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#60
by
Spiff
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:02
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my first thought on the circular (decagonal? Is that a word?) is 'how are they going to fold those away during launch?
Seems a lot easier with the popular rectangular shape.
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#61
by
MKremer
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:04
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#62
by
bobthemonkey
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:05
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i would have thought flat against the outer bulkhead heading towards the engine bell.
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#63
by
spacedreams
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:08
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Question: I know Jeff, Skip, and Doc, but does anybody know anything about Cooke? Just curious what his background is.
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#64
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:09
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Spiff - 31/8/2006 9:49 PM
my first thought on the circular (decagonal? Is that a word?) is 'how are they going to fold those away during launch?
Seems a lot easier with the popular rectangular shape.
Like MXER (search for the video on the video section).
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#65
by
MKremer
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:11
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Spiff - 31/8/2006 3:49 PM
my first thought on the circular (decagonal? Is that a word?) is 'how are they going to fold those away during launch?
Seems a lot easier with the popular rectangular shape.
They look very similar the the panels being used for the new Mars Phoenix lander. It allows a large deployed surface area stored in a smaller package than plain panels.
You can see a video that shows how they deploy here:
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/multimedia/videos/video/phoenix_animation.mov
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#66
by
RedSky
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:19
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A question came up in the press conference asked why the round solar panels. The answer was that they provided for less problematic moments than from large wing-like rectangles during major propulsion events, and less stress on hinges & joints.
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#67
by
Spiff
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:26
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Cheers guys!
Nice examples. Looks easy if you look at it.
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#68
by
hyper_snyper
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:30
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I hope they can push the 2014 date foward, Skip made it clear the date is unfirm for now. A while back LM said their proposal can beat it.
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#69
by
mong'
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:45
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we are at the beginning of something great. history is being written right now.
and I'm glad to be around to see it this time, this is a great day for the space program.
It doesn't matter if NG/Boeing or LM got the contract, what is important is that constellation has become real, there is now a contractor with a clear order and a deadline.
now it is just a matter of time to see it fly
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#70
by
vt_hokie
on 31 Aug, 2006 21:58
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mong' - 31/8/2006 5:32 PM
we are at the beginning of something great. history is being written right now.
and I'm glad to be around to see it this time, this is a great day for the space program.
It doesn't matter if NG/Boeing or LM got the contract, what is important is that constellation has become real, there is now a contractor with a clear order and a deadline.
now it is just a matter of time to see it fly
That's what I thought when X-33 was announced!
Maybe they'll have better luck with this!
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#71
by
eeergo
on 31 Aug, 2006 22:05
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Mmmh... they talked about building habitats! At least they talk about it, which is something...
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#72
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Aug, 2006 22:06
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#73
by
nacnud
on 31 Aug, 2006 22:09
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Thanks for that I missed the conferance.
LM is a bit of a shock but I like the choice. Must watch the vid now.
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#74
by
ApolloLee
on 31 Aug, 2006 22:29
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LM is a pleasant surprise. LM’s CEV has many advantages over Boeing’s, namely its ability to be extremely upgradeable on the hardware and software side to avoid the shuttle’s problem of relying on 1970s technology into the 20th century.
I also like the fact that appearance wise, it looks like a step up from Apollo, as opposed to Boeing’s design that looked strictly like a rerun. And heck, I love the circular solar panels. With all the criticism of Orion being a step backwards, at least here’s something to grab on to that’s looking forward.
That said, I thought Boeing/Northrop’s political muscle would win out in the end.
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#75
by
Chris Bergin
on 31 Aug, 2006 23:34
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Lockheed release:
Lockheed Martin Selected by NASA
For ORION crew exploration vehicle
Lockheed Martin Team To Design and Build Successor To Space Shuttle as NASA's Primary Vehicle
For Human Space Exploration
Washington, D.C., August 31, 2006 – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced today that it has selected the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team to design and build the agency’s next-generation human space flight crew transportation system known as Orion, with an initial contract value of approximately $4 billion.
Orion, an advanced crew capsule design utilizing state-of-the-art technology, is a key element of NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration, and will succeed the Space Shuttle in transporting a new generation of human explorers to and from the International Space Station, the Moon, and eventually to Mars and beyond.
In partnership with NASA, Lockheed Martin will serve as prime contractor and will lead a world-class industry team that includes Honeywell, Orbital Sciences Corporation, United Space Alliance and Hamilton Sundstrand, supporting NASA in the design, test, build, integration and operational capability of Orion.
"We are honored by the trust that NASA has placed in the Lockheed Martin team for this historic and vital step forward in human space exploration," said Bob Stevens, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation. "Our entire team is fully committed to supporting NASA as we join together to help make the vision for space exploration a reality."
Orion will transport up to six crew members to and from the International Space Station, and up to four crew members for lunar missions. The new crew vehicle is designed to be an order of magnitude safer, more reliable, more affordable and more operationally efficient than previous human space flight systems.
“We are humbled and excited as we continue our legacy of five decades of partnership with NASA in every aspect of human and robotic space exploration,” said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “Work already is underway and we are fully focused on the vital tasks that lie ahead to meet NASA’s requirements for the program. We have a world-class team of highly dedicated, highly experienced women and men who are passionate about the success of NASA’s missions.”
- more -
The Lockheed Martin Orion program office is located in Houston, TX, co-located with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, providing support in the areas of program management, requirements development, software development, avionics, human factors, and system qualification testing. Large structures and composites will be built at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, LA. Final assembly, checkout and acceptance testing of Orion for both the Crew Module and Service Module will be performed in the Operations and Checkout (O&C) facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.
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#76
by
Jim
on 31 Aug, 2006 23:45
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I said don't read into anything before they announced it
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#77
by
Jim
on 31 Aug, 2006 23:51
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Jamie Young - 31/8/2006 4:18 PM
Wow. So Boeing will get the upperstage?
No guarantee
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#78
by
CEV Now
on 01 Sep, 2006 00:24
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Wow, Lockheed Martin. All the media were placing NG as favorite. Hope Lockheed Martin have learned from X-33.
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#79
by
edkyle99
on 01 Sep, 2006 01:29
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Maybe they'll have better luck with this!
