On a unrelated note, does the SNC lander look like a re-purposed upper stage?
Getting a smidge off topic, but it seems to me like SNC is building up a lot of tech that looks rather like what'd be needed for a reusable launch vehicle. We know they're building RCS-to-upper stage-class engines (VORTEX), which they're actively marketing. There was a mention of an inflatable device they're developing for ULA to recover upper stages. Dream Chaser gives them reentry/aerodynamics and autonomous horizontal landing experience, this lander will likely give them experience operating an integrated cryogenic stage, deep throttling, propulsive landing, etc. Maybe this actually is an SNC upper stage-derivative
Quote from: su27k on 11/19/2019 01:59 amOn a unrelated note, does the SNC lander look like a re-purposed upper stage?Getting a smidge off topic, but it seems to me like SNC is building up a lot of tech that looks rather like what'd be needed for a reusable launch vehicle. We know they're building RCS-to-upper stage-class engines (VORTEX), which they're actively marketing. There was a mention of an inflatable device they're developing for ULA to recover upper stages. Dream Chaser gives them reentry/aerodynamics and autonomous horizontal landing experience, this lander will likely give them experience operating an integrated cryogenic stage, deep throttling, propulsive landing, etc. Maybe this actually is an SNC upper stage-derivative
It's quite interesting to see the difference between commercial landers and this concept. This concept at a glance looks to be a bespoke piece of equipment designed solely around one rover chassis in particular and ground level deployment. Commercial offerings take a one size fits all top mount approach in general, proposing either ramps or cranes to lower the rover.
HONOLULU — NASA has delayed the release of a task order that’s part of its commercial lunar lander program for the delivery of a rover at the south pole of the moon, a decision some lander companies have quietly welcomed.
NASA withdrew without explanation last week a task order for its commercial lunar lander services program, frustrating many of the companies involved.According to several industry sources, NASA withdrew late Jan. 31 a task order designated 19C for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The task orders serve as requests for proposal for those companies who have CLPS contracts, inviting them to submit bids for carrying out the missions defined in the task order using their landers.
I don't think I've seen anything posted here on Deep Space System's lander yet. Found this page: https://www.deepspacesystems.com/clps with some renders, a data sheet, and a users guide for their "Small Lunar Lander". Apparently there is also going to be at least a "Medium Lunar Lander", but no info on that
That's a really cool little lander, especially with the golf cart wheels to turn it into a rover.
Later today NASA will award the next mission for one of the companies under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, people familiar tell me. The award is expected to be about $75 million.
Masten wins a $75M award for a CLPS mission:https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-contract-to-deliver-science-tech-to-moon-ahead-of-human-missionshttps://spacenews.com/masten-wins-nasa-lunar-lander-award/
Under the #Artemis program we're going to the Moon with all of America & today we announced the next commercial company helping make this vision a reality. Congrats @MastenSpace! They'll deliver 8 payloads to the Moon’s South Pole, carrying science & tech:
