Ares I DM-2 Motor Test - Aug 31, 2010

[rdale]

ATK confirms that the DM-2 test is still funded and will take place in the fall. I can't seem to find if there are major differences between last fall's DM-1 and this one though other than a change in the exit cone design.

[phred]

I would think there would have to be major differences, or else why would there be another test?

[rdale]

A different end/exit cone design, but I'm not sure what all that involves.

[FinalFrontier]

ATK confirms that the DM-2 test is still funded and will take place in the fall. I can't seem to find if there are major differences between last fall's DM-1 and this one though other than a change in the exit cone design.

There is no way this will happen unless there are things going on behind closed doors that we are not aware of, or unless there is more to this "garver gambit plant" then previously thought. Otherwise there is no reason for a four or five segment booster anymore for anything only Jupiter or ares could use them and they are both dead right now.

[rdale]

From what I understood - it's already paid for (other than test labor) so there wasn't much to be gained by selling it for scrap.

[phred]

It would seem a shame to dispense with such a major componant as this family of motors.  The 2011 budget summary does call for "New approaches to first stage launch propulsion."  Maybe that means a more sophisticated liquid propellant booster (with flyback capability?)

It's speculation at this point.

phred

[Patchouli]

How far along is the 5 segment RSRM and could it be applied to a new SDLV?

[robertross]

How far along is the 5 segment RSRM and could it be applied to a new SDLV?

Probably a year away at the most?
One of the interesting comments I made a while back on the Direct thread (though it was taken out of context) was that 'IF' they were spending more time trying to adapt the propellant burn characteristics to ensure reduced thrust oscillation, and Ares I isn't needing it any longer, then a Jupiter (or any inline SDHLV) could use it as-is due to the attachement method in the ET, and how it dampens this out.

Of course they still need more things tested on this SRB, like parachutes, so it still has way to go, but if we 'drop' the need for reusability in the near term (as in get a pair of unqualified flight units), then we should be able to mount the 4-segment recovery system on top and see how that works. If it doesn't, then it really doesn't matter.

Course this will probably never happen...

[wannamoonbase]

Another example of a broken Washington government.  A useless system continuing nearly a year after a very obviously dead vehicle.

The feds need to start writing better contracts.

[sandrot]

[...] The feds need to start writing better contracts.

They did a good job apparently. Isn't it illegal to change the course (despite Obama's wishful thinking?).

[HIPAR]

Sometimes it costs less to allow a contract to complete a milestone rather than pay termination costs.  With all that talk about NASA eventually perusing heavy lift to go beyond LEO, these motors may retain some purpose.

---  CHAS

[Jorge]

Another example of a broken Washington government.  A useless system continuing nearly a year after a very obviously dead vehicle.

The feds need to start writing better contracts.

The feds cannot write contracts that violate federal law, namely the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

Funds appropriated by Congress (in this case, CxP funding for FY10) cannot be impounded by the executive branch (in this case, NASA) for other purposes unless Congress passes supplemental appropriations language allowing it.

The fact that the executive branch has a budget proposal for FY11 that cancels the program in question has no bearing on the law.

[JohnFornaro]

Another example of a broken Washington government.  A useless system continuing nearly a year after a very obviously dead vehicle.

The feds need to start writing better contracts.

The feds cannot write contracts that violate federal law, namely the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

"Writing better contracts" cannot be considered as a suggestion that the feds should be writing contracts that violate the law, so the admonition seems unnecessary.

[rdale]

ATK:

The test bay @ ATK is being readied to stack segments for the 2nd full scale test fire of Ares I 5-segment solid rocket motor this fall.

[renclod]

The 3rd segment of the Ares I first stage DM2 is in the test stand at ATK in prep for ground test early Sept, 2 more segments to go

[renclod]

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/450887main_179554-07.jpg
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/450891main_179554-14.jpg

"The 4th segment of Ares I first stage is in the test stand in prep for ground test early fall - one more segment to go"

[sdsds]

Of course ATK might proceed with the test regardless of funding, but September 30 is the end of FY10.  Are they on track to fire this motor before then?

[renclod]

Of course ATK might proceed with the test regardless of funding, but September 30 is the end of FY10.  Are they on track to fire this motor before then?

September 2 (according to @ATKRocketNews)

[Will]

Of course ATK might proceed with the test regardless of funding, but September 30 is the end of FY10.  Are they on track to fire this motor before then?

If the contract is cancelled, firing the motor is probably the cheapest way to dispose of the propellant.

[renclod]

ATK: NASA releases funds: Ares rocket work may continue through at least September

http://bit.ly/dcdAy0

>>> "We have received our routine contract notice from NASA for incremental funding through the remainder of GFY10," said Trina Patterson, senior manager of media relations for ATK Space Systems.
...
The 2010 funding of $160 million allows for another Utah test of the rocket motor in September as part of the completion process for the first stage of the Ares I. <<<