Reply to post: Re: Depressing

Ex-Soviet engines fingered after Antares ROCKET launch BLAST

donaldinks

Re: Depressing

"One of the AJ-26 engines set to launch with a future Antares rocket has failed during testing at the Stennis Space Center on Thursday. Sources claim the engine “exploded” on a Stand located in the E Complex at the famous rocket facility. The failure is currently under evaluation, although it may delay the next Antares launch that is tasked with lofting the the ORB-2 Cygnus to the International Space Station (ISS)."

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/antares-aj-26-engine-fails-stennis-testing/

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"The simple design and unique technological approach eliminates exotic materials and complex manufacturing processes, making the engines easy to operate and maintain. The dual AJ26 main engine system provides Orbital Sciences Corporation’s AntaresTM vehicle with better performance at a more affordable cost than existing engines in its thrust class.

The engine was designed by renowned gas turbine design bureau, JSC Kuznetsov, located southeast of Moscow. Aerojet Rocketdyne modernized a gimbal block for thrust vectoring capability, gimbaling feedlines, new wiring harnesses and electrical circuitry, electromechanical valve actuators and instrumentation."

http://www.rocket.com/aj26

I am not blaming "Russian technology", per se...

however,

what I am saying is this, that Orbital Sciences Corp. bought outdated technology and "modified" it to "create"(quote from their own website...)

"...a more affordable cost than existing engines in its thrust class."

My simple point is the following:

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

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