Posts: 44615 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-30-2019 03:24 PM
Please use this topic to discuss Northrop Grumman's OmegA launch vehicle, the company's new intermediate- to heavy-class rocket for national security missions.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44615 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-30-2019 03:30 PM
Northrop Grumman on Thursday (May 30) conducted its first ground test of the first stage of OmegA. The solid-fuel motor is more than 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet long.
From Northrop Grumman on Twitter:
Northrop Grumman successfully completed the test of OmegA's first stage; the motor performed nominally with an observation noted at the very end of test involving the aft exit cone of the nozzle.
It appears from the video that the aft cone broke apart about 110 seconds into the test fire. Kent Rominger said at a post-test press conference that "the exit cone did something a little strange that we need to look into."
oly Member
Posts: 1092 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-31-2019 12:26 AM
A spectacular rocket nozzle failure during the latter stage of the test that may lead to delays in the design moving forward.
While the question was asked during the press conference regarding similarities between the OmegA rocket nozzle design, and the SLS SRB nozzle design, this failure must have people worried about a similar failure occurring in the future. Should a similar failure during launch of the SLS occur, it may cause damage to the first stage.
It will be interesting to see what the root cause and rectification will be.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1066 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 05-31-2019 05:35 AM
The shuttle's eighth launch, in 1983, had a near-miss when it was discovered post-flight the nozzle on its left SRB came within 14 seconds of a similar failure. Turned out to be an error in the manufacturing process.
oly Member
Posts: 1092 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 05-31-2019 06:16 AM
The shuttle stack SRB rocket nozzles are behind the orbiter. While a similar failure may have created issues for a shuttle launch, the SLS design appears to have the main engine and SRB exhausts aligned.
This failure demonstrates why testing is done, and why a SLS full stack green run could be a critical step in flight safety of the new design.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1539 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 05-31-2019 12:37 PM
It doesn't matter whether there is an orbiter or not, or the location of the orbiter to the nozzles.
The fact that there was problem with a nozzle means there is going to be a thrust imbalance and TVC issues. This would put the controllability of any stack, shuttle or SLS, in jeopardy.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44615 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-28-2019 08:54 AM
Northrop Grumman's OmegA will launch from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, reports SpaceNews.
“On the West Coast we will launch from SLC-6,” Kent Rominger, Northrop Grumman’s vice president and capture lead for the OmegA launch system, said in a presentation at the 2019 International Astronautical Congress.
Space Launch Complex 6, or SLC-6, is a sprawling launch facility that was built in the 1980s for NASA’s Space Shuttle, along with a 3-mile runway for the shuttle to land. After NASA terminated the program, the complex was turned over to the Air Force and its launch contractors Lockheed Martin and Boeing, which are ULA’s parent companies. ULA is leasing SLC-6 for Delta 4 Heavy launches.
The Delta 4 is expected to fly until 2024. Rominger said it will be possible for Northrop Grumman to start building the OmegA pad without disrupting ULA’s operations.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44615 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-10-2020 12:51 PM
Northrop Grumman has announced it will not move forward with the development of the OmegA rocket after it was not awarded a contract under the National Security Space Launch program, reports SpaceNews.
"We have chosen not to continue development of the OmegA launch system at this time," Northrop Grumman spokeswoman Jennifer Bowman said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to play a key role in National Security Space Launch missions and leveraging our OmegA investments in other activities across our business."
Bowman said the company will not be protesting the U.S. Space Force's decision to select United Launch Alliance and SpaceX for the NSSL contracts.
posted 05-30-2019 03:24 PM
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