NASA releases CLV RFI

[propforce]

Interesting acquisition approach NASA has on the CLV procurement. NASA wants to do the design, analysis and integration itself and effectively just want contractor to build the parts.<br /><br />You can download a copy of RFI from here<br /><br />http://www.fbo.gov/spg/NASA/GMSFC/POVA/RFI%2DCLV%2DUS%2D2006/Attachments.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[teije]

Whoa, nice document! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Brings to mind about a million questions most of them caused by the fact that I don't know squat about rocket system developement. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[trailrider]

Hmmm! I just did download the RFI, dated March 20, 2006! But when I look at it, it is showing the diameter of the upperstage/CEV as 216.5 inches, which equals 5.5 meters! Yet, it was announced that the CEV and upper stages were being reduced to 5.0 m (198 inches). So what gives? Is the document obsolete dispite being dated Monday. Or have they gone back to the 5.5 m. dia.?<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra! (Ad anywhere above LEO!)

 

[tomnackid]

The engineers really, really want to keep the CLV upper stage at 5.5 meters for a variety of reasons. (As I understand it the placement and size of the fuel tanks for the upper stage's RCS is one of the biggest reasons.) A tapered adaptor is being planned to mate a 5 meter CEV to it.

 

[crix]

Yeah, that was what I was thinking. A change to 5m has got to affect all the thoughts about size and placement of propellant.

 

[propforce]

<font color="yellow">The engineers really, really want to keep the CLV upper stage at 5.5 meters for a variety of reasons.</font><br /><br />Hmmmm... I can't help but thinking that's because the EELV 2nd stage are 5m, if they make the CLV 2nd stage 5m would be accused by others for tilting advantage to existing EELV contractors <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[trailrider]

"Hmmmm... I can't help but thinking that's because the EELV 2nd stage are 5m, if they make the CLV 2nd stage 5m would be accused by others for tilting advantage to existing EELV contractors."<br /><br />And the NON-EELV contractors capable of building this critter are...? <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <br /> <br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra! (Ad anywhere beyond LEO!)<br /><br />

 

[propforce]

That's not what I meant. I meant by making the 2nd stage 5.5m takes away the advantage of existing EELV contractor (well, ONE of them anyway), as their toolings are for a 5m upper stage. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>