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  [Discuss] Excalibur Almaz' Soviet Almaz RRV

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Author Topic:   [Discuss] Excalibur Almaz' Soviet Almaz RRV
Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
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posted 08-18-2009 10:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Please use this topic to discuss Excalibur Almaz' plan to use updated elements of the Almaz space system developed by JSC MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia.

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
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posted 08-18-2009 10:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Spaceflight Now: Beating swords into plough shares with Soviet Almaz
The previously top secret reusable reentry vehicle for the Soviet "Almaz" manned military space station will form the backbone of a major new U.S./Russian commercial venture to carry paying research crews on one week missions into Earth orbit by 2013.

The reusable reentry vehicle (RRV) venture is being announced today at MAKS, the annual Moscow Air Show at Ramenskoye air base.

The project is led by Excalibur Almaz Limited (EA), an international space exploration company that has teamed with the Almaz RRV spacecraft manufacturer and other Russian and U.S. companies. EA is led by Art Dula founder and CEO of the venture.

GACspaceguy
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From: Guyton, GA
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posted 08-18-2009 01:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any word on whether this vehicle has the capability to dock to the ISS?

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
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posted 08-18-2009 01:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The spacecraft's design, according to the EA website, is to operate independently of a space station.
EA will offer space flights of up to one week. Each flight will accommodate two or more crewmembers and a commander, along with cargo, scientific experiments or other payloads.

The new service module will allow the spacecraft to perform flights of up to one week, without rendezvous with a space station.

music_space
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From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 08-20-2009 09:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for music_space   Click Here to Email music_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This spacecraft looks a lot like Perot's Merkur at the National Air and Space Museum. Is it the same?

A description the of spacecraft with graphics.

An article by Dwayne Day on Space the Review about the misnoming of Perot's Merkur.

A discussion on parent spacecraft, including the Almaz Crew Return Apparatus, on Tim Maw's blog: Sven Grahn's TKS page.

It did have a hatch through its heat shield to access the module aft.

David L. Rickman
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posted 08-21-2009 11:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David L. Rickman   Click Here to Email David L. Rickman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by music_space:
Is it the same?
This is indeed the same capsule. The particular capsule displayed is the original display model repainted and fitted with new close-out material in the cabin.
quote:
An article by Dwayne Day on The Space Review about the misnoming of Perot's Merkur.
That display sign has been changed, as seen on my blog (see next comment).
quote:
A discussion on parent spacecraft, including the Almaz Crew Return Apparatus, on Tim Maw's blog...
This is actually my blog. Tim Maw was gracious enough to provide me with several great photos of the capsule stored at Khrunichev.
quote:
It did have a hatch through its heat shield to access the module aft.
Chelomei himself referred to this as "...the highlight of Almaz." The hatch integrity increases as the outside surface temperature rises during reentry.

David L. Rickman
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posted 08-21-2009 11:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David L. Rickman   Click Here to Email David L. Rickman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by GACspaceguy:
Any word on whether this vehicle has the capability to dock to the ISS?
Each launch configuration will be tailored to that particular customers needs. It is expected that this will mainly be individual companies and private passengers working independent of the ISS, however it can be fitted to dock with the ISS if that is required for that mission.

Eventually there will be lunar excursions.

Tonyq
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From: UK
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posted 09-08-2009 06:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tonyq   Click Here to Email Tonyq     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Excalibur Almaz will be displaying one of their flown Soviet era capsules in the Isle of Man (where the company is head quartered) later this month. Public viewings will be possible on 20th/26th/27th September.

See this initial site - hopefully more comprehensive details will follow.

Two ex-cosmonauts will be in attendance, with a display of spacesuits etc. (don't know who they are yet).

If any UK based cS'ers are interested in visiting the Isle of Man to attend this unusual opportunity, please e-mail me for travel guidance.

(I've no involvement in this event, other than as a member of the public. Just want to help anyone who might be interested to get here.)

gliderpilotuk
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From: London, UK
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posted 09-08-2009 10:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I read in the "Manx Treasury's Space Commerce Unit" I thought it was a joke but when you check out The Isle of Man in space you see that it is not.

Given the IoM's tax advantages it appears that this is the island's key USP, although the term "space-based financial services" conjures up the picture of spacesuited bankers.

Tonyq
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From: UK
Registered: Jul 2004

posted 04-27-2011 01:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tonyq   Click Here to Email Tonyq     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Today I visited the Excalibur Almaz hanger at Jurby, Isle of Man for a media event hosted by Col. Valery Tokarev.

I am not an engineering specialist - my main interest is in astronauts and cosmonauts, so sorry if I did not photograph all the things people wanted to see.

Because I was there as a representative of 'Spaceflight' magazine I must give them first viewing of most of my 70+ photos, but I am happy to post a few here as a preview.

I was very surprised that we were allowed inside the most complete module and to take any photographs that we wanted.

GoesTo11
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From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 07-09-2011 11:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wasn't aware of this company until today, when a poster on my college alumni message board mentioned in a Shuttle/STS-135 discussion that his brother-in-law (ex-NASA) was working for them.

After perusing their website, I'm still not quite sure what their precise mission or business plan is, but they've apparently got some big brains on board, including former astro/cosmonauts Leroy Chiao, Walt Cunningham, Vlad Titov, and Val Tokarev.

SpaceAholic
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From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-28-2011 09:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
EAI has acquired and will update flight-proven legacy hardware — the Almaz Reusable Reentry Vehicle (RRV) pressure vessel, its Emergency Escape System (EES), retro rocket, attitude control subsystem and parachutes.
The Russians must be missing a couple of Kazbek seats and VZOR's.

Robert Pearlman
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posted 10-28-2011 09:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Missing no; sold to Excalibur Almaz, yes (along with the reusable reentry capsule, which flew twice (unmanned) in the 1970s and is now being retrofitted in Houston to fly again, first as an unmanned cargo vehicle and then later as a crewed vehicle.

YankeeClipper
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From: Dublin, Ireland
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posted 06-20-2012 02:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for YankeeClipper   Click Here to Email YankeeClipper     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
UK Sky News reported this morning from the Royal Aeronautical Society's 3rd European Space Tourism Conference in London regarding EA's Lunar Orbit Mission plans.

Focusing on a twice-flown RRV Capsule, and featuring interviews with EA CEO Art Dula and Space Tourist Anousheh Ansari, Sky News indicated that a ticket on a Lunar Orbit Mission would cost a cool GBP £100 Million.

On my bank loan application form, under the section "Purpose of Loan", I am oscillating between "Vacation" and "Scientific Exploration & Research Mission For The Advancement Of Humanity". I think the latter might just have the edge!

Tykeanaut
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posted 06-20-2012 05:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can't see these flights happening for a long time yet, if ever?

YankeeClipper
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posted 06-20-2012 07:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for YankeeClipper   Click Here to Email YankeeClipper     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tykeanaut:
I can't see these flights happening for a long time yet, if ever?

It was early morning when the Sky News piece was being broadcast, but I seem to recall them talking of the possibility of a Lunar Orbital Mission 3 years from now. I recall thinking "Wow, that's quite soon!".

My understanding is that EA consider their hardware and infrastructure as essentially proven over decades, and that all that is required is to flight-certify a number of engine/electronics/software upgrades, source and train space tourists as part of flight crews, and then proceed to launch.

Prospero
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posted 06-20-2012 11:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Prospero     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'd have thought they'd be better off concentrating on LEO operations first, taking scientists into space to carry out research. Space tourism to the Moon is a lovely idea, but there can't be too many interested parties around both willing and able to stump up 100 million for a ticket. Whatever their business plan is, I wish them well.

Tykeanaut
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From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
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posted 06-21-2012 10:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by YankeeClipper:
It was early morning when the Sky News piece was being broadcast, but I seem to recall them talking of the possibility of a Lunar Orbital Mission 3 years from now. I recall thinking "Wow, that's quite soon!".
Perhaps I'm a pessimist? But as I said, I can't see it happening for some time, if ever?

SkyMan1958
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posted 06-21-2012 07:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SkyMan1958   Click Here to Email SkyMan1958     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can't imagine there'd be many boosters out there that are man rated that could send at least 3 people to the moon. Does anyone have any idea what booster they'd be using if they were able to get someone to pony up 100,000,000 pounds to go sightseeing?

YankeeClipper
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From: Dublin, Ireland
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posted 06-22-2012 10:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for YankeeClipper   Click Here to Email YankeeClipper     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Isle Of Man Firm Offering £100m Trips To Moon

EA are confident in their technology base and command some serious industry support. There are more than enough High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in the world capable of outlay on the ultimate adventure.

I will be watching EA's space ...

Saturn V
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From: Golden, Colorado, USA
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posted 06-22-2012 12:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Saturn V     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is all very good news. If they can get people to sign up for tours to the moon (and I think they easily can) then not only will they be making money from that but the independent investors will be showing up as well.

A very good trend in the right direction if humans are ever to get back into something beyond LEO.

I for one am optimistic...

Robert Pearlman
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posted 11-13-2014 08:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The billionaire investor who funded Excalibur Almaz' purchase of Soviet-era spacecraft has sued the commercial spaceflight company and its founder for fraud, claiming the hardware acquired were only museum pieces, reports Courthouse News Service.
Takafumie Horie, whose Internet portal company Livedoor made him a billionaire, sued Art Dula in Harris County Court on Monday.

..."Horie engaged Dula as his attorney, and then trusted him enough to give Dula $49,003,000.00 in trust for purposes of setting up a business to accomplish space travel," the complaint states.

Horie claims Dula reeled him in by claiming "he could set up a commercial space transportation program to carry cargo, scientific experiments, and people into low Earth orbit to the International Space Station and other space destinations."

Dula bought four space capsules and two space stations with Horie's money from NPO Mashinostroyenia, a Russian aerospace firm, Horie claims in the lawsuit.

But he says there was a major problem with the Russian equipment.

Dula "represented to plaintiff and others that the hardware could be made 'flight worthy,' and that he could refurbish, modify and update the equipment so that it would be certified for flight," the complaint states.

It continues: "The purchase contracts had to be approved by the Russian government, and unbeknownst to plaintiff ... expressly excluded the right to modify the Russian hardware, thus relegating it to display uses only! The items were only museum pieces, a secret Dula would keep until well after he acquired control of plaintiff's investment."

Robert Pearlman
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posted 03-11-2015 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Soviet Almaz space station and VA capsule acquired by Excalibur Almaz and imported to the Isle of Man are leaving the island for destinations unknown, BBC News reports.
The company was unavailable to comment on where the 11m (36ft) long space station, built in the 1980s, is going.

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 03-13-2015 09:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Almaz space station and VA capsule are being shipped from the Isle of Man to Saudi Arabia, Isle of Man Today reports.
Excalibur Almaz's founder and chief executive, Art Dula, told iomtoday last July that its plans had been shelved due to a four-fold increase in transportation costs.

The company said it was now working with the International Space University in Strasbourg to transform a space capsule into a reusable orbital laboratory used to research microgravity.

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