It would be really sweet if the contract lets SX decide how to launch this. FH sized for sure, but Starship once things get going?
Quote from: freddo411 on 03/27/2020 07:27 pmIt would be really sweet if the contract lets SX decide how to launch this. FH sized for sure, but Starship once things get going?Once Starship gets going, why launch something as small as this?
Quote from: eweilow on 03/27/2020 07:30 pmQuote from: freddo411 on 03/27/2020 07:27 pmIt would be really sweet if the contract lets SX decide how to launch this. FH sized for sure, but Starship once things get going?Once Starship gets going, why launch something as small as this?Because FH is ready and Super Heavy isn't. Although, it would be interesting to see if SpaceX has an option to substitute one for the other.
I thought SpaceX was winding down its production of boosters -- presumably if this contract involves several launches that could make SpaceX restart production?
Quote from: freddo411 on 03/27/2020 07:27 pmIt would be really sweet if the contract lets SX decide how to launch this. FH sized for sure, but Starship once things get going?Yes but why bother, is Starship just going to park next to the Gateway deploy Dragon XL then pick it up and take it home?
1. The solar panels are identical to those used on Dragon
Quote from: abaddon on 03/27/2020 06:42 pmQuote from: TheRadicalModerate on 03/27/2020 06:39 pmIt looks like an FHE and a plain ol' Dragon 2, even outfitted with a bunch of ECLSS and crew consumables that they don't need, could take 4.5 t to NRHO with no problem. Surely if they stripped out all the crew-critical stuff from D2 it would carry 5 t as-is? Why the redesign?VolumeAnd cost.
Quote from: TheRadicalModerate on 03/27/2020 06:39 pmIt looks like an FHE and a plain ol' Dragon 2, even outfitted with a bunch of ECLSS and crew consumables that they don't need, could take 4.5 t to NRHO with no problem. Surely if they stripped out all the crew-critical stuff from D2 it would carry 5 t as-is? Why the redesign?Volume
It looks like an FHE and a plain ol' Dragon 2, even outfitted with a bunch of ECLSS and crew consumables that they don't need, could take 4.5 t to NRHO with no problem. Surely if they stripped out all the crew-critical stuff from D2 it would carry 5 t as-is? Why the redesign?
Remember this is not only Gateway logistics contract but "deep space logistics", for NASA deep space missions, not only Gateway ones.
My questions are:1) Is the cargo volume the same or larger than cargo D2?2) Will part of that 5t of cargo include propellent for transfer?
Quote from: pochimax on 03/27/2020 08:11 pmRemember this is not only Gateway logistics contract but "deep space logistics", for NASA deep space missions, not only Gateway ones.What makes you say that? My understanding it that this contract is only for Gateway.
Wonder if this will need the extended faring?