Author Topic: Gemini Reloaded by new commercial company (Read 9534 times)

apace · « **on:** 02/17/2011 09:55 pm »

Space Operations, Inc. Announces Orbital Manned Commercial Spacecraft by 2012 (Source: Space Ops. Inc)

Space Operations, Inc. announced plans today to build a two-seat manned orbital spacecraft for commercial and government use. The company plans a test launch on Feb. 20, 2012, with a regular flight schedule beginning in late 2012 or early 2013. The Eclipse spacecraft will utilize the highly successful legacy Gemini technology that was developed by NASA to allow SOI to bring this product to market in a very short time frame.

"We will incorporate modern materials and the latest proven technologies into the design to improve performance. This design was flown successfully 13 times back in the sixties, 10 of those missions were manned," said James Hopkins, company CTO. "The technology will allow for land recoveries and quick refurbishment for future missions," said Hopkins. In addition to the crew, the Eclipse will be able to carry approximately 10,000 pounds of cargo into orbit.

More information about the capsule and company are available at www.SpaceOperationsInc.com. The company will utilize the services of other commercial rocket manufacturers to launch the spacecraft. (2/17)

Downix · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/17/2011 10:04 pm »

Sounds like AIO:

http://www.aio50.org/

*edit*
Two of Space Operations board members are within AIO as well, so the link is established.

Malderi · « **Reply #2 on:** 02/17/2011 10:23 pm »

As with many of these companies - cool, but I'll believe it when I see it...

Nate_Trost · « **Reply #3 on:** 02/17/2011 10:26 pm »

That AIO youtube video is....special. Their one-third scale 'flight test vehicle' looks like a piece of gym equipment with skids added in a high school shop class. 2/20/12, eh?

corrodedNut · « **Reply #4 on:** 02/17/2011 11:12 pm »

Note to moderators, there are now three threads on this specific topic, including this one. The other two:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22216.0

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11392.0

kevin-rf · « **Reply #5 on:** 02/18/2011 01:12 am »

HeeHee... Looks like they also want to bring back the Delta III.

Lars_J · « **Reply #6 on:** 02/18/2011 02:39 am »

Is this a joke?

Their website artwork consists of poor Gemini pictures mixed with really rough 'art'.

A_M_Swallow · « **Reply #7 on:** 02/18/2011 03:01 am »

I assume that the payload module can be modified to supply the crew with extra oxygen, water and food.

I can see a door but not a docking port, so can people transfer to say a Bigelow spacestation?

The spacecraft is obviously light, so can any launch vehicle send a mark 3 beyond LEO to say GEO, EML1/2 or LLO?

Downix · « **Reply #8 on:** 02/18/2011 03:38 am »

Quote from: A_M_Swallow on 02/18/2011 03:01 am

I assume that the payload module can be modified to supply the crew with extra oxygen, water and food.

I can see a door but not a docking port, so can people transfer to say a Bigelow spacestation?

The spacecraft is obviously light, so can any launch vehicle send a mark 3 beyond LEO to say GEO, EML1/2 or LLO?

Its a Gemini, no docking port, LAS, but it can be a long term live-in-suit capsule.

JazzFan · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/20/2011 02:55 pm »

Just another PowerPoint spacecraft.

majormajor42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 02/20/2011 03:42 pm »

Is there any want or need of a two person spacecraft? Everything else that is in the works right now seem to be for six to eight people.

Downix · « **Reply #11 on:** 02/20/2011 06:23 pm »

Quote from: majormajor42 on 02/20/2011 03:42 pm

Is there any want or need of a two person spacecraft? Everything else that is in the works right now seem to be for six to eight people.

For my business idea, two is ideal. But mine is an oddity.

William Graham · « **Reply #12 on:** 02/20/2011 08:55 pm »

Quote from: apace on 02/17/2011 09:55 pm

The company plans a test launch on Feb. 20, 2012, with a regular flight schedule beginning in late 2012 or early 2013.

Absolutely no chance of that happening. They're planning to launch on Falcon 9, Atlas V or Delta III (that is not a typo).

The Atlas V manifest if full, and the lead time is more than a year. Same goes for Falcon. The Delta III's manifest is...somewhat less full, given that it was retired from service over a decade ago after failing repeatedly.

alexw · « **Reply #13 on:** 02/20/2011 09:08 pm »

Quote from: GW_Simulations on 02/20/2011 08:55 pm

Quote from: apace on 02/17/2011 09:55 pm
The company plans a test launch on Feb. 20, 2012, with a regular flight schedule beginning in late 2012 or early 2013.
Absolutely no chance of that happening. They're planning to launch on Falcon 9, Atlas V or Delta III (that is not a typo).
The Atlas V manifest if full, and the lead time is more than a year. Same goes for Falcon. The Delta III's manifest is...somewhat less full, given that it was retired from service over a decade ago after failing repeatedly.

Well, it would provide about the only reason to keep DCSS/4m around ... !
-Alex

simonbp · « **Reply #14 on:** 02/21/2011 01:41 am »

Quote from: JazzFan on 02/20/2011 02:55 pm

Just another PowerPoint spacecraft.

More like poor-done MS Paint spacecraft.

And welcome to the forums!

Patchouli · « **Reply #15 on:** 02/21/2011 03:45 am »

I can see Gemini being used on a vehicle like Taurus II or even on PSLV.
One advantage of Gemini you could use a standard ejection seat and consider that a form of a LAS.
But if you want to fly someone in orbit on an American vehicle by April 2012 Spacex's Dragon would be the most likely vehicle that could do the job by that dead line if you're willing to fly with a less then fully tested LAS or even without one.

Hauerg · « **Reply #16 on:** 02/21/2011 04:09 am »

Quote from: Patchouli on 02/21/2011 03:45 am

I can see Gemini being used on a vehicle like Taurus II or even on PSLV.
One advantage of Gemini you could use a standard ejection seat and consider that a form of a LAS.
But if you want to fly someone in orbit on an American vehicle by April 2012 Spacex's Dragon would be the most likely vehicle that could do the job by that dead line if you're willing to fly with a less then fully tested LAS or even without one.

I have hard time seeing a market for a 2 seater (as long as it is not an antigravity powered RLV.

madscientist197 · « **Reply #17 on:** 02/21/2011 07:26 am »

Incorrect.

I think you can probably guess what I was trying to say. Thank-you autoincorrect

A_M_Swallow · « **Reply #18 on:** 02/21/2011 11:36 am »

Quote from: Hauerg on 02/21/2011 04:09 am

I have hard time seeing a market for a 2 seater (as long as it is not an antigravity powered RLV.

We sell 2 seater cars as well as 5 seater family cars.

The hope is that being smaller it will have less mass, permitting a launch vehicle that can send a Dragon only as far as LEO to send son-of-Gemini to EML1/2 or GEO.

Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** 02/21/2011 11:42 am »

Quote from: Patchouli on 02/21/2011 03:45 am

I can see Gemini being used on a vehicle like Taurus II or even on PSLV.
One advantage of Gemini you could use a standard ejection seat and consider that a form of a LAS.

that is not an advantage. The ejection seats were only viable for a Titan II and its specific propellants.