State of the art database: launch

[Suzibianco]

Start a database of the state of the art of launch solutions for space exploration (not launch vehicles) comparing existing and under-development concepts.
Include: trl, position (vertical/horizontal), self propelled or pushed/thrown, launch from land/air/water/other, human rated?, numbers, costs, advantages, and any other relevant information.

[MikkelHPANDA]

Would "under development" cover formal concept submissions that might not be currently active? For instance, I am familiar with a number of sea launch proposals that NASA, and other organisations (including NASA contractors) had investigated, but subsequently closed due to lack of funding. Although such proposals had some merit, I am unaware of any (specific) sea launch proposals currently under development.

Also, what level of development are you interested in? For example, some private organisations have "proposed" sea launch systems, and have drafted initial designs for facilities (on a general level) to support such operations; however, these organisations have not yet submitted any formal work (such as cost projections, detailed designs, specifications, etc). What would be a suitable proposal for such a database, and what should not be included?

[stellarmagnet]

@MikkelHPANDA we are open to suggestions on what you think should or shouldn't be included. What are your thoughts/recommendations?

[MikkelHPANDA]

For the most part, I would like to keep things as open as possible. This would allow for derivatives of studied proposals that might be useful to consider.

That said, I think that entries should be clearly marked with a notation of how far the concept had progressed: "brain-storm" concept, proposal for study, formal concept study, formal detailed study, component testing, TRL, etc . Since TRL is already one of the fields, it would make sense to place this in a prominent position, and open up the possible entries in the field (probably as a notation added to the formal TRL.

There should, however, be a guideline for things that are not acceptable entries: tech based on poorly established scientific theories/hypotheses (EM Drive, etc); tech that violates international law (Orion Drive); tech that would seriously damage the environment, or pose immediate harm (nuclear thermal rocket, etc); or tech that is clearly far beyond our current level of engineering capability (multi-km rail launchers, launchers requiring more electrical power than is available to statewide electrical grid, etc).

Borderline launching technology could be considered if the tech is (believed to be) currently available, but not yet fully developed, or not yet available for market production (Skylon, etc).

We can group the item entries by general categories, for easier reading.

I am a bit occupied at the moment, but I could probably submit a preliminary spreadsheet in a couple of weeks, incorporating the features I am thinking of.

[Suzibianco]

Mikkel, great question, sorry for the late response! The purpose of the State of the Art database is to have a clear, quick view of what's available out there so we don't reinvent the wheel. So to answer your question, I think maybe this database should cover proposals that are at least actively being worked on. We can have another database of "proposed technologies" where we can list proposals that are still in the conceptual phase.

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---- On Thu, 03 May 2018 05:20:14 -0600 notifications@github.com wrote ---- Would "under development" cover formal concept submissions that might not be currently active? For instance, I am familiar with a number of sea launch proposals that NASA, and other organisations (including NASA contractors) had investigated, but subsequently closed due to lack of funding. Although such proposals had some merit, I am unaware of any (specific) sea launch proposals currently under development. Also, what level of development are you interested in? For example, some private organisations have "proposed" sea launch systems, and have drafted initial designs for facilities (on a general level) to support such operations; however, these organisations have not yet submitted any formal work (such as cost projections, detailed designs, specifications, etc). What would be a suitable proposal for such a database, and what should not be included? — You are receiving this because you modified the open/close state. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.