Author Topic: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)  (Read 700273 times)

Offline MP99

Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #360 on: 04/14/2014 06:06 pm »
Avionics System for SLS Boosters Gets 'Boost' of Its Own on Path to Space
April 10, 2014

Image Caption:

Early-Stage SLS Booster Separation
Artist concept of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters firing their separation rockets and pushing away from the core stage, which continues toward space with the Orion spacecraft.
(Note: artist concept current as of April 10, 2014)
Image credit: NASA/MSFC

Wow, are the booster separation motors really going to impinge directly on the core like the illustration shows? They certainly didn't do that to the Shuttle's ET.

I wondered if that was actually reflection of glow from the MPS, rather than sep motors? But think not, as not sure there should be such reflections off the top sections of the boosters.

cheers, Martin

Offline Lobo

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6915
  • Spokane, WA
  • Liked: 672
  • Likes Given: 437
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #361 on: 04/14/2014 11:18 pm »
I thought this was interesting:

"As future missions are defined for the 130-metric-ton vehicle -- the largest configuration planned -- NASA will consider various engine options that are the best value and design."

I wonder if that will include a six-engined core, the only configuration I know that will get 130 t using the existing RSRMV boosters.

Doubt it. That would make it a completely different launch vehicle and take several years to develop.

I don't see how they could conceivably switch to any other core engine without a complete redesign. And what would the basis for such a decision be? "We need to find a way to delay actual SLS missions for ten more years. Hey I know, let's find some 'cheaper' engines to, ya know, save money."

I think had the six engine core been looked at to build up front, it would have had merit.  The train is a little far down the tracks now.   Given when the core would burn out with six engines, the upper stage would probably be required to get even to LEO, much less BLEO.  So not sure if DCSS would be an option.  So not sure if it could have flown by the 2017 date specified in NAA2010.   Maybe they could have had a 6-engine MPS and core designed, but only put four engines in "Block 1".  And with DCSS it could then have been able to get Orion to LEO and through TLI. 
Then the addition of a large J2X upper stage would be all that was needed to get 130mt to LEO.

Offline SaxtonHale

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 175
  • Liked: 127
  • Likes Given: 143
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #362 on: 04/14/2014 11:53 pm »
Avionics System for SLS Boosters Gets 'Boost' of Its Own on Path to Space
April 10, 2014

Image Caption:

Early-Stage SLS Booster Separation
Artist concept of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters firing their separation rockets and pushing away from the core stage, which continues toward space with the Orion spacecraft.
(Note: artist concept current as of April 10, 2014)
Image credit: NASA/MSFC

Wow, are the booster separation motors really going to impinge directly on the core like the illustration shows? They certainly didn't do that to the Shuttle's ET.

The BSMs did char the tank, and catch the orbiter a little bit also.

But you're right, they didn't point directly into the tank - they had to push away from the wings.
« Last Edit: 04/14/2014 11:54 pm by SaxtonHale »

Offline Hog

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2846
  • Woodstock
  • Liked: 1700
  • Likes Given: 6866
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #363 on: 04/16/2014 07:44 pm »
Avionics System for SLS Boosters Gets 'Boost' of Its Own on Path to Space
April 10, 2014

Image Caption:

Early-Stage SLS Booster Separation
Artist concept of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters firing their separation rockets and pushing away from the core stage, which continues toward space with the Orion spacecraft.
(Note: artist concept current as of April 10, 2014)
Image credit: NASA/MSFC

Wow, are the booster separation motors really going to impinge directly on the core like the illustration shows? They certainly didn't do that to the Shuttle's ET.

The BSMs did char the tank, and catch the orbiter a little bit also.

But you're right, they didn't point directly into the tank - they had to push away from the wings.
Since there are now no wings, there is no need to angle away. Makes sense that they would thrust squarely away from the core.
Paul

Offline woods170

  • IRAS fan
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12096
  • IRAS fan
  • The Netherlands
  • Liked: 18202
  • Likes Given: 12162
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #364 on: 04/24/2014 11:24 am »
Dan Dumbacher leaving NASA July 1

http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/40322top-sls-orion-official-leaving-nasa-july-1

Quote
Dan Dumbacher, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development, will leave the agency effective July 1, a NASA spokesman confirmed April 21.

Offline newpylong

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1499
  • Liked: 200
  • Likes Given: 343
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #365 on: 05/06/2014 05:45 pm »
« Last Edit: 05/06/2014 05:46 pm by newpylong »

Offline newpylong

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1499
  • Liked: 200
  • Likes Given: 343
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #366 on: 05/06/2014 09:54 pm »

Offline BrightLight

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1381
  • Northern New Mexico
  • Liked: 312
  • Likes Given: 924
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #367 on: 05/06/2014 10:24 pm »
http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/structural-test-stands.html#.U2lYjHrD8m8

Test Stand construction at MSFC to begin May.
Is test-to-destruction required on these tanks? that would be quite the show.

Online Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39218
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32738
  • Likes Given: 8196
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #368 on: 05/07/2014 07:35 am »
Video of the LN2 cryogenic tests on the RS-25 test stand. Attached are the images of the LH2 and LOX tank test stands.

Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline TomH

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2938
  • Vancouver, WA
  • Liked: 1868
  • Likes Given: 909
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #369 on: 05/07/2014 11:14 pm »
Video of the LN2 cryogenic tests on the RS-25 test stand.

It is always encouraging to see these enthusiastic young people moving into this industry. It's comforting to know that a competent new generation will keep progress moving forward when we are gone.

Offline Starlab90

  • NASA Retired
  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 513
  • Huntsville, AL
  • Liked: 786
  • Likes Given: 314
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #370 on: 05/09/2014 01:50 am »
Just a couple of links for your reading pleasure: First, the April SLS Monthly Highlights are now available.

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/sls_highlights.html#.U2wzX6lDuh0

Then, last month the NASA Advisory Council HEO Committee met. At the link below, you will find some overview presentations by Bill Gerstenmaier, Dan Dumbacher, and others that give a pretty comprehensive overview of what's going in the NASA human spaceflight area.

http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/nac-heoc/#.U2wxmKlDuh0

Offline rayleighscatter

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1098
  • Maryland
  • Liked: 565
  • Likes Given: 238
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #371 on: 05/19/2014 11:25 pm »
8.5 million contract awarded to drydock the barge Pegasus and refit it for SLS. As well as maintenance and refurbishment the barge will be lengthened from 260 to 310 feet.

Offline Halidon

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 848
  • whereabouts unknown
  • Liked: 180
  • Likes Given: 533
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #372 on: 05/20/2014 12:01 am »
8.5 million contract awarded to drydock the barge Pegasus and refit it for SLS. As well as maintenance and refurbishment the barge will be lengthened from 260 to 310 feet.
Here's the announcement on NASA.gov Includes who's doing the work (Conrad) and who's supplying the design and engineering support (Bristol Harbor and the Corps of Engineers).

Offline TomH

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2938
  • Vancouver, WA
  • Liked: 1868
  • Likes Given: 909
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #373 on: 05/20/2014 05:00 pm »
8.5 million contract awarded to drydock the barge Pegasus and refit it for SLS. As well as maintenance and refurbishment the barge will be lengthened from 260 to 310 feet.

Wonder whether SpaceX had any thoughts about a joint funding to make Pegasus big enough to carry one core of their BFR. Then SpaceX and NASA could cost share transportation of both HLV cores from site of manufacture to launch area.

Offline kirghizstan

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 671
  • Liked: 179
  • Likes Given: 86
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #374 on: 05/20/2014 05:04 pm »
Tom, i know this is probably off topic but it is probably a better play for SpaceX to simply let NASA do the work then sign a lease agreement for use of the rarely used barge.

Offline Jim

  • Night Gator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 37441
  • Cape Canaveral Spaceport
  • Liked: 21451
  • Likes Given: 428
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #375 on: 05/20/2014 05:43 pm »
Wonder whether SpaceX had any thoughts about a joint funding to make Pegasus big enough to carry one core of their BFR. Then SpaceX and NASA could cost share transportation of both HLV cores from site of manufacture to launch area.

Paying for modifications to a ship for an undefined rocket from an undefined factory to an undefined launch site in an undefined timeframe?

Offline Lobo

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6915
  • Spokane, WA
  • Liked: 672
  • Likes Given: 437
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #376 on: 05/20/2014 11:28 pm »
Wonder whether SpaceX had any thoughts about a joint funding to make Pegasus big enough to carry one core of their BFR. Then SpaceX and NASA could cost share transportation of both HLV cores from site of manufacture to launch area.

Paying for modifications to a ship for an undefined rocket from an undefined factory to an undefined launch site in an undefined timeframe?

Hmmmm...sounds like something the government would fund.  heh.

Offline TomH

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2938
  • Vancouver, WA
  • Liked: 1868
  • Likes Given: 909
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #377 on: 05/20/2014 11:32 pm »
Wonder whether SpaceX had any thoughts about a joint funding to make Pegasus big enough to carry one core of their BFR. Then SpaceX and NASA could cost share transportation of both HLV cores from site of manufacture to launch area.

Paying for modifications to a ship for an undefined rocket from an undefined factory to an undefined launch site in an undefined timeframe?

Your point is well taken. Nevertheless, if the answers to those questions are more defined in their minds than they have publicly stated, it could be a narrow window of opportunity for them to acquire that transport for a lot lower cost than starting from scratch at a point later in time. Spend a penny now to save a pound later. Just something to give thought to if taking the long view way down the road. That's all. I didn't say they should do it. I only wonder whether they might have mulled it over.

Since NASA's already putting the thing in dry dock and paying to have it cut and resized, that makes me wonder how much more on top of that it would cost to make it SX-BFR sized in one shot. If it only cost an extra one or 2 million to make it that much larger, it could benefit both parties down the road.
« Last Edit: 05/20/2014 11:42 pm by TomH »

Offline TomH

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2938
  • Vancouver, WA
  • Liked: 1868
  • Likes Given: 909
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #378 on: 05/20/2014 11:37 pm »
Tom, i know this is probably off topic but it is probably a better play for SpaceX to simply let NASA do the work then sign a lease agreement for use of the rarely used barge.

But their core will be bigger than SLS core and (I think) would not fit on the barge. I doubt they could talk NASA into paying for enlarging the barge to SX-BFR size specs for free, unless they had really high confidence they could lease the thing out enough times to make a profit on it.

Offline newpylong

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1499
  • Liked: 200
  • Likes Given: 343
Re: SLS Development Stage UPDATE Thread (2)
« Reply #379 on: 05/21/2014 01:17 pm »
The work is being done for a rocket that already has metal being bent.  Mutual financed/utilized projects are always nice but there are just too many unknowns with the BFR at this point. If SpaceX wants to use it later, then it can be retrofitted again at their expense.



 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1