Autogenous pressurization of propellant tank. Cleaner than Kerosene for reuse (less soot)Slightly off topic question - what is the advantage of using CH4 as a fuel vice say RP-1? I understand that hydrogen is particularly hard to contain and keep cool, and so there is advantages there, but what else? I assume cost is a little lower since some kind of purified natural gas could be used? Also if CH4 is desirable, what prevented its use up until very recently?
Autogenous pressurization of propellant tank. Cleaner than Kerosene for reuse (less soot)
Methane replaced kerosene and not hydrogen. Nothing prevented it. Kerosene requires helium for pressurization and is messy for reuse.Fair enough. What has prevented people from using liquid methane before? If it can be contained on an LNG carrier, I would have thought hydrogen not particular worth the effort, despite its superior performance. Is hydrogen that more energetic per volume/mass that it makes a huge difference in structural size/mass? And if so, what has changed? It seems like all the popular kids on the space playground are making the switch to methane based fuel now (Landspace, Vulcan, Starship)
Methane replaced kerosene and not hydrogen. Nothing prevented it. Kerosene requires helium for pressurization and is messy for reuse.
noWere there previous issues with achieving the property purity of methane? I cannot imagine liquifying it has been a problem for many decades.
What prevented CH4 from replacing RP1 then?
RequirementsWhat prevented CH4 from replacing RP1 then?
Cool angle of Vulcan CERT2 booster. (ITAR team is feeling generous today…
#VulcanRocket #Cert2
no such thing as fines.Bloomberg is now reporting that the US Air Force has imposed unspecified fines on ULA for launch delays. This is concerning the Vulcan launcher.
It would be a contract penalty if anythingno such thing as fines.
Over the last couple of days, I’ve shared a flock of Centaur IIIs and a herd of Atlas’. Here’s a crowd of Centaur Vs. #CrowdedFactory
cool!!
Any update on the Vulcan rocket? Have the engines finished their installation?
CERT2 engines have been installed for a while. Working the third Vulcan now. 1 of 2 in hand. Second one on its way
It may not look like it now, but this will very soon be VLP-2! The SECOND #VulcanRocket mobile launch platform is making excellent progress and will soon be arriving at the Cape! This opens up parallel processing of rockets feeding the SLC41 pad
The addition of Vulcan Launch Platform-2, or VLP-2, will help establish Lane 2, a second launch processing capability for #VulcanRocket to meet demand for higher launch rate cadence from Amazon’s @ProjectKuiper and other customers.
Tory Bruno tweet said:Cool angle of Vulcan CERT2 booster. (ITAR team is feeling generous today…
#VulcanRocket #Cert2
The pic is a little blurry. Is it possible to get a clear picture? I really like this one.
Sorry to trouble you.
Tory Bruno tweet said:Sorry no, blurriness is one of the tools that allows me to show these to you.
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1796268418187833706I've shown you a flock of Centaur IIIs, a crowd of Atlases, and a thunder of Centaur V's. It's time for a gang of Vulcans. #CrowdedFactory.
#VulcanRocket #Cert2
View: https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1796278621914476595Raising the Roof!!
The SPOC is becoming a new VIF-2. Construction is underway and being accelerated. We'll be vertically assembling two #VulcanRocket 's simultaneously in VIF-1 & VIF-2. And rapid firing them at the pad for a high launch tempo next year
We'll move to flying every 2 weeks next year
There four launches plannedWere there not like a half dozen launches scheduled for this year?
Wow. #Rocketship has only just left Decatur with Vulcan CERT2 and… SF106 is already getting its pair of
@blueorigin BE4s installed. The Rocket Factory is rocking and rolling!
Thought you guys might find this interesting. SLC41 (with Atlas Starliner) post #VulcanRocket mods.
Unboxing rocket style…. We have now received all of the BE4s needed for all of Vulcan’s 2024 manifest.
4 launches this year, hmmm!!!8 engines = 4 sets = 4 rockets
Vulcan to launch two national security missions this year, that is good news for United Launch Alliance. Looks like the future is secure for Vulcan then.
Will Vulcan/Centaur have to get a special adaptor to attach Dreamchaser? Or will it attach to the rocket without a problem?
I did not know that Dreamchaser had to be launched in a shroud.
Not a given.So there will be two variants of the Dreamchaser one unmanned and one with crew. Thanks for that news NMaude.
So I take it that there will only be one variant being optionaly manned where it does not require astronauts for certain missions.
An update for you: USSF-106 is our first national security space mission on Vulcan. Finishing up for transport to the Cape. (Our second mission is already there and waiting)
#VulcanRocket #BE4
Sierra has released images of a 200-series that can be manned.No. the manned and unmanned versions would be significantly different. However, it isn't certain that the manned version will actually be built. It's tied to the Orbital Reef space station being developed by Blue Origin and there were reports last year that the relationship between Sierra Space and Blue Origin was not good. However, it seems to have survived into 2024. Given that the other crew option for Orbital Reef is supposed to be Starliner, I think keeping Sierra Space on the team is going to be an important goal for BO.