The only new manrated vehicle they could refer to would be the Falcon 9.
Tony Bruno became President of ULA in August, and Boeing has been saying that they could use Falcon 9 for quite a long time...... but Falcon 9 would always be a possible backup they could point to.
Quote from: newpylong on 01/18/2015 04:00 pmThe new vehicle Boeing speaks of is the Atlas replacement, which will not be ready before the decade is out but is something they are already working on for certification.Do you have a citation for that? If you don't, then please don't phrase your statement as an assertion of fact.
The new vehicle Boeing speaks of is the Atlas replacement, which will not be ready before the decade is out but is something they are already working on for certification.
Boeing Technical: .... The launch vehicle has demonstrated reliability and well-known failure modes and operating environments, which facilitates an integrated abort system for a crewed system and results in a safer launch vehicle. Both of these elements of the CTS design solution reduce technical and schedule risk and increase ability to meet safety requirements for human spaceflight. I also recognized that Boeing proposed to pursue an alternate launch vehicle in parallel with their baseline design work. This new launch vehicle, if used in the CTS design, provides alternatives but would negate the benefits of the established reliability of the existing launch vehicle.
A new LV, which likely relies on the new liquid engine program, at least explains the difference in costs.
Perhaps one day Atlas/Delta/SLS will be consolidated and the US will have two non sole source LVs...
Here is the full GAO decision (21 pages) on the SNC protest:http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/667979.pdf
Perhaps one day Atlas/Delta/SLS will be consolidated
In addition to the new LV, Boeing uses the old LV (Atlas?) that is no longer allowed to support the DOD.
1. A new LV, which likely relies on the new liquid engine program, at least explains the difference in costs.2. So by the sole source document alone, Altas is not specified....neither is Falcon or CST-100...