I just hope they pick wisely. The rumors I had been hearing six months ago on who the pick would be didn't have me very optimistic though...~Jon
New blog post:QuoteThe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) may soon award a contract for the XS-1 spaceplane.According to Air Force Magazine, DARPA has entered the final stages of a “downselect” to choose one company to proceed into the flying phase of the spaceplane. [...]http://www.leonarddavid.com/darpa-xs-1-spaceplane-contract-decision-near/
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) may soon award a contract for the XS-1 spaceplane.According to Air Force Magazine, DARPA has entered the final stages of a “downselect” to choose one company to proceed into the flying phase of the spaceplane. [...]
I don't know what others views are but I'd go Masten Space Systems/XCOR AerospaceBoeing /Blue Origin,Northrop Grumman/ Virgin Galactic. In terms of teams with space experience. Northrop Grumman/VG always looks odd unless you know Scaled Composites is a wholly owned Northrop subsidiary. OTOH when it comes to playing the government contracting game I'd goBoeing /Blue Origin,Northrop Grumman/ Virgin Galactic. Masten Space Systems/XCOR AerospaceNow DARPA are saying there could be other entrants who were not in the first round. Lockheed Martin/someone else? [EDIT IOW the people who didn't quite bring you the X33/Venturestar in the early 90's ]
As with every other LV, engines are critical. Virgin Newton 3 is operational if not flight ready yet.Masten doesn't have tested engine yet that we know of. NB tested 25klbs Broadsword is subscale of 60klbs flight version.Blue have proven BE3 but BE4 has yet to be tested. Not sure which engine they are going with.My pick is Boeing/Blue if it is BE3 else NG/Virgin.Dave Masten did talk about doing smaller RLV for smallsat market if they miss out on XS1. If so 5-7 25klbs Broadswords would be all they need.
I'm beginning to wonder if things fell apart with the selected contractor during contract negotiations and they've had to start over negotiations with the runner up.
Quote from: PurduesUSAFguy on 05/23/2017 11:50 pmI'm beginning to wonder if things fell apart with the selected contractor during contract negotiations and they've had to start over negotiations with the runner up.Sadly possible. OTOH it could just be that the hold process following the Presidential election (I did not know that something at this level would come to a halt pending the winner's transition team looking over it ) has lasted longer than expected as it's just not a priority on the Administration radar.
While I have not followed this program super closely, I did not know they were going for an AR-22 for propulsion. Thoughts?
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 11m11 minutes agoInteresting that Boeing’s vehicle will be powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne engine; Boeing had partnered with Blue Origin on XS-1 Phase 1.
Boeing will develop an autonomous, reusable spaceplane capable of carrying and deploying a small expendable upper stage to launch small (3,000 pound/1,361 kg) satellites into low Earth orbit. Boeing and DARPA will jointly invest in the development.Once the spaceplane – called Phantom Express – reaches the edge of space, it would deploy the second stage and return to Earth. It would then land on a runway to be prepared for its next flight by applying operation and maintenance principles similar to modern aircraft.“Phantom Express is designed to disrupt and transform the satellite launch process as we know it today, creating a new, on-demand space-launch capability that can be achieved more affordably and with less risk,” said Darryl Davis, president, Boeing Phantom Works.The Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-22 engine, a version of the legacy Space Shuttle main engine, would power the spaceplane. It is designed to be reusable and operates using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel.
Quote from: tvg98 on 05/24/2017 03:11 pmWhile I have not followed this program super closely, I did not know they were going for an AR-22 for propulsion. Thoughts?This makes it even more interesting:Quote Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 11m11 minutes agoInteresting that Boeing’s vehicle will be powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne engine; Boeing had partnered with Blue Origin on XS-1 Phase 1.https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/867398825408909313
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), was selected to provide the main propulsion for the Boeing and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) reusable Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1). Aerojet Rocketdyne is a member of the Boeing team that recently announced an agreement to collaborate with DARPA to design, build and test a technology demonstrator for the agency's XS-1 program.The reusable experimental spaceplane is designed to deliver small satellites into orbit with high launch responsiveness. The main propulsion is based on the legacy space shuttle main engines (SSME)."As one of the world's most reliable rocket engines, the SSME is a smart choice to power the XS-1 launch vehicle," said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. "This engine has a demonstrated track record of solid performance and proven reusability."For the XS-1 program, Aerojet Rocketdyne is providing two engines with legacy shuttle flight experience to demonstrate reusability, a wide operating range and rapid turnarounds. These engines will be designated as AR-22 engines and will be assembled from parts that remained in both Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA inventories from early versions of the SSME engines. Assembly and ground testing will take place at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
AJR Presser:QuoteAerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), was selected to provide the main propulsion for the Boeing and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) reusable Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1). Aerojet Rocketdyne is a member of the Boeing team that recently announced an agreement to collaborate with DARPA to design, build and test a technology demonstrator for the agency's XS-1 program.The reusable experimental spaceplane is designed to deliver small satellites into orbit with high launch responsiveness. The main propulsion is based on the legacy space shuttle main engines (SSME)."As one of the world's most reliable rocket engines, the SSME is a smart choice to power the XS-1 launch vehicle," said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. "This engine has a demonstrated track record of solid performance and proven reusability."For the XS-1 program, Aerojet Rocketdyne is providing two engines with legacy shuttle flight experience to demonstrate reusability, a wide operating range and rapid turnarounds. These engines will be designated as AR-22 engines and will be assembled from parts that remained in both Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA inventories from early versions of the SSME engines. Assembly and ground testing will take place at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=50920How can this be a good idea?
The main engine is LOX/hydrogen but will toxic chemicals requiring suited ground crew be required for handling after the ship has landed?
AJR Presser:Quote...For the XS-1 program, Aerojet Rocketdyne is providing two engines with legacy shuttle flight experience to demonstrate reusability, a wide operating range and rapid turnarounds. These engines will be designated as AR-22 engines and will be assembled from parts that remained in both Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA inventories from early versions of the SSME engines. Assembly and ground testing will take place at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=50920How can this be a good idea?
...For the XS-1 program, Aerojet Rocketdyne is providing two engines with legacy shuttle flight experience to demonstrate reusability, a wide operating range and rapid turnarounds. These engines will be designated as AR-22 engines and will be assembled from parts that remained in both Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA inventories from early versions of the SSME engines. Assembly and ground testing will take place at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Quote from: BrightLight on 05/24/2017 03:43 pmThe main engine is LOX/hydrogen but will toxic chemicals requiring suited ground crew be required for handling after the ship has landed?Don't see why a suborbital aircraft would have on-orbit maneuvering thrusters, so probably not.