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New Glenn Update

blueorigin.com

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Re: New Glenn Update

#2
Interesting that "...additional vehicle upgrades include a reusable fairing..."

I wonder how they'll be implementing that since SpaceX gave up on recapturing fairings (seemingly too soon, but only from the POV of someone with no internal info).

Re: New Glenn Update

#3
post #2

Interesting that "...additional vehicle upgrades include a reusable fairing..." I wonder how they'll be implementing that since SpaceX gave up on recapturing fairings (seemingly too soon, but only from the POV of someone with no internal info).

They still recover the fairings. They gave up on trying to catch them out of the air and now just let them land in the water and pick them up.

Re: New Glenn Update

#5
post #2

Interesting that "...additional vehicle upgrades include a reusable fairing..." I wonder how they'll be implementing that since SpaceX gave up on recapturing fairings (seemingly too soon, but only from the POV of someone with no internal info).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_fairing_recovery_progra...

> SpaceX performs some amount of cleaning and refurbishing before using the previously flown fairings on a subsequent flight. SpaceX has reflown fairing halves more than 300 times, with one being reflown for 34 times.

They gave up on catching them in nets, because it turns out they're fine splashing directly into the water.

Re: New Glenn Update

#6
The incremental improvements to the engine thrust is par for the course. The exciting thing in this announcement is the new 9x4 configuration (9 and 4 engines in the first and second stages vs the current 7x2). They don't mention whether the tanks will get stretched to allow for more fuel, or if this just burns the fuel faster. Starship generations keep getting both more engines and longer.

Re: New Glenn Update

#7

The incremental improvements to the engine thrust is par for the course. The exciting thing in this announcement is the new 9x4 configuration (9 and 4 engines in the first and second stages vs the current 7x2). They don't mention whether the tanks will get stretched to allow for more fuel, or if this just burns the fuel faster. Starship generations keep getting both more engines and longer.

Based on the photo posted by the Blue Origin CEO the tanks are definitely getting stretched (also looks like a slightly different fin, landing leg, and fairing config)

Re: New Glenn Update

#8

For those who aren’t aware, the next flight is to lunar orbit, with a planned landing on the moon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_Pathfinder_Mission_1

That seems like a big jump between flights. I'm used to the spend and explode fast incremental iterations of SpaceX.

Re: New Glenn Update

#9
post #8

For those who aren’t aware, the next flight is to lunar orbit, with a planned landing on the moon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_Pathfinder_Mission_1

That seems like a big jump between flights. I'm used to the spend and explode fast incremental iterations of SpaceX.

Seems BO is taking the NASA approach of not being so cavalier with testing. You can tell people you expect the thing to fail, but repeatedly seeing them fail is still seen as a negative.

Re: New Glenn Update

#10

The incremental improvements to the engine thrust is par for the course. The exciting thing in this announcement is the new 9x4 configuration (9 and 4 engines in the first and second stages vs the current 7x2). They don't mention whether the tanks will get stretched to allow for more fuel, or if this just burns the fuel faster. Starship generations keep getting both more engines and longer.

Yep, 70 tons to LEO is more than the Falcon Heavy.
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