It is a big task indeed, we are running like mad dogs to make sure that it is done by 2026 end. As far as i see it there is no sense in linear development of launch vehicles, systems are totally different when we compare them, for sure experience gained by developing a small vehicle will be helpful in designing a big one, thay is what we are using.
It's a mammoth task but someone has to do it, i believe this will encourage other firms who are existing and emerging in same domain to focus on a broader aspect of what truly is needed. I can tell you name of 178 small satellite launch sevice providers but when it comes to medium heavy or heavy we have only 5-6 majority of which are government and the private sector for this class is only emerging in US. If we don't focus on this class now, we will be too late.
And regarding the failure part, i am not afraid to fail, i believe it is much needed part of process. I work on a very simple moto and it have helped me so far, whatever you are doing if success is even least possible outcome, you have to do it.
We are pulling experience from wherever we can, we have people from ISRO, recently we inducted our COO Shubhayu sardar he have 10 years of experience in ISRO and many more are on the way. I believe we will do it
I don't say that gaining medium - heavy lift launch capability isn't important. I'm just asking how you guys are going to do it? Design of launch system, launch-pad, communication (what are you going to use), first payload (you are going to launch), who will fund it (it's feasible if government has approaches you guys to bear the cost). Whether engine has been realised. Whether you guys are going to test small launchers first to gain experience to make a bigger one.
1. You have to make ~1,000 kN engine.
2. You have to make an HLV.
3. You have to make one of world's most powerful upper stages (if have to believe the specifications) you have given. This is something only available with US, Russia, China (you guys are going to make even bigger), ISRO has not been able to do for a decade and has put the PAM&G program in cold storage.
I don't wish to discourage you but my mind just refutes to believe that a private vendor is going to deliver a heavy launcher backed with an upper stage that can throw straight 20 tonnes into GEO directly, is fully re-usable and is going to be delivered by an organisation with no currently flying rockets of its own yet and that even by 2026. It's simply unrealistic. This task is so so humongous that running like anything won't deliver years. Such an advanced project will easily consume enough of time in NASA and probably multiple decades in Russia, China, India & Japan.
Although, most major companies in Indian space industry are capable of delivering anything like Shavit or PSLV-G without government help if provided with proper infrastructure and funding, Razor Crest-I like rockets are at least 20 if not years away from Indian space industry. Gradually, Indian space firms like Bellatrix have realised how difficult arena is and now has switched to incremental growth instead of trying to leap high at once. I will be happy though yet if Ethereal delivers Razor Crest-I on time, that would be a direct competitor to Falcon-9. But seriously it's too optimistic.
Hopefully soon enough, we are building our test facility as of now
What kind of facility? Engine ground testing range or wind tunnel for rocket aerodynamics?
www.etherealx.space
