Space Revolution News - Updates (with candidate positions)

Hey,

So, SRN (Space Revolution News - since Im not weekly right now) is back.  Come over the fold, and see the problems with Constellation, be impressed with XCOR, and look on at raw power from SpaceX.

And be most impressed that I can provide you with all the knowledge about where a candidate stand on the space issue

Lets talk about Constellation
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Everybody is discussing the issues Constellation - largely, it SUCKS!  Yea, thats harsh, but it does.  It started because Griffin was up at Capitol Hill, talking about it.  There was a fair amount of discussion (either directly or implied) about the gap.  But its quite arguable (and I suspect that even Dr. Griffin would agree) that we are facing the issues we are facing because of the past history that is with the NASA.  The real question, that needs to be asked, 1 - is Constellation as envisioned the best thats out there, or is there better?  

Keith Cowing took some shots at him, which you can read here and here and here.  Clark Lindsey followed up with his thoughts (which largely echoed Keith's about scolding Nasa, although his solution was different).  And of course, there are the guys pushing the Direct concept.  My own personal opinion?  I am not really certain what would be the best solution, because while there are definite technical merits to each one, there is an elephant in the room that is the standing army needed for launching the shuttle, and that will need to be dealt with to get certain Senator's support.  In addition, there is the whole issue of the coming revolution in cost (which more and more people are realizing), so there is quite a bit to balance.  However, that said, almost anything is/would be better than what we've got.  The next administrator I suspect will have some hard choices ahead.

I should also add, Jon Goff offered up some comments also dealing with problems associated with ESAS, and specifically how you can, during early development cycle, over optimize capablities.  

The fittest RLV design
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In response to Jon Goff's above post, Clark Lindsey talks about how we are seeing a variety of different things being tried in the private spaceflight industry - hybrids vs liquids vs soids, piston pumps vs turbo-pumps, VTVL vs HTHL, and so on.  It spawned quite the discussion (57 comments - thats pretty big for Clark's posts).

XCOR's gets major recognition
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XCOR's methane engine is quite good - How good?  It got mentioned in Time Magazine's Best invention of the year.  I realize Time gave credit to NASA, but, if you look at the up close picture, you can see its XCOR's engine

XCOR and Rocket Racing League (and me)
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Alan Boyle does a nice overview about the RRL.  Its worth noting for 2 reason - First, you'll notice who provided the picture at the top (is that cool or what :D).  The second thing worth noting, Alan quotes Charles Lurio (who does his own space newsletter), that the engines that will be used on Xerus (XCOR's sub-orbital vehicle) are derivatives of the engine that is to be used in the X-Racer, and that this derivative engine has probably been tested.  

All around, very cool.

Whats 3 minutes and 6 seconds of raw power thats very cool?
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Why, the Merlin 1c engine!

The basis for this video is SpaceX's announcement that the Merlin 1c engine has competed its developmental cycle.  In other words, its ready for operation.  
Some things of note

1.  How much raw power?  Well, in a vacuum, over 100,000 lbs.

2.  This will power the next Falcon 1 launch (can't wait to see that - good luck, and third time is a charm)

3.  This engine is designed for recovery and reuse - no word as to what sort of refurbishment is required.

4.

It is among the highest performing gas generator cycle kerosene engines ever built, exceeding the Boeing Delta II main engine, the Lockheed Atlas II main engine, and on par with the Saturn V F-1 engine.

5.  

The Merlin engine is the first new American booster engine in ten years and only the second in over a quarter century. The prior two American engines were the RS-68 developed in the late nineties by Pratt & Whitney’s RocketDyne division, used in the Boeing Delta IV launch vehicle, and the Space Shuttle Main Engine developed in the late seventies, also by RocketDyne.

6.  

SpaceX is preparing to produce more rocket engines than the rest of US production combined. In 2008, SpaceX targets the manufacture of approximately 50 booster engines, a number that exceeds the output of any country except Russia.

The final point is very interesting, I think.  Get ready for some major action

COTS events
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Well, we have the new round of COTS competition going on.  Of course RPK has filed a complaint over it, but I suspect it will go forward, and RPK will not compete in the new round (although I could prove wrong).

With that knowledge, we know some things about the various teams.

Spacedev is pushing ahead with its Dreamchaser plans.  It completed its first milestone under its NASA Space Act Agreemnet.  This agreement is unfunded.  The point of this milestone was to define the Outer Mold line of the dreamchaser.  Its worth noting that the current plan is for flight testing in 2009 - that of course is dependent upon getting money.  BTW, while I am talking about Spacedev, there  is new blog that covers what is going on at Spacedev, and you can check it out.

Moving to another company, Spacehab, it also is moving forward with its Astrotech Research & Conventional Technology Utilization Spacecraft (ARCTUS) system.  In accordance with the milestone requirements of the Space Act Agreement with NASA, the Company hosted a formal Systems Requirements Review of ARCTUS.  Its worth noting that in attendence was NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, United Launch Alliance, Cimarron, Inc., and Lockheed Martin.

Finally, Planetspace has issued a new proposal for this new COTS competition.  The team includes Planetspace, Lockheed Martin and ATK.  Not a lot of details are currenly known, however, Planetspace is leading the team, with LM providing the Orbital Transfer vehicle, and ATK providing the vehicle.  Originally, Planetspace proposed using the Silver Dart vehicle.  However, as Clark Lindsey notes, there is no mention of the Silver Dart in this bid.  There is further discussion of the new Planetspace proposal at Hobbyspace, which can be viewed here.

Masten Space System Update
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Masten had an update, and its worth the read.  Go check it out.

Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin
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As many of you are probably aware, amazon.com has launched its new ebook reader.  Jeff Bezos talked with Charlie Rose about it.  In addition, at the end, he also talked about Blue Origin (fast forward to 50:25, to see the stuff about Blue Origin) - very cool.

Presidential Space
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Finally, did you know there is a presidential race going on right now :D?  You probably saw that Obama announced an education plan, that included cuts to Constellation to pay for the plan.  A certain, very excellent blogger brought it up here at Dailykos :D.  It also got press in other blogs as well, and you can use Hobbyspace as the main starting point.  Because of this, I've started another blog, over at the Obama campaign (You can read my first post here).  I should note, that, although I have started this blog, as yet I am not an Obama supporter - I'd like to become one, and hope that this pushes him to issue a space policy position.  I'll probably do something similiar over at the Edwards campaign site as well (and if I have real energy, I might do something for Biden and Dodd).  

This discussion of space policy was even noticed over at the Carpetbaggers report

I this would be a good time to review any and all knowledge we have about the various presidential candidates positions on space

1.  Senator Hillary Clinton - She issued a formal policy statement, about scientific innovation, which can be found at spaceref.com.  In addition, earlier this month, she endorsed a swift move to the next generation of rockets, over at spacenews.  Unfortantly, that article is not avaliable without a subscription, but it was referenced over at spacepolitics.com.  Look for it in the comments, by anonymous.space.

2.  Senator Barack Obama - see the above paragraphs.

3.  Senator John Edwards - As I covered in an earlier SRWN, he was asked about it, and, despite what some of his supporters have said, it was a punt.  I understand part of the issue probably is that it isn't seen as a big issue, and he probably doesn't know much about it.  It was still a punt, and I wish he knew more about it, and would have a space policy to put out.

4.  Governor Bill Richardson - While I don't know of any major policy statements, New Mexico has come out in a big way to promote NewSpace, through hosting the X Prize Cup, as well as Spaceport America.  

5.  Senators Chris Dodd and Senator Joe Biden - I am combining these two, since what we know stems from a question asked after a debate in NH.  The question was "What is your vision for America's Space program?"

Dodd's Answer

I think we're doing okay - thanks a lot for the question

Biden's Answer

JB - "I like the robotic programs"
AE - "How about the manned missions, with clear leadership we could"
JB - "With clear leadership we can do anything, good luck"

6.  Dennis Kucinich - Kucinich has the Glenn Research Center in his district, and has historically pushed for more space spending.  When asked the same question that was asked of Dodd and Biden, he called for a doubling of the funding.  (The details of these questions can be found at hobbyspace

7.  No data on Gravel.

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That bring us to an end to this edition of Space Revolution News.  Feel free to post any thoughts or questions in the comments.