Why doesn't Rocket Lab use a solid stage?Why are there so few solid rocket satellite launchers?Could 3D printing be used to achieve perfect grain geometry of solid and hybrid rocket motors?Can a solid first stage compete with a liquid fueled first stage?Why doesn't the US use European rocket engines?What was the first large rocket to use APCP solid fuel?How does solid propellant mean bulk temperature influence solid rocket thrust and specific impulse?Why did the Vanguard rocket use a solid engine for its third stage?Why are there so few solid rocket satellite launchers?Why isn't someone building a fully reusable solid fuel rocket?What is advantage of independent pumps vs common pump in clustered configuration?Why aren't air breathing engines used as small first stages?
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Why doesn't Rocket Lab use a solid stage?
Why are there so few solid rocket satellite launchers?Could 3D printing be used to achieve perfect grain geometry of solid and hybrid rocket motors?Can a solid first stage compete with a liquid fueled first stage?Why doesn't the US use European rocket engines?What was the first large rocket to use APCP solid fuel?How does solid propellant mean bulk temperature influence solid rocket thrust and specific impulse?Why did the Vanguard rocket use a solid engine for its third stage?Why are there so few solid rocket satellite launchers?Why isn't someone building a fully reusable solid fuel rocket?What is advantage of independent pumps vs common pump in clustered configuration?Why aren't air breathing engines used as small first stages?
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I was just reading about the Scout, an all-solid rocket, and thought of Rocket Lab's Electron, which seems to have a similar mission of deploying small payloads to orbit. I understand the engines to be the most expensive part of a rocket (especially the turbopumps), and the Electron has nine(!) Rutherford engines on the first stage. Since Rocket Lab has no plans for reusable launchers, it just seemed that a solid first-stage, with no plumbing or pumps, would be a lot cheaper.
But I can see the value of liquids for upper stages because they are more controllable, making it easier to fine-tune an orbit. And the Electron second stage only has one engine, anyway.
engines liquid-fuel solid-fuel
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I was just reading about the Scout, an all-solid rocket, and thought of Rocket Lab's Electron, which seems to have a similar mission of deploying small payloads to orbit. I understand the engines to be the most expensive part of a rocket (especially the turbopumps), and the Electron has nine(!) Rutherford engines on the first stage. Since Rocket Lab has no plans for reusable launchers, it just seemed that a solid first-stage, with no plumbing or pumps, would be a lot cheaper.
But I can see the value of liquids for upper stages because they are more controllable, making it easier to fine-tune an orbit. And the Electron second stage only has one engine, anyway.
engines liquid-fuel solid-fuel
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I was just reading about the Scout, an all-solid rocket, and thought of Rocket Lab's Electron, which seems to have a similar mission of deploying small payloads to orbit. I understand the engines to be the most expensive part of a rocket (especially the turbopumps), and the Electron has nine(!) Rutherford engines on the first stage. Since Rocket Lab has no plans for reusable launchers, it just seemed that a solid first-stage, with no plumbing or pumps, would be a lot cheaper.
But I can see the value of liquids for upper stages because they are more controllable, making it easier to fine-tune an orbit. And the Electron second stage only has one engine, anyway.
engines liquid-fuel solid-fuel
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
$endgroup$
I was just reading about the Scout, an all-solid rocket, and thought of Rocket Lab's Electron, which seems to have a similar mission of deploying small payloads to orbit. I understand the engines to be the most expensive part of a rocket (especially the turbopumps), and the Electron has nine(!) Rutherford engines on the first stage. Since Rocket Lab has no plans for reusable launchers, it just seemed that a solid first-stage, with no plumbing or pumps, would be a lot cheaper.
But I can see the value of liquids for upper stages because they are more controllable, making it easier to fine-tune an orbit. And the Electron second stage only has one engine, anyway.
engines liquid-fuel solid-fuel
engines liquid-fuel solid-fuel
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
asked 8 hours ago
GregGreg
1,21239
1,21239
2
$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago
2
2
$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Solid Rocket Motors are inexpensive to manufacture if you have the knowledge and experience already. For space use they are commonly made by weapons makers, sharing many production assets with weapon manufacturing.
Minus the military infrastructure, they are not as easy or economical. A private company like Rocket Lab would likely have to buy solid rocket motors from an outside source, leaving them subject to supply delays, someone else's pricing, etc. Alternatively they could develop the capability in-house, with a large increase in workplace hazards, large R&D expenses.
Instead they pursued a newer cost reduction scheme than the classic 'bundle defense and aerospace buying in Solid Rocket Motors' - They designed a simplified liquid fuel engine that bypassed the typically complex task of designing and building turbo-pump hardware that can withstand exhaust gasses and pressures. They use 3d printing, high volume assembly line production, and battery powered pumps to build inexpensive and efficient liquid fueled engines.
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Rutherford engines produce much less vibration than SRB's. This is actually a major selling point for Rocket Lab, as pointed out by Peter Beck:
In essence, the low vibration spectrum enables the customer to put more useful payload onboard the Electron, because they need less/lighter mechanical structure. This is especially important for small satellites where there are very tight limitations to the mass of the satellite.
This is also mentioned in the answer linked in the comment by Anthony X. Since this here is a distinct question, and Rocket Lab is setting new standards in this field, I think it's worth being posted as a separate answer.
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Solid Rocket Motors are inexpensive to manufacture if you have the knowledge and experience already. For space use they are commonly made by weapons makers, sharing many production assets with weapon manufacturing.
Minus the military infrastructure, they are not as easy or economical. A private company like Rocket Lab would likely have to buy solid rocket motors from an outside source, leaving them subject to supply delays, someone else's pricing, etc. Alternatively they could develop the capability in-house, with a large increase in workplace hazards, large R&D expenses.
Instead they pursued a newer cost reduction scheme than the classic 'bundle defense and aerospace buying in Solid Rocket Motors' - They designed a simplified liquid fuel engine that bypassed the typically complex task of designing and building turbo-pump hardware that can withstand exhaust gasses and pressures. They use 3d printing, high volume assembly line production, and battery powered pumps to build inexpensive and efficient liquid fueled engines.
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Solid Rocket Motors are inexpensive to manufacture if you have the knowledge and experience already. For space use they are commonly made by weapons makers, sharing many production assets with weapon manufacturing.
Minus the military infrastructure, they are not as easy or economical. A private company like Rocket Lab would likely have to buy solid rocket motors from an outside source, leaving them subject to supply delays, someone else's pricing, etc. Alternatively they could develop the capability in-house, with a large increase in workplace hazards, large R&D expenses.
Instead they pursued a newer cost reduction scheme than the classic 'bundle defense and aerospace buying in Solid Rocket Motors' - They designed a simplified liquid fuel engine that bypassed the typically complex task of designing and building turbo-pump hardware that can withstand exhaust gasses and pressures. They use 3d printing, high volume assembly line production, and battery powered pumps to build inexpensive and efficient liquid fueled engines.
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Solid Rocket Motors are inexpensive to manufacture if you have the knowledge and experience already. For space use they are commonly made by weapons makers, sharing many production assets with weapon manufacturing.
Minus the military infrastructure, they are not as easy or economical. A private company like Rocket Lab would likely have to buy solid rocket motors from an outside source, leaving them subject to supply delays, someone else's pricing, etc. Alternatively they could develop the capability in-house, with a large increase in workplace hazards, large R&D expenses.
Instead they pursued a newer cost reduction scheme than the classic 'bundle defense and aerospace buying in Solid Rocket Motors' - They designed a simplified liquid fuel engine that bypassed the typically complex task of designing and building turbo-pump hardware that can withstand exhaust gasses and pressures. They use 3d printing, high volume assembly line production, and battery powered pumps to build inexpensive and efficient liquid fueled engines.
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
$endgroup$
Solid Rocket Motors are inexpensive to manufacture if you have the knowledge and experience already. For space use they are commonly made by weapons makers, sharing many production assets with weapon manufacturing.
Minus the military infrastructure, they are not as easy or economical. A private company like Rocket Lab would likely have to buy solid rocket motors from an outside source, leaving them subject to supply delays, someone else's pricing, etc. Alternatively they could develop the capability in-house, with a large increase in workplace hazards, large R&D expenses.
Instead they pursued a newer cost reduction scheme than the classic 'bundle defense and aerospace buying in Solid Rocket Motors' - They designed a simplified liquid fuel engine that bypassed the typically complex task of designing and building turbo-pump hardware that can withstand exhaust gasses and pressures. They use 3d printing, high volume assembly line production, and battery powered pumps to build inexpensive and efficient liquid fueled engines.
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
answered 7 hours ago
SaibooguSaiboogu
4,3842231
4,3842231
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Rutherford engines produce much less vibration than SRB's. This is actually a major selling point for Rocket Lab, as pointed out by Peter Beck:
In essence, the low vibration spectrum enables the customer to put more useful payload onboard the Electron, because they need less/lighter mechanical structure. This is especially important for small satellites where there are very tight limitations to the mass of the satellite.
This is also mentioned in the answer linked in the comment by Anthony X. Since this here is a distinct question, and Rocket Lab is setting new standards in this field, I think it's worth being posted as a separate answer.
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Rutherford engines produce much less vibration than SRB's. This is actually a major selling point for Rocket Lab, as pointed out by Peter Beck:
In essence, the low vibration spectrum enables the customer to put more useful payload onboard the Electron, because they need less/lighter mechanical structure. This is especially important for small satellites where there are very tight limitations to the mass of the satellite.
This is also mentioned in the answer linked in the comment by Anthony X. Since this here is a distinct question, and Rocket Lab is setting new standards in this field, I think it's worth being posted as a separate answer.
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Rutherford engines produce much less vibration than SRB's. This is actually a major selling point for Rocket Lab, as pointed out by Peter Beck:
In essence, the low vibration spectrum enables the customer to put more useful payload onboard the Electron, because they need less/lighter mechanical structure. This is especially important for small satellites where there are very tight limitations to the mass of the satellite.
This is also mentioned in the answer linked in the comment by Anthony X. Since this here is a distinct question, and Rocket Lab is setting new standards in this field, I think it's worth being posted as a separate answer.
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
$endgroup$
The Rutherford engines produce much less vibration than SRB's. This is actually a major selling point for Rocket Lab, as pointed out by Peter Beck:
In essence, the low vibration spectrum enables the customer to put more useful payload onboard the Electron, because they need less/lighter mechanical structure. This is especially important for small satellites where there are very tight limitations to the mass of the satellite.
This is also mentioned in the answer linked in the comment by Anthony X. Since this here is a distinct question, and Rocket Lab is setting new standards in this field, I think it's worth being posted as a separate answer.
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
answered 1 hour ago
Everyday AstronautEveryday Astronaut
2,402835
2,402835
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
I think this answer might offer some insight. I'd say that the points made about ISP and fuel fraction sums up into low payload fraction - a big rocket for a small payload.
$endgroup$
– Anthony X
7 hours ago