Return of Apollo

Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?

Bestest, IL of FI

God, I hope not - I'd rather we develop a robust, reliable OSP - we don't
want to go back to spashdowns.

"Ilpo Lagerstedt" wrote in message
om...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?

Bestest, IL of FI

God, I hope not - I'd rather we develop a robust, reliable OSP - we don't
want to go back to spashdowns.

"Ilpo Lagerstedt" wrote in message
om...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?

Bestest, IL of FI

(Ilpo Lagerstedt) wrote in message . com...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?


Both OSP competitors have reportedly studied capsule
and spaceplace designs. Of the two, Boeing's capsule
seems to most resemble the Apollo shape, as one would
expect since Apollo-builder North American was
ultimately folded into Boeing. Boeing also has a
spaceplane design that looks like a mini-space shuttle
(as one would expect for the same reason listed above).
Lockheed Martin's most developed effort seems to have
been focused on a lifting body shape that is almost
half-capsule, half-spaceplane.

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.

At any rate, we won't know much more until late 2004
at the earliest, when NASA is supposed to make a choice.
As NASA head O'Keefe said the other day, 2004 is going
to be a watershed year for NASA.

- Ed Kyle

(Ilpo Lagerstedt) wrote in message . com...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?


Both OSP competitors have reportedly studied capsule
and spaceplace designs. Of the two, Boeing's capsule
seems to most resemble the Apollo shape, as one would
expect since Apollo-builder North American was
ultimately folded into Boeing. Boeing also has a
spaceplane design that looks like a mini-space shuttle
(as one would expect for the same reason listed above).
Lockheed Martin's most developed effort seems to have
been focused on a lifting body shape that is almost
half-capsule, half-spaceplane.

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.

At any rate, we won't know much more until late 2004
at the earliest, when NASA is supposed to make a choice.
As NASA head O'Keefe said the other day, 2004 is going
to be a watershed year for NASA.

- Ed Kyle

"ed kyle" wrote in message
om...
(Ilpo Lagerstedt) wrote in message
. com...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?


Both OSP competitors have reportedly studied capsule
and spaceplace designs. Of the two, Boeing's capsule
seems to most resemble the Apollo shape, as one would
expect since Apollo-builder North American was
ultimately folded into Boeing. Boeing also has a
spaceplane design that looks like a mini-space shuttle
(as one would expect for the same reason listed above).
Lockheed Martin's most developed effort seems to have
been focused on a lifting body shape that is almost
half-capsule, half-spaceplane.

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.


So, does the Lockmart lifting body land on an airstrip like the X-20 would
have?

"ed kyle" wrote in message
om...
(Ilpo Lagerstedt) wrote in message
. com...
Anything new about the possible Apollo "capsule" of the next generation?


Both OSP competitors have reportedly studied capsule
and spaceplace designs. Of the two, Boeing's capsule
seems to most resemble the Apollo shape, as one would
expect since Apollo-builder North American was
ultimately folded into Boeing. Boeing also has a
spaceplane design that looks like a mini-space shuttle
(as one would expect for the same reason listed above).
Lockheed Martin's most developed effort seems to have
been focused on a lifting body shape that is almost
half-capsule, half-spaceplane.

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.


So, does the Lockmart lifting body land on an airstrip like the X-20 would
have?

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.

There are a lot of great images and some good info he

http://www.ast.lmco.com/osp/

Jon

To me, the Lockheed Martin lifting body looks like
the most interesting concept of those displayed to
date. It should provide good cross-range while
minimizing the standard wing weight penalty. Mind
you, I'm sure we have not seen all of the ideas that
each company is working on.

There are a lot of great images and some good info he

http://www.ast.lmco.com/osp/

Jon

"Joseph S. Powell, III" wrote in message

God, I hope not - I'd rather we develop a robust, reliable OSP - we don't
want to go back to spashdowns.

Is there any reasoning behind this hope?

Jon