Boing Streamliner Launch tonight.Test flight

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Jelly bodies.... possibly 3 months or more in recovery / rehab ..?

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/09/13/ ... hout-them/

“[ Suni Williams talks about the new normal: ]
The transition to station life was “not that hard” since both had previous stints there, said Williams, who logged two long space station stays years ago.

‘This is my happy place. I love being up here in space,’ she said.”



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunita_Williams

Sunita Lyn "Suni" Williams (née Pandya; born September 19, 1965) is an American astronaut, retired U.S. Navy officer, and former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes). Williams was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33. In 2024, she returned to the ISS on the Boeing Crew Flight Test, the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner; her return to Earth has been delayed until February 2025. As such, from August 2024 until February 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are pivoting ahead to undertake various scientific experiments and maintenance tasks aboard the International Space Station.

Whichever way you spell it, it's a stupid name for an air/space plane

https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-tests ... per-stage/

https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-tests ... per-stage/

https://www.seradata.com/aerojet-rocket ... selection/

https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/be-3u


Looks like Jeff’s rocket is going to Mars!

In the context of Starliner BE-3U as an upper-stage and BE-3 as a first/lower stage might be part of the next Starliner launch.

A tried and tested upper stage for Jeff would be a big thing. I cannot quite find if BE-3U will be reusable. The BE-3 is, so, as the BE-3U is just a modified version of BE-3. It would stand to reason.

Jeff is taking another measured step to give Elon some real competition.

Elon’s has two close equivalents called MVac and RVac.

Engine Comparison: MVac, RVac, BE-3U

The Merlin Vacuum (MVac), Raptor Vacuum (RVac), and Blue Origin's BE-3U are upper-stage rocket engines designed for operation in space, where atmospheric pressure is nearly nonexistent. Below is a comparison of their features and capabilities:

1. Fuel Type and Engine Cycle:
- MVac:
- Developed by SpaceX
- Burns RP-1 (a refined kerosene) and liquid oxygen (LOX)
- Uses a gas generator cycle, which is less efficient than some advanced cycles but reliable for lower Earth orbit missions and ISS servicing
- RVac:
- Also by SpaceX
- Burns liquid methane (CH₄) and LOX
- Uses a full-flow staged combustion cycle, designed for high efficiency and reusability, particularly for missions beyond Earth, including Mars
- BE-3U:
- Developed by Blue Origin
- Burns liquid hydrogen (LH₂) and LOX
- Uses a closed expander cycle, which is highly efficient in a vacuum and well-suited for long-duration missions, like those to lunar orbits

2. Thrust and Efficiency:
- MVac:
- Produces around 981 kN of thrust in a vacuum
- Has a specific impulse (Isp) of 348 seconds
- Optimized for SpaceX's Falcon 9 second stage, providing efficient thrust for reaching low Earth orbit
- RVac:
- Produces approximately 1,900 kN of thrust in a vacuum
- Has an estimated Isp of about 380 seconds, enhanced by its vacuum-optimized nozzle and methane/LOX combination
- Central to SpaceX’s Starship, designed for efficiency on long-range missions while supporting ambitious reusability goals
- BE-3U:
- Produces around 490 kN of thrust
- Has an Isp of about 450 seconds due to hydrogen's high efficiency
- Suited for high Earth orbits or lunar missions, where efficiency is essential over longer durations

3. Reusability:
- MVac:
- Designed primarily for single-use on Falcon 9’s expendable second stage
- Though not reused, its reliability and ease of manufacture make it effective for SpaceX’s regular low Earth orbit and ISS missions
- RVac:
- Intended for full reusability as part of Starship's upper stage
- Supports SpaceX’s vision for sustainable, cost-effective space travel by withstanding repeated ignitions and high-stress reentry conditions
- BE-3U:
- Built with reusability in mind, though it primarily supports high-efficiency upper-stage missions
- Designed for durability, allowing Blue Origin to maximize mission longevity without requiring the full reusability seen in Starship’s design

4. Primary Applications:
- MVac:
- Used for satellite deployments, crewed missions to the ISS, and other LEO operations
- Not designed for interplanetary travel but is reliable for SpaceX’s regular mission requirements
- RVac:
- Core to SpaceX’s Starship system, enabling deep-space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond
- Its advanced design maximizes performance for missions requiring reusability and efficiency at great distances
- BE-3U:
- Powers the upper stage of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket
- Primarily targets missions to high Earth orbits and lunar operations
- Leverages hydrogen’s high efficiency for sustained thrust in vacuum conditions over long durations

Summary:
The MVac is straightforward and aligns well with Falcon 9’s focus on LEO missions, while RVac and BE-3U are positioned for deep-space and high-orbit goals. Each engine showcases its company’s technological focus: MVac in reliable, frequent low Earth missions; RVac in reusable, ambitious missions to other planets; and BE-3U in missions where hydrogen’s efficiency provides advantages in high-orbit and lunar trajectories.

I cannot type it either but I can cut-and-paste it.

The original German surname as it was originally written would likely have been Böing (with an umlaut over the “o”). However, when the name was anglicized, the ö would have been replaced with oe, as English does not use umlauts.

• Böing would be the likely original spelling in German, with the ö pronounced like the “i” in “bird” or like the u in “fur.”
• Boeing in its current form has been adapted for English pronunciation, where the oe is read as a long “o” sound (as in “go”).

So, in English Boeing rhymes with “going”, and similar to “Bowing” as in “I shot an arrow in the air. When I pulled back on the bow it was bowing quite a bit”.

So if arrows and rockets are at all alike, my opinion is it is not a bad name for an aerospace company. Your mileage may vary (YMMV).

Thank you Fenn..especially for the details on the Spacecraft ...