05-12-2012, 12:47 AM
|
 |
Master Modeler
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 6,507
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ManofSteele
-SNIP-
ATK went to the Vulcain engine/Ariane 5 to get a man-rated liquid upper stage with a minimal amount of change needed. That was the driving consideration, not total lift capability.
-SNIP-
|
Thank you for sharing all of the Liberty information with us! Regarding the Ariane V's Vulcain engine, are the currently-manufactured versions still man-rated? I know that the vehicle was originally developed to orbit the (later cancelled) Hermes spaceplane, but I didn't know if later versions of the Vulcain retained the man-rated features (or at least the provisions to install such features, such as a malfunction detection system). Also:
Since the plan is to ultimately use a composite motor case for the first stage, have you all looked into possibly changing the solid motor to a hybrid motor? It would be safer, would permit simplified shipping and ground handling, would produce a much cleaner exhaust, and should permit the use of a shorter motor case for the same thrust. |