Tag Archives: RLV

How SpaceX Could Accelerate Spacefaring – An Alternate Method

Posted on Tue, 2023-01-17 by gravityloss

The starting position SpaceX currently has the Falcon 9 we know well. The first version flew in 2010. It uses kerosene fuel with gas generator Merlin engines. The engine cycle is conservative and performance is fine. Falcon 9 has reusable … Continue reading →

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Minus 2D Boom Rendezvous

Posted on Thu, 2009-12-03 by gravityloss

I always had a different idea compared to the one Jon and Kirk posted, (Kirk Sorensen is now a contributor at Jon Goff’s place, I’m afraid having such top men in the same place might cause a awesomity criticality event). … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Depot, industry, RLV:s, Spacecraft, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Sandman

Posted on Tue, 2009-11-03 by gravityloss
Posted in engines, industry, RLV:s, Transportation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Xombie NOW

Posted on Wed, 2009-10-07 by gravityloss

Live stream just went up at http://qik.com/video/312581 they should be flying at 45 past whatever hour it is now in your time zone. Now on the pad loading propellants and helium. EDIT: And they did it! Congratulations! Also great accuracy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Homebuilt, Lunar, Motivation, NASA, RLV:s | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Masten

Posted on Thu, 2009-09-17 by gravityloss

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wdeDJtYf0&feature=player_embedded#t=227] Made huge strides in the last few days. A half-L1 done. They might be able to compete with Armadillo on L2, though I’m somewhat skeptical since they’re only going to assemble the new L2 vehicle soon. Suddenly looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in engines, Motivation, RLV:s | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fed Up

Posted on Wed, 2008-06-18 by gravityloss

I’m quite that just right now. It will pass. Perhaps. There’s been some discussion in various places about both NASA and potential future launch vehicles. Everything’s just so static in a large sense. Completely hopeless. I’ll throw in the towel … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Demotivation, ESA, ISRU, Motivation, NASA, RLV:s, Suborbital | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Drag: Loss in Ascent, Gain in Descent, and What It Means for Scalability

Posted on Thu, 2008-01-10 by gravityloss

Jon Goff had an analysis (no equations or numbers though!) of an air-launched reusable SSTO idea, furthermore he promised to look at other reusable orbital launch vehicle ideas in the future. I thought I’d drop a few lines in regards … Continue reading →

Posted in Models, RLV:s | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Powered landing, practical considerations (1-dim)

Posted on Sun, 2007-10-07 by gravityloss

There was some excellent commentary in the last post, and that has partly been one inspiration in writing this post. In the last part, the absolute minimum efforts by the launch vehicle making a vertical landing were determined. On top … Continue reading →

Posted in RLV:s | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Powered landing, analytical solution

Posted on Wed, 2007-10-03 by gravityloss

There is a long standing dispute whether winged landing or vertical rocket powered landing is more efficient and overall better for reusable rockets on earth. 🙂 Powered landing can be looked at in a broad overview. The post documents what … Continue reading →

Posted in RLV:s, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments