This is coolbert:
Originally reported only as speculation!
And now has been done. Tit-for-tat retaliation.
NO more Russian rocket motors for those missiles that launch American military satellites into space.
"Breaking: Moscow to ban US from using Russian rocket engines for military launches"
"Moscow is banning Washington from using Russian-made rocket engines, which the US has used to deliver its military satellites into orbit, said Russia’s Deputy PM, Dmitry Rogozin, who is in charge of space and defense industries."
"According to Rogozin, Russia is also halting the operation of all American GPS stations on its territory from June 1."
"DETAILS TO FOLLOW"
America still possessing the Delta IV "indigenous" launch vehicle.
And there is always the Ariane Euro launch vehicle.
Maybe the Japanese too can be availed upon if necessary. Tora, tora, tora!
Has it come to this?
coolbert.
re: Russian Rocket Motor embargo
ReplyDeleteCheck out this American Project:
Stratolaunch and Orbital – The Height of Air Launchhttp://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/stratolaunch-orbital-air-launch/
or,
http://www.nasaspaceflight[dot]com/2013/05/stratolaunch-orbital-air-launch/
From the article: "However, one intriguing element of the Stratolaunch vision is the potential for their capability to mature into a human rated launcher. The company noted this aim during their initial reveal to the media, and these evaluations are continuing.
While the human rating effort was only classed as a very preliminary concept, Pegasus II would be able to grow into such a role. Information states that a future manned winged vehicle would replace the fairing and have an equivalent lift, which is classed as the reason the main wing appears small and located on the aft of the vehicle."
Dan Kurt
By my rough reckoning, since 1960 the U.S. has successfully launched five man-rated orbital vehicles: Atlas-D; Titan II; Saturn I and V, and Shuttle. So out of this panoply of hardware, NASA can't come up with a few boosters and capsules to access the ISS until the SLS program comes on stream in 2017? In addition, there was a study to upgrade the Delta IV launch system for this very purpose: what happened to that?
ReplyDelete