Excalibur Almaz

[Downix]

The only picture of the Proton with TKS on it I have ever seen I am attaching here.

[Danderman]

The only picture of the Proton with TKS on it I have ever seen I am attaching here.

Its unlikely that this is anything other than a photograph of a dual VA launch, but that begs the question as to how to differentiate between the two. Did TKS require the use of the full launch escape system?

[Orbital Debris]

FWIW, Stratolaunch would be a good choice as an LV for Excalibur Almaz.

Why is that?

(Because they're both vaporware?)

Stratolaunch has billionaire financial backing and the assistance of three fairly-established contractors. EA has some empty aluminum shells in a warehouse in middle of the Irish Sea. It's hardly a fair comparison.

Billionaire backing isn't all that it is cracked up to be. 

[Capt. David]

The only picture of the Proton with TKS on it I have ever seen I am attaching here.

I have that photo (and several others of the Dual VA/Proton) in High Resolution) This is definitely a Dual VA test.

Best Regards,

David L. Rickman

[Capt. David]

The only picture of the Proton with TKS on it I have ever seen I am attaching here.

Its unlikely that this is anything other than a photograph of a dual VA launch, but that begs the question as to how to differentiate between the two. Did TKS require the use of the full launch escape system?

The difference between the two is that the Launch Fairing of the TKS was noticeably wider than the Fairing/Shell used on the Dual VA. The TKS Fairing was similar to the Mir FGB Fairings; same width but constructed of different material.

When I get a chance, I'll provide a link to a TKS Fairing which was posted on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki Forum some time ago.

Best Regards,

David L. Rickman

[Capt. David]

When I get a chance, I'll provide a link to a TKS Fairing which was posted on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki Forum some time ago.

And here it is:



This photo was taken some time ago, and the Fairing pictured is no longer there.

Fortunately a colleague named Vladimir Antipov was able to photograph it before it disappeared.

Best Regards,

David L. Rickman

[Danderman]

FWIW, Stratolaunch would be a good choice as an LV for Excalibur Almaz.

Why is that?

(Because they're both vaporware?)

A little off-topic, but I am posting some Stratolauncher vapor.

[Moe Grills]

  Change of subject a bit.

If the Excalibur Almaz project directors and CEO's cannot afford
a Proton-class booster, nor afford all that goes into launching it, wouldn't it make sense for them to sell the hardware they have to those who have financial access to Proton boosters? or are designing/building boosters equally capable of lofting the Excalibur Almaz hardware into LEO (Falcon Heavy)? Those with the bucks like Mr. Bigelow? Mr. Musk? Mr. Anderson?

   Why does it always have to be competition? instead of collaboration?

[Capt. David]

  Change of subject a bit.

If the Excalibur Almaz project directors and CEO's cannot afford
a Proton-class booster, nor afford all that goes into launching it, wouldn't it make sense for them to sell the hardware they have to those who have financial access to Proton boosters? or are designing/building boosters equally capable of lofting the Excalibur Almaz hardware into LEO (Falcon Heavy)? Those with the bucks like Mr. Bigelow? Mr. Musk? Mr. Anderson?

   Why does it always have to be competition? instead of collaboration?

Second answer first: Why is there competition between Pepsi and Coke? It is the nature of free enterprise to be competitive.

But, to answer your first question: This may have a great deal to do with the contract signed between Excalibur Almaz and NPO Mash. NPO Mash is very secretive, and very, very cautious. Although I don't understand it myself, I can give you a personal example...

Both Almaz and the N1-L3 program were housed under military budget and secrecy. I can get copies of documents regarding many aspects of the technology designer for N1 and the Lunniy Korabl  from various industries which worked on these programs. And yet, I can't get a single photograph of a gutted Almaz capsule which is being displayed at the International Space University in France due to treaties which prohibit the transfer of information about military equipment made in the former USSR (even though we have a complete Almaz capsule displayed at the National Air and Space Museum).

It doesn't make sense to me, but it is the reality of the situation.

That is also why I have put all research about Almaz on hold, and have devoted my time to researching the soviet manned lunar program ... which I must say is going very, very well.

Best Regards,

David L. Rickman

[Danderman]

  Change of subject a bit.

If the Excalibur Almaz project directors and CEO's cannot afford
a Proton-class booster, nor afford all that goes into launching it, wouldn't it make sense for them to sell the hardware they have to those who have financial access to Proton boosters? or are designing/building boosters equally capable of lofting the Excalibur Almaz hardware into LEO (Falcon Heavy)? Those with the bucks like Mr. Bigelow? Mr. Musk? Mr. Anderson?

   Why does it always have to be competition? instead of collaboration?

Proton is far too large and costly to orbit a single Almaz VA capsule. Even Soyuz is too large and costly.  Some like a Falcon V would do the job.

[Zond]

Excalibur Almaz has updated their website. It now also includes plans for trips to the moon. But there's still no evidence of real progress.

[Danderman]

There is new stuff on the site about the VA capsule, including this cartoon of their brand new PAO.

[Danderman]

Concerning a hypothetical Stratolauncher - Excalibur match, there would be a good possible benefits for Almaz, including:

Reduced mass of launch escape system, since the capsule doesn't need much delta-V just to get off the stack; related to this:

The rear hatch could be used for passengers to egress via some sort of tunnel from WW3, obviating the requirements for passengers to sit in the capsule at takeoff, getting us back to the reduced LES mass.  I suspect that the retrofire motor system would be enough for launch aborts at altitude.

With a smaller LES, even a 4 engine Stratolauncher probably gets the Excalibur spacecraft into a useful orbit.

If the Almaz is to carry a propulsive adapter section, that engine probably could be used for the final push into orbit, allowing Stratolauncher to get the capsule 95% of the way there.

[Capt. David]

OMG! The best part of this new website is the link to the 5:58 minute video!!!

There are scenes I've never seen!



Excitedly,

David L. Rickman

[Danderman]

I already had this video from somewhere else, although I can't remember where.

[Capt. David]

I already had this video from somewhere else, although I can't remember where.

I had only seen parts of it. But I've also seen clips relating to the Almaz testing which suggest this is only the VA portion of a much longer film.

Regards,

David L. Rickman

[Nicolas PILLET]

And yet, I can't get a single photograph of a gutted Almaz capsule which is being displayed at the International Space University in France

Was this capsule the same one which is on the Isle of Man ?

[Capt. David]

And yet, I can't get a single photograph of a gutted Almaz capsule which is being displayed at the International Space University in France

Was this capsule the same one which is on the Isle of Man ?

The one in France isn't. It's one of the four owned by EA. My interest in this particular capsule is that it is the only one to have all internal components removed. It's just the shell with the spaceframe, and I have yet to see the entire spaceframe.
Regards,

David L. Rickman

[QuantumG]

http://moonandback.com/2012/06/25/moonandback-interview-with-art-dula-part-1-excalibur-almaz/

Some more information in this video.

[Jason1701]

Funnily enough, I saw a 2-minute TV spot about Excalibur Almaz on the Shanghai Metro TV yesterday!