Dream Chaser Q&A (including suggestions and improvements)

[paycom]

 

If we're allowed to imagine follow-on vehicle variants then a 'mini-cargo-bay/RMS' equipped DC blows the others away.

no, because the others can have similar variants and so there is no advantage.

Face it, DC is not "better" than the others.

It seems to be quite a challenge to integrate a cargo bay into a capsule designlike Dragon or CST-100.

Also, reentry/ landing loads tend to be lower for glider designs.

[adrianwyard]

If we're allowed to imagine follow-on vehicle variants then a 'mini-cargo-bay/RMS' equipped DC blows the others away.

no, because the others can have similar variants and so there is no advantage.

Nope, not similar. I agree all could manage a simple EVA (tap the JWST) mission, but 'Servicing DC' with a cargo bay beats the others because:

+ Can bring back unpressurized cargo.
+ Brings back RMS (unlike Dragon proposal).
+ Readily allows for the addition of a suitport from the cabin into the cargo bay, so no need to depressurize cabin. This allows for shirtsleeves IVA crew-member assistance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitport
+ Has more cockpit window area for IVA to see worksite.
+ If suitport is not used, has a smaller pressurized cabin volume - less consumables needed for repress after EVA.

[Jim]

It seems to be quite a challenge to integrate a cargo bay into a capsule designlike Dragon or CST-100.

They have trunks or service modules that can hold items and items can be placed in the spacecraft adapter.

[paycom]

It seems to be quite a challenge to integrate a cargo bay into a capsule designlike Dragon or CST-100.

They have trunks or service modules that can hold items and items can be placed in the spacecraft adapter.

It's about returning the items.

[Jim]

Nope, not similar. I agree all could manage a simple EVA (tap the JWST) mission, but 'Servicing DC' with a cargo bay beats the others because:

1.   Can bring back unpressurized cargo.
2.    Brings back RMS (unlike Dragon proposal).
3.vv Readily allows for the addition of a suitport from the cabin into the cargo bay, allowing for shirtsleeves IVA crew-member assistance.
4.   Has more cockpit window area for IVA.
5.   If suitport is not used, has a smaller pressurized cabin volume - less consumables needed for repress after EVA.

wrong.  Your manlove for DC biases everything you post.

1.  Not a requirement nor is a need. 
2.  Not  a requirement nor is a need.
3.  Not readily.  It is a major mods and is no longer a "DC".  Dragon and CST-100 can fly mission module to provide the same service and still retain the basic vehicle
4.  Not a requirement nor would be used as a discriminator for selection.  TV's can provide the same support
5.  no real data to support such a claim.

"You also didn't include that DC variants will be built with unobtainium and therefore will need no launch vehicles."

The above is too show how ridiculous speculating about future variants based on nonexistent requirements.

Powerpoint spacecraft always beat other spacecraft

[adrianwyard]

wrong.  Your manlove for DC biases everything you post.

Sorry to have to correct you Jim, but it's penguin-love not manlove. See attached image.

And if you check the original post you'll find I start this speculation by saying the CCiCap decision will be based an actual vehicles and actual requirements, not future variants. So there we agree.

[Lars_J]

"You also didn't include that DC variants will be built with unobtainium and therefore will need no launch vehicles."

Can't wait for to see that! 

[BrightLight]

Over on spaceflightnow there is a article on this summers tests of DC, it includes captive tests on a SkyCrane and later, drop tests on WK2. Interesting that later tests will apoearently include firing the hybrid rockets for supersonic flight.

[Jason1701]

They seem to have deleted WK2 entirely.

[Lurker Steve]

They seem to have deleted WK2 entirely.

I wonder if that is a problem with the development of the "captive carry" interface between the WK2 and DreamChaser, or some other reason. The White Knight should be able to lift DC higher than a helicopter, right ?

Perhaps the White Knight is busy with SS2 test flights ??

[Jason1701]

Perhaps the White Knight is busy with SS2 test flights ??

They wish...

[Rocket Science]

Over on spaceflightnow there is a article on this summers tests of DC, it includes captive tests on a SkyCrane and later, drop tests on WK2. Interesting that later tests will apoearently include firing the hybrid rockets for supersonic flight.

So, Steve Lindsey is going to fly Dream Chaser… I said that when he left NASA. My gut told me he still had the itch to fly and by that I meant not a desk… 

[BrightLight]

Over on spaceflightnow there is a article on this summers tests of DC, it includes captive tests on a SkyCrane and later, drop tests on WK2. Interesting that later tests will apoearently include firing the hybrid rockets for supersonic flight.

So, Steve Lindsey is going to fly Dream Chaser… I said that when he left NASA. My gut told me he still had the itch to fly and by that I meant not a desk… 

That's OK, Bolden will be in the right seat

[Lurker Steve]

Over on spaceflightnow there is a article on this summers tests of DC, it includes captive tests on a SkyCrane and later, drop tests on WK2. Interesting that later tests will apoearently include firing the hybrid rockets for supersonic flight.

So, Steve Lindsey is going to fly Dream Chaser… I said that when he left NASA. My gut told me he still had the itch to fly and by that I meant not a desk… 

That's OK, Bolden will be in the right seat

If Bolden or Garver find their way into the right seat, I petition for a James Bond style ejection seat to be installed.

[Rocket Science]

Over on spaceflightnow there is a article on this summers tests of DC, it includes captive tests on a SkyCrane and later, drop tests on WK2. Interesting that later tests will apoearently include firing the hybrid rockets for supersonic flight.

So, Steve Lindsey is going to fly Dream Chaser… I said that when he left NASA. My gut told me he still had the itch to fly and by that I meant not a desk… 

That's OK, Bolden will be in the right seat

If Bolden or Garver find their way into the right seat, I petition for a James Bond style ejection seat to be installed.

Come on guys, that’s a little harsh… While I’m no fan to how they have been acting WRT SLS, they are the main advocates for Commercial Crew and hence this “little bird” Dream Chaser…

[JonSBerndt]

I haven't seen this anywhere here, yet, but here's a link to a time lapse video on NASA.gov of the Dream Chaser buffet test wind tunnel model coming together.

Jon

[TomH]

...it's penguin-love not manlove. See attached image....

Looks to me like an Orca (killer whale) leaping out of the water it its prey.

[kkattula]

Here's a promo video to sell the servicing DC variant:
1] DC launches to the James Webb Telescope which has failed to deploy 100%.
2] Astronaut hops into suitport and is swung over to JWST on the RMS.
3] Astronaut taps telescope very gently with space-hammer.
4] JWST deploys, saving 8 billion dollars+.

Dragon and CST-100 can do the same thing so no marketing advantage.

JWST will be deployed at Earth-Sun L2, so DC couldn't even get there uness launched on an EELV Heavy or by rendezvous with a transfer stge.  And probably couldn't re-enter (safely) on return.

CST-100 would have similar issues, but re-entry would be easier to solve. 

Dragon could do the mision, but would still need FH.

[adrianwyard]

Yep, agreed. Bad example.

Is there a compelling servicing mission that would demonstrate the value of EVA, cargo bay, and return capability, in LEO?

[Jim]

Yep, agreed. Bad example.

Is there a compelling servicing mission that would demonstrate the value of EVA, cargo bay, and return capability, in LEO?

No, that was an over sold capability of the shuttle and why that it isn't missed.    HST was sold on the capability when it would have been better off at L2.

GSO is the only orbit where repair makes sense.   Until space launch is really cheap, it is more cost effective to launch a replacement spacecraft