ULA Vulcan and IVF

nokia69

ULAs new rocket the Vulcan, methane powered first stage with strap on solids

and an improved Centaur upper stage

an interesting innovation for the upper stage, saves on a large amount of weight and gives far better performance and flexibility

will be interesting to see if this if enough to keep ULA in the launch business

namloc1980

ULA have an $11bn dollar contract with the US Air Force for something like 30+ launches over the next decade or so. They are also funding the development of Vulcan themselves. A competitive launch environment is only good for lowering the cost of access to space.

nokia69

namloc1980 wrote: »

ULA have an $11bn dollar contract with the US Air Force for something like 30+ launches over the next decade or so. They are also funding the development of Vulcan themselves. A competitive launch environment is only good for lowering the cost of access to space.

yes

but when that contract is finished the next one won't be worth 11 billion, they will be lucky to get half that, so it will be interesting to see if thats enough to keep them in the game

_Tombstone_

I thought someone was gonna have a baby Vulcan, aww.

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/the-worlds-first-3d-printed-battery-powered-rocket-engine-destined-for-space/

Theres a new 3d printed rocket with an electric engine combo.

nokia69

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

I thought someone was gonna have a baby Vulcan, aww.

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/the-worlds-first-3d-printed-battery-powered-rocket-engine-destined-for-space/

Theres a new 3d printed rocket with an electric engine combo.

interesting but its a bit on the small side IMO