Topic: Ares substitute proposal. (Read 1310 times)

Nemesis · « **on:** January 10, 2009, 02:49:44 pm »

Quote

Proponents of Jupiter are hoping that the Obama administration is willing to keep an open mind. The engineers behind Jupiter Direct say their plan would be faster and cheaper because it uses a new configuration of proven space shuttle hardware. To replace Ares I, the Jupiter Direct advocates want to use a single-stage launch vehicle, Jupiter 120. The heart of the system is a modified external tank from the shuttle powered by two RS-68s, the reliable liquid-fuel engine currently used in the Delta IV satellite launcher. The initial kick is provided by two four-segment solid rocket boosters lifted directly from the shuttle.

The shuttle was designed with the intent of components being reconfigured like this.

NJAntman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2009, 06:53:24 pm »

WHAT?! Use existing hardware? Where is the profit in money & jobs in that approach?

Look for the current tooling to be destroyed if this alternate gains any traction.

knightstorm · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2009, 12:36:05 am »

I know the shuttle isn't cost effective for most missions, but going back to capsules seems like a step backwards. I really wish they hadn't cancelled the Venturestar program.

Nemesis · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:36:19 am »

Quote from: knightstorm on January 12, 2009, 12:36:05 am

I know the shuttle isn't cost effective for most missions, but going back to capsules seems like a step backwards. I really wish they hadn't cancelled the Venturestar program.

Also the DCX was promising. As an example it had an explosion in flight and was able to abort the mission and land.

NJAntman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:21:51 am »

Well, as Bigelow succeeded with NASA discarded Inflatable Tech, perhaps Blue Origin will do the same with the DCX tech?

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