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Electron in orbit!
Hello All,
Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has successfully reached orbit! This article (see: http://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/2...ul-test-launch/ ) contains the particulars. (One unusual "First"--having rocket engines with electrically-driven propellant pumps, its second stage jettisoned a spent battery pack during ascent in order to reduce the total mass of the second stage and its multiple-CubeSat payloads.) Here (see: http://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/2...om-new-zealand/ ) is a video of the flight.
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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It seems Space-X isn't the only company with a fetish for the number 9.
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I love sanding. |
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Quote:
While I like the aesthetics of the Saturn I's & IB's 8-engine layout, the "8 around 1" arrangement (which I also like) allows for a narrower airframe. Spreading the desired total first stage thrust among 9 rather than 8 engines also makes it a bit easier to design the engines for their lesser "unit burdens" (in terms of pump speeds, chamber pressure, thrust, etc.), which makes reuse-ability easier (Peter Beck has mentioned that Electron's first stage may be made reusable in the future), and: Those small Rutherford rocket engines--possibly without their first stage nozzle extensions--could also be used to power a Philip Bono-type aerospike plug-nozzle, base-first re-entry SSTO vehicle (his designs used many small rocket engines ringed around the altitude-compensating aerospike nozzle, which gave it deep-throttling capability--by utilizing more or fewer of the engine modules--for landing). While SSTO will work, particularly if the vehicle is large enough (including with LOX/kerosene; G. Harry Stine and Gary Hudson both pointed out historic and existing rocket stages and engines that could achieve SSTO with useful payloads [Hudson's Shuttle ET with 6 or 8 SSMEs had an impressively-large payload]), Bono's basic SSTO-type configuration could also be used for smaller, two-stage reusable launch vehicles. Peter Beck has mentioned developing completely reusable launch vehicles in the future, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bono's basic SSTO configuration--utilized in TSTO or SSTO vehicles--is one potential path that he's considering.
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 01-24-2018 at 12:01 PM. |
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It is interesting to note that the engines are "the first of its type to be primarily 3D-printed. Each Rutherford engine, including its engine chamber, injector, pumps and main propellant valves, can be printed in 24 hours.". That in itself is very impressive.
Very cool! David NAR #65307 |
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Quote:
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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Finally had time to watch the full launch video. Seemed weird that the first stage just tumbled away instead of returning to land. Space-X has me spoiled! Video showed the payload fairing in view, which doesn't always make it into the camera's frame on many launches.
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I love sanding. |
#7
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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As Vader said...
"IMPRESSIVE! MOST IMPRESSIVE!" Later! OL J R
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The X-87B Cruise Basselope-- THE Ultimate Weapon in the arsenal of Homeland Security and only $52 million per round! |
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Quote:
__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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