NASA and the Private Sector - Page 58

United Launch Alliance (ULA) unveiled its Next Generation Launch System (NGLS) today at the 31st Space Symposium. The new rocket, Vulcan, will transform the future of space by making launch services more affordable and accessible. The NGLS brings together decades of experience on ULA’s reliable Atlas and Delta vehicles, combining the best features of each to produce an all-new, American-made rocket that will enable mission success from low Earth orbit all the way to Pluto.

“More capabilities in space mean more capabilities here on earth,” said Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance. “Because the Next Generation Launch System will be the highest-performing, most cost-efficient rocket on the market, it will open up new opportunities for the nation’s use of space. Whether it is scientific missions, medical advancements, national security or new economic opportunities for businesses, ULA’s new Vulcan rocket is a game-changer in terms of creating endless possibilities in space.”

To help give all Americans a chance to play a role in the future of space, last month ULA launched an online naming competition that allowed Americans to vote on their favorite name for the NGLS. More than one million votes were cast, and Vulcan was the top choice.

“As the company currently responsible for more than 70 percent of the nation’s space launches, it is only fitting that America got to name the country’s rocket of the future,” added Bruno.

On April 16 2015 06:13 GreenHorizons wrote:
Something about making it land vertically seems counter intuitive. Is there an obvious reason they want it to land that way I'm missing? When they finally do stick it though the Russian judge will still give it a 6 .

On April 16 2015 06:13 GreenHorizons wrote:
Something about making it land vertically seems counter intuitive. Is there an obvious reason they want it to land that way I'm missing? When they finally do stick it though the Russian judge will still give it a 6 .

On April 16 2015 06:39 GreenHorizons wrote:
lol I just mean planning for it to tip over once it's touches down/gets close. Maybe the obvious thing I'm missing is that there is no way it could handle falling over structurally. My rocket experience is limited to cheap hobby store ones, which obviously don't have this problem, so perhaps that's what I'm missing.

For instance making it land into a man made hole type thing for a landing pad. Meaning that as long as it made it in there it couldn't tip all the way over.

On April 16 2015 06:53 Millitron wrote:

that's a neat idea. You could have it like a reverse of the shuttle launch gantry. Instead of the arms falling away as it launches, arms come in and grab it as it lands.

On April 16 2015 06:59 Gorsameth wrote:
My initial thought is that accuracy is a problem but they are landing on the platform so I donno.

Some pretty bright people are working on these things so if they are not doing that I assume it has a reason.

On April 16 2015 10:02 Belisarius wrote:
When you think about it, it really does seem crazy to land something with such a high centre of mass without any lateral support. I mean, it's basically a rocket-powered pencil with teeny-tiny feet. Even if they got it down I feel like it would fall over in a stiff breeze or a bit of swell.

Regardless, it's still insane that they can even get it down soft on target. I wonder if that took so much wizardry they just kind of forgot about what happens after.