Re:Blue Origin BE-4 engines sorts out turbopump issues
by MPSimmons on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @09:26AM
(#24918463)
I have significant doubts about the launch rate of ULA allowing them to get this working in time. I suspect SpaceX will continue to eat their market share, and when Blue Origin comes along, ULA won't have any whatsoever. Richard Shelby isn't getting younger.
Re:Blue Origin BE-4 engines sorts out turbopump issues
by nickik on Wednesday October 28, 2020 @09:32AM
(#24918524)
ULA has lots of integration with military and it will take many years before ULA will not be at least the second military launcher.
New Glenn taking that market is pretty unlikely for many years to come.
ULA has always survived on government launches alone. Now they survive on less then half the government launches, but there are more of them.
1) One is New Glenn by Blue Origin, which plans to land the booster (incl. the BE-4 engine) from the get go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=532ay25-kmU&ab_channel=Video...
2) The other rocket is ULAs Vulcan, which plans to land the engines without the booster using a parachute and helicopter. However, that plan is on paper only and it won't be implemented yet when Vulcan goes into service. As OPs article states, there isn't even an official timeline. Presumably ULA is waiting for government money to develop the capability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lftGq6QVFFI&ab_channel=Unite...