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Lockheed Martin Tests New Spacecraft Prototype
Hmmzis writes to tell us that Lockheed Martin is using Spaceport America to test a new prototype spacecraft. The prototype is only about one-fifth the size of the projected production model which promises to deliver satellites into orbit at a cheaper cost. "It looks a bit like the space shuttle and would fly to space and return the same way. But even the big version would not carry people, just satellites. The goal is to get to orbit faster and cheaper thanks to an automated reusable spacecraft run by its own computers and just a handful of people for a launch crew."
Yes, there really is a Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, home of Spaceport America. It used to be called by the less-than-distinctive moniker "Hot Springs". When the town changed its name as a promotional stunt for a popular radio game show in 1950, they liked the new name so much they kept it. New Mexico rocks.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
From the 1971 Centuri Engineering catalog, their concept Space Shuttle model.
http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_8705_002A_&page_name=Chapter3 3.9 Crew and Passenger Survival
3.9.1 The space system shall provide the crew and passengers with the capability for emergency egress to a safe haven during prelaunch activities ((Requirement 34469).).
3.9.2 The space system shall provide emergency egress, safe haven, and rescue post touchdown ((Requirement 34470).).
3.9.3 The space system shall provide crew and passenger survival modes throughout the ascent and on-orbit profile (from hatch closure until atmosphere entry interface) in the following order of precedence ((Requirement 34471).):
Abort.
Escape by retaining the crew and passengers encapsulated in a portion of the vehicle that can reenter without crew or passenger fatality or permanent disability.
Escape by removing the crew and passengers from the vehicle.
3.9.4 The program shall ensure that ascent survival modes can be successfully accomplished during any ascent failure mode including, but not limited to, complete loss of thrust, complete loss of control, and catastrophic booster failure at any point during ascent ((Requirement 34473).).
3.9.5 The space system shall provide crew and passenger survival modes throughout the descent profile (from entry interface through landing) in the following order of precedence ((Requirement 34474).):
Design features that increase tolerance to loss of critical functions such that landing can still be accomplished.
Escape.
3.9.6 The program shall ensure that the descent survival modes can be successfully accomplished for loss of critical functions including, but not limited to, loss of active attitude control and loss of primary power ((Requirement 34476).). And a bit later: 3.12 Flight Termination
3.12.1 Flight termination shall include features that allow sufficient time for abort or escape prior to activation of the destruct system ((Requirement 34505).). These things can really add to the cost of a vehicle.
Nothing for 6-digit uids?
I think the reusable spacecraft is a dubious idea, at least having the final stage be reusable. The weight added to be able to survive reentry and land is still significant. Even if you don't have a passenger compartment, there's still the weight of the wings, as well as the weight of all the thermal protection materials to protect the entire spacecraft. Then there's the structure needed to handle that extra weight, and the extra fuel needed to lift that extra weight.
They may be 'pushing them out', but they sure as heck aren't flying them. Two (much delayed) launches to date - two failures. No announced date for the third launch.
Other than NASA's COTS initiative, which involves not only SpaceX but OSC and a half a dozen others. Said COTS initiative just a _big_ boost as NASA announced today that they will not be asking Congress for money to purchase Progress launches, but instead wishes to apply the money to commercial/COTS programs. Then there is Bigelow on the horizon, and Virgin Aerospace too... Then there is EADS and a couple of Russian companies pushing low cost access too. Then there is Northrup Grumman who just bought out Scaled Composites... LockMart has a lot of reasons to do this, and SpaceX is just one of them.
Need I point out that Entering Space is nearly a decade old? The aerospace industry has changed radically in that time, especially in the last five years. (And anyone whose spent any time around the space industry knows Zubrin says many thing. Some of them even have a passing resemblance to reality.)