Rick

Comment Threads

• A_M_Swallow commented on Ares 1-X Staging Issue
  The changes between the Shuttle SRB and the Ares I-X first stage are more than trivial. The SRB has nothing on top and connects sideways to the main Shuttle. The Ares I-X first stage has to support a heavy second stage, Orion and LAS. This will have required major structural changes. These changes to the top will have needed testing. The SRB is part of a 3 item LV that contains two SRB and the Shuttle orbiter. Any steering will have involved all 3 of them. The Ares I-X has to steer itself. The software (and avionics?) may have been...

• SF Doug commented on Ares 1-X Staging Issue
  kthered suggested "chugging." That would make this similar to the third flight of the SpaceX Falcon 1, where residual thrust from the first stage caused a collision with the second stage. That flight used the regeneratively-cooled Merlin 1C engine instead of the ablatively-cooled Merlin 1A engine. Fuel remaining in the cooling system caused 2 or 3 seconds of low thrust. Not much, but enough. SpaceX identified the problem and solution the next day. It took 15 minutes to change the guidance software to delay stage separation by an extra 3 seconds after engine cut-off. The fourth and fifth flights...

• Me commented on Ares 1-X Staging Issue
  Wrong again. Another clueless post. Know something before posting. The non trival changes to the Ares I first stage are the addition of the 5 segment and not the structural changes. The aft SRB ET attach fitting is just a sway brace and carries no fore and aft loads. The SRB forward attach points carry the load of the ET and this is no different than carrying "heavy second stage, Orion and LAS" The SRB segments will require no modificationsnor any load testing. Don't bother mentioning the interstage. This is not a "modification" to the SRB. Also, anyone with a...

• doc_cls commented on Ares 1-X Staging Issue
  I love all of the armchair-quarterback speculating. The fact of the matter is that the trajectory simulations showed that the upper stage would most likely rotate 90-deg on separation, so this behavior was fully anticipated. There was discussion about shifting the CG to avoid this, but there was considerable fear of making the US into a giant lawn dart. The long-range hi-def camera footage is quite clear that there was no recontact, despite the fact there there were no operating ullage motors. I don't know why this anticipated behavior wasn't publicized. The data obtained from this test are absolutely invaluable,...

• Pawn commented on Ares 1-X Staging Issue
  This is getting even better! Now you guys are saying that it was supposed to not work like a real rocket. Thanks for clarifying. Every sentence is a view into the mind of the collective madness of this program. Absolutely bizarre. The "data" from this test will probably be used as a weapon against the truth....