38,000,000 bhp
11 March 2005, 09:27 AM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: 535D M-Sport Touring
Posts: 3,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
38,000,000 bhp
Topped with the heftiest commercial communications satellite to ever fly from Cape Canaveral, a tailor-made Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 rocket like none before it launches Thursday, bound for an exceptionally high orbit around Earth.
The first-of-its-kind rocket will be the most powerful Atlas in history, generating 38 million horsepower when it blasts off from Complex 41 at 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT). The day's window in which the launch can occur extends 15 minutes to 4:57 p.m. EST (2157 GMT). Producing the blazing thrust will be the Russian-designed RD-180 main engine making its 11th flight and a trio of Aerojet-built strap-on solid rocket boosters. The solid-propellant motors have flown in pairs twice before on Atlas 5, but this launch marks the first time three have been mounted to the first stage to give the added kick at liftoff.
Given the weight of the satellite cargo bolted atop the rocket, that extra boost is needed. At 13,100 pounds, the Inmarsat 4-F1 mobile communications spacecraft is a couple thousand pounds heavier than any commercial broadcasting satellite to launch from the Cape. .....
The first-of-its-kind rocket will be the most powerful Atlas in history, generating 38 million horsepower when it blasts off from Complex 41 at 4:42 p.m. EST (2142 GMT). The day's window in which the launch can occur extends 15 minutes to 4:57 p.m. EST (2157 GMT). Producing the blazing thrust will be the Russian-designed RD-180 main engine making its 11th flight and a trio of Aerojet-built strap-on solid rocket boosters. The solid-propellant motors have flown in pairs twice before on Atlas 5, but this launch marks the first time three have been mounted to the first stage to give the added kick at liftoff.
Given the weight of the satellite cargo bolted atop the rocket, that extra boost is needed. At 13,100 pounds, the Inmarsat 4-F1 mobile communications spacecraft is a couple thousand pounds heavier than any commercial broadcasting satellite to launch from the Cape. .....
First launch attempt yesterday evening was aborted due to issues with Range Safety System which will cause the rocket to self destruct if it goes off course
and a "pogo" suppression system which serves as an energy absorbtion device onboard the rocket to damp out oscillations.Should go up this evening around 21:45 if all goes to plan.
I have a vested interest in this as I work for a company that develops communications equipment to work over the Inmarsat satellite constellation. If anything goes seriously wrong during this launch it could put the release of our next generation product back by several years. Could have job security implications
Would be a good fireworks display though 
Fingers crossed
Last edited by Graz; 11 March 2005 at 09:33 AM.
11 March 2005, 10:51 AM
#6
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by paul-s
I thought this was gonna b a thread like "my mate reckons he's got 38 billion horsepower in his nova"
Me too(though my mate has 38.5 billion in his corsa)
Trending Topics
11 March 2005, 11:24 AM
#13
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: 535D M-Sport Touring
Posts: 3,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL
Well if you could somehow strap a Atlas V rocket to a Nova then it would have 38 million BHP. You would need a 200 mile long drag strip to test it Big brake kit might be a worthwhile upgrade 
Well if you could somehow strap a Atlas V rocket to a Nova then it would have 38 million BHP. You would need a 200 mile long drag strip to test it
Big brake kit might be a worthwhile upgrade
11 March 2005, 01:00 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Turboland
Posts: 5,082
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yep big 6 pots all round are needed. i can just see the dyno day. here's your printout mr smith, im sure you'll be very pleased with the results, we have a proven 38 billion horsepower at the wheels
11 March 2005, 01:31 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 39,877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A 6.5 ton satellite really needs some poke and all that is extremely impressive. Just standng and looking at the Saturn rocket was pretty astounding in its day, and a launch had to be seen and heard to be believed.
I hope its nothing to do with all that ISA for cars stuff!
Les
I hope its nothing to do with all that ISA for cars stuff!
Les
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post