Comments on: LM/Bigelow Atlas V Deal

By: Stellvia

Stellvia — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:05:00 +0000

On the subject of a UK commercial manned space programme, I’m doing my best to MAKE PEOPLE LISTEN, and I think I’m getting some traction in UK space advocacy. As for government, who knows? There’s the BNSC policy document coming out very shortly, and sadly I expect that to be pretty much ‘business as usual’. I don’t intend to shut up, though, I’ll continue to be a thorn in their side

Sigh. Even just having BNSC be seen *talking* to Bigelow would be a significant help to him, I think…

–
http://www.rocketeers.co.uk/

By: John Benac

John Benac — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:59:00 +0000

Is it just me, or is anyone else confused why with all this Atlas V talk since space.com came out with their article there has been no mention of SpaceX?

Americas space prize? Falcon 9 launches this year? Am I missing something?

By: Jon Goff

Jon Goff — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:19:00 +0000

Anonymous,
That’s the question, isn’t it? I really don’t know. I hope he can find a country visionary enough to take that step, and I think the UK is high up on a short list of countries likely to be able to take the lead. But I wouldn’t even venture to guess on the odds.

~Jon

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:21:00 +0000

What do you think of his chances of signing a soverign nation eg the UK to a deal within the next year? Would India go for it, or do you think that they want to develop thier own industry? What about a Koran or someone from the middle east? They have the money?

By: Jon Goff

Jon Goff — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Ferris,
I’ve heard of several options, but none of them is anywhere near a done-deal. There was Dreamchaser, but as you point out, that would required a heavier Atlas. There was Excallibur Almaz, but the current version of that was only a 3 person design, which wouldn’t be able to hit Bigelow’s price targets. There was the internal LM concept that they had floated of a “PTV” that was supposed to be an 8 seater (you can see it in some of their man-rating papers–really stubby capsule). There are a few others that I know have talked with them but haven’t been discussed publicly. There’s always the possibility of Dragon, especially if F9 starts having excessive teething pains….

But at least as of right now, no home runs.

~Jon

By: Ferris Valyn

Ferris Valyn — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:58:00 +0000

Jon,

I am curious - along the lines of using the Atlas V, do you have any predictions of what capsule they are looking at? I know in some of the published stuff, there is a capsule design of which, I haven't really seen before.

The article implied it would be the basic 401 vehicle, which seems to make something like Dreamchaser unlikely.

Anyway, thoughrs?

By: Henry Cate

Henry Cate — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Congratulations on the interview.

Hope you can make the conference next week. It would be fun to see you and your family.