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#80
by
M_Puckett
on 21 Sep, 2014 23:30
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Titan is up for grabs again!
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#81
by
georgesowers
on 21 Sep, 2014 23:33
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So where will the production line of the new launch vehicle be located if it's been decided?
Blue and ULA are looking at a number of options.
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#82
by
georgesowers
on 21 Sep, 2014 23:42
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What is the targeted specific impulse of BE-4?
It is Blue proprietary. But we are being pretty conservative to start with.
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#83
by
georgesowers
on 21 Sep, 2014 23:53
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Does this program take the place of a program to build the RD-180 in the US which might be expected to produce a vehicle with real continuity with current Atlas in less time?
We are still keeping a number of contingency options alive, but the BE-4 is definitely plan A.
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#84
by
e of pi
on 22 Sep, 2014 00:02
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Dr. Sowers: I don't actually have a question that hasn't already been asked, but I did want to post to join others in thanking you for conducting this Q&A here. I think this is a very interesting announcement, and I'm looking forward to seeing more about the vehicle BE-4 will be used on!
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#85
by
georgesowers
on 22 Sep, 2014 00:11
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So the transition to the new vehicle might be similar to Atlas II to Atlas V (without the Atlas III step)?
Not really. I think of it as being pretty similar to AII to AIII. Actually somewhat more modest since we're probably not going to alter Centaur in the firt step.
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#86
by
georgesowers
on 22 Sep, 2014 00:23
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Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Very enlightening!!!
Did you guys ever consider a new engine from Rocketdyne?
Of course. The AR-1 is technically a very viable solution. But our trade study included both technical and business considerations.
Aerojet Rocketdyne remains a very important member of our team.
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#87
by
georgesowers
on 22 Sep, 2014 00:24
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Titan is up for grabs again!
I started my career on Titan.
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#88
by
Llian Rhydderch
on 22 Sep, 2014 02:58
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Dr. Sowers,
I, too, have found that my questions have been asked, and very straightforwardly answered, by your super helpful responses. Thanks.
It is really great to see ULA responding to the new spaceflight reality that is present in 2014 and see you aiming for a lower-cost but high-reliability launch solution!
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#89
by
arachnitect
on 22 Sep, 2014 05:14
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So where will the production line of the new launch vehicle be located if it's been decided?
Blue and ULA are looking at a number of options.
I'm a little surprised the answer to this one wasn't simply "Decatur." What else is an option, MAF?
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#90
by
Prober
on 22 Sep, 2014 14:42
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So the transition to the new vehicle might be similar to Atlas II to Atlas V (without the Atlas III step)?
Not really. I think of it as being pretty similar to AII to AIII. Actually somewhat more modest since we're probably not going to alter Centaur in the firt step.
The Common Centaur for current Atlas V & Delta IV is still on track in the in term, or no? Centaur has such historical value in Rocket History. Even today many of its manufacturing techniques are still unknown in the contest of building one from start to finish. May we look forward to video documentation (volunteers
) before changes are made to ACES etc. ?
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#91
by
Jim
on 22 Sep, 2014 16:16
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1. The Common Centaur for current Atlas V & Delta IV is still on track in the in term, or no?
2. Centaur has such historical value in Rocket History. Even today many of its manufacturing techniques are still unknown in the contest of building one from start to finish. May we look forward to video documentation (volunteers ) before changes are made to ACES etc. ?
1. It isn't a common Centaur. It is a common upper stage.
2. They are known and documented already.
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#92
by
wannamoonbase
on 22 Sep, 2014 16:56
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Dr. Sowers,
What is the level of purity of the LNG, does H2S have to be removed?
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#93
by
Lee Jay
on 22 Sep, 2014 17:19
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I want to assume I know the answer to this, but you know what they say about assuming.
So, would you expect a future upper stage replacement to remain LH2/LOX (a "high energy" stage) or would you consider an LNG upper stage? I understand why an RP1/LOX upper stage isn't the best for GEO/Earth departure missions, but with LNG being in the middle between RP1 and LH2, I'm wondering if such a thing is back on the table or not.
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#94
by
rayleighscatter
on 22 Sep, 2014 21:26
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Is the new vehicle planned to have its own new pad or will an existing ULA pad be modified for it?
We will modify existing pads.
First I should say thanks a lot for coming and answering all of these!
As a follow up, does this mean ULA intends for a pad to support multiple vehicles? And if I may... which pad(s)?
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#95
by
Ronsmytheiii
on 23 Sep, 2014 02:02
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Will the redesigned Launch Vehicle(s) be known by a new name, other than Atlas 5?
Ha! I'm anticipating a very emotional debate on naming. Suggestions welcome. I kind of liked DAVE...
How about the Blue Atlas-Thor, the BAT!
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#96
by
Proponent
on 23 Sep, 2014 08:48
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Since we're on the topic of names, could I ask how the Atlas V became the Atlas V without there ever having been an Atlas IV?
EDIT: "and Atlas IV" -> "an Atlas IV"
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#97
by
edkyle99
on 23 Sep, 2014 14:23
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Since we're on the topic of names, could I ask how the Atlas V became the Atlas V without there ever having been and Atlas IV?
Lockheed Martin had Atlas III and Titan IV. The next rocket became "V", and some consideration might have been given to naming it "Titan V", but "Atlas" won out, allowing the name to symbolize a merger of the two product lines, which is really what Atlas V represents.
- Ed Kyle
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#98
by
R7
on 23 Sep, 2014 15:02
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Name suggestion: Since ULA is marriage between BA and LM and this would it's first own offspring
Juno V
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#99
by
robertross
on 23 Sep, 2014 15:50
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We should probably keep the name suggestions on a separate thread, so as not to muck up this excellent Q&A thread
) before changes are made to ACES etc. ?