Recent content by K_Jameson

The HES upper stage will remain!

The "Tycho" inline alternative (here a sketch) is the more attractive. Simpler, fully methalox, more realistic in the light of the recent aerospace developments. The original Nova, with stretched tanks, would achieve more or less the same performances (about 60t in LEO in fully reusable...

Still pondering a name change. If the new inline iteration (which I'll unveil soon) will be adoped, the rocket family will depart significantly from the known design and appearance and this could be the occasion to change the name to distinguish it from Stoke Space Nova. A name that popped up in...

Docked configuration with the Argo crew vehicle - simulation. Pressurized volume in the Argo spacecraft: about 60 m3. Pressurized volume in the Auriga lander: 120-125 m3 (walkable surface 50 m2).

Thank you man!

Still some work on the lander:

Excellant work!

Work on the inline alternative is underway. I'm putting the numbers together. It is a radical change

Some work is underway on the Auriga lunar lander. Access to the surface is via an elevator that extends from the front compartment, just below the main windows (still to be completed). The 10-meter ladder, equipped with a central rail for a fall arrest hook, and the hatch, located at the rear...

The first piece of hardware for the possible next-generation Nova rocket is ready: the vacuum-optimized methalox Neptune engine (right). They're relatively low-resolution to keep the poly count low. Presumably, a total of 24 will be needed for the first and second stage, both versions. Now that...

Sketch of the inline alternative for the Nova rocket.

Not yet decided

Boil off management for long term missions

Parallel staging is just a different philosophy than tandem staging. It allows a more compact launch vehicle, eliminates the need for altitude ignition and all the stuff related, unlocks a useful modular configuration. And Hydrogen is actually the best choice here, for a core stage.

Except for some work on the upcoming Auriga lander (specifically the opening geometry of the landing legs, see below), project currently on hold because I was pondering various realism issues that arose as I studied further, particularly the hydrogen management issue. I came close to scrapping...