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Can't Turkey license-produce something like SpaceX's Merlin liquid fuel engine? Especially given the fact that we've selected them to launch Turksat 5A and 5B?
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I think that's only for strictly military rockets and excludes civilian satellite launchers. For example, US company ULA (United Launch Alliance) uses Russian RD-180 engines.Producing under license means giving production technology and technique, even partially, which is prohibited.
If they do license their technology they probably already have. If they didn't then they won't. I would guess that some other company would use this engine if they could. Also SpaceX and most launch companies service internationally therefore they probably won't want other companies to compete with their advantageous tech. Highly likely that it is a no go. Also a weaponizable tech is unlikely to be transferred.Can't Turkey license-produce something like SpaceX's Merlin liquid fuel engine? Especially given the fact that we've selected them to launch Turksat 5A and 5B?
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SpaceX now makes engines a lot more advanced than their old Merlin 1A engine, which they no longer use. It is based on an older design from 2006 which used an open cycle gas generator to power its turbopump. It's considered "obsolete" by today's standards. So I see no reason as to why they wouldn't want to sell Turkey that design. Once acquired, we can make improvements on it and increase its thrust capacity. The most critically important part is the turbopump anyway, which has to pump cryogenic liquid oxygen and RP-1 at high speed. Once we acquire and perfect that technology, we're golden.If they do license their technology they probably already have. If they didn't then they won't. I would guess that some other company would use this engine if they could. Also SpaceX and most launch companies service internationally therefore they probably won't want other companies to compete with their advantageous tech. Highly likely that it is a no go. Also a weaponizable tech is unlikely to be transferred.
That's very exciting. Also, Delta-V was developing a hybrid rocket engine. And news as to whether it'll be used for upcoming satellite launchers?1,35m solid propellant carbon filament based motor case + TVC nozzle represents one of the previously announced target of Turkish industry. This technology will help us to produce 2500+km range two stage ballistic missiles If It is requested by TAF but Noone will see them. The previous target was 1500km and Turkey has already developed the infrastructure and surpassed this target ~2017. Before 1500km range, Turkey has ballistic missile tech that is able to reach 800/1000km. This year, Turkey will start space trials of domestic liquid propellant rocket engines as well and MuFA V1/2 will use domestic liquid propellant engine called “Ümit” in last stage. All these achievements are continuation of previous efforts.
That's very exciting. Also, Delta-V was developing a hybrid rocket engine. And news as to whether it'll be used for upcoming satellite launchers?
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Yes.
Yes.
ÜMİT satellite propulsion project.1,35m solid propellant carbon filament based motor case + TVC nozzle represents one of the previously announced target of Turkish industry. This technology will help us to produce 2500+km range two stage ballistic missiles If It is requested by TAF but Noone will see them. The previous target was 1500km and Turkey has already developed the infrastructure and surpassed this target ~2017. Before 1500km range, Turkey has ballistic missile tech that is able to reach 800/1000km. This year, Turkey will start space trials of domestic liquid propellant rocket engines as well and MuFA V1/2 will use domestic liquid propellant engine called “Ümit” in last stage. All these achievements are continuation of previous efforts.
ÜMİT satellite propulsion project.
Yes, in theory. But calculation only gets you to a certain point beyond which you have to prove your concept with actual testing.I'm curious whether the performance of a rocket can be tested/verified by calculation alone without actually test firing one. I had read that airplane makers can predict their new planes' performance down to 1% variation level. What do you guys think?
Sometimes calculation+simulation is all you've got because of the immense cost of manufacturing the real thing. You build the thing with the best estimates and hope everything works fine. It costs around $18000/kg to launch something to space, which jumps to $54000/kg for human flight due to life support requirements. Also, just because you're testing something doesn't mean you're risk free. For example 3 astronauts died of a fire while locked in a test capsule for the Apollo 1 program, on the ground at NASA facilities.Seems like if you have prior data from a similar project you can extrapolate and interpolate to incorporate with new input and get to a respectably accurate result of calculation. If you can use somebody else's data you can probably get away with minimal experimentation.
Well, i'm not going to hide my disappointment.
I remember this project has been going on for 5 years and it will take another 5 years. At the end of 10 years, project will give us the capability of nothing. Turksat satellites are at GEO, LEO satellites weigh much more than 100 kg (Göktürk-1 1000kg, Göktürk-2 400kg). So what's the objective of this project ?
More over, if we are starting on clean sheet, i would prefer our rockets to have re-usability. This rocket can never compete against Falcon series of SpaceX. Yes, it is a strategical importance to have national SLV but if like i said only 100 kg.
Hope, i'm somehow wrong....