar surface or as a Mars transportation habitat to test at the Gateway.

https://bit.ly/2PGEBfA

https://twitter.com/SierraNevCorp/status/1292934942759018496

See also these links on Nextstep-2, Appendix A:
https://beta.sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opportunities/resources/files/85d1f60766003871845dee9c5203635c/download?api_key=null&token=

https://beta.sam.gov/opp/8ea45a0e5d30775d836953c52add0411/view?keywords=%22nextstep%20appendix%20a%22&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nextstep-2_omnibus_baa_amendment_6.pdf

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sierranevcorp/status/1301636608941318144

Taking LIFE to Mars! SNC's LIFE™ habitat is the perfect system to take humans to Mars! 27 ft diameter, room for four astronauts, science equipment, medical center & our Astro Garden® system. It's more than comfortable for a nine month trip to the red planet.

[yg1968]

See below:

One of the presentations is on NextStep Appendix A Phase 3 habitats. We knew that SNC was continuing their work under phase 3 but it seems that three other companies are continuing the development of their habitats as well (LM, Boeing and Bigelow).

[BrightLight]

In November 2020 an article about SNC plans for LEO and Lunar development came out including LEO orbital, gateway, and lunar surface capabilities in:

https://wereportspace.com/2020/11/18/sierra-nevada-corporation-envisions-commercial-space-station-for-2030/

SNC appears to be pushing their expandable/inflatable habitat for service in orbit(s) and on the surface - an alternative to Bigelow.  SNC says "We are part of the team that is developing a human landing system. The first step is getting people there. But the next piece is staying there. Our LIFE habitation module would allow them to extend their stay for 30, 60, 90 days on the surface and potentially longer than that."

[TrevorMonty]

NASA to offer funding for initial studies of commercial space stations


https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-offer-funding-for-initial-studies-of-commercial-space-stations/?s=09

Photo in article is of SNC concept LEO station. NB author of article Jeff Foust choose photo, don't think its in NASA document. In saying that be surprised if SNC aren't one of leading candidates.



Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

[yg1968]

SNC is among the companies interested in the upcoming commercial LEO free flying habitats procurement:

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1375799375742525440