Author Topic: XCOR and the Lynx rocket (Read 620878 times)

yg1968 · « **Reply #420 on:** 04/14/2013 10:48 pm »

It's possible that both rocket powered stages will fly back and land on a runway. In the aero video, Greason mentions that there is 2 options that they are considering. One is a huge carriercraft (probably similar to Sratolaunch) and the other is one with smaller components. It seems that they opted for the second approach.

There is also this 2012 interview by Andrew Nelson on Xcor's orbital plans. He says that they will continue with the space plane design for their orbital plans (at the 5 minute mark):
http://moonandback.com/2012/12/05/andrew-nelson-xcors-orbital-plans-moonandback-interview/

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #421 on:** 04/14/2013 11:09 pm »

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/14/2013 10:48 pm

It seems that they opted for the second approach.

I thought that too at first. But looking at the orbital spaceplane that DeLong was involved with at Teledyne that used a 747 as the carrier aircraft. If (and I appreciate it's a big if, without any more details) XCOR are thinking of going that route then I'm not sure I'd classify it as small! It could be (relatively) cheap though given that you could buy a used 747 for rather less than I'd imagine it would cost to develop a new large carrier.

yg1968 · « **Reply #422 on:** 04/14/2013 11:12 pm »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/14/2013 11:09 pm

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/14/2013 10:48 pm
It seems that they opted for the second approach.

I thought that too at first. But looking at the orbital spaceplane that DeLong was involved with at Teledyne that used a 747 as the carrier aircraft. If (and I appreciate it's a big if, without any more details) XCOR are thinking of going that route then I'm not sure I'd classify it as small! It could be (relatively) cheap though given that you could buy a used 747 for rather less than I'd imagine it would cost to develop a new large carrier.

It's small compared to the Stratolaunch aircraft.

QuantumG · « **Reply #423 on:** 04/15/2013 12:26 am »

How about in-air assembly?

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #424 on:** 04/15/2013 12:56 am »

Quote from: QuantumG on 04/15/2013 12:26 am

How about in-air assembly?

But JP Aerospace are doing that for their 3rd stage in the airship-to-orbit programme. I think XCOR want to be different

simonbp · « **Reply #425 on:** 04/15/2013 01:55 am »

Both stages are reusable, Greason was clear on that. I would presume they are winged, but that's just speculation.

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #426 on:** 04/19/2013 08:18 am »

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/18/the-weather-channel-visits-the-xcor-hangar-in-mojave/
I find that Greason is the Ben Franklin of new space.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benjamin_franklin.html

Moe Grills · « **Reply #427 on:** 04/19/2013 08:00 pm »

Quote from: Hernalt on 04/19/2013 08:18 am

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/18/the-weather-channel-visits-the-xcor-hangar-in-mojave/
I find that Greason is the Ben Franklin of new space.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/benjamin_franklin.html

I'm going to make a lot of people here angry with my comments, but I don't care.

I'm very disappointed in the video from WC.
Yes, I'm delighted to see actual gritty work and hardware (PIECES)
being cut, assembled, etc.
(I've actually worked in a machine shop, unlike may of you).
But no actual Lynx fuselage to be seen.
Mr. Greason's claim that it will fly before the end of the year is...
comparable to what beef cattle leave on the field; you know what I mean?

OTOH, in contrast, I'm delighted to see real progress with Scaled Composites' SS2, which may be only hours or a couple of days away from
actual powered flight.
SS2 will leave Lynx in the dust. How's them apples?

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #428 on:** 04/20/2013 05:00 am »

Quote from: Moe Grills on 04/19/2013 08:00 pm

My inference was to frugality and clever, compact invention. Self-propulsion, commercial availability of kerosene and liquid oxygen, fast turnaround times, low overhead, large habitat, small external payload option.

Space OurSoul · « **Reply #429 on:** 04/20/2013 11:36 pm »

It occurs to me that NASA has a 747 they're not using any more with hard-points already attached to the top.

That probably doesn't count as an "aircraft you can buy", though.

I'll put my 10$ on a DC10 with an REL SCIMITAR in the vertical stabilizer :-)

yg1968 · « **Reply #430 on:** 04/21/2013 12:08 am »

We kind of suspected it already (based on prior articles) but this summary says that both stages of the XCOR reusable orbital system will come back for a horizontal landing.

Quote

-He also gave a brief outline of the fully reusable orbital system that he has occasionally mentioned over the years as their long term goal.
-They are confident that the design now closes
-Base on air launch of a two stage rocket vehicle.
-No details on the carrier aircraft
-Both stages return for horizontal landing
-Aiming for $1M per person cost to LEO

http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/space-access03913-summary-and-resources.html

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #431 on:** 04/21/2013 12:22 am »

I'm assuming 'both stages' in this context means both rocket stages? If so then all three system stages (including the carrier aircraft) land horizontally.

yg1968 · « **Reply #432 on:** 04/21/2013 12:53 am »

Quote from: Hernalt on 04/19/2013 08:18 am

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/18/the-weather-channel-visits-the-xcor-hangar-in-mojave/

Greason says that they expect to fly the bird within the next 6 months. They are getting closer.

savuporo · « **Reply #433 on:** 04/21/2013 01:01 am »

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/21/2013 12:08 am

..the XCOR reusable orbital system will come back for a horizontal landing..

My favorite kind of newspace companies are the ones that show a lot of results before talking big ambitions. I hope XCOR will stay in that category.

QuantumG · « **Reply #434 on:** 04/21/2013 01:02 am »

Can we have a new thread for the XCOR orbital talk?

It's polluting this one.

Lars_J · « **Reply #435 on:** 04/21/2013 06:47 am »

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/21/2013 12:53 am

Quote from: Hernalt on 04/19/2013 08:18 am
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/18/the-weather-channel-visits-the-xcor-hangar-in-mojave/

Greason says that they expect to fly the bird within the next 6 months. They are getting closer.

Haven't they been roughly 6 months away from flight for a while now?

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #436 on:** 04/21/2013 07:38 am »

Quote from: Lars_J on 04/21/2013 06:47 am

Haven't they been roughly 6 months away from flight for a while now?

Yes! Like Virgin Galactic XCOR have been discovering that things take a lot longer than they thought. XCOR have changed their wing supplier so maybe part of the delay is due to supplier issues?

QuantumG · « **Reply #437 on:** 04/21/2013 08:23 am »

Quote from: Lars_J on 04/21/2013 06:47 am

Haven't they been roughly 6 months away from flight for a while now?

They've refused to say for years how far they are away from starting test flights. I believe it was early last year that they finally gave any sort of schedule, and it was specifically "a hope, not a promise". Then they had the cockpit supplier issue. Then the wing supplier issue. They're running into the same problems as SpaceX: this industry is full of half-baked suppliers that make promises but can't deliver. If XCOR end up having to vertically integrate, it'll be years more of delays, as they simply don't have a lot of money to throw at the problem.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #438 on:** 04/23/2013 09:30 pm »

Moving this thread back live. There's no chance I can edit in a split thread with all those links, or I'll be here all day.

So, if we need a second thread, start one.

yg1968 · « **Reply #439 on:** 04/24/2013 12:42 am »

Update: