- \n
- LIVE DM-2 Coverage<\/li>\n
- Fy2011 Forum Section<\/li>\n
- L2 Ares\/HLV\/Orion Sections<\/li>\n
- Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The motor was cooled to 40 degrees F \u2013 resulting in this firing being a DM-2 is a \u2018cold motor\u2019 test \u2013 in order to measure solid rocket motor performance at low temperature, as well as to verify design requirements of new materials in the motor joints.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese new materials will allow for the elimination of joint heaters that were necessary in the original 4-segment motor design. This will save significant weight, further reduce system complexity and simplify launch operations, while simultaneously delivering increased operating margins at lower ambient temperatures,\u201d noted ATK.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/A318.jpg\" "\\"A3\\"")
Other objectives include data gathering on vital motor upgrades, such as the new insulation and motor case liner and the redesigned nozzle which increase the robustness of the design. When fired, the motor produced a maximum thrust 3.6 million pounds, or 22 million horsepower.<\/p>\n\u201cA robust ground and flight test program is a critical part of human-rating to ensure reliability and safety when launching crew into any orbit,\u201d noted Charlie Precourt, VP and GM of ATK Space Launch Systems. \u201cThis test is a vital milestone in further growing the performance database for this new five-segment solid rocket motor.<\/p>\n
Space tourism guides
<\/path>Space Shuttle models <\/path>Spaceflight history books <\/path>\n (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n
\u201cWe designed this motor using a knowledge base gained from over three decades of operations, during which we constantly monitored and improved our design.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cases involved with DM-2 have all previously flown on with the space shuttle, collectively launching on 57 missions.<\/p>\n
SD HLV Latest:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/A3141.jpg\" "\\"A3141\\"")
Following the rollout of President Obama\u2019s FY2011 budget proposal, the role of the solids appeared to have a rather cloudy future, with a call for a \u201cgame-changing\u201d HLV to result from a five year study.<\/p>\nWhile assessments and studies are commonplace for NASA \u2013 notably highlighted ahead of the FY2011 budget proposal, when a SD HLV appeared to have large levels of Agency support, prior to vanishing from the President\u2019s vision \u2013 the political refinements to the future of NASA continue to focus on a HLV that will draw from the current shuttle technology base and skillsets.<\/p>\n
A large 726 page assessment presentation (L2) was completed by the Space Shuttle Program (SSP), mainly focusing on the Sidemount SD HLV, prior to restarting to complete the Inline section of the documentation. However, the original purpose of the study was to finalize the assessments, for the benefit of passing on the knowledge to a potential suitor of a HLV.<\/p>\n
Also see:
\nPart 1: Completed SD HLV assessment highlights low-cost post-shuttle solution
\nPart 2: SD HLV review outlines ISS Logistics and Transport
\nPart 3: Lunar\/BEO \u2013 SD HLV, Commercial and International Architecture Outlined
\nPart 4: SD HLV: Early SPS Demo Mission Outlined \u2013 Risk Assessments Findings<\/p>\nWith large support from the US Senate\u2019s FY2011 refinements, the central role of a SD HLV has been returned to the forefront.<\/p>\n
Signs of an Agency position, via a refined roadmap, is also showing signs of maturing, as a body known as the Human Exploration Framework Team (HEFT) work through evaluations into providing a viable path that reaches out as far as 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cEA\/Engineering: We briefed Charlie (Bolden) and Lori (Garver) on HEFT in mid July and they accepted our recommendations will talk to the Senate about those,\u201d noted the latest Staff Senior Meeting notes (L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe HEFT team talked to the steering council. The team will continue through August 31st and then turn it over to a long term HEFT team.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/A69.jpg\" "\\"A6\\"")
Documentation on the HEFT effort was acquired by L2, which provided key overviews on their findings and recommendations \u2013 several articles to follow, covering interesting elements, such as the In-Space Exploration vehicle.<\/p>\nOn the HLV, the HEFT noted the key role such a vehicle would have in the exploration architecture, while dismissing the need for a five year study<\/p>\n
\u201cLaunch Vehicle Findings: An HLV is central to any robust human exploration program. Delaying a decision on HLV configuration and requirements to 2015 limits NASA\u2019s options and hampers planning. There is no benefit to delaying work on the HLV, no technology needed for capability development,\u201d noted the HEFT presentation (L2).<\/p>\n
\u201cNASA will lose an opportunity to build from the existing flight-proven systems. Losing the capability to build an SSP-derived HLV will require the development of new manufacturing, processing, and launch infrastructure at additional cost and schedule risk.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/A421.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
Three vehicles were assessed\/outlined by HEFT, with a Saturn V heritage 33\u2032 diameter RP-1 HLV, sporting 1.25 m lbf RP engines\/boosters, 1.25 m lbf thrust class LOX\/RP-1 core stage, and a J-2X-285 Upper Stage, was noted as problematic.<\/p>\n\u201cAn RP-based HLV (100-120 t) and a replacement for the (Russian) RD-180 is higher cost to NASA and therefore requires supplemental funding from DoD (Department of Defense) to offset increased costs,\u201d noted the HEFT.<\/p>\n
\u201cRP-Based Vehicle Advantages: Vehicle architecture provides more capability and flexibility (114-157 t with and without boosters). Eliminates reliance on RD-180 Atlas V. Expands US liquid propulsion industry capabilities. Shared production infrastructure with the Air Force.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SD HLV equivalent was also listed, based on a 33\u2032 diameter core, driven by RS-68Bs, evolvable to RS-68B E\/O, and five segment PBAN boosters, evolvable to HTPB \u2013 with an Upper Stage powered by J-2X.<\/p>\n
Yet it was the recommendation in HEFT\u2019s conclusions to \u201cAccelerate Shuttle-derived, in-line Medium Heavy Lift Implementation\u201d that pointed to the configuration of choice, one which mirrors \u2013 but does not cite by name \u2013 the notional Jupiter-246 SD HLV.<\/p>\n
\u201cShuttle-Derived Advantages: Lower DDT&E \u2013 fits within Agency budget for HSF (Human Space Flight) development. Schedule benefits \u2013 evolves current hardware (2-3 years faster). Utilizes experienced workforce. Based on hardware with demonstrated reliability and performance (101-118 t),\u201d the HEFT noted.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/A519.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
Working off the current Shuttle ET Diameter core, the 27.5\u2032 diameter core vehicle would be driven by Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) \u2013 utilizing existing RS-25D stock, prior to evolving to the less expensive (non-reusable) RS-25Es. The Upper Stage would be driven by RL10A4-3 engines.<\/p>\nOptions to use 4 or 5 segment PBAN boosters, evolvable to HTPB, are also listed, likely referencing to a fast turnaround of a Block I configuration \u2013 whilst also showing how Tuesday\u2019s test could technically be seen as highly valuable to a SD HLV.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecommendation: Accelerate the HLV decision \u2013 moderate HLV. Initiate a Shuttle-derived inline HLV Program beginning in FY2011. Initial 90 \u2013 100 t range,\u201d added the HEFT presentation. \u201cDefer human rating and upper stage to Block II.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several major updates are expected over the coming months, although sources are noting that the focus is on the aforementioned Inline SD HLV, as opposed to an RP-1 or Sidemount SD HLV.<\/p>\n
This can also be seen via work being conduced at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) \u2013 who have already been told they will lead the HLV project, along with splinter work into hardware evaluations, such as assessments into the use of spare Light Weight Tank (LWT) ET-94 at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), which is leading the way to become the SD HLV Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA).<\/p>\n
As with the addition of STS-135, the conclusion and approval of political refinements into NASA\u2019s future will be the key driver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) and NASA have tested the second fully developed \u201cAres\u201d five-segment solid rocket motor, known as Development Motor-2 (DM-2), at their Utah test facility on Tuesday. The future career prospects for the Solids have increased recently, as they find a central role with the ongoing assessments into a Shuttle Derived Heavy Lift Launch […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29567,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9034,7806],"class_list":["post-40672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-hlv","tag-srb"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40672"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}