Antares (Taurus II)

[Lanista]

Что-то я пропустил, когда Южмаш 3ю отправил?

[Frontm]

У них другой конкурент. Пуск Союза-2-1В для них скорее желателен.

Я не про конкурента, а именно может они не решаются быть первым блином, дай бог не комом. Мне показалось что и наши как-то активизировались с подготовкой к пуску. Конспирология напрашивается.

[Frontm]

Что-то я пропустил, когда Южмаш 3ю отправил?

А должен был? Тогда я что-то пропустил.
Или что именно 3ю?

[Salo]

У них три первых ступени в HIF.

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15457.msg945196#msg945196

strangequark пишет:

AJ-26 test today in 1 hour.

Robotbeat пишет:

Awesome. How'd it go?

strangequark пишет:

Initial performance looked good. For reasons unrelated to engine quality, it looks like they will need to redo ATP though.

[Salo]

http://www.spacenews.com/civil/120824-spacex-clear-iss-resupply.html

 NASA is still waiting for its second cargo services provider, Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., to wrap up its own demonstration program. Orbital got a $1.9 billion contract to make eight deliveries to the space station with its Cygnus space freighter and Antares launcher.

 Like SpaceX, Orbital will have to complete a series of technical demonstrations, culminating with a cargo run to the space station, before it can begin regular resupply flights. Orbital has three big demonstrations remaining: a hold down test of the Antares first stage; the Antares maiden flight, in which the rocket will carry a ballast payload instead of a Cygnus spacecraft; and an orbital demonstration mission with a full-up Antares/Cygnus stack. These demonstrations are respectively scheduled for mid-September, October and December, the company says.

 But Orbital cannot carry out the demonstrations until it takes control of Pad 0-A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, a corner of NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility operated by the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, a quasi-government entity. Pad turnover, which cannot happen until the infrastructure receives a NASA safety certification, is taking much longer than Orbital expected. The company has blamed the authority for the certification delay.

 Orbital and the authority were targeting a late-July turnover date, but the company has yet to take control of the pad. Neither Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski nor Billie Reed, outgoing executive director of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, could be reached for comment Aug. 23.

[Salo]

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=81036&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1728902&highlight=

ORBITAL ANNOUNCES SENIOR EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS

-- Moves to Bolster Technical Capabilities and Support Fast-Growing Business Areas --

(Dulles, VA 27 August 2012) - Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced three high-level executive promotions designed to strengthen the company's engineering, manufacturing, test and mission assurance capabilities and to continue its robust growth in human spaceflight and national security space programs. The new appointments, which will become effective on September 10, are as follows:

Dr. Antonio L. Elias, currently Executive Vice President and General Manager of Orbital's Advanced Programs Group (APG), will become Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, responsible for the company's overall technical operations. In this new corporate capacity, Dr. Elias will oversee a 2,600-person functional organization consisting of the company's engineering, production, supply chain, test and operations staff, as well as its safety and mission assurance professionals, in Virginia, Arizona and other locations.

A 26-year veteran of Orbital, Dr. Elias has led APG since 1997, during which time the group has grown from less than $50 million to approximately $450 million in annual revenue. Earlier, he was the chief designer of the company's Pegasus air-launched rocket and the technical leader of various advanced satellite and launch vehicle programs. Before coming to Orbital in 1986, Dr. Elias was a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a technical staff member at Draper Laboratory.

Mr. Frank L. Culbertson, currently Senior Vice President for Human Space Systems in APG, will become Executive Vice President and General Manager of the group. In his new role, Mr. Culbertson will be responsible for program execution, business development and financial performance of the company's human spaceflight and national security satellite activities, including some of Orbital's largest and most important programs such as NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) and Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) initiatives as well as various defense-related programs.

Mr. Culbertson joined Orbital in 2008 and has headed the company's COTS, CRS and other human spaceflight programs since then. Previously, Mr. Culbertson was senior vice president at SAIC and earlier served as a NASA astronaut and Naval Aviator. He flew on three Space Shuttle missions between 1990 and 2001 and commanded the International Space Station's Expedition 3 crew in 2001. He also was NASA's program manager of the Shuttle/MIR program in the mid-1990's.

Mr. Christopher C. Long, currently Vice President for National Systems in APG's National Security Space Division, will become Senior Vice President for the division. In this new position, Mr. Long will direct military and intelligence space systems programs in support of various defense-related mission areas.

He joined Orbital in 2010 when the company acquired the Space Systems Division of General Dynamics Corporation. Previously, Mr. Long held engineering, project management and business development positions with General Dynamics and Motorola's Space Electronics Group.

Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital's President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, "Antonio's promotion to Chief Technical Officer rounds out the company's senior executive team with the talents of one of America's most creative and respected technical leaders. Frank's and Chris's advancements will ensure that our critical human spaceflight and national security systems programs continue to exhibit strong execution and robust growth."

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary exploration spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories.

More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15457.msg952236#msg952236

russianhalo117 пишет:

Do we a possible date yet for the static fire test?

antonioe пишет:

If we are able to roll out the vehicle this Friday, we should be able to do the static fire test in mid-October.

[Петр Зайцев]

If we are able to roll out the vehicle this Friday, we should be able to do the static fire test in mid-October.

Хорошо живут. Главный конструктор Антареса, только что выдвинутый в вице-президенты, лично ходит на форумы и информирует форумчан о последних новостях, даже отвечает на вопросы. Представляете если бы г-н Кириллин засветился в теме про БВ "Волга" или "Союз-2.1в".

[Дмитрий В.]

[
Представляете если бы г-н Кириллин засветился в теме про БВ "Волга" или "Союз-2.1в".

Скорее, Равиль Ахметов или Алексей Смородин :roll:

[Александр Ч.]

Угу, их бы тут закидали... гм... шапками :-)  И больше бы они сюда "ни ногой" :-D

PS У нас тут вчера "родили" идею: верхнему эшелону на форуме, не НК , еженедельно отвечать на вопросы... посмотрим на сколько их хватит...

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15457.msg954809#msg954809

russianhalo117 пишет:

Do we a possible date yet for the static fire test?

antonioe on 09/11/2012 05:32 PM strangequark 09/18/2012 05:54 PM пишет:

If we are able to roll out the vehicle this Friday, we should be able to do the static fire test in mid-October.

russianhalo117 пишет:

Are there any updates on the vehicle? Are we still on schedule or are their new delays?

strangequark 09/18/2012 05:54 PM пишет:

Rollout Saturday.

[Salo]

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1425

September 17, 2012
Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and Orbital Sciences Corporation Reach New Agreement on Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport

– Memorandum of Understanding Governs Relationship Between VCSFA and Orbital for Cargo Delivery Missions to the International Space Station –

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority ("VCSFA" ) and Dulles, Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corporation ("Orbital" ) have reached a new agreement to govern their working relationship and allocation of assets at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport ("MARS" ). Pursuant to an earlier agreement entered into in 2008, Orbital partnered with the VCSFA to develop and construct improvements to the liquid-fuel-capable launch facility at MARS in order to accommodate launches of Orbital's Antares™ rocket. These improvements are expected to be completed later this month.

Speaking about today's announcement, Governor McDonnell said "The Commonwealth's partnership with Orbital will kick off a new era of commercial aerospace activity throughout the Commonwealth. As the U.S. space program increases its reliance on the commercial sector, these types of partnerships will not only help keep America competitive in the space industry, but will help create much-needed jobs and economic development. A recent economic analysis of Virginia's space industry noted that it contributes $7.6 billion in economic output and supports 28,110 jobs. VCSFA's successful completion of the MARS spaceport development project and the impending commencement of on-pad operations, positions Virginia - with its business-friendly climate, tremendous institutions of higher education and diverse workforce - for continued growth in this vibrant high-tech market."

Among the terms of the Second Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU" ), Orbital and the VCSFA agree:

Orbital will launch 10 Antares missions from MARS, including one test flight, one demonstration flight, and eight resupply missions to the International Space Station

The Commonwealth will fund completion of the improvements at MARS to support the Antares missions and future customers

The VCFSA will own and operate all non-Antares-specific assets that can be used by future additional customers

The second MOU also addresses use of MARS by other customers during the term of Orbital's resupply missions.

"This new agreement with the VCSFA demonstrates the type of partnership that will be critical to the future success of the commercial aerospace industry in the United States," said David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As a Virginia-headquartered company, Orbital greatly appreciates Governor McDonnell's efforts to advance this critical project, and we look forward to continuing to work with his administration and the VCSFA as we expand our commercial space activities in Virginia."

"MARS is one of only four commercial facilities licensed in the U.S. to launch rockets into orbit," said VCSFA Executive Director Dale Nash. "Our partnership with Orbital not only expands our launch capabilities, but demonstrates to the entire space community that Virginia is a leader in the commercial aerospace industry. The VCSFA looks forward to continuing to work with Orbital to support their critical operations at MARS and continue to grow the commercial aerospace industry in Virginia."

[Mark]

В США идет подготовка к запуску созданной с участием Украины новой ракеты-носителя Antares[/size] 27.09.2012

Интерфакс-Украина. На космодроме на базе Уоллопс (Вирджиния, США) готовятся к запуску новой ракеты-носителя (РН) легкого класса Antares (прежнее название Taurus-II-ИФ) для доставки грузов на международную космическую станцию (МКС), строящуюся американской Orbital Science Corp в рамках международной кооперации с участием Украины.



"В настоящее время на стартовом комплексе идет подготовка к заключительному этапу предстартовых испытаний ракеты-носителя", - сообщил агентству "Интерфакс-Украина" источник, знакомый с ходом реализации проекта.



"Согласно официально озвученной на сегодняшний день информации, первый пуск РН Antares намечен на октябрь", - уточнил собеседник агентства.

 http://vpk.name/news/76025_v_ssha_idet_podgotovka_k_zapusku_sozdannoi_s_uchastiem_ukrainyi_novoi_raketyinositelya_antares.html

[Salo]

https://twitter.com/i/#/OrbitalSciences/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2Fsx82dil5



https://twitter.com/i/#/OrbitalSciences/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2F3W0eF8zn

[Зловредный]

Go Antares! Утрите нос этим зазнайкам из SpaceX!

[Salo]

http://www.spacenews.com/launch/120927-rollout-antares-first-stage-today.html

Thu, 27 September, 2012
Battery Issue Prompts Orbital To Postpone Antares Rollout
By Dan Leone

This story was upd ated at 5:18 p.m. EST

 WASHINGTON — Orbital Sciences Corp. on Thursday (Sept. 27) scrubbed a planned rollout of the first stage of its Antares rocket, which was headed to the launch pad for a long-awaited hold-down test, because of problems with the horizontal transporter used to move the rocket to its launch site.

 The rollout, which was scheduled to begin around 8:00 a.m. Thursday, was rescheduled for Saturday morning (Sept. 29) because of a "battery issue" with the transporter vehicle used to haul Antares fr om its hangar to Pad 0-A at NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility, Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski said in an email that reached Space News at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

 Orbital was preparing to bring the Antares first stage to Pad 0-A for a hold-down test that, Beneski said, will take place several weeks after the rocket stage is se t up at the pad.

 "We were authorized to begin our on-pad operations," Beneski said Sept. 27 from Orbital's Dulles, Va., headquarters. [color=yellow:a617bb1c63]"Once the rocket is hooked up, it will be four to six weeks before we do the hot-fire test." [/color:a617bb1c63]

 The battery issue with the transporter showed itself early in the rollout process, according to an internal Orbital email.

 "We experienced a problem with the transporters," Mike Whalen, Orbital's field site manager, wrote just before 11 a.m. in the email, which was obtained by Space News. "They checked out ok last night and early this morning, but one died when we attempted to roll.

 "Team is trouble shooting and we know for sure that we have a power problem. We are getting new batteries delivered Pocomoke now. After installing them we will perform transporter checkout. If no fault code exists, we will probably roll out around 12:30 if all goes well," Whalen wrote.

 Beneski had no immediate comment on the status of the transporter checkout. Whalen could not be reached for comment.

 The planned Antares first-stage hold down is a critical milestone for Orbital. The test, if successful, will clear the way for the first flight of the full Antares launch vehicle by the end of this year, Beneski said.

 NASA spokesman Jeremy Eggers did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Because Pad 0-A is located on a NASA range, the U.S. space agency has responsibility for certifying that it is fit for launch.

 Delays in obtaining that certification, which Orbital blamed on the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority that operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, have prevented Orbital from completing the remaining milestones in its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA.

 Under the COTS agreement, Orbital has to perform two flight demonstrations of its Antares rocket, including one wh ere the vehicle boosts the company's unmanned Cygnus cargo capsule to the space station. Orbital plans to use these vehicles to fulfill its $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. The 2008 agreement calls for Orbital to make eight cargo delivery runs to the international space station.

[Lanista]

Go Antares! Утрите нос этим зазнайкам из SpaceX!

И ЦСКБ =(

[Большой]

Октябрь месяц космический
Антарес
КСЛВ
Драгон

[Salo]

Антарес полетит в лучшем случае в ноябре-декабре. В конце октября может быть пройдут ОСИ первой ступени в сборе.