News NASA's Future: The News and Updates Thread

[N_Molson]

NASA found a creative way to reduce mass at launch :

 

[orb]

NASA: Voyages: Charting the Course for Sustainable Human Space Exploration

 

[N_Molson]

Throttle Up! J-2X Powerpack Test Sets Record

During a record-breaking June 8 test, engineers throttled the J-2X powerpack up and down several times to explore numerous operating points required for the fuel and oxidizer turbopumps. The results of this test will be useful for determining performance and hardware life for the J-2X engine turbopumps. The J-2X engine will power the upper stage of the evolved NASA¹s Space Launch System, an advanced heavy-lift rocket that will provide an entirely new national capability for human exploration beyond Earth¹s orbit. The test was conducted at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is developing the J-2X engine for NASA¹s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (NASA/SSC)

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=145899831

NASA Surpasses Test Facility Record With Long-Duration J-2X Powerpack Test

NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., broke its own record on June 8, when it conducted a test on the new J-2X powerpack. The test lasted for 1,150 seconds, breaking the previous record by more than a full minute.

For NASA, the test marked a milestone step in development of a next-generation rocket engine to carry humans deeper into space than ever before. For Stennis, the 19-minute, 10-second test represented the longest duration firing ever conducted in the center's A Test Complex.

"This is the longest and the most complex J-2X test profile to date," said Mike Kynard, NASA's Space Launch System liquid engines element manager. "By combining as many test objectives as we can, we aim to get the most out of every opportunity and work as affordability and efficiently as possible while maintaining a reasonable level of risk."

The powerpack is a system of components on the top portion of the J-2X engine, including the gas generator, oxygen and fuel turbopumps, and related ducts and valves. As designed, the powerpack system feeds the thrust chamber system, which produces engine thrust. By removing the thrust chamber assembly, including the main combustion chamber, main injector and nozzle, engineers can push more easily the turbomachinery components over a wide range of conditions to demonstrate durability and safety margins.

"Setting a new record for the longest duration test on one of our stands in the A complex is a testament to the longevity and versatility of our testing facilities," said Randy Galloway, engineering and test director at Stennis. "These stands, originally built in the 1960s to test the stages for the Apollo Program, then used for the Space Shuttle Program, are now being used to test for the next generation vehicle that will take us farther than we have ever gone."

This record-breaking test explored numerous operating points required for the fuel and oxidizer turbopumps. The results of this test will be useful for determining performance and hardware life for the J-2X engine turbopumps. The test also allowed operators to calibrate flow meters on the stand, which measure the amount of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen delivered to the powerpack.

Before the powerpack test, the longest firing in Stennis' A Test Complex occurred in August 1989, with a 1,075-second test of a space shuttle main engine. The B Test Complex still claims the record for test duration at more than 2,000 seconds.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Interesting plan: using the SLS to launch a solar-electric tug to carry the deep space habitat to the Sun-Earth L2 point.... :hmm: (do we have a SEP add-on in Orbiter?)

NASASpaceflight.com: NASA teams evaluating ISS-built Exploration Platform roadmap

NASA’s Human Architecture Team (HAT) are coming to the conclusion of their support activity phase for what could be the major focal point for exploring deep space destinations. The Exploration Gateway/Platform – constructed from international modules at the ISS, before being deployed to EML2 – would see greater involvement from “existing launchers” in building the staging ground for missions to the Moon, Asteroids and Mars.

......

 

[N_Molson]

SLS related highlights for May 2012 (NASA)

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/658923main_SLS_Highlights_May_2012.pdf

 

[Codz]

I wonder how much they're charging for that model SLS...:hmm:

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: SLS teams drawing on experience in preparation of actual hardware production

 

[orb]

NASA Press Release: RELEASE : 12-211 - NASA Space Launch System Core Stage Moves From Concept to Design

NASA: NASA Space Launch System Core Stage Moves From Concept to Design

 

[TMac3000]

Wow
We'll be launching that thing before I turn 40:thumbup:

 

[Keatah]

PowerPoint spacecraft, with attachments!

 

[FADEC]

The nation's space exploration program is taking a critical step forward.

:shifty: ?

 

[N_Molson]

Space Launch System - Highlights - June 2012

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/665750main_SLS_Highlights_Jun2012.pdf

 

[RGClark]

Wow
We'll be launching that thing before I turn 40:thumbup:

How old are you now?

Bob Clark :huh:

 

[TMac3000]

How old are you now?

Bob Clark :huh:

33

 

[RGClark]

33

Several knowledgeable observers of the space program have suggested the program may be cancelled because of its ever increasing costs. A NASA internal document estimated the total development and launch costs for the first four launches as $41 billion. This is effectively $10 billion per launch. Compare this to the per launch costs of the shuttle at ca. $250 to $500 million and the complaints even that expense created.

Bob Clark

 

[N_Molson]

J-2X Progress : Once upon a time at Stennis...

 

[Urwumpe]

I would say, the space shuttle did cost not much less if you only calculate for four launches. R&D costs are expensive.

 

[Codz]

Several knowledgeable observers of the space program have suggested the program may be cancelled because of its ever increasing costs. A NASA internal document estimated the total development and launch costs for the first four launches as $41 billion. This is effectively $10 billion per launch. Compare this to the per launch costs of the shuttle at ca. $250 to $500 million and the complaints even that expense created.

Bob Clark

Mind sharing who these "knowledgeable observers" are?

 

[RGClark]

I would say, the space shuttle did cost not much less if you only calculate for four launches. R&D costs are expensive.

The problem is that those are the only launches for that smaller, interim version. The later version is larger, more complicated, and more expensive.


Bob Clark

---------- Post added at 06:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:06 PM ----------

Mind sharing who these "knowledgeable observers" are?

Here are some:

Forecasts 2012.
http://www.flightglobal.com/Features/forecasts-2012/space/

Critics blast NASA’s “rocket to nowhere.” See the space agency response.
http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2012/0...ket-to-nowhere-see-the-space-agency-response/

Space Launch System is a threat to JSC, Texas jobs.
By Chris Kraft and Tom Moser
Updated 08:20 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2012
http://www.chron.com/opinion/outloo...tem-is-a-threat-to-JSC-Texas-jobs-3498836.php

Robert (Bob) Zimmerman, Monday, 2-13-12.
http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/robert-bob-zimmerman-monday-2-13-12/

SLS Reactions: Yea to Argghhh!
Posted by Doug Messier on September 15, 2011, at 12:20 pm in News
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/09/15/29643/


I'm rather agnostic on the issue. I'm of the opinion the future of human spaceflight is with commercial space. So whether or not NASA builds the SLS, human spaceflight will continue.
The main reason why I think this is that I think SpaceX will succeed in cutting the costs to space by reusability.


Bob Clark

 

[T.Neo]

I would say, the space shuttle did cost not much less if you only calculate for four launches. R&D costs are expensive.

The problem is that with forseeable launch rates, they'll be lucky if the program sees four launches.