-
What's It Like...to Work in America's Rocket Factory
by
Hunt101
on 01 Apr, 2015 20:56
-
Some good views of the factory floor at America's rocket factory building America's best rockets.
-
#1
by
Chris Bergin
on 01 Apr, 2015 21:03
-
Cool look around the factory.....*cough* I mean "America's rocket factory".
Hope you didn't pay a PR company big bucks to come up with that tag line, or you at least kept the receipt.
-
#2
by
didacticus
on 01 Apr, 2015 21:08
-
"America's rocket factory", using the finest Russian components!
-
#3
by
edkyle99
on 02 Apr, 2015 03:57
-
I think that is the first time I've seen a glimpse of Delta II hardware at Decatur.
Not a hint of an RD-180 in that video, by the way.
- Ed Kyle
-
#4
by
Kabloona
on 02 Apr, 2015 04:05
-
Not a hint of an RD-180 in that video, by the way.
That's because the RD-180's were off being built in "Russia's Rocket Factory." You know, the one that builds
"Russia's best rockets..."
-
#5
by
S.Paulissen
on 02 Apr, 2015 05:38
-
I think that is the first time I've seen a glimpse of Delta II hardware at Decatur.
Not a hint of an RD-180 in that video, by the way.
- Ed Kyle
There were literally a couple of holes in the bottom of a stage...
-
#6
by
ChrisWilson68
on 02 Apr, 2015 06:05
-
Another blown opportunity by ULA. If they had been able to dial down the hubris just a little and refrained from calling themselves "America's Rocket Factory", the comments here would be about the actual content of what they do.
-
#7
by
coypu76
on 02 Apr, 2015 07:03
-
Here's an article on what it's like to work in the factory where the engines for those Deltas are made. It's in Russian, but some good photos of the process, from stainless steel ingots to turbopump impellers and onward to complete engines. There's an excellent shot of the RD-180's big brother, the RD-191, which powers the new Angara booster, and of course some posters that show nostalgia for Soviet times.
http://geektimes.ru/post/243763/And a more complete article here:
http://geektimes.ru/post/242643/
-
#8
by
woods170
on 02 Apr, 2015 08:19
-
Another blown opportunity by ULA. If they had been able to dial down the hubris just a little and refrained from calling themselves "America's Rocket Factory", the comments here would be about the actual content of what they do.
Received an email from a contact at Orbital/ATK. Seems like they had a good laugh over the part that says "
America's Rocket Factory".
I expect that the reaction at Hawthorne was similar.
-
#9
by
woods170
on 02 Apr, 2015 08:20
-
Not a hint of an RD-180 in that video, by the way.
For obvious reasons.
-
#10
by
donaldp
on 02 Apr, 2015 08:53
-
Another American Rocket Factory video
Slightly different aims and production values...
-
#11
by
ChrisWilson68
on 02 Apr, 2015 10:40
-
Another blown opportunity by ULA. If they had been able to dial down the hubris just a little and refrained from calling themselves "America's Rocket Factory", the comments here would be about the actual content of what they do.
Received an email from a contact at Orbital/ATK. Seems like they had a good laugh over the part that says "America's Rocket Factory".
I expect that the reaction at Hawthorne was similar.
And I imagine the people working at Michoud would have a similar reaction. As would the people at Aerojet Rocketdyne, XCOR, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic.
-
#12
by
ChrisWilson68
on 02 Apr, 2015 10:46
-
Sadly, the content of the video isn't much better than its title. It's just a bunch of people saying feel-good slogans about how it's the best job ever and how they're helping keep America safe. No actual insight into what it's like to work there. Pure PR, from start to end. About as subtle as North Korean propaganda.
At least there are pictures of rockets in various stages of manufacture in the background. That's the interesting part.
-
#13
by
TrevorMonty
on 02 Apr, 2015 11:36
-
You would think from the peoples comments that USA is at war and they are making fighting machines.
-
#14
by
Jim
on 02 Apr, 2015 11:40
-
You would think from the peoples comments that USA is at war and they are making fighting machines.
There is a war on terrorism and ULA launches many spacecraft that are in support of this effort
-
#15
by
Jim
on 02 Apr, 2015 11:42
-
Sadly, the content of the video isn't much better than its title. It's just a bunch of people saying feel-good slogans about how it's the best job ever and how they're helping keep America safe. No actual insight into what it's like to work there. Pure PR, from start to end. About as subtle as North Korean propaganda.
At least there are pictures of rockets in various stages of manufacture in the background. That's the interesting part.
How is it any different than other companies' PR?
With most of America, which would be the better story: supporting the troops or colonizing Mars?
-
#16
by
woods170
on 02 Apr, 2015 12:08
-
Sadly, the content of the video isn't much better than its title. It's just a bunch of people saying feel-good slogans about how it's the best job ever and how they're helping keep America safe. No actual insight into what it's like to work there. Pure PR, from start to end. About as subtle as North Korean propaganda.
At least there are pictures of rockets in various stages of manufacture in the background. That's the interesting part.
How is it any different than other companies' PR?
That's a fact.
But it's not the point Jim. The title of the video is "What is it like.... to work in America's rocket factory".
And then the video proceeds with a whole lotta things, without actually telling what it is like to work in America's rocket factory.
Simply put: the video's title does not match the contents. ChrisWilson68 nailed it: this video provides no insight whatsoever about what it is like to work in America's rocket factory.
The PR department of my company can do a similar video (in fact they have) and the audience still would have no clue as to what it is like to work at my company.
-
#17
by
RonM
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:08
-
You would think from the peoples comments that USA is at war and they are making fighting machines.
The US is at war. We have troops in Afghanistan, advisers in Iraq, conducting airstrikes in both of those countries plus Syria, drone strikes in several countries, and who knows how many places we conduct special forces strikes against terrorists.
Nothing wrong with a little corporate pride about their job and supporting the troops.
-
#18
by
Rocket Science
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:31
-
It's a video about peoples' feelings, there is no right or wrong about it.. Some day the same video could be made at SpaceX...
-
#19
by
Newton_V
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:39
-
More trolling by some haters.
Do you also get upset when your Carl's Jr. burger doesn't look like the one in the TV commercial?
It's a 2-minute youtube video. Probably made their day for the people who were in it.
Somehow I guess it's anti-spacex because they have a rocket factory in America.
-
#20
by
woods170
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:41
-
It's a video about peoples' feelings, there is no right or wrong about it.. Some day the same video could be made at SpaceX...
In fact, that has already happened (minus the "we keep America safe"-part), but at least they didn't put the silly "America's Rocket Factory"-bit in there.
-
#21
by
woods170
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:51
-
More trolling by some haters.
Do you also get upset when your Carl's Jr. burger doesn't look like the one in the TV commercial?
It's a 2-minute youtube video. Probably made their day for the people who were in it.
Somehow I guess it's anti-spacex because they have a rocket factory in America.
Most of the so-called "haters" are actually not haters. We all love to see rockets fly, regardless of them originating from ULA, Orbital/ATK, SpaceX, etc. The criticasters present here are mostly pointing out that PR crap such as this video doesn't necessarily improve the public view of ULA, nor does the video show what it claims to show.
And the overall feeling is probably: show more hardware in stead of those talking folks! Rocket hardware is interesting. Bunch of talking folks is boring.
-
#22
by
Rocket Science
on 02 Apr, 2015 13:53
-
It's a video about peoples' feelings, there is no right or wrong about it.. Some day the same video could be made at SpaceX...
In fact, that has already happened (minus the "we keep America safe"-part), but at least they didn't put the silly "America's Rocket Factory"-bit in there.
Elon might do a “flag waving” in your face video one day just to stick it to them... All’s fair I guess!
On the next episode of Rocket Wars...
-
#23
by
rcoppola
on 02 Apr, 2015 14:26
-
Personally I think ULA putting a human face on what they have and will be doing in repositioning themselves for competition with SpaceX is great. Feels like the old days of Mac Vs PC, Coke Vs Pepsi, with impassioned opinions on both sides. Have at it!
My primary concern, issue, is that ULA just doesn't do this type of PR/Marketing very well. Their execution thus far, whether strategic or creative is sub-par at best. I want to see them up their game. There are so many opportunities to get this right and not look like a bunch of amateurs, which IMO they currently do.
They really need people who understand "Consumer" communications. It's a very different approach from Customer Marketing. And while they need both, one supporting the other, this current "campaign" needs a lot of help.
If they could learn to launch a PR, Marketing Campaign as good as they launch rockets, they'd be in great shape. After all, it isn't rocket science.
-
#24
by
PahTo
on 02 Apr, 2015 14:27
-
The thing I found most interesting (and paused the video to look closer) is the transfer of that 2nd stage. It appeared to be a 5m DCSS, but perhaps a 4m? Anyone know? I was checking out the various (what I think are) purge bottles and insulation and structures. And of course the RL-10. I couldn't see any obvious nozzle extension components--are those added later or just under that cover?
TIA.
-
#25
by
Chris Bergin
on 02 Apr, 2015 14:32
-
More trolling by some haters.
Do you also get upset when your Carl's Jr. burger doesn't look like the one in the TV commercial?
It's a 2-minute youtube video. Probably made their day for the people who were in it.
Somehow I guess it's anti-spacex because they have a rocket factory in America.
No, as has been pointed out, this is the last place you'd get haters (and trust me, if you think this thread is somehow negative to ULA's new-found fluffyness, go on any other site and you will see a heck of a lot worse, a LOT worse, than what is being said about this here).
ULA's strength was getting on with it and launching rockets and NOT doing what "new space" sometimes does (and also gets the same criticism for). That was ULA's charm and hopefully still is.
This "America's rocket factory" motto is at best fluffy, at its worst it's patronizing to its competitors and treats the public like morons, quite frankly. Or do they really think this PR campaign is fostering a legion of new ULA fans who will be in for a bit of a shock when they find out there's a number of other "rocket factories" for "American" rockets in the States?
I also recall at least two ULA folk rushing on to a thread to laugh about ATK's Liberty promos, which used equally silly tag lines, and even used a little girl actress intimating the stick was her only chance to be an astronaut.
ULA should not resort to fluff and that's not the video, it's the taglines. A bit like how the new leader is almost constantly responding to his "Not Tory Bruno" comedy account (which isn't even all that funny) to seem interactive (and fair enough, he is, but it's just a bit too much) or saying "Vote for our new rocket's name.....you can vote as many times as you want!" (What's the point of a poll then! Some kid could fix the result in a blink of an eye, and there's no running total, so it's probably even a real poll - they could easily announce "This won, with 587453534324234523 votes!")
ULA can be positive and get the right message out there with things like this:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/ula-point-out-their-launch-processing-prowess/and
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/11/ula-customers-class-reliability-main-consideration/Launch reliability! You can't win on prices, but you have a big manifest of success.
Isn't that a better angle than trying to make people forgot about Russian engines?
-
#26
by
dror
on 02 Apr, 2015 15:26
-
Sadly, the content of the video isn't much better than its title. It's just a bunch of people saying feel-good slogans about how it's the best job ever and how they're helping keep America safe. No actual insight into what it's like to work there. Pure PR, from start to end. About as subtle as North Korean propaganda.
At least there are pictures of rockets in various stages of manufacture in the background. That's the interesting part.
Yeah, this is actually a very good movie if you keep the volume mute.
I wish someone could put some real commentary on it to explain it properly.
-
#27
by
tmoesser
on 02 Apr, 2015 15:50
-
I also recall at least two ULA folk rushing on to a thread to laugh about ATK's Liberty promos, which used equally silly tag lines, and even used a little girl actress intimating the stick was her only chance to be an astronaut.
"I will smell space." That line is still a joke with my coworkers. Pretty good production quality on those Liberty videos however; actually most ATK and Orbital ATK media productions have been pretty good, with decent amount of morale boosting and patriotism (helps when your company also makes weapons systems and ammunition). But everybody laughs at the cheesy tag lines and slogans and obvious scene staging. "Our Work Matters? <pfft!>" "Oh look, there's Katie talking to some guy in the lobby in the foreground of a panning shot. Why are they talking
in the lobby?" "Look, you can see the sign they hung in front of the old sign." "Yeah, only one of those people actually works in the lab. The rest are engineers that check several diversity boxes and have youthful good looks. And none of them owns those smocks with the new logo."
-
#28
by
Coastal Ron
on 02 Apr, 2015 16:12
-
Nothing wrong with a little PR, just that you have to know how different groups will perceive it - like every other one of America's rocket factories.
Kind of like labeling the Dallas Cowboys "America's Team"...
-
#29
by
catdlr
on 02 Apr, 2015 16:15
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
-
#30
by
Prober
on 02 Apr, 2015 16:19
-
You would think from the peoples comments that USA is at war and they are making fighting machines.
Maybe your happy they grew up and played with Lego's?
-
#31
by
Prober
on 02 Apr, 2015 16:30
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
Well the first video needed a tad more refinement; this one is much better, more tech
-
#32
by
Prober
on 02 Apr, 2015 16:39
-
More trolling by some haters.
Do you also get upset when your Carl's Jr. burger doesn't look like the one in the TV commercial?
It's a 2-minute youtube video. Probably made their day for the people who were in it.
Somehow I guess it's anti-spacex because they have a rocket factory in America.
This "America's rocket factory" motto is at best fluffy, at its worst it's patronizing to its competitors and treats the public like morons, quite frankly. Or do they really think this PR campaign is fostering a legion of new ULA fans who will be in for a bit of a shock when they find out there's a number of other "rocket factories" for "American" rockets in the States?
No its fine and "factual" If you compare NASA's "going to Mars" and this motto you can see the real fluff.
What ULA needs now is to back up the claim with a decent launch history video with some decent music.
-
#33
by
edkyle99
on 02 Apr, 2015 17:09
-
The thing I found most interesting (and paused the video to look closer) is the transfer of that 2nd stage. It appeared to be a 5m DCSS, but perhaps a 4m? Anyone know? I was checking out the various (what I think are) purge bottles and insulation and structures. And of course the RL-10. I couldn't see any obvious nozzle extension components--are those added later or just under that cover?
TIA.
Yes, that was a 5-meter upper stage being transferred above the factory floor. The RL-10 nozzle extension is not added until the stage is processed at the launch site. At the Cape I believe this is done in the Delta 4 Operations Center, or whatever it is called (the old Centaur Processing Facility).
- Ed Kyle
-
#34
by
Targeteer
on 02 Apr, 2015 20:13
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
Surprised to hear the involvement of Jack Roush and the fact that a piston driven, internal combustion engine will be operating in space
-
#35
by
TrevorMonty
on 02 Apr, 2015 22:15
-
The IVF video is excellent we need more of these from ULA. Flying in 2018 is sooner than I expected. I assume they will apply it to Centuar, even with RL10 should help reduce costs.
-
#36
by
Prober
on 02 Apr, 2015 22:49
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
Surprised to hear the involvement of Jack Roush and the fact that a piston driven, internal combustion engine will be operating in space
the XCOR system is based on a piston
-
#37
by
TrevorMonty
on 03 Apr, 2015 06:09
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
Surprised to hear the involvement of Jack Roush and the fact that a piston driven, internal combustion engine will be operating in space
the XCOR system is based on a piston
Does XCOR use a ICE (internal combustion engine) driving the fuel pump?.
-
#38
by
Coastal Ron
on 03 Apr, 2015 06:24
-
-
#39
by
QuantumG
on 03 Apr, 2015 06:29
-
-
#40
by
Damon Hill
on 03 Apr, 2015 07:30
-
more PR
ULA Innovation: Integrated Vehicle Fluids (IVF)
Surprised to hear the involvement of Jack Roush and the fact that a piston driven, internal combustion engine will be operating in space
Might seem primitive and counter-intuitive, but it turned out to be a good solution. Engine exhaust is used for ullage thrust and engine cooling heats up the very cold boil-off gases for autogenous pressurization. This may be the first time an internal combustion piston engine will be used in space. An elegant solution that should have been done decades ago with Centaur; reduces costs and increases payload, especially for long-duration missions. Might even make a lunar Centaur possible.
And yeah, this is a more informative video.
-
#41
by
S.Paulissen
on 14 Apr, 2015 22:12
-
I feel like if they were going to puff their chest a little with something like this they could have done it a lot better. A Pratt and Whitney video comes to mind. A little hamfisted? Sure. But you knew what it was from start to finish:
"LAUNCHES ARE F&*(IN' AWESOME! LOOK AT OUR S$%& FLY! WE OWN! THEY ARE SUCK AND ARE FEEDING YOU A LINE FOR MONEY, WOOOOOOOO!"
-
#42
by
Lars-J
on 15 Apr, 2015 19:01
-
"LAUNCHES ARE F&*(IN' AWESOME! LOOK AT OUR S$%& FLY! WE OWN! THEY ARE SUCK AND ARE FEEDING YOU A LINE FOR MONEY, WOOOOOOOO!"
How times have changed. PwR aren't so bullish these days. Shuttle is retired, and ULA is working on phasing out all of their engines bar two - the RL-10 and the Atlas V solid boosters. (And the RL-10 could be dropped as well)
