/sci/ - Science & Math

>>16127780
It could have been competitive if the Delta IV line at Michoud had ever been able to work at something closer to full capacity. It was designed to roll out 40 D4 CBCs per year and the highest it ever manged was six. Full capacity would have put it in a position to compete on price with the Atlas V, but with the late 90s constellations all dead you need something else to bring in that business.

The best idea for that I've ever come across would be if NASA/Congress had decided to go with an EELV-based moon program instead of Constellation and the Ares 1/5. One lunar mission would have needed four Heavy launches to get its parts into orbit, and that would take 30% of Michoud's yearly capacity. Two moon missions a year plus a good domestic manifest of 4 government Medium launches and one NatSec Heavy would have the factory working at 75% capacity, which would start to bring costs into line with the original projections.

The remaining Delta capacity might still be more expensive than the Ariane 5 ECA, but Delta can do direct to GEO insertions which Ariane 5 can't. Commercial customers would be willing to pay a small premium for a rocket that can fly direct, so even if it's the most expensive launcher on the market it wouldn't be a complete pariah.

>>15661133
I'm not sure if the Angara A5V has enough lift to pull off the same mission design as the LM-10. You could divide the mission four ways (one launch each for the capsule and the lander and then two more for lunar transfer stages) but then again you could do that mission with the standard Angara A5 or LM-5.