Approaches as obstacles to get funds...

Ekkehard Augustin · Posted on: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:55 pm

According to the article "Challenges Ahead for New Space Investors" ( www.space.com/news/080619-newspace-challenges.html ) one major obstacle for private space vehicle companies is that

Quote:

High operations costs remain a major barrier, investors said. That is particularly true at the start when major investment in basic launch or spacecraft development infrastructure is required before returns can be seen.

This seems to imply that launch pads and the like might make it harder to succeed in getting the capital, funds etc..

If that's right then the more proper approaches are those of Burt Rutan and others that don't need launch pads but can apply existing infrastructures like runways, balloon launch areas etc.

What about it?

Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

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Ekkehard Augustin Moderator Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 11:23 am Posts: 3745 Location: Hamburg, Germany	Approaches as obstacles to get funds... Posted on: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:55 pm According to the article "Challenges Ahead for New Space Investors" ( www.space.com/news/080619-newspace-challenges.html ) one major obstacle for private space vehicle companies is that Quote: High operations costs remain a major barrier, investors said. That is particularly true at the start when major investment in basic launch or spacecraft development infrastructure is required before returns can be seen. This seems to imply that launch pads and the like might make it harder to succeed in getting the capital, funds etc.. If that's right then the more proper approaches are those of Burt Rutan and others that don't need launch pads but can apply existing infrastructures like runways, balloon launch areas etc. What about it? Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)
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JamesC. Spaceflight Trainee Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:10 pm Posts: 31 Location: United States	Posted on: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:40 pm Not necessarily. I think its time to look at extremely (and I do mean extremely) austere launch facilities. Basically a concrete pad, small flame deflector, and a simple (read, an aluminum light pole) LUT. It won't take long for launchers to be too large for balloon and air launches, so why not start practicing now? This is the approach I'm taking for the N-Prize, assemble the launcher, put it in a box, put the box on a trailer, carry out to launch site. Stand box up, add propellants, send it off. The trailer can carry the deflector, in fact, why not add that to the bottom of the launch box. For N-Prize sized launchers, the trailer will be much (much!) heaver than the launcher, so anchoring may well be unnecessary. Just level it. Another trailer can carry the propellants, its not like there will large amounts for this particular launcher. Thoughts? James C. Epsilon Vee _________________ James Clem Chief Engineer Epsilon Vee Veni Vidi Orbis
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