NASA's Shuttle Successor Fails Parachute Test

Fox News ^ | August 22, 2008

[jazusamo]

A mock-up of NASA's Orion space shuttle successor twisted, tumbled and fell from thousands of feet up after a parachute failed to inflate properly during a July 31 test.

The programmer chute was designed to stabilize the mock-up before beginning a test of its parachute recovery system, but instead sent the capsule careening toward the desert floor at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

"This is the most complicated parachute test NASA has run since the '60's," said Carol Evans, test manager for the parachute system at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We are taking a close look at what caused the set-up chutes to malfunction. A failure of set-up parachutes is actually one of the most common occurrences in this sort of test."

[jazusamo]

 NASA

July 31: The mock-up Orion crew vehicle after some of its parachutes failed in a test over Arizona.

July 31: The mock-up Orion crew vehicle after some of its parachutes failed in a test over Arizona.

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[gathersnomoss]

Hmmm, now how did we land on the moon?

[devane617]

Couldn’t they use an old concrete truck to test with instead of the real thing?

[cabojoe]

Video here.

[jazusamo]

That’s a fairly major “Uh Oh.”

[coconutt2000]

Call me crazy, but when someone says “complicated” and “parachute” I tend to think “crash”.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the link, doesn’t look like any of it went right.

[OCC]

If we can send a Man to the Moon.... you would think we could still send a Man to the Moon (40 years later).

[gorush]

Something got tangled around the lines about halfway between the chute and the capsule... maybe the chute's containment material?

[spacejunkie01]

checkout www.spacedev.com

they have the Dreamchaser, also known as HL 20, which was an original NASA designed plane. This is a runway lander too, which, as I understand it, most want. They don’t want the capsule.

[Joe 6-pack]

"NASA's Shuttle Successor Fails Parachute Test"

~ Earth's Gravity Unaffected By Global Warming ~

[Cyber Liberty]

“Fail” and “parachute test” in the same headline always spells trouble.

[gorush]

"This is a runway lander too, which, as I understand it, most want. They don’t want the capsule."

Capsules are SOOO last century.

[mgstarr]

Hmmm, now how did we land on the moon?

Makes you wonder doesn't it? NASA is now just as competant and well managed as the rest of the Federal goverment. In other words, not.

[exit82]

From the article, there area a total of ten different parachutes, deploying at different times for different purposes.

NASA has forgotten the K.I.S.S. principle.

[Thebaddog]

Naw, you have to remember the number of failures leading up to the Mercury Program. I read this as normal. How else do you figure stuff out and where the Potential failure risks are?

[spacejunkie01]

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/06/1250678.aspx

Q: That would be an area where you’d like to depart from the current course – because in the COTS program, both of the companies receiving NASA money are developing space capsules as well.

A: You’re very observant, following my well-chosen words. I’m quite aware that a number of years ago, the Russians had a design that they tested with scale models. We re-engineered and studied it and renamed it the HL-20. … My group of engineers thought it was very, very attractive, and together with Raytheon we were working on a proposal… It really surprised us when the upper management said they’d make no bid for COTS. …

So I and my engineers searched around and looked for ways of teaming with different people. Initially it was not too satisfying to work with SpaceDev, but after a change of management, it became very appropriate. I’ve been pursuing that personally and somewhat organizationally ever since. I think that would be a very good alliance to work with, including foreign partners like ESA, JAXA and ISRO [the European, Japanese and Indian space agencies].

I haven’t taken steps yet, but hopefully the Commerce Department may choose to provide a preferential announcement. That would be kind of gutsy for somebody to do. … I think we need to fill the gap, and I’d sure like to see the gap filled early by a lifting body and a runway lander.

[AFreeBird]

[Names Ash Housewares]

Boy, you would think they would test this kind of thing first during development testing.....

Oh yeah.

They are.

This is why you *TEST*.

And it does not sound like a design issue but a test process issue.

[Islander7]

“...NASA’s Shuttle Successor Fails Parachute Test...”

Stupid ‘journalist’!

The parachute failed! The capsule is a causality. Doesn’t matter what was on the end of the chute.

[Ed Condon]

One of my pet peeves is the improper use of the word “careening”. In order for the capsule to careen, the last parachute that was attached, would have to been attached to the bottom of the capsule, so it would land upside down.

In most newscasts, or reports, the car,or bus, or SUV, that is reported as “careening”, is probably “careering”.

[spacejunkie01]

thanks for the pic freebird :)

did you read the interview w/ Buzz Aldrin in the link I posted?

for some reason Dreamchaser isn’t on Spacedev’s website; I guess it has to do with Benson? Who’s not in business anymore.

[AFreeBird]

Well the pic came from their website. The Images section.

[spacejunkie01]

I was spelling it wrong :|

Pretty interesting. Spacedev just got a contract Monday w/ Branson for Virgin Galactic to test and eventually build the non combustible engines that were on Spaceship One that flew a few years ago in the Mojave.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Hmmm, now how did we land on the moon?

The present-day counterparts to those legendary engineers are working for Google. ;)

[spacejunkie01]

Is SpaceDev still working on the [SpaceDev] Dream Chaser™ Space Plane?
SpaceDev has internally developed a concept for suborbital human space flight and named the system the SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ Space Plane. In 2004, under a small contract from Ames, SpaceDev further developed the concept and expanded it to include orbital human space flight, using the same safe, non-explosive hybrid rocket motor technology that was developed for SpaceShipOne. SpaceDev is not under contract to continue development of the SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ Space Plane, although we believe our design would result in a very practical, affordable and safe human space transport system. We are currently exploring new opportunities with NASA and others to further the project.
Back To Top

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Is SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ Space Plane under consideration as a shuttle replacement, (e.g., to space station)?
SpaceDev believes its SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ Space Plane system could be a viable Shuttle replacement for human space transport. By substituting a cargo pod in place of the manned vehicle, the same system could economically and safely deliver tons of cargo to the ISS or other LEO destinations. SpaceDev was a finalist in the COTS competition but was not selected to receive one of the two funded contracts.

[Dumpster Baby]

That will buff out just fine.

[Harold Shea]

Hoping his/her feet are inches from earth at that moment
in time

[jazusamo]

Yeah, NASA should buy some of the super duper scratch remover sold on TV. :)

[gorush]

"Hoping his/her feet are inches from earth at that moment in time"

Actually I was 50' above Lake Delton and death was cheated once again.

[Moonman62]

This is what we get for letting a Connecticut blueblood who plays a Texas cowboy on TV dictate the future of our space program.

[JRandomFreeper]

Is there ANY chance they could have made this collection of Rube-Goldberg devices more complicated?

KISS is a rule for a reason.

/johnny

[AFreeBird]

SpaceDev Advanced Systems

The entrepreneurial space industry that has been emerging over the past years is changing the course of how space is accessed, explored and utilized. As this paradigm shift occurs, SpaceDev is in a unique position of leading this charge with its broad technology base, its depth of capability, and its entrepreneurial roots. The Advanced Systems group is chartered with developing the advanced systems and technologies that are supporting this sea-change in our industry.

A primary current focus of the Advanced Systems group is an overall space transportation system based on the NASA HL-20 lifting body spaceplane. Christened the Dream Chaser^TM, it is being designed to carry passengers and cargo in the sub-orbital and orbital flights regimes, including flights to and from the International Space Station. Leveraging the work performed on the NASA HL-20, the Dream Chaser^TM will provide a safe and affordable solution for commercial space operations, will launch vertically and land horizontally on conventional runways.

SpaceDev Dream Chaser^TM Space Transportation System

 

 

SpaceDev is currently working in conjunction with NASA Commercial Orbital Transporation Services (COTS) office to develop and configure the system for ISS servicing. In parallel, SpaceDev has signed a memorandum of understanding with United Launch Alliance (ULA) and is evaluating man-rating the Atlas 5 launch vehicle and configuring it for use with Dream Chaser^TM to provide a launch configuration based on the exceptional heritage of the Atlas family of launch vehicles.

SpaceDev’s Dream Chaser^TM Piloted Lifting Body Spaceplane Characteristics

• Derived from NASA HL-20
• Over 1200 hours of NASA wind tunnel testing
• Builds upon seven years of NASA development
• Low re-entry deceleration Loads (< 1.5 g)
• Large cross range (1600km) → Frequent Landing Opportunities
• Low impact recovery (conventional runway landing)
• Exceptional crew safety: (safe, non-toxic space vehicle propulsion)
• Onboard hybrid propulsion & high lift provide flexible abort options
• Designed for Commercial Orbital Transportation Service: Simple maintenance, quick turnaround

SpaceDev’s Dream Chaser^TM - Hybrid Propulsion

• Based on our proven hybrid rocket propulsion technology
• Over 10 years of development
• Over 300 firings
• Based on motors designed for SpaceShipOne (SS1)
• Human flight rated motors
• Hybrid propellants are safe, non-toxic, storable & human flight tested
• Propellants: nitrous oxide (N₂0) & rubber (HTBP)
• Common Space Vehicle Hybrid Propulsion Modules (SVPMs)
• Modular construction simplifies production and handling
• Throttleable & restartable
• Thrust vectoring control (TVC) by N₂O injection; no nozzle gimbals
• Reaction Control System (RCS) uses N₂O

 

 

I must say this is an intriguing design, and I do like the idea of a lifting body over parachute landings

[spacejunkie01]

yes, very intriguing. And I think most in the industry, from what I’ve read, prefer it as well. It’s NASA that’s being resistant.

The US was going to depend on Russia for manned space flights to fill the gap after the shuttle retires but that’s changed. They need to do something to restore our country’s position in the space race. The Dream Chaser would be a great solution, IMO.

[annie laurie]

Space ping.

[KevinDavis]

[PAR35]

now how did we land on the moon?

German engineering.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Did she survive?

Concur with the thought of testing a parachute rig with a (equal size & weight & CG) concrete and fiberglass block.

[wastedyears]

I wonder how much that one test just set us back.

[wastedyears]

Every time I see the word ‘capsule’, I think of the guy that played the German scientist in “The Right Stuff” putting extra emphasis on the ‘u’.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[neverdem]

Earlier this week, the agency unveiled plans to add a shock absorbing system to smooth out excessive shaking of its Ares I rocket during launch.

They should get the crew that fixed the Chicoms' launch vehicles during Clinton's watch.

[A.A. Cunningham]

NASA July 31

[equaviator]

...”I read this as normal.”...

Absolutely. Technically speaking, “zero tolerance” for failure to comply in the world of rocket science is an impossibility.

[Eaker]

I have used a parachute once.

I just had the one, but it did work better than this.

[jazusamo]

I’m extremely happy for you that it did. :-)

Sounds like you didn’t have a choice. My son went through Airborne School in the Army and I’d tease him about volunteering for something that was real hazardous but he’d just grin, said it was a blast.

[airborne]

When you want a job done poorly, and for twice the cost, the United States government is your best bet.

[anymouse]

One of Bill Dana's masterful creations, Jose Jiminez(dressed as an astronaut) was once asked, "Is that a crash helmet?" To which he replied, "I hope not."

[jazusamo]

That was a classic, it seems I remember that. Dana (Jose) was great, what a talented man he is. I was going to say was but got curious and checked.

Excerpt from short bio:

Bill is a decorated combat infantry veteran of WW II. He is married to Evelyn Shular Dana of Walden's Creek, Tennessee, his inspiration and partner in life and business. At 80-plus, Bill Dana is still performing and is a firm believer in the healing power of laughter.

Bill Dana

It sounds like he's still at it. :)