Here's the fourth contestant.
Boeing Selects Atlas V Rocket for Initial Commercial Crew Launches
If NASA selects Boeing for a development contract with sufficient funding, ULA will provide launch services for an autonomous orbital flight, a transonic autonomous abort test launch, and a crewed launch, all in 2015.
QuoteIf NASA selects Boeing for a development contract with sufficient funding, ULA will provide launch services for an autonomous orbital flight, a transonic autonomous abort test launch, and a crewed launch, all in 2015.Whoa, they're actually going to do an in-flight abort test? That'll be interesting...
And the winner is... Atlas!QuoteBoeing Selects Atlas V Rocket for Initial Commercial Crew Launcheshttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1869
George Sowers: CST-100 will use the Atlas 5 412 configuration (one solid strap-on, dual-engine Centaur).
"Initial" - hmmm!
Atlas V is fast becoming my favourite unmanned rocket. That is all.
The Orion ATB is like Little Joe I and Little Joe II before it in that it's a specifically-designed booster that is nearly exhausted when the abort test takes place. What Boeing is doing is launching a full-up orbital Atlas with the intent to have range-safety blow it up mid-flight. That's ballsy.
So what does the future hold for the Delta IV? Looks like it's the loser in all the CCDEV choices. Is there enough other business for it to remain viable?