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Generation Orbit SLVs
Hello All,
A new company called Generation Orbit (see: www.generationorbit.com ) has been formed to serve the nanosatellite and microsatellite markets. Their satellite launch vehicles will be air-launched from retired military aircraft (F-4, F-15, and Su-27) and executive aircraft (Gulfstream II and III). Their GO1 SLV will have a payload capability of 1 kg - 10 kg, while their larger GO2 will be able to orbit a minimum of 20 kg - 30 kg. They do have "purty pictures" of the vehicles on their web site, and I am delighted at the bold, garish 1950s-style paint schemes on the launch aircraft and the SLVs. Also: With the new EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) R/C model jets (including scale ones) that are now available, these Generation Orbit vehicles would make for interesting "cross-over" R/C *and* model rocket flying scale models. As long as the rockets were launched from the model airplanes within 30 degrees of vertical, they should comply with the NAR Safety Code.
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 12-23-2011 at 05:52 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
#2
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True,
But it would NOT comply with the AMA code for projectiles from model aircraft. Dropping a rocket-powered R/C X-1 from an R/C B-29: OK Launching rockets from a P-38: NOT OK It would be cool though. . . .
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NAR 79743 NARTrek Silver I miss being SAM 062 Awaiting First Launch: Too numerous to count Finishing: Zooch Saturn V; Alway/Nau BioArcas; Estes Expedition; TLP Standard Repair/Rescue: Cherokee-D (2); Centuri Nike-Smoke; MX-774 On the Bench: 2650; Dream Stage: 1/39.37 R-7 |
#3
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Quote:
That's an eclectic collection! I wish those were real photos instead of computer graphics. I wonder if (and hope) the company will ever get off the ground. Not only do I not understand why they'd need five different launch platforms, I can't see them doing so many launches that they'd need more than one plane. Maybe a second for backup, but that's it. As it stands, they will need parts and maintenance upkeep for five different planes. You'd think they would have gone after several of the same make in order to keep maintenance costs down.
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I love sanding. |
#4
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I agree. If I was being asked to be an investor in that company, why, I'd be skeptical at the very least. It doesn't seem logical or rational.
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Retro-grouch |
#5
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Quote:
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#6
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Quote:
__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#7
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I'm having great difficulty imagining the dinky solid fuel rocket shown in the pictures accelerating to 17,500 mph, even with a mach 2 or 3 launch speed. The website is remarkably short on specifics, or animations.
I'm also having difficulty with the concept financially. Cost-to-orbit drops dramatically with increased payload size. I can't imagine a 1 to 10 kg payload ever being worth launching by itself. Current costs to orbit run anywhere from $4000 to $10000 per pound. Even with a best case scenario I can't imagine one of these launches costing less than $200,000. |
#8
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A full-size mockup of the GO1 air-launched SLV was displayed (mounted under a MiG-21) at the Oregon International Airshow in August (see: http://www.premierspacesystems.com/Events.html and http://www.premierspacesystems.com/Nanolaunch.html ). Here (see: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blog...8d-1dc834390f7e ) are more views of the Generation Orbit vehicles, as well as other firms' proposed air-launched SLVs. One of them is designed to be launched off the *back* of an F-15! Also: Quote:
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 12-24-2011 at 05:07 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
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Thanks for the info. I understand the issue of wanting to go to any orbit, any time, but I'm still having a hard time understanding the finances of this. Any idea what the proposed cost of putting a 10 kg satellite in LEO will be?
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#10
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Quote:
__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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