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#1120
by
gongora
on 05 Dec, 2017 17:05
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The revised launch licence for Electron test flights has been issued. Putting it on this thread because it covers multiple flights.
The only real change is they are allowed to carry payloads now.
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#1121
by
Ragmar
on 06 Dec, 2017 20:57
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#1122
by
sghill
on 09 Dec, 2017 22:38
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They need to get a move on to win the Lunar Xprize for Moon Express..
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#1123
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 10 Dec, 2017 05:36
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They need to get a move on to win the Lunar Xprize for Moon Express..
They have until the end of March. Plenty of time, as long as they don't lose another one.
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#1124
by
john smith 19
on 10 Dec, 2017 12:24
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The revised launch licence for Electron test flights has been issued. Putting it on this thread because it covers multiple flights.
The only real change is they are allowed to carry payloads now.
That could be quite significant to their cash flow, assuming their future test launches are more successful than their first.
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#1125
by
ringsider
on 14 Jan, 2018 19:11
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From Recent Alaska Aerospace board meeting minutes:
http://akaerospace.com/sites/default/files/minutes/2017%2008%2017%20Board%20of%20Directors%20Minutes.pdf 10. Executive Session
CAMPBELL, President and CEO read the request for Executive Session:
I request that the Chair now entertain a motion that the Board of Directors convene in Executive Session to discuss the following topics and as set forth on the agenda approved for today's meeting:
Rocket Lab May 25th Launch Support to discuss matters within the contract required by law to be kept confidential, matters involving consideration of records that are not subject to public disclosure and involving trade secrets. Also this:
http://akaerospace.com/sites/default/files/minutes/2017%2005%2025%20Board%20of%20Directors%20Minutes.pdfRocket Lab USA New Zealand Operations Update
CAMPBELL commended the dedicated AAC team that supported the Electron Launch.
He believes it may be 2019 before Rocket Lab is autonomous, noting they plan to launch every three to four weeks from September to January.
Rocket Lab USA 2017 Contract Update
CAMPBELL’s goal is for Rocket Lab to train their crew to minimize the people we send to New Zealand.
The contract stated they would have two people shadowing our crew on this launch and there was no one. It will depend on Rocket Lab’s ability to provide their people to betrained before we can relinquish any authority. The 2017 contract is $2.2M, and 2 weeks per launch. Campbell does not expect there will be four launches without additional personnel support.
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#1126
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 15 Jan, 2018 21:49
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#1127
by
IanThePineapple
on 15 Jan, 2018 21:52
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A fresh batch of Rutherford engines rolling off the line at our Huntington Beach factory. Not long until these are integrated onto our fourth Electron launch vehicle. #Electron #Rutherford
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/953034798443802625
Wow, quite the progress on their fourth rocket already! I wonder how the third is doing
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#1128
by
CameronD
on 15 Jan, 2018 22:58
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Given the second is at the launch site, I guess the third is undergoing final assembly at the office in Auckland.
The bows are kinda cute. Must be an American thing..!
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#1129
by
QuantumG
on 16 Jan, 2018 22:29
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I guess there's another thread where the new NET has been mentioned, but I'll repeat it here where it should be:
New year, new #StillTesting launch window! A nine day launch window opens January 20 NZDT for our second Electron rocket. Target lift-off during this time will be between 14:30 - 18:30 NZDT (1:30 - 5:30 UTC). We'll be live streaming via our Facebook page and the Rocket Lab website.
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#1130
by
Kansan52
on 16 Jan, 2018 22:47
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Love the Bows on the Bells in the photo.
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#1131
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 17 Jan, 2018 20:54
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#1132
by
gin455res
on 19 Jan, 2018 22:42
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I wonder, if there was an electron tri-core with electrical cross-feed, and if there were bigger batteries in the side cores (with enough juice to run the central core until staging), if the reduction in the weight of the battery in the central core would give worthwhile improvements in performance?
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#1133
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 20 Jan, 2018 04:50
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I wonder, if there was an electron tri-core with electrical cross-feed, and if there were bigger batteries in the side cores (with enough juice to run the central core until staging), if the reduction in the weight of the battery in the central core would give worthwhile improvements in performance?
The limitation with the batteries is how fast they can be discharged, which is about 2 to 3 minutes at best. So having the boosters supply charge to the core may not be an advantage, if the batteries in the core can then not be fully discharged.
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#1134
by
edzieba
on 21 Jan, 2018 01:02
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Was the upper-stage 'hot swap' switching from one battery to another, then dumping the expended battery? Photos of the stage show nothing, but
renders show two modules that could be battery packs and are in the right location to be visible on the stream.
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#1135
by
QuantumG
on 21 Jan, 2018 01:03
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Was the upper-stage 'hot swap' switching from one battery to another, then dumping the expended battery? Photos of the stage show nothing, but renders show two modules that could be battery packs and are in the right location to be visible on the stream.
Yup.
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#1136
by
IanThePineapple
on 21 Jan, 2018 01:52
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It had a seemingly high TWR on liftoff, and I heard the first stage engines aren't even at their full thrust. Is there a possibility of lengthening the stage(s?), similar to the Falcon 9 1.1 vs 1.0?
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#1137
by
acsawdey
on 21 Jan, 2018 02:00
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Also noticeable is how fast the first stage goes from ignition to full thrust and then liftoff. Seems like just over 1 second, compared to about 3 for Falcon 9 for example. Electric pumps must take very little time to ramp up to full speed after ignition of the combustion chamber.
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#1138
by
WindnWar
on 21 Jan, 2018 02:32
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Also noticeable is how fast the first stage goes from ignition to full thrust and then liftoff. Seems like just over 1 second, compared to about 3 for Falcon 9 for example. Electric pumps must take very little time to ramp up to full speed after ignition of the combustion chamber.
Your also dealing with electric motors that have full torque from 1rpm and very small masses given the size of the engines. You want it to ramp up fast as every second its running is power being depleted from the pack. I thought I heard a hotswap callout during first stage burn too, if so then it's ditching a set of batteries at some point during flight.
Pretty nifty design but there is probably limited growth margin until there are higher density battery packs. Still an amazing job on their part.
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#1139
by
jamesh9000
on 21 Jan, 2018 02:33
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A bit of news from Jeff Foust:
Spoke briefly this evening with Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck. A lot of data analysis ahead, but everything so far indicates the vehicle performed as planned, releasing the payloads into 300x500 km orbit “well within our commercial accuracy.”
And:
Beck’s previously said that, if this electron launch was successful, they’d go into commercial service. He said tonight the next launch will be in the “coming months” but did not disclose the payload.
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/954914537857339393
