News NASA's Future: The News and Updates Thread

[T.Neo]

If it is Liberty, oh hell no. Ares I just won't flush...

 

[Kyle]

If it is Liberty, oh hell no. Ares I just won't flush...

It's the only real option. What else can fit on a Shuttle MLP?

If it's not Liberty, color me surprised.

EDIT - Guess it also has a chance of being a FH, but no mention of reusing a MLP, making it likely imo that it's Liberty. See this quote from Musk via NSF.com
“We’re also investigating the possibility of using one of the old Shuttle pads for Falcon Heavy,” Mr Musk added, likely referencing Pad 39B, which is currently being demolished into a clean pad, as per the plans still in effect from the Constellation Program.

 

[FADEC]

Uh, oh, sniff.... it smells like Ares I-X reloaded...

---------- Post added at 02:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 AM ----------

It's the only real option.

These 5 words actually describe NASAs condition quite exactly.

 

[Arrowstar]

BREAKING - NASA is planning to host a test launch in 2014, via the use of an existing Shuttle Mobile Launch Platform, conducted by a vehicle which can’t be named at this time due to an embargo.

A test launch of what? Orion? I thought we had a Delta IV Heavy lined up for an early 2014 test flight already. Or is this something else?

 

[T.Neo]

It's the only real option. What else can fit on a Shuttle MLP?

If it's not Liberty, color me surprised.

EDIT - Guess it also has a chance of being a FH, but no mention of reusing a MLP, making it likely imo that it's Liberty. See this quote from Musk via NSF.com
“We’re also investigating the possibility of using one of the old Shuttle pads for Falcon Heavy,” Mr Musk added, likely referencing Pad 39B, which is currently being demolished into a clean pad, as per the plans still in effect from the Constellation Program.

I think the SpaceX reference relates to the pad itself, not (necessarily) the MLP. I may be wrong. The thought of an FH riding on a shuttle MLP is quite intriguing though.

I agree, it would seem most likely to be Liberty, especially since the ATK guys (I believe) at some point said they'll have to mod a shutturn MLP as the old Ares I MLP is being dedicated to the SLS. One wonders how they're going to modify the towerless MLP for crew access arms, propellant and electrical connections and vent arms. Or where the money for all those modifications will come from.

One also wonders where the money for further development as well as this presumed test flight will come from. If it comes from NASA, one really has to wonder why they are spending money on an all-new launch vehicle when a vehicle is already available that can do the job well (Atlas), and another vehicle is hopefully about to enter operation (Falcon).

Uh, oh, sniff.... it smells like Ares I-X reloaded...

It is Ares reloaded. Except this time, with Ariane parts!

"When two launch vehicles love each other very much, and ATK needs to sell their prized 5-segment booster..."

 

[Urwumpe]

It is Ares reloaded. Except this time, with Ariane parts!

"When two launch vehicles love each other very much, and ATK needs to sell their prized 5-segment booster..."

What other launch vehicle could be ready in that time frame and fit on a MLP? There is only Falcon Heavy and Liberty in the region.

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: NASA Chief Defends Space Budget Needs to Congress

 

[Kyle]

What other launch vehicle could be ready in that time frame and fit on a MLP? There is only Falcon Heavy and Liberty in the region.

I think we can rule out FH for this too, I don't that NASA will really want to spend the money to modify a MLP for a FH, especially when SpaceX can just modify their launch pad for 1/3rd of the price. Though, why they're not using the SLS MLP if it's Liberty I have no idea. Maybe because they're working on getting it ready for SLS.

 

[Pipcard]

See this quote from Musk via NSF.com

At first, I was confused as to how a "Public Health and (Food/Water/Product) Safety Company" was related to this. Then I realized it was an abbreviation for NasaSpaceFlight.com.

 

[C3PO]

..... which can’t be named at this time due to an embargo.

What other launch vehicle could be ready in that time frame and fit on a MLP? There is only Falcon Heavy and Liberty in the region.

And I'm not aware of any embargo issues concerning SpaceX, so that leaves Liberty.

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now: SpaceX eyes shuttle launch pad for heavy-lift rocket

WASHINGTON -- SpaceX and NASA are in advanced discussions for the private space firm to use Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A, one of the spaceport's Apollo and space shuttle launch sites, as the Florida base for its Falcon Heavy rocket, officials said.

NASA and SpaceX are studying how to assemble and launch Falcon Heavy rockets from pad 39A, including adding a facility to horizontally integrate the launcher's core stage, two strap-on boosters and upper stage, according to William Hill, assistant deputy associate administrator for NASA's exploration systems division.

With 28 liquid-fueled core, booster and upper stage engines, the Falcon Heavy rocket is a behemoth booster designed to launch human and robotic exploration missions, massive U.S. military satellites, and huge payloads for commercial clients at competitive prices. Its first demonstration launch from California is scheduled for 2013.

SpaceX plans to piece the rocket together on its side, then roll it to the launch pad and lift it vertical before liftoff. Fully fueled and assembled for launch, the Falcon Heavy will weigh 3.1 million pounds and stand 227 feet tall, according to SpaceX.

{...}

 

[Tacolev]

...

Well.

Looks like we got this one wrong.

 

[Kyle]

...

Well.

Looks like we got this one wrong.

Funny thing is that LC-39A will look exactly like it did for the shuttle if a FH goes off it.

However, the key thing to note is that NSF noted that KSC plans to launch a rocket off a shuttle MLP and not just a launch pad as SpaceX wants to do, which tells me it's not a FH.

EDIT: Confirmed by NSF that FH is NOT the rocket unable to be mentioned due to an embargo that is supposed to launch off a Shuttle MLP.

 

[Kyle]

Escape baskets for shuttle crews removed from pad

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: NASA Exploration Roadmap: A return to the Moon’s surface documented:

The latest documentation relating to the efforts to create an Exploration Roadmap for NASA’s future has provided the strongest indication to date that the Agency wants to return US astronauts to the surface of the Moon. Listed as a Lunar Surface Sortie (LSS) mission, the Exploration Systems Development Division (ESD) revealed their plans via their latest Concept Of Operations (Con Ops) document.

{...}

 

[orb]

Universe Today: Can NASA’s Planetary Science Budget Be Saved?

SPACE.com: NASA's Planetary Science Future Rides on Huge Mars Rover's Success

Aviation Week: Mars Science Lab Success Critical To Funding


NASA: RELEASE : 12-088 - NASA Seeks Space Launch System Advanced Development Solutions

 

[orb]

SPACE.com:

• Scientists Vow to Fight Cuts in NASA's Planetary Science
  
  
• Congress Grills NASA Chief on Planetary Science Cuts

Universe Today: Can NASA’s Planetary Science Budget Be Saved?

Parabolic Arc: NASA Joins Campaign to Encourage Next Gen Engineers and Innovators







[highlight]O-F Staff Note:[/highlight]

By a popular demand for movement of the "[Discussion] NASA's Future: The War Continues" thread to The Basement, which was the main thread for posting news and updates about the NASA's future, but also a discussion about the politics behind NASA, and endless off-topic NASA vs. SpaceX arguments, that thread has been split into 2 parts:

• "[News]NASA's Future: The News and Updates Thread" - containing updates and news about NASA's future, in accordance with the description of the forum:

  Spaceflight News Share news, stories, or discussions about government and private spaceflight programs; including ESA, ISS, NASA, Russian Space Program, Virgin Galactic, & more!

  There is no place for political debates in that thread, unconstructive comments, and flamewars between NASA/SLS/Orion and SpaceX/Falcon/Dragon supporters. News about changes in the space program and policy, surprises of the politicians made to NASA, and NASA budget updates, although made and dictated by politicians, and direct comments to them, which won't start a flamewar or a political debate, can be posted here.
  
  
  
  
• "NASA's Future: The War Continues - The political and off-topic discussion" - containing political arguments related to news posted here, and their spin-offs into NASA vs. SpaceX wars.
  That thread has been moved to The Basement forum, where is the place for:

  The Basement A place for political and religious news, debates, and discussions. Members are free to post at will with virtually no moderation in this forum, however, direct attacks against another person or group will be met with a swift infraction the first time, followed by loss of access to The Basement thereafter.

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[NovaSilisko]

NASASpaceflight: NASA Exploration Roadmap: A return to the Moon’s surface documented:

​

It's very interesting that they don't seem to want to announce that publicly.

 

[RGClark]

Elon Musk appeared on the U.S. news show "60 minutes" on Sunday:

SpaceX: Entrepreneur's race to space.
March 18, 2012 4:44 PM
From PayPal to electric cars to rockets, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk wants his company, SpaceX, to build America's next manned spacecraft. Scott Pelley reports.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50121782n


Bob Clark

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: Congressmen Blast New NASA Mars Plan