Significant Benson (Dream Chaser) interview

[docm]

The Space Show interview (MP3)....<br /><br />Long, but informative. Bits & pieces impressions typed on the fly (no order);<br /><br />1. Dream Chaser will take off vertically.<br /><br />2. 4 internal hybrid rockets with 6 more in a re-usable mini-booster for sub-orbitals, though the vehicle is designed to go orbital later.<br /><br />3. 513,000+ foot (97 miles/156 km) max altitude @ 3,000 fps (914 meters/s) with a loop/roll & longer return glide than SS2.<br /><br />4. 1 pilot + 5 passengers.<br /><br />5. Target max G = 4. Not thrilled with SS2's 6-7 G's for safety reasons, so they're limiting 0-G time to 3 min.<br /><br />6. NASA HL-20 advanced prototype on loan to Benson Aerospace.<br /><br />7. NASA also built a detailed simulator (not stated if Benson has it).<br /><br />8. Hinted a "triangular relationship" between Benson , Bigelow (who he really likes) and Lockheed would be acceptable if LM man-rates Atlas. <br /><br />9. FAA environment has been supportive with regs. based on feedback from the private space companies.<br /><br />10. Thermal protection for orbital use already worked out with NASA/AMES. Design is in-hand.<br /><br />11. Evaluation for a "lunar swing-by" flight was positive.<br /><br />12. IPO planned for ~2010 after sub-orbitals.<br /><br />13. He has brown-bag lunches to enforce practical thinking among his engineers. KISS.<br /><br />14. Adam Aircraft is still set to build Dream Chaser using advanced composites.<br /><br />15. Has no faith in VSE, calling it "a rehash" and "pork", or NASA itself. Feels burned by the COTS decision and will not compete for their programs again. <br /><br />16. Will be starting "free trips to space" contests.<br /><br />And for dessert:<br /><br />Benson will be working with Dr. Robert Bussard to evaluate (via an independent b <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacelifejunkie]

I listened to the show on Sunday evening and I have to say it was one of the best Space Show episodes I have heard. Jim B. is articulate, ambitious and a proven success. I especially liked the discussion about the anticipated safety margins built into the Dreamchaser. I love what Rutan and the boys are doing and I am rooting for everyone in alt.space to be successful but after this program I have a new found respect for Jim B., SpaceDev and Benson Space. <br />The fusion talk (about 10 minutes worth) was particularly fascinating. Practical, radiation free nuclear fusion seems seems too good to be true but there are too many important and respected people behind this research to dismiss it. Paraphrasing Jim B. in the interview..."We are hours from the moon, days to Mars, and weeks from anywhere in the solar system with fusion for propulsion." I suppose this isn't anything we don't already know but when I hear respected people like Dr. Bussard and Jim B. say it might be possible in the near future, I can't help but get excited.<br /><br /><br />SLJ

 

[gunsandrockets]

I haven't heard the program. Is it true Benson trash talked his competition?

 

[docm]

To a degree. He didn't name names, but it was clear he's not enamored of the 6-ish G load SS2 is to place on its passengers preferring to set Dream Chasers profile to 4 G's at the sacrifice of 0 G float time. He also seems to not buy SS2's physics, though again by inference. <br /><br />On the other hand his attitude towards Bigelow and Lockheeds man-rating of Atlas was quite positive. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[spacelifejunkie]

Here is another short video interview with Jim Benson from the X-Prize Cup this past fall.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ax6CGysA6E<br /><br />Question...With the Dreamchaser being vertically launched, how long will the vehicle have to be under thrust in order to reach a high enough altitude to safely land at the runway? IOW, if there is an emergency shutdown of the engine, will the DC be able to land? Will they use a giant parachute?<br /><br />Question 2...Is the Dreamchaser scalable? Can it be made larger for more passengers/cargo/etc?<br /><br /><br />SLJ<br />

 

[docm]

It's essentially a 2 stage stack; 1 for the mini-booster and the internal hybrids of DC itself. I would assume the internal hybrids in DC could be used as an escape system if necessary, boosting it high enough for a glide or parachute return. <br /><br />IF it used a completely external boost system for orbital flights, meaning Atlas, then it could theoretically be reverted to its original form factor of up to 10 passengers. The extra 4 seats being where Benson added the hybrids not in the NASA design.<br /><br />Scale it up? Why not, it's only money <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MannyPim]

Jim Benson is quite a maverick (in the best possible sense).<br /><br />He has a very refreshing straightforward way of communicating which I really admire.<br /><br />I have also had the privilege of meeting MR. Bigelow on a number of occasions. And he has a similar style.<br />It's not a surprise that Benson admires him. I would venture to say that it's probably mutual. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>The only way to know what is possible is to attempt the impossible.</em></font> </div>

 

[docm]

You didn't read the top of this post or listen to the (long) interview? <br /><br />Remember that the HL-20 was basically a production prototype, meaning virtually done, when the funding was pulled. Benson has it and the major mods are swapping some seats for hybrids. Yes, they're structural changes but the interview sounds like they're cutting metal & carbon now.<br /><br />Benson also mentioned in the interview that SpaceDev had been in discussions with Lockheed about possible collaborations on orbital systems. IOW stick a Dream Chaser on top of an Atlas for boost & re-enter using the tech NASA developed for them.<br /><br />Whatcha bet if RPK has to drop out of COTS DC takes its place? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[barrykirk]

The fusion device is looking like a really good shot at this point. I believe that it has a much better long term prospect than Tokamak based fusion.<br /><br />If it pans out the way Dr. Bussard says it can. A lot of Tokamak scientists are going to be looking for alternate employment.