(Kieran A. Carroll) wrote in message . com...

Note that SpaceDev's SS1 work is the most recent iteration of an
on-going propulsion technology development set of activities there,
using experience gained largely through earlier activities, and
funding largely from earlier sources. In particular, SpaceDev bought
up the remnants of Amroc some years ago (5 or 6?), providing them with
a knowledge base (and some hardware and people) to do with hybrid
propulsion; I believe that was done with investors' money. More
recently, they've gotten a series of military R&D contracts (from
AFRL, for example), to look into developing launch vehicles and upper
stages based on that technology.

It looks to me like their work on SS1 was part of that continuum of
development, albeit the first of their projects to take flight. As
"propulsion support" contractor, SpaceDev contributes some of the
components of the SS1 engine, I'm not clear on which ones. The
"forward bulkhead assembly" comes from eAc
(http://www.hybrids.com/news.htm). From
http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/faq.htm, looks like Scaled
Composites designed the oxidizer tank and fuel casing themselves, with
some fabrication done by Thiokol and AAE
(http://www.hobbyspace.com/AAdmin/arc...neUpdates.html).

For other SpaceDev propulsion projects, I think they're acting as
complete propulsion system designer/integrator.

I had a chance to talk to some friends at SpaceDev in the last couple of days,
resulting in updated information:

- SpaceDev did the overall design for the propulsion system.
- The propellant pouring was done there.
- The tanks itself was provided by their customer, but SpaceDev did much of
the design work for those.
- The propulsion system appears to have worked perfectly, with only normal
nozzle erosion seen. The motor shut down via timer, at the pre-planned time.
- They confirmed that Monday was not an X-prize attempt; notification for
such an attempt apparently has to be given 2 months in advance.

- Kieran A. Carroll
Dynacon