Concern about the Boeing test-launch of a "mammoth new rocket"

[mdhunter]

So, the DOD contracted Boeing to build a new vehicle to get heavy things into space.

You can read the CNN article here

So, at the end of it there is this quote...

"Air Force Col. Mark Owen said the launch was a milestone in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, funded by the Air Force to create a new generation of rockets to lift heavy military payloads into orbit.

"America has a lot riding on this," he said.

Anyone else a little wary about that? A) I'm not sure I want heavy military payloads going anywhere, least of all into orbit around the Earth. B) I'm love to know, exactly, who was polled to determine that "America" has "a lot" riding on "this." And, any explanation of "this" would also be appreciated. I figure the least they could do, after pissing away $140 million for todays fireworks display, is clue us in on what they'll be sending up and, shudder to think, why.

[benburch]

1. Well...

The first one to launch is going to carry a load of sand. Nobody in their right minds would risk a half billion satellite on this.

We launch LOTS of heavy spy satellites. You know the Hubble Space Telescope? A KH-11 is essentially a hubble with different sensors, and the telescope pointed down!

[mdhunter]

2. This one did carry a dummy and smaller experimental things

The thing is, this vehicle is being developed explicitly to address the lack of capacity to transport heavy enough things. That there is already fairly heavy things being launched underscores my hesitation about this - If the rockets used for getting the Hubble up there are insufficient, what the hell do they want to send?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. They used the Shuttle to take Hubble up

But there are many things you are not cleared to know that they want to put out there

Read any descent science fiction novel... and you will get a good inkling, after all, sci fi writers project out what is being built today that we know is being built today.

[XNASA]

9. I have it on good authority that the launch was not 100% successful.

A bad orbit insertion burn left the dummy payload in a lower than planned orbit.

So not all of the bugs have been worked out, though the primary test objectives were met.

[One_Life_To_Give]

11. How does it Compare to previous vehicals?

Does anyone have a sense for how this compares in capability to the old heavy lift rockets? Like the Saturn 5 or the Soviet "N-1"

Liftoff thrust looks to be about 10% of what the Saturn 5 had.

[Ready4Change]

4. If I had to guess...

I'd say the military is looking for a replacement for some of the capabilities of the Space Shuttle. They've operated their own, non-public Shuttle missions during the program, and doubtless have felt a pinch from the grounding of the Shuttle fleet. This could replace the shuttles heavy lift ability.

[rfkrfk]

5. Don't believe everthing you read

They 'say' its a dummy payload.
Whatever

[benburch]

6. Ahem...

I believe them.

The reason it will be a dummy payload is because nobody trusts that a new booster like this won't screw up. There are so many things on a rocket that must all work perfectly to prevent disaster that the amazing this is that we launch so many of them without problems!

[SariesNightly]

7. Roudabout

So the shuttles are grounded so more money can be saved for the eventual Mars roadkill, but then again we'll have to spend maybe even more for Boeing's shuttles.

Who's keeping score?

[On the Road]

8. The Shuttle Was Designed for Military Missions, Too

It was originally supposed to be smaller and sleeker, but was apparently bulked up because of DoD requirements.

[Wilber_Stool]

10. I wouldn't think that the technology to disable

a satellite in orbit is very high. The electromagnetic pulse from a small nuclear device comes to mind.

[benburch]

12. That would be real overkill.

You launch an interceptor full of shrapnel on a rough intercept. It does not even need to reach orbital velocity. When you are maybe 30 seconds away from intercept, you detonate it. The debris cloud expands quickly enough to make up for any minor course imperfections, and tears the satellite to ribbons.

[Skittles]

13. Tiny Penis Syndrome

no doubt about it

[bemildred]

15. Well, it is important to be doing something important ... nt

[Q]

14. It's part of the...

...'missile defense' package. The Bush* WH has already expressed their intention to 'weaponize' space and thus dominate it.