tater Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 It's interesting to compare this to the pathfinder posted last year. (I still don't know what's up with the set of what looks to be ratchet set sockets at or near the injector head.) This looks like a fully-fitted out test engine. I'm seeing temperature and pressure probes all over. Also seeing a turbopump down by the nozzle that taps the feed before the main oxidiser and fuel turbopumps, then seemingly flows directly into it. Eager for more details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceception Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Video soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceception Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 Looks like this may have slipped under the radar here, too distracted by the pictures https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-completes-archimedes-engine-build-begins-engine-test-campaign/ tl;dr They're planning to reuse each engine for at least 20 launches (can definitely be increased down the line) Each engine produces 733 kN or 165,000 lbf, for a combined thrust of 1,450,000 lbf, which with its payload capacity, makes it roughly equal to Falcon 9 v1.1 The engine campaign wasn't given details when it'll start or end, but they reiterated a mid-2025 launch date for Neutron. The Archimedes engine is supposed to be very close to a flight article, and they spent extra time to build up all the teams and infrastructure needed for operations, which contributed to a launch delay. Mentioned a completion of the carbon composite structures for the faring panels, stage 1/2 tanks, and stage 1 reusable structure. Arc-Vac is designed to be restarted up to 6 times in space for payload delivery. Mentioned intentionally developing the engine a couple times to be within medium-capability, to lower stress on the engine, extend its operational lifetime, and aid in "[meeting} the rapidly reusability requirements of Neutron." I wonder what kind of average turnaround times they're expecting to achieve, and what kind of record they can set for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insert_name Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 (edited) Launch number two for PREFIRE, just had nominal transfer orbit insertion and kick stage separation. Update: payload deployment confimed Edited June 5 by insert_name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 35 min Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 A smallsat launcher reaching its 50th launch is very, very good going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Rocket Lab Completes Integration and Testing of Twin Spacecraft for NASA Mars Mission. Seems their satellite-building business is getting a few customers, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted August 11 Share Posted August 11 Launch in a few seconds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Impressive CF-laying robot and early peeks of Neutron's tank domes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthgently Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 (edited) 1 hour ago, AckSed said: Impressive CF-laying robot and early peeks of Neutron's tank domes: I've been wondering lately about ways to bind composites like CF that use higher temperature materials. As in not plastics. I don't know what this would look like. But maybe some kind of ceramic based material where the entire assembly would be fired after assembly. It would likely weigh more, but maybe still less than metal alloys and such. Idk. Plastic just has so many limitations. What about a binder based on the chemistry Capton is based on? (Yes, I realize Capton is a plastic) Edited August 21 by darthgently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 That's cool. I wonder what that red winding is and if it's a 1st-stage tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 later today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 What exactly does an internet of things satellite do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthgently Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 1 hour ago, Ultimate Steve said: What exactly does an internet of things satellite do? My guess is that it will mostly just track IoT widgets from space and sell the accumulated data mining product. But I’m a bit blackpilled when it comes to IoT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnemoe Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 22 minutes ago, darthgently said: My guess is that it will mostly just track IoT widgets from space and sell the accumulated data mining product. But I’m a bit blackpilled when it comes to IoT Now its plenty of stuff who is to remote to have cell connection but is also very low bandwidth. IoT has gotten bad press because all the idiot products. But its plenty of smart uses like an cabin, you can call it to turn on the heat before you arrive and tell you if something is wrong. Or simply street light telling then out, or next one is out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthgently Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 2 hours ago, magnemoe said: Now its plenty of stuff who is to remote to have cell connection but is also very low bandwidth. IoT has gotten bad press because all the idiot products. But its plenty of smart uses like an cabin, you can call it to turn on the heat before you arrive and tell you if something is wrong. Or simply street light telling then out, or next one is out. Understood, but the way it exposes public and private infrastructure and information to malicious actors is unparalleled. It has been horribly implemented. Or perfectly implemented depending on one’s maliciousness I suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 20 Share Posted September 20 Live in a few minutes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 I timestamped this to the part wher the music dies off and it's just rocket noise: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted September 29 Share Posted September 29 Looks good, looks really quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceception Posted October 7 Share Posted October 7 (edited) (Not the big contract, just a study) https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007484239/en/Rocket-Lab-Awarded-NASA-Study-Contract-to-Explore-Bringing-Rock-Samples-from-Mars-to-Earth-for-the-First-Time They've been selected for a small contract to study the a new MSR architecture, which will be revealed in the coming months. I think it's great that Rocket Lab is leaning into planetary science, between their Venus mission, the ESCAPADE probes to Mars, and working with Firefly on the landing software for a Lunar rover. Now this. Edited October 7 by Spaceception Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AckSed Posted October 7 Share Posted October 7 It's vindication of a sort, as they have set themselves up to be a kickstage-providing, satellite-making business and it's slowly materialising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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