http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/1/ Technical and general issues related to space flight. (Moderated) en-us Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:27:05 -0500 info@air-space.us http://www.air-space.us/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss/ http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Dextre-telerobot-comes-back-article1733.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Dextre-telerobot-comes-back-article1733.htm http://news.discovery.com/space/robotsatelliterepairnasa.html Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:48:51 -0500 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-IO-call-reliability-article1732.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-IO-call-reliability-article1732.htm igt;/i igt;gt;gt;/i igt;gt;gt; About fifteen years ago, I read an article that suggested one CPU /i igt;gt;gt; error per 1000 hours of computation. Nowadays CPUs are faster, but /i igt;gt;gt; they are also tested more extensively, so the value is probably /i igt .. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:09:58 -0500 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/SubOrbital-Earth-Transits-article1705.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/SubOrbital-Earth-Transits-article1705.htm Well, not having received any negative responses to my original query in sci.space.policy, concerning Virgin Galactic, here goes. Moderators: This is highly speculative and unsupported by fact. I am posting this because its mainly a t .. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:56:15 -0500 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/best-kind-of-motor-to-achieve-100K-feet-article1700.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/best-kind-of-motor-to-achieve-100K-feet-article1700.htm My college rocketry club is trying to build a rocket that has to reach an altitude of 100K ft... and I was wondering what kind of engine would be better solid, liquid, or hybrid Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:10:25 -0500 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/How-does-a-rocket-navigate-in-space-article1694.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/How-does-a-rocket-navigate-in-space-article1694.htm Once a rocket or is in space (e.g. on its way to mars), how does it know where it is in relation to its preprogrammed route There is no GPS in space. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:50:12 -0500 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Ares-I-launch-recycling-article1692.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Ares-I-launch-recycling-article1692.htm One of the advantages of the Ares IX test seems to be an easier ability to recycle the countdown on holds. However, a lot of what was done for the Ares IX test is not representative of the actual manned Ares I. When you add the liquid fueled upper stage and the Orion capsule systems how easily wi .. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:30:37 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Ares-Rocketcams-article1686.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Ares-Rocketcams-article1686.htm Anyone know if there will be any quot;Rocketcamsquot; on board for the Ares 1X launch Not heard anything either way. ++++++++++++++++++ Dave Downing, Somerset U.K. No bytes were harmed in the making of this message. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:45:20 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/ChangDiaz-on-VASIMR-article1678.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/ChangDiaz-on-VASIMR-article1678.htm http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/arocketforthe21stcentury/ MODERATORS COMMENT: Pat, I know you mean well, but in the future, try to include at least SOME commentary. Things are slow, so Ill approve this one. :) GdM Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:31:03 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/ROTON-type-engines-and-liquid-monopropellants-article1671.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/ROTON-type-engines-and-liquid-monopropellants-article1671.htm I was just thinking about monopropellants. Most have low ISPs compare to bipropelleants but can be very dense. ie Peroxide/Alcohol mixes for example. Since ROTON type engines are selfpressuring, one can build a system with very light weight tanks and high expansion ratio engines. Could the ma .. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:38:45 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Robotics-in-Space-Exploration-article1625.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Robotics-in-Space-Exploration-article1625.htm Robotics in Space Exploration 74 min. long video of a speech made by Rodney A. Brooks: http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/337 By the way, I was very active in this newsgroup when World Wide Web did not exist yet and. My EarthtoOrbit Transportation Bibliography is posted here: http://www.islandon .. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:18:21 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Rockets-of-ice--(ALICE)-article1620.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Rockets-of-ice--(ALICE)-article1620.htm Heres a Purdue video of the propellant mixing, test stand firings and the flight firing. The comments below are somewhat enlightening as well. http://www.youtube.com/watchvb7siH1Ausc Looked pretty energetic to me, though it also produces a lot of slag (molten aluminum oxide). Given theres .. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:00:21 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Successful-inflatable-heatshield-test-article1608.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Successful-inflatable-heatshield-test-article1608.htm Would be used for Mars to expand latitudes where landings can be made: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0908/17wallops/ Pat Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:58:36 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Exhaust-Distribution-article1576.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Exhaust-Distribution-article1576.htm hello, worldn the behavior of exhaust gases is remarkably different at atmospheric pressures and at lower pressures or vacuum. One example where this becomes obvious is on pictures like KSC69PC413 (http:// www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a11/ap11KSC69PC413HR.jpg) where the luminous .. Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:57:59 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Orbiting-fuel-depot-concept-article1549.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Orbiting-fuel-depot-concept-article1549.htm United Launch Alliance has released some details on their concept for putting fuel depots into LEO to allow Moonbound spacecraft to take aboard fuel onorbit without having to carry it all the way to orbit with them: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/storychannel.jspchannelspaceamp;i .. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:00:50 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-A-noteworthy-amatuer-space-shot-article1545.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-A-noteworthy-amatuer-space-shot-article1545.htm Ken S. Tucker wrote: igt; In the case of the Sugar Shot to Space team they have been planning/i igt; and testing for over 3 years, using IMHO solid engineering and theory,/i igt; and are learning by scaling up, so tough stuff like vibrations and/i igt; resonance is to measured .. Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:23:51 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Modifications-for-MPLM-to-remain-at-ISS-permanently-article1537.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Modifications-for-MPLM-to-remain-at-ISS-permanently-article1537.htm Spotted on NASA Spaceflight.com: Furthermore, the MultiPurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) either Raffaello, Leonardo, or Donatello which will fly on STS133 will be modified and redesignated as a Permanent Logistics Module (PLM) which will be left on the ISS after STS133 departs. .. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:21:52 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/A-noteworthy-amatuer-technology-article1531.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/A-noteworthy-amatuer-technology-article1531.htm I think this is reasonable for this group. Below (++++) is a report recieved via email on a project SS2S. It uses an unusual staging technology known as phasing. The motor uses a sugar+saltpeter propellant, with the 1st phase burning followed by a delay and then the 2nd (upper phase) ignites drivi .. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:09:59 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Shuttle-fuel-cycling-article1519.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Shuttle-fuel-cycling-article1519.htm Its reported the recent Shuttle was fueled and unfueled 6 times, Im not sure about the accuracy of that, but Ill assume thats true. Cycling the LH2 in and out etc. places quite a bit of fatigue stress on the orange tank and its insulation cuz of geometric thermally induced variations. Things l .. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:46:42 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Long-Duration-Habitat-for-ISS-article1516.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Long-Duration-Habitat-for-ISS-article1516.htm I read a mention some time back about a (canceled) project that would have attached a long duration habitation module to the ISS. I cant remember if I read mention of it in either one of the sci.space. newsgroups on on a space blog somewhere. In any case, Id appreciate any references from folks a .. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:03:51 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Falcon-1-to-launch-tonight-article1509.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Falcon-1-to-launch-tonight-article1509.htm Fairly short notice from SpaceX, as usual: http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon/005/status.html Pat Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:12:44 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Max-Launch-Abort-System-successfully-tested-article1493.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Max-Launch-Abort-System-successfully-tested-article1493.htm Photos and video here: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/missions/mlas.html Test vehicle would make a great looking model rocket. Pat Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:41:47 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/VASIMIR-successfully-tested-article1490.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/VASIMIR-successfully-tested-article1490.htm Here come the plasma engines: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/storychannel.jspchannelspaceamp;idnews/Vassie070709.xmlamp;headlineVasimir20Powered20To20Spaceflight20Levels Pat Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:31:34 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Here-comes-PhobosGrunt-article1485.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Here-comes-PhobosGrunt-article1485.htm Let us hope the Grunt can land successfully, and return samples: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/phobosgruntpreflight.htmllebourget Also aboard the spacecraft, a Chinese quot;hitchhikerquot; satellite, Yinghuo1, to be released in Martian orbit: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/phobosgrunt.html .. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:48:19 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Venus-article1481.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Venus-article1481.htm 1. Venus has no magnetic field. 2. Venus has a thick atmosphere causing excessive green house effect. Why doesnt the suns solar flares blow away the atmosphere MODERATORS COMMENT: This should really go to sci.space.science, but I have not gotten moder .. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:35:55 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Sea-Launch-has-filed-for-bankruptcy-article1479.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Sea-Launch-has-filed-for-bankruptcy-article1479.htm Filed for Chapter 11 on Monday: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.htmlpid28522 This is really sad, as they did come up with a very clever concept for the whole operation, but I guess the payloads just werent there to make it work from a economic point of view. Pat Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:27:39 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Spysat-meteor-observations-now-forbidden-article1478.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Spysat-meteor-observations-now-forbidden-article1478.htm No more meteor entry data from DSP constellation: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/06/pentagonblindsastronomerstoarmageddon/ Pat Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:31:52 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Notice-SST-Moderators-article1466.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Notice-SST-Moderators-article1466.htm Derek and I will not be as available for the next week or so as usual. I will literally be in a hole in the ground most of the week. And my connectivity above ground is very slow. Please be patient. Greg Moore Ask me about lily, an RPI based CMC. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:27:54 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-The-Moonby-way-of-MIT-article1461.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-The-Moonby-way-of-MIT-article1461.htm ....From SpaceDaily: http://www.spacetravel.com/reports/ToTheMoonByWayOfMIT999.html OM OMBlog http://www.io.com/om/omworld Lets face it: Sometimes you *need* an o .. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:08:42 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/help--gravity-problem-article1452.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/help--gravity-problem-article1452.htm I thought I understood basic gravity problems but the following high school physics problem from my daughter has me stumped ( I think) Q. a disabled ( meaning of disable not defined) satellite of mass 2400kg is in orbit at a ht of 2000 km above the earth at a speed of 6900 m/s. ( my calc show tha .. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:56:02 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-To-the-moon-and-beyond-NASAs-Exploration-Systems-Architecture-Study-630-pages-2006-article1449.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-To-the-moon-and-beyond-NASAs-Exploration-Systems-Architecture-Study-630-pages-2006-article1449.htm ....From Wikileaks: http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Tothemoonandbeyond:NASA27sExplorationSystemsArchitectureStudy2C630pages2C2006 OM OMBlog http://www.io.com/om/omworld Lets face it: So .. Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:40:21 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Meteoroids-in-the-main-asteroid-belt-article1448.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Meteoroids-in-the-main-asteroid-belt-article1448.htm Space debris in LEO is somewhat of a problem. But Im wondering about the space debris problem in the asteroid belt. Lets say we build a mining colony on a main belt asteroid, does anyone know what kind of hazard meteoroids would be What would be a typical velocity and at what frequency impacts .. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:32:45 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Distributed-computing-demonstrated-on-orbit-article1435.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Distributed-computing-demonstrated-on-orbit-article1435.htm Has any group of spacecraft demonstrated distributed computing (quot;a program is split up into parts that run simultaneously on multiple computers communicating over a network) while in space The Emerald nanosatellite mission was supposed to demo this, but never got launched. A Surrey website sa .. Sun, 31 May 2009 09:55:15 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Aerobraking-on-the-way-up-article1431.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Aerobraking-on-the-way-up-article1431.htm A first step towards building a fully reusable rocket would be to have a reusable first stage. You would want to minimize maintenance cost on that first stage. Preferably it would be a BuckRogers type of first stage, you use it, it comes back, you fill it up, and you use it again. You want it to .. Sat, 30 May 2009 10:31:04 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/TDRSS-ground-station-expansion-article1423.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/TDRSS-ground-station-expansion-article1423.htm I was looking at the original TDRSS ground station (32.502 N, 106.611 W) in Google Earth historical imagery and noticed that a substantial addition was made to the existing building between 2005 and the last available imagery in 2007. Theres also a new big (19 m diameter) round thing just south of .. Mon, 25 May 2009 12:18:34 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Sun-synchronous-explanation-article1376.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Sun-synchronous-explanation-article1376.htm oriel36 wrote: igt; The common explanation for satellite precession relies on planetary/i igt; spherical deviation /i igt; /i igt; quot; The uniformity of sun angle is achieved by tuning natural precession/i igt; of the orbit to one full circle per year. Because the Earth .. Sat, 16 May 2009 17:07:38 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/NASA-orbit-simulation-software-article1360.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/NASA-orbit-simulation-software-article1360.htm Hey.. Does anyone knows what programs does NASA use to simulate and predict the orbit of a spacecraft and for simulate the reentry phase of the shutle and from now on orion Thu, 14 May 2009 10:20:18 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Can-and-if-so-will-Orion-use-Soyuz-docking-port-on-ISS-article1354.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Can-and-if-so-will-Orion-use-Soyuz-docking-port-on-ISS-article1354.htm Subject says it all. And if the answer to the first part is no, why Dave Wed, 13 May 2009 19:05:09 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1348.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1348.htm In article lt;Xns9C00E2458EFB4PcMan@168.209.98.66gt;, PcMan lt;naaah@giganews.comgt; writes: igt; To block just ONE PERCENT of sunlight, you need to block some 1.35 /i igt; million square kilometers./i OK. (This assumes a grain blocks its geometric area, but it actually blocks a fac .. Fri, 08 May 2009 23:07:02 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Mopping-up-Space-Junk-article1334.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Mopping-up-Space-Junk-article1334.htm I have a few ideas to throw into the global pot for consideration. After their useful lives, some satellites can deorbit with chemical or ion rockets or deploy vary large sails to increase their drag coefficient or be perturbed by the solar wind. Another method could be to extend long cables to use .. Wed, 06 May 2009 07:30:35 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-Russia-mulls-rocket-power-first--pinpoint-thruster-landings-on-Earth-article1316.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-Russia-mulls-rocket-power-first--pinpoint-thruster-landings-on-Earth-article1316.htm ....From the BBC, the network that still knows how to do TV right: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8024590.stm OM OMBlog http://www.io.com/om/omworld Lets face it: Sometimes you *need* .. Sat, 02 May 2009 22:16:46 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-Orion-gets-its-first-sea-trial-article1304.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/FWD-Orion-gets-its-first-sea-trial-article1304.htm http://dvice.com/archives/2009/04/orionspacecraf1.php OM OMBlog http://www.io.com/om/omworld Lets face it: Sometimes you *need* an obnoxious opinion in your day .. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:15:53 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Has-wireless-power-transfer-ever-been-demonstrated-in-space-article1267.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Has-wireless-power-transfer-ever-been-demonstrated-in-space-article1267.htm Orbital Express and some other missions have demonstrated power transfer or recharging after a hard dock. Has anyone done it with RF/ laser/other wireless connections Thanks, Matt Bille www.mattwriter.com Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:52:16 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1258.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1258.htm In article lt;nBBVDtD3XG8JFw6g@invalid.uk.co.demon.merlyn.invalidgt;, Dr J R Stockton lt;reply0917@merlyn.demon.co.ukgt; writes: igt; If radiation pressure is enough to retard particles to a stop, it is/i igt; also sufficient to accelerate them back out./i Indeed. Particles will hav .. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:36:05 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Apollo-8-and-a-LM-article1257.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Apollo-8-and-a-LM-article1257.htm History says that Apollo 8 was launched to the Moon despite the risk, w/o an LM since the LM wasnt ready. What exactly wasnt ready I suspect it was more than simply being overweight (since it was overweight as late as Apollo 10). Thinking about it, was ANY thought given to launching it, even .. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:44:31 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Reboosting-the-International-Space-Station-after-shuttles-go-article1254.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Reboosting-the-International-Space-Station-after-shuttles-go-article1254.htm Shuttles and Soyuzes both boost the ISS a few miles higher to overcome the drag of the wisps of atmosphere. But after 2010, or maybe a bit of 2011, the shuttles will be no more. How much of a boost can a Soyuz give the station as opposed to the Shuttle Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:02:13 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Low-Mass-Space-Mirrors-article1252.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Low-Mass-Space-Mirrors-article1252.htm The idea of reflecting sunlight using mirrors at the EarthSun L1 Lagrange point to reduce global warming is well established. It appears to be based on manufacturing mirrors on the Moon from refined regolith and launching them for assembly at L1: this is to reduce the launch costs of a massive mir .. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:05:20 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Moon-City--cost--article1247.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Moon-City--cost--article1247.htm What is the cost, using the projected Ares V system, to deliver 1 (or kilogram) to the moons surface I appreciate this is a difficult answer to quantify. To start, lets ignore developement amortization and go with operational costs. For anyone who is ambitious, perhaps a calculation of the cost .. Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:01:32 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1245.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Re-Global-Cooling-article1245.htm On Apr 18, 10:14 am, John Hampson lt;hampso...@gmail.comgt; wrote: igt; Hi,/i igt; Does anyone know if a ballistic trajectory exists directly from the/i igt; Moons surface to the EarthSun L1 Lagrange point/i I stumbled at this point. The Moon is so lowmass (relatively) and clos .. Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:18:44 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Q-Longevity-of-Geosynchronous-Orbits-article1214.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Q-Longevity-of-Geosynchronous-Orbits-article1214.htm ....Q: anyone know of any studies done to simulate just how longterm stable an object in GEO would be Say, on the order of 3000 to 4000 years OM OMBlog http://www.io.com/om/omworld Lets face i .. Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:43:36 -0400 http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Orion-floatation-characteristics-article1208.htm http://www.air-space.us/sci.space.tech/11/Orion-floatation-characteristics-article1208.htm Hi all, I see they have been conducting tests in water with floatation collars and buoyancy balloons on the new Orion capsule. Does anyone know if anything has been designed to avoid the seemingly regular quot;stable twoquot; splashdowns that occurred in the Apollo days and made the quot;ball .. Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:23:54 -0400