SDI Railgun

 art, history, Hmm..., models, nukes, projects, spacecraft, weapons  10 Responses »
Oct 082013
 

During Reagan’s “Star Wars” days, concept art of space-based anti-missile systems were cranked out on a fairly regular basis. Much of it was, most likely, pure artistic license with little basis in reality. However, some of the weapon artwork was clearly based on actual engineering, such as the Zenith Star and Brilliant Pebbles programs.

One uncertain design is shown in the painting below. It represents a space-based railgun, apparently capable of firing projectiles at high speed in rapid succession. While attributed to the DoD, the vehicle has “Boeing” painted on it. Unlike a lot of the designs, this one at least has a sufficiency of attitude control thrusters. Power for the system is probably nuclear, with the reactor on the far right, surrounded by conical radiators.

Seems it’d make a nifty display model.

railgun 2013-10-06

 Posted by at 10:45 pm

Diagrams on eBay

 aircraft, APR, awesomeness, books, drawings, eBay, history, new products, projects, RAINBOW to GUSTO  No Responses »
Oct 062013
 

I’ve put a few sets of 11X17 diagrams on eBay:

Northrop F-23 predecessor and derivatives diagram booklet

Dsc_0582a

Lockheed Archangel Diagram booklet (SR-71 predecessor designs)

Dsc_0593a

McDonnell-Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II Diagram Booklet

Dsc_0586a

I don’t really know if these’ll do at all well on eBay, but what the heck. I’m hoping they might serve as a bit of advertising, though. The Archangel set is very likely a one-off, a result of the printer actually spitting out two copies rather than one.

For those of you who were generous a good long while ago and have been wondering “what the hell?!?!” the technology and techniques I’ve been developing and requiring recently will prove relevant.

 Posted by at 6:17 pm

Six-Man Space Station 2

 art, projects, spacecraft  5 Responses »
Sep 252013
 

Also published in Lockheed Horizons, this design was meant for launch atop a Saturn Ib. It *may* have been part of the Manned Orbiting Research Lab studies. The Gemini logistics craft appear to be minimally modified.

 Posted by at 9:55 pm

Six-Man Space Station

 art, projects, spacecraft  12 Responses »
Sep 242013
 

Artwork from the 1960’s (latter half of the decade) depicting a six-man space station. This was published in “Lockheed Horizons,” so almost certainly depicts a Lockheed concept. it is shown being services by Gemini-derived logistics craft. While these were McDonnell vehicles, Lockheed really didn’t have an important space logistics craft of their own in design, so they didn’t have much choice in the matter but to use either the McDonnell Gemini or the North American Apollo.

This design is clear similar to the Manned Orbital Laboratory. Like the MOL, this design was meant for launch atop a Titan III. Length uncertain, but diameter would be about 10 feet.

 Posted by at 11:49 am

APR V3N4 preview

 aircraft, APR, drawings, history, news, projects, rockets, spacecraft  3 Responses »
Sep 192013
 

A long way from being complete. But here’s a look at diagrams being prepared for the article on the Model 2050E X-20 Dyna Soar. This will include not only the proposed operational versions, including bomber, shuttle, rescue, interceptor and so on, but also alternate launch vehicles. Since there has never been a really good layout diagram of the ultimate X-20 on the Titan III released, I’ve created one. Two, actually… the X-20 with just the transtage atop the Titan IIIc with the early UA-1205 boosters, and an operational Dyna Soar with external separation motors, cargo section and later UA-1205 motors. Additionally, Titan III with 156-inch boosters and Saturn C-IB concepts proposed by Boeing.

V3N4 drawings-Model

 

 Posted by at 8:58 pm

More on XS-1

 aircraft, art, blather, news, nukes, projects, rockets, spacecraft  8 Responses »
Sep 182013
 

Experimental Spaceplane Shooting for “Aircraft-Like” Operations in Orbit

To help address these challenges, DARPA has established the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program. The program aims to develop a fully reusable unmanned vehicle that would provide aircraft-like access to space. The vehicle is envisioned to operate from a “clean pad” with a small ground crew and no need for expensive specialized infrastructure. This setup would enable routine daily operations and flights from a wide range of locations. XS-1 seeks to deploy small satellites faster and more affordably, while demonstrating technology for next-generation space and hypersonic flight for both government and commercial users.

“We want to build off of proven technologies to create a reliable, cost-effective space delivery system with one-day turnaround,” said Jess Sponable, DARPA program manager heading XS-1. “How it’s configured, how it gets up and how it gets back are pretty much all on the table—we’re looking for the most creative yet practical solutions possible.”

DARPA seeks ideas and technical proposals for how to best develop and implement the XS-1 program. The agency has scheduled an XS-1 Proposers’ Day for Monday, October 7, 2013. The agency also plans to hold 1-on-1 discussions with potential proposers on the following day, October 8, 2013. Advance registration is required; more information is available at http://www.sa-meetings.com/XS1ProposersDay. Registration closes on Tuesday, October 1,2013, at 12:00 PM EDT. For more information, please email DARPA-SN-14-01@darpa.mil. 

The DARPA Special Notice describing the specific capabilities the program seeks is available at http://go.usa.gov/DNkF. A Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for XS-1 is forthcoming and will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website.

XS_1a

Note that the DARPA artwork depicts  the XS-1 here in a global strike configuration, equipped with an upper stage and a  warhead, either a conical MIRV_style, or perhaps a lifting HTV-type. In either event, the basic layout sure seems familiar… hmmm…

 

 

 Posted by at 10:42 am

Textron AirLand Scorpion

 aircraft, art, drawings, Hmm..., news, projects  12 Responses »
Sep 162013
 

A new ground attack plane is actually being built in the US:

http://www.scorpionjet.com/

Seems like a reasonable design for a subsonic bushfighter, though the decision to have the engines in nacelles *that* close to the wings, but not faired into them, seems odd. That area looks draggy. At first glance it would seem that fairing that spot over wouldn’t increase drag but would decrease weight.

It has six underwing hardpoints and an internal payload bay. first flight is by the end of the year, pretty quick by normal aerospace standards (development began in early 2012). With the DoD buy a combat aircraft that was not developed to their specifications?

Aircraft Length 43 ft 6 in
Wingspan 47 ft 4 in
Height 14 ft 0 in
Standard Empty Weight 11,800 lbs
Max Takeoff Weight 21,250 lbs
Max Internal Fuel Load 6,000 lbs
Max Internal Payload Bay 3,000 lbs
Thrust ~8,000 lbs
Max Speed 450 KTAS
Service Ceiling 45,000 ft
Ferry Range 2,400 NM

TAL-Build-2

TAL-Cover3

Scorpion-Front Scorpion-Side Scorpion-Rear Scorpion-Bottom Scorpion-Top

 Posted by at 7:54 pm
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