Comments on: Turbopump failure in first stage engine eyed for the Antares launch failure https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/turbopump-failure-in-first-stage-engine-eyed-for-the-antares-launch-failure/ Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Andy Hill https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/turbopump-failure-in-first-stage-engine-eyed-for-the-antares-launch-failure/#comment-558707 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:49:55 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=31594#comment-558707 Launching Cygnus on Falcon 9 might be a cheaper option for them but they may be unwilling to use their main competitor’s rocket as a ride. Also may be some questions of proprietry information as SpaceX would have access to Cygnus.

Not sure it would be a good idea to replace one Russian engine with another one in the current political climate, is there not an indiginous US engine that could be used?

]]> By: Patrick Ritchie https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/turbopump-failure-in-first-stage-engine-eyed-for-the-antares-launch-failure/#comment-555178 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 04:32:22 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=31594#comment-555178 Looks like orbital already has a plan.

Buy some flights on another rocket to fulfill their current contract while developing an upgraded Antares, possibly using the RD-193 (which was specifically designed to replace the NK-33). They mentioned 3 possible companies for the remaining CRS flights, 2 american and 1 european although not specifically called out I think that pretty much has to be ULA, SpaceX and ArianeSpace.

Some details:

http://www.techzone360.com/topics/techzone/articles/2014/11/05/393029-orbital-go-forward-plan-space-station-supply-antares.htm

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