Adeldor t1_itwkgmw wrote
It's interesting how often Blue Origin seems included in plans related to space activity. Yet they currently have less real, orbital experience than, say, even Astra.
Perhaps it's a reflection of the funds available via their benefactor, but from my view in the peanut gallery, they've yet to earn real credibility - especially with their very late delivery of BE-4s to ULA.
A_Vandalay t1_itx96ri wrote
The fact that they have delivered engines for ULA proves that they should be taken seriously. As they were able to develop a massive rocket engine on a more cost effective and aggressive schedule than Aerojet rocketdyne who was largely building their AR1 engine based off of Soviet designs. That alone is a huge achievement, keep in mind the complexity of a rocket engine drastically increases with scale. What rocket lab, astra, Virgin, and all the others has accomplished is impressive but it’s not nearly as challenging from a propulsion standpoint. Secondly they are included in these discussions and plans because what they are planning can actually contribute to them. Astra, virgin, relatively and all the rest would need to scale launchers by a factor of 10-100 to be able to even contribute to similar plans. Some of these companies are planning such vehicles but their development is even further behind than that of NG.
Adeldor t1_itxooch wrote
But they are many years late on BE-4 delivery, and they've yet to reach orbit. Thus, to me, they haven't yet truly proven themselves. Not that BO would care about my opinion, of course. :-)
kevintieman t1_iu06kfw wrote
To be fair, it took SpaceX roughly the same time to develop the raptor. So while late according to schedule, it’s actually not that bad.
Bensemus t1_iu16527 wrote
Raptor is an engine design that has never been used before. BE-4 is a well known design but using new fuel. SpaceX is also has built over 100 V1 engines and has already built multiple V2 engines. Blue likely has yet to build 10 BE-4s
kevintieman t1_iu1acsf wrote
Developing an engine from scratch is hard, both BE4 and raptor were. And none of those 100 v1 engines will be used to get to orbit. Look, I’m a big fan of SpaceX. But I also think BO deserves credit for developing such a complex and powerful engine. I’ll be rooting for BO and ULA for a successful first flight of Vulcan.
Adeldor t1_iu08fov wrote
Yes. That's very true. However, as I see it:
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meanwhile, SpaceX also dominates the launch market with a reusable booster
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Raptor development challenges engineering and materials limits in ways BE-4 doesn't.
I'm now in danger of coming across as anti-BO. I'm not. Nothing would be better for all were BO to excel. But I don't seem them there (yet).
EmbarrassedHelp t1_itxg3z9 wrote
Their engineers didn't come up with a rocket design that could operate in the dark, and they got upset at NASA for it. PR-wise they have a lot of work to do lol
LordBrandon t1_itxaycx wrote
It's wrong to dismiss them like that. Within a few years their engines will be on multiple orbital class rockets, and they have operational experience with the little rocket.
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