ULA Chooses Rocketdyne Over Blue Origin for Upper Stage

orlandosentinel.com

2 points·ChuckMcM··4 comments

I think the more interesting bit here is the ULA promo video that runs at the beginning. Clearly ULA and SpaceX are mortal enemies when it comes to market share for US launches, and ULA is saying that there special sauce is going to be 'indefinite' on orbit operations. They even include their on-orbit refueling pitch there.

The tactical advantage over SpaceX would be a 'launch any time' re-fuel and then change your orbital plane as needed. This would make waiting for a launch window less of a problem.

By the time ACES is supposed to fly -- 2024 -- SpaceX is planning on having BFR, which has in-orbit refueling and long-term in-orbit operations. No doubt SpaceX will be late, but they could still beat ACES to orbit.

Blue Origin is also planning on-orbit refueling at some point, maybe also before ACES flies.

ACES is a lot better than business-as-usual for ULA, great for them. But it doesn't fix their bread-and-butter problem of being the most expensive possible ride to orbit.

I don't disagree with this assessment but I am encouraged how the current competition for launch capacity and capability over the last 16 years has done more to increase the US space capability than the previous 32 years.

Oh, we're definitely in an era of innovation! New production rockets include F9, FH, Rocket Lab's Electron, and OrbitalATK's Antares. And development is underway for BFR, SLS, Vulcan, Omega, and Blue Origin.

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