46
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Why has a rocket system like Starship never been proposed before? It does not seem to use any new science, materials or fuels
I wonder why nobody ever proposed a space launch system like Starship.
What exactly do you mean by "like Starship"? Systems like Starship have been proposed before, although differing in ...
- 164k
45
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Why can solid rockets be both the skinniest and most spherical launch vehicles while liquid fuel rockets have a more limited range of aspect ratios?
The squat end of the spectrum has little to do with solids versus liquids and everything to do with aerodynamics. Spherical tankage is most weight-efficient, so you'd expect squat stages in cases ...
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42
votes
Why has a rocket system like Starship never been proposed before? It does not seem to use any new science, materials or fuels
Fundamentally, it's because of economics. There simply wasn't any demand for a large rocket between today and the space race.
Let's analyze what (I think) makes the Starship concept special:
Size: ...
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36
votes
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Why doesn't the USA use structurally stronger rockets for the more important launches?
I think you got it wrong: R-7 launches sometimes are also postponed due to weather. Just to name few examples: 18 December 2018, 9 March 2018, 22 April 2016 - Kouru; March 22, 2016 - Baikonur, 2 ...
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33
votes
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How is thrust transmitted from strap on boosters to the central core?
It’s a sense of scale issue. As much as the struts might look like flimsy bits of drainpipe, those rockets are around 15 meters wide, and the struts are more like the heavy steel beams used to hold up ...
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33
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Why was the engine of the launch vehicle recently tested in Iran "not a very good missile engine"?
What actual engine are they talking about
Organic Marble has identified it as the S5.2/9D21.
in what way is it "not a very good missile engine"?
The old Soviet engine on the Scud-B uses a ...
- 164k
29
votes
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Why do we need dedicated launch vehicles for small satellites?
Why hasn't the small-lift launch vehicles completely replaced by the medium and heavy-lift launch vehicles?
Because small launchers can provide several things:
A small launcher is much cheaper than ...
- 123k
28
votes
Why doesn't the USA use structurally stronger rockets for the more important launches?
This question is based on several serious misconceptions.
R-7 launches never get postponed due to weather.
Actually, they do. "The launch of the Soyuz 2-1A modernized carrier rocket, scheduled for ...
- 171k
22
votes
How is thrust transmitted from strap on boosters to the central core?
For Delta IV Heavy, according to Spaceflight101:
The CBCs functioning as boosters are attached to the central core using thrust struts that interface with the interstage section of the launcher to ...
- 164k
21
votes
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Why are the blueprints of old satellites still not available to public?
Rockets (even old designs) are capable of delivering a nuclear weapon anywhere on Earth. Governments don't want this technology to fall into the wrong hands.
Publishing a design takes a lot of effort. ...
- 123k
20
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Do launchers using only solid propellant exist?
The NASA Spaceflight article Japanese sounding rocket claims record-breaking orbital launch describes JAXA's use of its SS-520-4 sounding rocket to put the Tricom-1R cubesat (43201, 2018-016A) into ...
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20
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Why was the engine of the launch vehicle recently tested in Iran "not a very good missile engine"?
Supplemental answer: Scud missiles were powered by the S5.2/9D21 engine, burning inhibited red fuming nitric acid and kerosene.
Thrust is 132 kN, Isp is "2285 Nskg" or ~233 seconds.
Sources: 1,2,3
- 171k
20
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Launch system to get a 75,000 kg object to geostationary orbit?
Is there any current launch system that could get a 75,000 kg object to geostationary orbit?
No. (Starship/Super Heavy can, of course, do anything, but it's not a current launch system.)
If ...
- 164k
19
votes
What exactly is the purpose of connection links strapped between the rocket and the launch pad
In general, umbilicals are provided from the launch pad to the vehicle for any services that need to be provided after the vehicle is installed on the launch mount, and to remove hazardous gases from ...
- 171k
18
votes
What does it mean for a launcher to be 'nuclear-certified'?
Really what it means is "Category 3" certified, with an additional review of a self-destruct situation to prevent breaking the nuclear payload.
Category 3 is also what is required to launch humans, ...
- 120k
17
votes
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How can a rocket go straight up after ignition?
Rockets can use different systems for attitude control (control thrusters, fins, gyroscopes, TVC, ...). Since you ask for the seconds after liftoff, the relevant system is TVC (Thrust Vector Control).
...
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17
votes
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Why is SpaceX not creating its own launch vehicle for small satellites?
They already have one. The Falcon 9. Earlier this month a single Falcon 9 put 64 smallsats on orbit. It was arranged by a rideshare company, Spaceflight, at prices that small launch vehicles would ...
- 58.1k
17
votes
Why do we need dedicated launch vehicles for small satellites?
Apparently lining up a lot of smallsats for a dedicated big rocket launch is like herding cats. Delays on any of the smallsats delay the overall launch. Hence SpaceX's recent announcement that their ...
- 1,311
16
votes
Using large orbital launchers as sounding rockets. What are the opportunities and challenges?
Suborbital sounding rockets cost about 1/100 as much as an orbital launcher. Black Brant XII, one of the most advanced sounding rockets in use, can take 100-400kg payload into space for \$600K.
For ...
- 164k
15
votes
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What is/was the smallest orbital launch system, by total mass?
Juno 1 had a payload of 11 kg to LEO from a start mass of 29 t.
Diamant-A had a start weight of 18.4 t, payload 100 kg to LEO.
Black Arrow had a start weight of 18.1 t, payload 100 kg to LEO.
...
- 123k
15
votes
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What are "high altitude winds" and why do they often delay rocket launches?
I can provide details only for the Space Shuttle.
1) Up to 155,000 feet - the approximate altitude of SRB separation - the end of first stage flight. Here are example wind plots (from here) [Note ...
- 171k
15
votes
Are submarine launches horizontal?
A ICBM rocket launched from a submarine should leave the water as fast as possible. Therefore the rocket has to leave the water vertically.
The rocket is blown out of the submarine by using compressed ...
- 48.2k
14
votes
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Why aren't there more guidance computers on cargo rated launch vehicles?
Don't take random youtube videos as fact. That part of that video was incorrect. The unmanned SpaceX Dragon has three pairs of computers used for flight control (so six flight control computers), and ...
- 71.4k
14
votes
Pressure inside a launch fairing - falcon 9
While I have no specific knowledge of Falcon 9's fairing, it is common for compartments of space vehicles to be purged or pressurized slightly above ambient while on the pad to keep contamination out ...
- 171k
14
votes
Rockoon on steroids
Before I start my answer:
This is not a rockoon anymore, since there is no balloon part. It's just a quirky air launched rocket.
My answer:
No.
What you are doing is:
Phase 1: Climb with a plane
...
- 12.5k
13
votes
Are ICBMs and orbital launchers similar enough to be co-developed today?
It's not hypergolics per se that are super-desirable for ICBMs, but room-temperature-storable fuels.
ICBMs have to stay ready for long periods of time and be launched on short notice, so that means ...
- 164k
13
votes
What is the object protruding from the left side of the payload fairing during ULA Atlas V 501 AFSPC-5 launch?
That's a hydrogen vent fin disposing of GH2 (gaseous hydrogen) that can outgas into the payload fairing from the Centaur upper stage's LH2 (liquid hydrogen) tank that is stored in a balloon tank at ...
- 76.1k
13
votes
How large could launchers become?
SpaceX is proposing launch vehicle, as a first stage, and a second stage that would transit to Mars. Interplanetary Space Transport (ITS).
The final size is not really confirmed, and they should ...
- 78.6k
13
votes
Do launchers using only solid propellant exist?
Orbital Sciences likes solid rockets. They've produced the Taurus/Minotaur all-solid booster. And, in its three-stage configuration the Pegasus is all-solid.
Ignoring that kerosene-fueled launch ...
- 171k
13
votes
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Was there any period of time when other U.S. launchers were abandoned in favor of the Shuttle?
Despite the stated goal of shifting all US launches to the shuttle, all three major US uncrewed launcher families of the era remained in production. Each family reduced production and launch rates ...
- 164k
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