ABL Space Systems: General Thread

[JEF_300]

That's an unusual engine configuration! Nine engines in a circle. I wonder if they'll add a centre engine to allow the vehicle to be recovered.

Seems they intend to evolve to an aerospike, at least for a tech demo, so that area needs to remain open https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/afrl-responsive-space-aerospike-flight-tests-track-2023 (paywalled, but has an image of interest)

I think you've put the cart before the horse here. The engines have been in that configuration since the first 9 engine render of this vehicle I ever saw. Which was long before there was even a whisper about an aerospike.

I'm pretty sure that this, at least originally, was just a matter of simplicity, which is of course ABL's whole thing. Why do all the math and structural reinforcing for both outer engines and one inner engine, when you could just do it for the outer engines and be done with it?

As for the aerospike, what I think happened there is that the Air Force Research Laboratory wanted to do an aerospike, and partnered with ABL to do it because the engines on the RS1 were already in the right place for it.

[Daniels30]

ABL RS1 Path to Flight

[lightleviathan]

I'm so excited for the RS1 maiden flight, it looks amazing. I haven't been this excited for a rocket since Crew Demo-2!

[TrevorMonty]

Would be nice to see one small LV make it to orbit on maiden flight. Hopefully ABL if not there is Relativity later this year.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Looks like they are channelling the Mercury-Redstone paint scheme!

[Daniels30]

ABL E2 ATP 9x // Flight 2

Harry O'Hanley's comments:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harry-o-hanley-27087382_last-week-we-completed-our-flight-2-engine-activity-6985988392073269248-5CQf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

"Last week, we completed our Flight 2 engine ATP campaign! These engines are modestly higher thrust than those on Flight 1 and this test campaign was completed about 40% faster. We’ve built ABL to scale, and we’re starting to see what that looks like.

Flight 1 remains ready and waiting on the pad, as our licensing package completes final review. The downstream impacts this delay has to our customers and other stakeholders is top of mind. Resolving it is top priority. We also appreciate the efforts of our partners in the FAA. This review is careful and important work. We hope to close out the process shortly, get Flight 1 off the pad, and make way for Flight 2!"

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1580211906849054720

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Interesting, does Amazon think Vulcan is going first?

https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1580226794430627841

Two test satellites for @Amazon’s 3,236-member Kuiper constellation will launch with @astrobotic lunar lander on @ulalaunch Vulcan-Centaur debut flight, targeted  Q1 '23. KuiperSat-1 & 2 previously manifested on @ablspacesystems RS1. ABL retains multi-launch contract w/ Amazon.

[TrevorMonty]

Interesting, does Amazon think Vulcan is going first?

https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1580226794430627841

Two test satellites for @Amazon’s 3,236-member Kuiper constellation will launch with @astrobotic lunar lander on @ulalaunch Vulcan-Centaur debut flight, targeted  Q1 '23. KuiperSat-1 & 2 previously manifested on @ablspacesystems RS1. ABL retains multi-launch contract w/ Amazon.

Amazon probably assume and rightly so that their satellites won't make it to orbit on RS1 maiden flight. Probably of Vulcan's maiden launch being successful is considerably higher given ULA's LV expertise and use of flight heritage components in Vulcan.

[JEF_300]

I have to say, between the big launch contracts and the fact that flight 2 is all ready well in the pipeline, ABL looks pretty well positioned to survive as a launch company, with a fully expendable rocket, into the late 2020s. I was starting to think that wouldn't be possible.

[Daniels30]

Flight 2 Stage 1
https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1583497772790972418

Flight 2 Stage 2
https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1583499675641864202

[gmbnz]

Maybe it's already been noted and I missed it - but I just realised it looks like the engines only gimbal in one axis (around the circumference), and that the gimbal point is halfway down the chamber rather than at the top of the chamber. If that's the case it must make the propellant feed lines mighty flexible. Also the TVCs are partially connected with some aerospace quality hose clamp(?) to the cute little hydraulic TVCs.

[Pipess]

From recent launch-day photos I noticed a lack of a strongback arm on the launch mount. Is the rocket simply cantilevered while being raised? If so, that's one strong tube.

[Foximus]

Yes.  The vehicle is grabbed from the base and is articulated just by grabbing the thrust ring / mount. 

[PM3]

Is there a livestream for this launch attempt?

ABL have said there won't be a livestream. :-(

Maybe if ABL has enough successes, they’ll start streaming their launches.

No livestream = they are so confident in their success and so solidly funded that they don't need to produce any show. Backed by Lockheed Martin, who is also their biggest customer. ABL has the balls to stay in stealth mode.

[Rondaz]

Orbital Launch no. 162 of 2022

@ablspacesystems introduces their first RS-1 small payload carrier rocket for the 1st demonstration flight from Kodiak, #Alaska, launching two VariSat (1A,1B) from @OmniTeqAI to Low Earth Orbit.

https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1593334474460102656

[Steven Pietrobon]

VariSat 1A/1B were previously scheduled on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter mission.

[Daniels30]

RS1 Flight 2 and Flight 3 in production

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1615751434448015360

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1629190538908893189

Col. Douglas Pentecost of the Air Force has referred to companies including Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, Blue Origin, and ABL Space as "Lane 1" entrants for national security launch. He revealed that ABL is also working on larger rocket, which the company hasn't talked about.

[TrevorMonty]

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1629190538908893189

Col. Douglas Pentecost of the Air Force has referred to companies including Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, Blue Origin, and ABL Space as "Lane 1" entrants for national security launch. He revealed that ABL is also working on larger rocket, which the company hasn't talked about.

Expensive move. What is state of ABL finances?

Edit: I expect Firefly/Northrop Gruman to also to be bidding.

[Zed_Noir]

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1629190538908893189

Col. Douglas Pentecost of the Air Force has referred to companies including Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, Blue Origin, and ABL Space as "Lane 1" entrants for national security launch. He revealed that ABL is also working on larger rocket, which the company hasn't talked about.

Expensive move. What is state of ABL finances?

Edit: I expect Firefly/Northrop Gruman to also to be bidding.

It appears that everyone think there isn't that much of a market for dedicated light (SmallSat) launchers. Hence why every launch provider is introducing a medium launcher.