Author Topic: Bigelow/Rocketplane agreement (Read 4022 times)

marsavian · « **on:** 03/25/2007 07:28 pm »

http://www.personalspaceflight.info/2007/03/23/bigelowrocketplane-agreement/

So that's SpaceX, Lockheed Martin and now RPK Bigelow is going to do business with.

Hunt101 · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/25/2007 08:08 pm »

Been forced to comment on this.

An RpK letter of intent is aimed at its investors.

ULA are the primary option and advanced.

marsavian · « **Reply #2 on:** 03/25/2007 08:37 pm »

There maybe enough Bigelow business for everyone

'With only two modules (BA 330's) in orbit the flight rate demand in the third year of operation alone is 16 rockets the size of the Atlas V-401s or Falcon 9s to transport people and cargo. Perhaps, we will even use a foreign transportation system if a domestic alternative is not available or is too expensive. We just don't know. I have recognized all along that we may be ready with a destination but must wait for the progress of affordable, available transportation to catch up.'

http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/multiverse/

Danderman · « **Reply #3 on:** 03/25/2007 09:29 pm »

Can someone remind who the customers are who would pay for all this?

marsavian · « **Reply #4 on:** 03/25/2007 09:42 pm »

Space Hotel tourists and commercial users.

'
Our near term vision for Bigelow Aerospace is to play a major role in drastically altering the current cost and availability surrounding commercial and public use of non-habitable and habitable space complexes.
'

NotGncDude · « **Reply #5 on:** 03/25/2007 11:31 pm »

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Hunt101 - 25/3/2007 4:08 PM

ULA is [...] and advanced.

So is RpK, I believe. They're in COTS for the ISS.

Hunt101 · « **Reply #6 on:** 03/25/2007 11:40 pm »

Quote

ianmga - 25/3/2007 6:31 PM

Quote
Hunt101 - 25/3/2007 4:08 PM

ULA is [...] and advanced.

So is RpK, I believe. They're in COTS for the ISS.

Yes, they are in COTS, for now. Their commercial plans with Bigelow are at the very very begining. I could set up a letter of intent with you within a week. LOIs are aimed at investor markets.

GF3 · « **Reply #7 on:** 03/26/2007 04:25 pm »

An LOI is a step needed to get to ULA

Danderman · « **Reply #8 on:** 03/26/2007 04:36 pm »

Quote

GF3 - 26/3/2007 9:25 AM An LOI is a step needed to get to ULA

Too many TLAs!!!

PurduesUSAFguy · « **Reply #9 on:** 03/26/2007 06:37 pm »

I wonder about what kind of progress RPK is making with the K1, I remember reading several years ago it was 75% done so it seems like they should be abl to put a vehicle on the pad sometime in 2008.

Danderman · « **Reply #10 on:** 03/26/2007 06:50 pm »

Quote

PurduesUSAFguy - 26/3/2007 11:37 AM I wonder about what kind of progress RPK is making with the K1, I remember reading several years ago it was 75% done so it seems like they should be able to put a vehicle on the pad sometime in 2008.

IIRC, the 75 percent figure was a measurement of mass, so I would not be surprised if that figure had not changed.

GF3 · « **Reply #11 on:** 03/28/2007 03:59 pm »

Quote

PurduesUSAFguy - 26/3/2007 1:37 PM

I wonder about what kind of progress RPK is making with the K1, I remember reading several years ago it was 75% done so it seems like they should be abl to put a vehicle on the pad sometime in 2008.

The figure has changed but about the same. Since COTS, many of the requirements for the K-1 have changed (for example the ability to support capability D) so some of the hardware developed can be used as is and some needed redesign. So with these new requirements in mind we are back to the 75% area and moving forward. But Yes again this is completed by weight. We are on schedule for first loaded flights in 2009.