Author Topic: Q&A with ULA's Dr. George Sowers per ULA/Blue Origin announcement  (Read 70863 times)

Offline Ludus

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Does this program take the place of a program to build the RD-180 in the US which might be expected to produce a vehicle with real continuity with current Atlas in less time?

Offline PahTo

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Dr. Sowers,
You've already answered my questions--thanks a ton(ne) for making yourself available!
Exciting times indeed...

Offline Arb

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Here's the image of the BE-4 test facility that Dr Sowers mentioned.

Can anyone spot the pickup truck?
« Last Edit: 09/21/2014 08:57 pm by Arb »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Thank you Dr Sowers for taking the time to answer my question, I am really looking forward to seeing IVF and the BE-4 in flight!

Also circled the truck below
« Last Edit: 09/21/2014 09:39 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline georgesowers

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Dr. Sowers, thank you for taking the time. Hope things are progressing well.

One question, the current engine compartment (boat tail?) is a smaller diameter than the current Atlas V tanks (but I think the same diameter as the prior Atlas III tanks), will the new vehicle (Does it have an official name?) use a similar design and be able to use the exist mobile launch platform and VIF without modification (even if larger, say 5m tanks are used)?

Again, thank you

We expect modifications to the VIF and MLP which are under evaluation.

Offline georgesowers

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Is ULA's intention to create a common booster core that would serve, or replace, both Atlas and Delta?

 - Ed Kyle

Those details will be forthcoming later this year.

Offline georgesowers

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Will the composite tankage presently being tested for SLS by Boeing and NASA be used on a rocket based upon the ULA/Blue Origin engines?

We are aware of the composite tank work ongoing at BA.  But as of now we don't plan to incorporate that technology in our next generation launch system.

Offline georgesowers

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Blue Origin are planning their own RLV based on BE4. Will they fly it from ULA launch facilities?

PS congratulations on ULA's new exciting future.

That question is better asked of Blue.

Offline georgesowers

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How throtteable will be the BE-4 on the new Atlas X ?

It will have a throttle range similar to the RD-180.

Offline georgesowers

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Will the next generation ULA launch vehicle also get a new upper stage or a RL-10 replacement?

We are studying various options, but will most likely use our existing upper stages initially.

Offline georgesowers

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How are you planning to handle this new vehicle re: ground systems with the minimum amount of disruption to the existing Atlas V pads at VAFB and CCAFS? I'm thinking in terms of schedule impacts.

The details are being worked out, but the objetive will be to minimize impacts to the ongoing manifest.

Offline georgesowers

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Will the new launch vehicle be reusable, or designed with reusability in mind?
Thank you!

The BE-4 is certainly being designed to be reusable.  And although we are studying reusability concepts, this next booster will be expendable.

Offline Jim

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So the transition to the new vehicle might be similar to Atlas II to Atlas V (without the Atlas III step)?

Offline georgesowers

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The USAF recently issued a RFI looking for a replacement engine for the RD-180.  The RFI calls for "a replacement engine with similar performance characteristics to currently used engines, alternative configurations that would provide similar performance (such as a multiple engine configuration) to existing EELV-class systems, and use of alternative launch vehicles for EELV-class systems."  What do you see as the potential impact of this RFI and possibly RFP for ULA and your recent announcement with Blue Origin?  The AF may be looking at a national engine/rocket competition that includes Blue Origin but also SpaceX and wants the new engine to be available commercial to any of the US rocket builders.

ULA submitted a response to the AF RFI and will participate in the industry day and one-on-one sessions this week.  The response by the AF to our partnership with Blue has been extremely favorable so far.

Offline georgesowers

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See if I can squeeze this in...Will this engine be baselined for Boeing's Commercial Crew Contracts?

No.  We plan to use our existing Atlas V to support launch of Boeing's CST-100 through the CCtCap phase.  Future plans will include human rating the new system.

Offline georgesowers

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How does this work integrates with the Common Upper Stage and IVF? Does BE-3 is a possible option for it or you're thinking more of EELV/CUS and then BE-4 boosters/CUS and then a possible BE-4 Boosters / New Upper Stage? A sort of Tick-tock strategy.

We continue to work on ACES and IVF as I wrote in a previous answer.  We will most likely start with the BE-4 booster and then work the upper stage as a senond step.  The BE-3 is certainly an option for ACES.

Offline georgesowers

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Is the new vehicle planned to have its own new pad or will an existing ULA pad be modified for it?

We will modify existing pads.

Offline georgesowers

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The genius of the EELV program was the creation of families of vehicles that address a wide spectrum of requirements.  We intend to maintain that philosophy.
So is the idea that in this next generation of vehicles, one vehicle family will still belong more to Boeing, and one to Lockheed Martin, particularly when it comes to selling services to non-USG customers?

To be determined.

Offline Apollo100

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Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Very enlightening!!!

Did you guys ever consider a new engine from Rocketdyne?
« Last Edit: 09/21/2014 11:24 pm by Apollo100 »

Offline georgesowers

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Do you have any insight that you can share into the trades that led to the choice of oxidizer rich versus fuel rich staged combustion for the BE-4?

As for names, I humbly submit Zeus. He was the successor to Atlas, and the other Titans. In addition, he was the god of thunder; essentially the Greek version of Thor. A bit roundabout, but hopefully a decent homage to the lineage of your current lineup.

Just to reiterate, thank you so much for contributing your time in answering all of our questions.

The trades that led to the specific design of the BE-4 are Blue proprietary.  Ask them.  They are very forthcoming  :)

Zeus is cool. 

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