Author Topic: Q&A with ULA's Dr. George Sowers per ULA/Blue Origin announcement (Read 79719 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 09/20/2014 06:11 pm »

ULA's George Sowers - VP, Strategic Architecture & Advanced Programs at ULA - United Launch Alliance - Lockheed Martin & Boeing - has agreed to a Q&A session with members of the NSF forum, relative to the Blue Origin announcement. Dr. Sowers has been leading this activity for ULA.

Keep your questions to single points, one question, per each member, in one post, so as not to overload. They need to be on topic.

First questions can be posted below. Dr. Sowers will be around this weekend and early next week to answer them.

Resulting quotes are obviously copyright to NSF. (I'll be looking to create an article from anything interesting at a later point).

Kryten · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/20/2014 06:14 pm »

When did ULA become involved with BE-4, and what was the basic reasoning behind becoming involved?

Joel · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/20/2014 06:23 pm »

First of all, really happy to see this development! In addition to the engine cooperation between ULA and Blue origin, are there any plans to cooperate on other areas? For example on reusable rocket boosters?[/size]

quanthasaquality · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/20/2014 06:26 pm »

Didn't Atlas V vs Delta IV show that kerolox first stage with expensive engine is cheaper than hydrolox first stage with cheap engine? Why compromise with methalox?

dkovacic · « **Reply #4 on:** 09/20/2014 06:26 pm »

Why did ULA choose to anandon RP-1 and switch to methane?

david1971 · « **Reply #5 on:** 09/20/2014 06:31 pm »

What will be the major milestones for this project, and what is the associated timeline?

Space Ghost 1962 · « **Reply #6 on:** 09/20/2014 06:32 pm »

Is ULA pursuing multiple complementary strategies, paralleling Delta IV (hydrolox) and Atlas V, with these changes? Specifically how much is a BO derivative following the Atlas V Phase 1/2 direction changes like 5 meter first stage, and how much of existing Atlas V 4 meter is retained?

Hauerg · « **Reply #7 on:** 09/20/2014 06:37 pm »

Is a modified/new upper stage part of the current trade studies?

sdsds · « **Reply #8 on:** 09/20/2014 06:40 pm »

Is ULA planning continued use of the Atlas V solids with its new launch vehicle?

RonM · « **Reply #9 on:** 09/20/2014 06:41 pm »

Will the switch to BE-4 methane engines enable later versions of Atlas to be reusable?

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #10 on:** 09/20/2014 06:42 pm »

Can you give a status update for ULA's Integrated Vehicle Fluids program?

arachnitect · « **Reply #11 on:** 09/20/2014 06:43 pm »

Thank you for answering questions Dr. Sowers.

You may not be able to share much about it, but I'd be very interested to hear anything you can say about the evolution of ULA launch vehicles that will be using this engine. Is this the beginning of a common launch vehicle family?

Congratulations on starting a new program and good luck as well working with Boeing on CCtCap.

butters · « **Reply #12 on:** 09/20/2014 06:46 pm »

What is the expected timeframe for Blue Atlas, and how does that compare to the schedule for the XCOR-powered upper stage? Is ULA committed to seeing both of these projects through to operational status?

R7 · « **Reply #13 on:** 09/20/2014 06:48 pm »

What kind of various flight configurations will the new LV feature?

tesla · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/20/2014 06:56 pm »

Will the redesigned Launch Vehicle(s) be known by a new name, other than Atlas 5?

bubbagret · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/20/2014 07:01 pm »

What potential synergies, if any, do you see between the Blue Origin/ULA partnership decision and other programs, such as DARPA XS-1? Does this decision better position BO/ULA as a more attractive prospect in relation to, or even to potentially take the lead in any other potential programs?

Hyperion5 · « **Reply #16 on:** 09/20/2014 07:05 pm »

Will ULA also use the Blue Origin BE-3 engine for the upper stage, or will there be an open competition for the upper stage engine?

DGH · « **Reply #17 on:** 09/20/2014 07:06 pm »

Are you planning on the same payload to GTO as Atlas or larger?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #18 on:** 09/20/2014 07:10 pm »

One question each. Ask four and your post will be edited to the first.

robertross · « **Reply #19 on:** 09/20/2014 07:13 pm »

Thanks for doing this!

What are the expected pad modifications required to support this new family of launch vehicles?