Quote from: Lars_J on 01/16/2013 05:58 pmSadly, I think this announcement is a significant nail in the coffin of Orion. (not the first) I am doubtful that EM-1 will ever fly.Why? The ATV is proven tech, better than the cracked hull of Orion! Can you substantiate your vision?
Sadly, I think this announcement is a significant nail in the coffin of Orion. (not the first) I am doubtful that EM-1 will ever fly.
[EFT-1 Orion will] use doublers over the small cracks
At the start of the presentation, Mr. Gerstenmaier said that the Europeans would develop the first Service Module and portions of the second Service Module.Portions?
After having been around for the NASA moon missions as a youngster, I was hoping that this press event would be the opening salvo toward BEO exploration. Reading some of the reports as to the weight issue with Orion, I am deeply saddened. Of course, the space program is not about me or my dreams. Here's hoping that NASA can come up with something to remedy this situation.
Quote from: ChileVerde on 01/16/2013 08:22 pmAt the start of the presentation, Mr. Gerstenmaier said that the Europeans would develop the first Service Module and portions of the second Service Module.Portions?They explained that the spare parts for EM-1 that are not used for that mission would be incorporated in EM-2.
Quote from: mr. mark on 01/16/2013 06:50 pmAfter having been around for the NASA moon missions as a youngster, I was hoping that this press event would be the opening salvo toward BEO exploration. Reading some of the reports as to the weight issue with Orion, I am deeply saddened. Of course, the space program is not about me or my dreams. Here's hoping that NASA can come up with something to remedy this situation.I don't know, but to me the weight issue doesn't seem like a big problem. EFT-1 will fly as scheduled as well as EM-1. EM-2 isn't scheduled until 2021, 7 years after the first test flight of EFT-1 which should provide most of the information they need to shed the excess weight. Just my opinion of course.
OK, so ESA will develop and build all of the EM-1 and EM-2 SMs, but portions of the EM-2 SM will be developed and built where left-over spare parts from the EM-1 SM aren't available. I think I've got that.
To push Orion through space, NASA will supply the ATV service module with an extra engine, none other than a recycled Space Shuttle thruster. This engine will supply around 26 kN of thrust in addition to eight smaller engines as backup. The smaller engines will supply a total of 490 N, enough to get Orion back to Earth.Attitude control will be done by yet more thrusters for which the design needs to be finalised, but think in terms of 20+ small engines working together.Although ATV’s solar panel configuration will remain, ESA will give them a significant upgrade. Slightly shorter but wider, Orion’s solar panels will use Gallium Arsenide technology and supply more electricity, up to 11 kW, or enough to power the energy needs of a typical household. These newer solar panels offer 30% efficiency converting solar energy; ATV’s current solar panels only manage around 17%.
Quote from: ChileVerde on 01/16/2013 11:58 pmOK, so ESA will develop and build all of the EM-1 and EM-2 SMs, but portions of the EM-2 SM will be developed and built where left-over spare parts from the EM-1 SM aren't available. I think I've got that.Am I the only person who finds that a bit... whacky?