Attached is the SpaceX press kit.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 04/28/2011 05:13 pmAttached is the SpaceX press kit.And the actual press kit... http://www.spacex.com/downloads/20110428-spacex-sts134.pdf
· Static fire testing of the launch escape system engines· Initial design of abort engine and crew accommodations· Prototype evaluations by NASA crew for seats, control panels and cabin
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 04/28/2011 05:13 pm· Static fire testing of the launch escape system engines· Initial design of abort engine and crew accommodations· Prototype evaluations by NASA crew for seats, control panels and cabinLooking at these milestones, they will still have significant work to do to finish up a crewed-ready vehicle. Are they developing their own engines for the LAS ? I think the other vendors have already had static fires of the LAS engines on a test stand. SpaceX looks to be behind here. There is only an "initial" design of abort engine milestone. Does this mean only a token effort for actual integration into the crewed capsule is performed ? Is final integration part of the next phase ?I imagine the current cargo Dragon will not include flight controls, the LAS, and a bunch of other new features (like Windows) that are only necessary for transporting passengers. I know they are trying to push the fact that the 2 vehicles have the same basic design, but in reality, the crewed vehicle needs a new name.
And the actual press kit... http://www.spacex.com/downloads/20110428-spacex-sts134.pdf IMPRESSIVE! and one great presentation. You got to admit having ex NASA astronauts on the team is a huge plus.
You got to admit having ex NASA astronauts on the team is a huge plus.
And to be honest, I agree with the CCDev2 reviewer that using a hybrid rocket is risky for abort. Dreamchaser is cool, but is more difficult to develop.
OK, B$ detector going off big time on the Mars landing aspect. The only way to make that work is with a parachute to get you subsonic first, and then turn on the engines (rockets cannot fire into a supersonic flow)....
The SpaceX design also provides crew with emergency escape capability throughout the entire flight, whereas the Space Shuttle has no escape system and even the Apollo moon program allowed escape only during the first few minutes of flight.
because after that escape was possible without the tower.