Comments on: Rethinking heavy-lift launchers

By: DJWeston

DJWeston — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:10:15 +0000

SpaceDev, SpaceX, whatever.

While I wish them the best and all the luck in the world, I think they have considerably underestimated the design and realization of a large-scale launch vehicle. It is not a linear evolution from Falcon-1 to Falcon-9.

I was also really wishing the best for Roton, Kelly Space, and Kistler.

If Rutan gets into the HLV business I would think he would do well. Of course, he is a good businessman and would have nothing to do with it.

By: Rand Simberg

Rand Simberg — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 19:49:13 +0000

…and please don’t mention Falcon in the same breath as an EELV. SpaceDev has a LOOOOONG way to go before they are thought of seriously.

SpaceDev built Falcon? Who knew?

By: DJWeston

DJWeston — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:29:45 +0000

Keep in mind that ISS element do not fit on an EELV because they were not ** designed ** to do that. If we design the Moon elements to fit on an EELV they will fit.

.. and please don’t mention Falcon in the same breath as an EELV. SpaceDev has a LOOOOONG way to go before they are thought of seriously.

By: Thomas Lee Elifritz

Thomas Lee Elifritz — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 21:58:58 +0000

I can make predictions here too.

With George Bush and Michael Griffin in charge of America’s space program, in the future, the only orbiting going on at all will be around the beltway. ESAS is that bad.

Space Politics – an oxymoron.

Thomas Lee Elifritz
http://cosmic.lifeform.org

By: Mike Puckett

Mike Puckett — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 21:22:01 +0000

I must warn you Thomas, your Ad-Homenim tactics to which you are so happily wed will not fly over here. If you try it, Jeff will quickly bring you back to Earth. This is a moderated forum for civil discussion.

By: Thomas Lee Elifritz

Thomas Lee Elifritz — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 20:46:50 +0000

When you get over your infatuation with hydrocarbon combustion, you will have graduated from kindergarten, and are ready for entrance into the greater galactic civilization. Until then, you are just another ATK/Bush worshiper. ESAS : Exploring Space As Stupidly As Possible.

FYI : HTML test :

http://flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/11/29/Navigation/200/203316/Methane+rocket+engine+proves+worthy+of+study.html

By: Mike Puckett

Mike Puckett — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 17:36:58 +0000

I have another:

Methane.

Please flatulate away.

By: Thomas Lee Elifritz

Thomas Lee Elifritz — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 00:21:00 +0000

I want to say one word to you. Just one word.

Are you listening?

Hydrogen.

By: Rand Simberg

Rand Simberg — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 20:31:26 +0000

That drives HLV intrest since the fewer the launchs, the less likelyhood of losing a part.

But the higher the likelihood of a launch failure being disastrous in terms of sheer amount of lost hardware.

By: Bill White

Bill White — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:17:57 +0000

Earth to LEO is only part of the issue.

Return to Earth from the moon involves velocities far higher than Earth orbital velocity. As it is, Soyuz needs to “skip” once to slow down before re-entry. Apollo on steroids doesn’t – – it can come straight on in and is more manueverable upon re-entry than Soyuz.

An RLV space plane? Okay far more manueverable that CEV or Soyuz but try designing a lightweight heat shield for lunar return.