Author Topic: Microcosm To End Scorpius Program (Read 4264 times)

bad_astra · « **on:** 09/29/2006 06:41 pm »

AF cut the funding

http://www.smad.com/layoff_release_final.pdf

yinzer · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/29/2006 07:13 pm »

Microcosm has been working on Scorpius for god knows how long - I think I remember reading about it nearly 10 years ago. I would imagine that the AF figures that between Air Launch LLC, SpaceX, and Orbital's Minotaur, they have their bases covered.

Jim · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/29/2006 07:24 pm »

The release sounds like sour grapes

josh_simonson · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/30/2006 01:34 am »

Perhaps someone else in el segundo could use a few engineers and composite tank technology...

bad_astra · « **Reply #4 on:** 09/30/2006 02:44 am »

Quote

Jim - 29/9/2006 2:07 PM

The release sounds like sour grapes

Yeah, not really professional. I think honestly it was a case of time passing them by. I'd still like to see a completely pressure fed system work.

Dan Moser · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/05/2006 03:35 am »

Wow! A bit of a surprise here.

As one of the original team members on the Scorpius program back in '93-97, I am a little saddened to see that effort end.
I did their first series of ablative chambers and composite tanks as a subcontractor (Utah Rocketry), but had to end my relations with them when I decided to throw my chips in with Beal Aerospace. At least Microcosm actually got to fly something.
But I think you're right about Minotaur, AirLaunch and SpaceX options being enough for a growing responsive launch capability, and the AF can't afford to keep everything going, so they had to pick the "most likely to succeed."