Author Topic: Golden Spike announce Phase A for commercial lunar landing missions (Read 268607 times)

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #720 on:** 05/16/2013 06:11 am »

Quote from: simonbp on 05/16/2013 12:09 am

One heck of a spokesman...

Warren Platts · « **Reply #721 on:** 05/22/2013 05:24 pm »

Jeff Foust tweet of Stern talking at spacetechexpo: "ULA has developed a two-launch architecture for Golden Spike using Atlas 5 with upgraded ACES upper stage."

Kind of interesting on both fronts: GS going with A5 rather than FH, and ACES apparently not forgotten...

EDIT: also: GS riskier than United, safer than Everest!!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #722 on:** 05/22/2013 06:47 pm »

For me Stern's most significant comment is:

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/337254477931368448

Quote

@jeff_foust: Stern: have spoken to a number of space agencies with strong indications of interest; starting to talk to corporations too. #spacetechexpo

My big issue with Golden Spike is whether there's really a market for them. Sounds like that at least in principle some countries may be interested. Of course that's still a very long way from a sale ...

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #723 on:** 05/22/2013 07:23 pm »

Quote from: Warren Platts on 05/22/2013 05:24 pm

Jeff Foust tweet of Stern talking at spacetechexpo: "ULA has developed a two-launch architecture for Golden Spike using Atlas 5 with upgraded ACES upper stage."

What upgrades?

Stern, Masten and Bernard Kutter should be locked in a room like Apollo 13 ground control.

Warren Platts · « **Reply #724 on:** 05/22/2013 09:41 pm »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/22/2013 06:47 pm

For me Stern's most significant comment is:

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/337254477931368448

Quote
@jeff_foust: Stern: have spoken to a number of space agencies with strong indications of interest; starting to talk to corporations too. #spacetechexpo

My big issue with Golden Spike is whether there's really a market for them. Sounds like that at least in principle some countries may be interested. Of course that's still a very long way from a sale ...

When SLS/Orion finally collapses, they'll be looking for something "quick 'n' dirty" to take it's place....

IMHO YMMV

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #725 on:** 05/22/2013 09:58 pm »

Quote from: Hernalt on 05/22/2013 07:23 pm

Quote from: Warren Platts on 05/22/2013 05:24 pm
Jeff Foust tweet of Stern talking at spacetechexpo: "ULA has developed a two-launch architecture for Golden Spike using Atlas 5 with upgraded ACES upper stage."

What upgrades?

Stern, Masten and Bernard Kutter should be locked in a room like Apollo 13 ground control.

It's still vapour-wear but it's encouraging that ULA have taken the time to update their EELV Phase-1 proposal for Golden Spike's particular needs. That said, no money, no metal-bending and I don't see ULA going down the SpaceX route and developing capabilities ahead of solid (and paying) customer interest.

jongoff · « **Reply #726 on:** 05/22/2013 11:28 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 05/22/2013 09:58 pm

Quote from: Hernalt on 05/22/2013 07:23 pm
Quote from: Warren Platts on 05/22/2013 05:24 pm
Jeff Foust tweet of Stern talking at spacetechexpo: "ULA has developed a two-launch architecture for Golden Spike using Atlas 5 with upgraded ACES upper stage."

What upgrades?

Stern, Masten and Bernard Kutter should be locked in a room like Apollo 13 ground control.

It's still vapour-wear but it's encouraging that ULA have taken the time to update their EELV Phase-1 proposal for Golden Spike's particular needs. That said, no money, no metal-bending and I don't see ULA going down the SpaceX route and developing capabilities ahead of solid (and paying) customer interest.

Actually, AIUI there's a decent amount of metal bending feeding into ACES that's currently being funded. Stuff like IVF that's needed to make ACES and this work, long-term cryo storage stuff, etc.

~Jon

RocketmanUS · « **Reply #727 on:** 05/23/2013 01:58 am »

For more on the ACES
thread: The Development of ACES for numerous concepts
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=27680.0

simonbp · « **Reply #728 on:** 05/23/2013 05:30 am »

Just to collect all of Jeff Foust's tweets on what Stern said:

Stern: whole series of false starts in human spaceflight since Bush 41's SEI, but on the verge of something different now.

Stern: no lack of prestige if nations buy Golden Spike missions. Most countries with nat'l airlines don't build own airliners

Stern: your mental model of Golden Spike should not be that of an aerospace company like Boeing; more like an airline.

Stern: ULA has developed a two-launch architecture for Golden Spike using Atlas 5 with upgraded ACES upper stage.

Stern: 1st round of initial Golden Spike architecture studies wrapping up next week; 2nd round planned for later this year.

Stern: have spoken to a number of space agencies with strong indications of interest; starting to talk to corporations too.

Stern: make clear in our messaging these missions riskier than getting on an airplane, but plan to be safer than Everest.

The last point is interesting. There are not shortage of people buying their way into hikes to the top of Everest, despite the huge numbers of deaths every year.

Also, I'm a bit confused. Is that two launches per TLI (so four total per landing, as in the earlier white paper), or two per landing (presumably the ACES stage on top of an Atlas Heavy)?

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #729 on:** 05/24/2013 10:07 am »

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/05/16/a-qa-with-golden-spikes-alan-stern/
A Q&A with Golden Spike’s Alan Stern
Doug Messier May 16, 2013

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #730 on:** 08/14/2013 03:45 am »

I am requesting specific questions for Alan Stern, in light of previous NSF interviews and release of the Northrop Grumman lander.

E.g.
How risky is it to go with all-cryogenic propellant for the first return trip to the daytime nearside?

What improvements in lunar dust mitigation?

Any capability at all for polar landing sites with this NG lander as depicted?

Etc.

Thank you

RocketmanUS · « **Reply #731 on:** 09/05/2013 01:36 am »

Any specs for the Northrop Grumman lander?

Mass ?
dimensions ?

Will it be able to bring it's self from LLO to Lunar surface without a crasher stage.

If replacing the crew and cabin could it bring 1,000 lb of cargo to the Lunar surface?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #732 on:** 10/23/2013 11:58 pm »

A bit of a peek-a-boo from GS.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/golden-spike-lunar-sample-return-options/

QuantumG · « **Reply #733 on:** 10/24/2013 12:03 am »

Cool article. My first reaction to the unmanned rover caching rocks was "gee, why?" but then you answered my question!

KelvinZero · « **Reply #734 on:** 10/24/2013 09:41 am »

Regardless, such returnees to the Moon won’t be NASA astronauts, with the current Agency leadership steadfast in resolve to guide NASA on an undefined roadmap that only includes missions involving Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), prior to eventually setting their sights on Mars.

I think some frustration is leaking through here.

Anyway, I like any plan which involves getting some rovers on the moon asap, and manned an unmanned missions to the same location.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #735 on:** 10/26/2013 05:06 pm »

Quote from: KelvinZero on 10/24/2013 09:41 am

Regardless, such returnees to the Moon won’t be NASA astronauts, with the current Agency leadership steadfast in resolve to guide NASA on an undefined roadmap that only includes missions involving Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), prior to eventually setting their sights on Mars.

I think some frustration is leaking through here.

Anyway, I like any plan which involves getting some rovers on the moon asap, and manned an unmanned missions to the same location.

Factual frustration!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #736 on:** 11/20/2013 06:39 pm »

A release to keep them moving forward:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Golden Spike Forms Lunar Science Advisory Board To Help Plan the Next Human Moon Missions

BOULDER, CO (November 20, 2013) – The Golden Spike Company announced today it has created a Lunar Science Advisory Board to help guide the company’s development of the world’s first private human lunar expedition capability.

The seven inaugural members of the Lunar Science Advisory Board, or LSAB, are distinguished lunar and planetary scientists from around the world. They will provide Golden Spike with scientific expertise and will recommend exploration strategies, sample collection and return requirements, and surface experiment package needs.

The LSAB will be chaired by prominent lunar scientist Dr. Clive Neal of Notre Dame University. Other inaugural members include Dr. Peter Brown of the University of Western Ontario in Canada, Dr. James Carpenter, located in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, Dr. Tai Sik Lee of Hanyang University in Korea, Dr. Georgiana Kramer of the University Space research Association, Dr. William B. McKinnon of Washington University in St. Louis, and Dr. Steven Mackwell, Director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

“The expertise on this advisory board will enable new and exciting lunar science that builds upon Apollo to take full advantage of Golden Spike’s new paradigm for human spaceflight,” said LSAB Chair Dr. Neal.

Added Dr. Mackwell: “Golden Spike’s early involvement with the scientific community stands as a model where optimization of scientific return must be a critical part of our exploration strategy”.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the powerful depth and diversity of expertise represented by our new Lunar Science Advisory Board,” said Dr. Alan Stern, CEO of Golden Spike. “We are also proud of the international representation of this team, which will be immensely valuable to creating a lunar exploration system of broad interest to space and science agencies around the world,” Stern added.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #737 on:** 12/10/2013 03:08 pm »

New GS release:

GOLDEN SPIKE PARNTERS WITH HONEYBEE ROBOTICS TO DESIGN UNMANNED LUNAR ROVERS
Effort Will Enhance Scientific Return of Commercial Human Expeditions to the Moon

BOULDER, CO (December 10, 2013) – The Golden Spike Company—the world’s first enterprise planning to undertake human lunar expeditions for countries, corporations and individuals —announced today a partnership with Honeybee Robotics—a premier provider of robotic systems for space—to design unmanned rovers capable of enhancing the next human missions to the Moon.

Working with technical staff at Golden Spike, Honeybee engineers will conduct trade studies for the design of configurable robotic rovers that can collect and store scientific samples from the Moon’s surface in support of Golden Spike’s expeditions. The results of the study will be complete by mid-2014.

Honeybee has extensive expertise in planetary sampling and geotechnical analysis, having delivered systems for the last three of NASA’s Mars landers, including the Rock Abrasion Tool for the Mars Exploration Rovers; the “Phoenix Scoop” for the Phoenix Mars Lander; and the Dust Removal Tool and Sample Manipulation System for the Mars Science Laboratory. The company’s facilities are equipped with NASA-certified clean rooms and unique space environment simulation chambers.

"We’re very proud to be working with Honeybee, which has tremendous experience and a record of successful performance in the development of flight systems for NASA,” said Dr. S. Alan Stern, Golden Spike’s President and CEO.

“For over 25 years, Honeybee has been delivering innovative robotics for space and planetary exploration,” said Steve Gorevan, co-founder and Chairman of Honeybee Robotics. “Our team has experience developing dozens of planetary sampling, sample processing, instrumentation and mobility technologies for missions to Mars, the Moon and asteroids. It is an honor to be working with Golden Spike and helping them advance human spaceflight through lunar exploration.”

Earlier this year, an international scientific workshop led by Golden Spike proposed new concepts for lunar missions, including robotic-human expeditions. The proposal envisions sending robotic systems to the Moon to collect samples ahead of a crewed Golden Spike expedition to retrieve the robot’s cache. The concept allows the scientific return of a mission to be more extensive, since it would include samples collected by the rover many miles (kilometers) away from a landing site.

Golden Spike’s lunar science advisory board chair, Dr. Clive Neal, of Notre Dame University, applauded the partnership with Honeybee, saying it would enhance the scientific potential of Golden Spike’s human missions.

“Honeybee brings a unique body of knowledge and skills to help us augment the capabilities of human exploration missions with advanced robotics,” Dr. Neal said. “Their participation is a key step forward in helping Golden Spike change the paradigm of human space exploration, through the development of highly capable lunar exploration system architecture for customers around the world.”

The study with Honeybee is one of a number that Golden Spike is undertaking with industry partners in preparation for future flight system procurements. Market studies already conducted for the company show the possibility of 15-25 or more expeditions in the decade following a first landing.

-- # --

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #738 on:** 01/23/2014 12:43 am »

Golden Spike working with Draper. Wrote an article as I know some Draper guys and they are rather clever chaps!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/01/golden-spike-recruit-draper-landing-sites/

Phil Stooke · « **Reply #739 on:** 01/23/2014 01:55 pm »

An interesting development. I should point out that this sounds like it is more about defining accessible regions rather than specific sites. Back in 1965 Bellcomm defined a nominal Apollo Zone, and in March 1966 the first meeting of the Apollo Site Selection Board identified accessible areas for individual months during the year (looking at 1968 for the first expected landing) (see Figures 58 and 74 in the International Atlas of Lunar Exploration).

This looks like that kind of study - given the date of launch, the orientation of Earth's equator relative to the Moon's position when lighting is appropriate for landing, available delta V for orbit plane change and so on, which specific areas would be accessible for landing. So for instance, a customer might want to go to Copernicus, but it might only be accessible in the late summer/fall months (this was the case in 1968), so a study like this helps plan mission sequencing.

I was at the Golden Spike workshop on landing site selection in October. A good set of sites was discussed, not very much like Apollo candidate sites because we know so much more now. For instance nobody suggests going to Gassendi, Davy or Abulfeda any more, and places like Ina or Hansteen Alpha were not even known (or recognized as special) in those far-off days. (EDIT: to clarify, Ina was discovered in Apollo 15 images but far too late to be included in site selection plans)

Phil