The "balloon" proposals are for a rigid airship with a vacuum inside.Quote:
Just the helium for that, if my less than stellar mathematical abilities are right, would weigh between half again and double what the whole curiosity rover weighed.
) Mathguy64 said:
Just to be that guy, all you back of the napkin Mars aeronautical engineers and closet Montgolfiers need to remember that on Mars, g=/= -9.8. Its roughly -3.7 m/sec^2.
Quote:
So, airships make sense. Thank you, sir!Mathguy64 said:
Just to be that guy, all you back of the napkin Mars aeronautical engineers and closet Montgolfiers need to remember that on Mars, g=/= -9.8. Its roughly -3.7 m/sec^2.
This is sad. A true hero. His famous photo where everyone who had ever lived is in the frame, except for Michael Collins.CanyonAg77 said:For those who like context:TXAG 05 said:
RIP Michael Collins
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collinsQuote:
"Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module some called him 'the loneliest man in history' while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot.
"Michael remained a tireless promoter of space. 'Exploration is not a choice, really, it's an imperative,' he said. Intensely thoughtful about his experience in orbit, he added, 'What would be worth recording is what kind of civilization we Earthlings created and whether or not we ventured out into other parts of the galaxy.'
"His own signature accomplishments, his writings about his experiences, and his leadership of the National Air and Space Museum helped gain wide exposure for the work of all the men and women who have helped our nation push itself to greatness in aviation and space. There is no doubt he inspired a new generation of scientists, engineers, test pilots, and astronauts.
"NASA mourns the loss of this accomplished pilot and astronaut, a friend of all who seek to push the envelope of human potential. Whether his work was behind the scenes or on full view, his legacy will always be as one of the leaders who took America's first steps into the cosmos. And his spirit will go with us as we venture toward farther horizons."
I declare a nerd war. Show your work!Mathguy64 said:
I'm with Canyon. The air density makes it problematic. You have to have a huge gas envelope and the bigger it is the more it weighs. Even at .4g.
I think this is the better solution
CanyonAg77 said:For those who like context:TXAG 05 said:
RIP Michael Collins
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collinsQuote:
"Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module some called him 'the loneliest man in history' while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot.
"Michael remained a tireless promoter of space. 'Exploration is not a choice, really, it's an imperative,' he said. Intensely thoughtful about his experience in orbit, he added, 'What would be worth recording is what kind of civilization we Earthlings created and whether or not we ventured out into other parts of the galaxy.'
"His own signature accomplishments, his writings about his experiences, and his leadership of the National Air and Space Museum helped gain wide exposure for the work of all the men and women who have helped our nation push itself to greatness in aviation and space. There is no doubt he inspired a new generation of scientists, engineers, test pilots, and astronauts.
"NASA mourns the loss of this accomplished pilot and astronaut, a friend of all who seek to push the envelope of human potential. Whether his work was behind the scenes or on full view, his legacy will always be as one of the leaders who took America's first steps into the cosmos. And his spirit will go with us as we venture toward farther horizons."
Captain Positivity said:
China about to launch their space station core.
lb3 said:
Musk needs the Chinese market and rare earth elements for his side gig making cars.
Quote:
Next steps
In an April 2020 filing with the FCC, SpaceX requested a modification to the layout of the Starlink constellation which lowered the altitudes of the remaining satellites, adjusted the orbital inclinations, and lowered the angle above the horizon at which ground stations were permitted to communicate with the satellites. After a very contentious proceeding in which many of their competitors objected to the changes, the FCC approved the modifications with few conditions on April 23.
The FCC ruling noted that the while the modifications would alter the interference environment between Starlink and other constellations, the overall interference would not be significantly worse and coordination between the constellations could mitigate the changes. SpaceX agreed to accept some increased interference into their ground stations caused by the changes, avoid overlapping beams from multiple satellites at some frequencies to stay within allowable power transmission limits, and keep their satellites below 580 km in altitude to eliminate potential overlap with the Project Kuiper constellation.
The FCC also noted that even the fairly low failure rates of satellites in such a large constellation remains a concern, and required SpaceX to submit reports semi-annually on satellite conjunctions, avoidance maneuvers, reentries and failures. SpaceX is also required to submit a report any time going forward that three satellites in a 12 month period lose maneuverability above the deployment orbit, leading to increased collision risk.
Now that the FCC ruling is complete, SpaceX can move on with the deployments of their remaining satellites.
With completion of the initial 53 degree shell imminent, SpaceX will have three different inclinations to fill with the remaining 2,800 satellites.
More launches into the 10 planes of the 97.6 degree Sun Synchronous Orbit inclination are expected to take place starting in the second half of this year. These satellites will provide coverage over polar regions and include laser inter-satellite links that allow coverage over areas with no ground gateways.
As reported by SpaceNews, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell, speaking at the April 14 SpaceTech conference by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said that SpaceX has flown two generations of laser inter-satellite links and is getting ready to fly a third generation that is much less expensive and higher performing in the next few months.
Some of these flights are expected to take place from the SpaceX launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Recent job postings for recovery personnel on the west coast, as well as this week's news that SpaceX is leasing space in Long Beach Harbor to host west coast booster recovery operations, suggest SpaceX is preparing to resume ASDS operations in the Pacific Ocean. Drone ship landings will be required for the heavy stacks of Starlink satellites.
Filling in the 36 planes at 70 degree inclination will extend coverage over Alaska and northern Europe. Rideshare services provider Spaceflight Inc. is showing rideshare opportunities on these 70 degree inclination flights starting in the fourth quarter of this year.
The remaining 1,584 satellites at 53.2 degrees inclination will effectively double the density of the initial shell, providing more satellites in view and enabling more customers to be served.
nortex97 said:
I bet Nasa paid 7 figures for each of those red nozzle covers.
Why reuse them when you can get a whole new set at full cost? This is NASA man...Mathguy64 said:nortex97 said:
I bet Nasa paid 7 figures for each of those red nozzle covers.
It's the one reusable object they have on the whole damn thing.
I laugh at your optimistic analysis. I assume the tabs break when removed, and they are tossed into a large dumpster or cut up and disposed of.Mathguy64 said:nortex97 said:
I bet Nasa paid 7 figures for each of those red nozzle covers.
It's the one reusable object they have on the whole damn thing.
Stratolaunch Roc has taken off on a second test flight!
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) April 29, 2021
➡️https://t.co/6LwhtDi9VG pic.twitter.com/ZQAPTEXBYN
Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin submitted this U.S. Customs form after Apollo 11 mission: pic.twitter.com/FTbhYUE1rf
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) April 29, 2021
A statement from the FAA regarding a Starship!!! This is great news and I’m glad they worked with @spacex to make approval more seamless. Should make the next few test flights much smoother! Honestly sounds like a decent bit of confidence too! Let’s see #SN15 land 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WfHyf0kEDV
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) April 29, 2021
And more thing... “The FAA safety inspector is expected to arrive on site on April 29 to support a possible launch this week.”
— Christian Davenport (@wapodavenport) April 29, 2021
Status check for a Starship SN15 test flight on Friday:
— Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) April 29, 2021
- FAA approval ✅
- Temporary Flight Restriction ✅
- Village Evacuation Notice 🟡
- Marine hazard zone posted ✅
- Road closure scheduled ✅
- Official confirmation from SpaceX 🟡
4 down, 2 to gohttps://t.co/Rl0cyUwxQy
A is A said:
so friday?
😬It's not looking good for Friday. pic.twitter.com/bQnHoNKkKZ
— Rory M. arcus🚀 (@Rory_Marcus_) April 30, 2021
Good morning Starship! It was a wild night together in the rain 🥰 but things are clearing out nicely at daybreak for your big day! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/wwsITz9VwU
— SPadre (@SpacePadreIsle) April 30, 2021
SN15 could fly later today!
— SpaceXBocaChica (@SpaceXBocaChica) April 30, 2021
- FAA approval ✅
- Temporary Flight Restriction ✅
- Village Evacuation Notice ✅
- Marine hazard zone posted ✅
- Road closure scheduled ✅
- Official confirmation from SpaceX 🟡
- Flight termination system installed ✅
According to the FAA operations plan, SpaceX may attempt an SN15 launch later today. High resolution modeling suggests rain chances will be lower this afternoon and evening in the South Texas launch site vicinity.https://t.co/12UjYITcfR
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) April 30, 2021
Quote:
THE BOCA CHICA ROCKET
LAUNCH IS STILL SCHEDULED AFTER 1200Z. (6am Central)
NASAg03 said:
Live feed is up but I don't see a launch time listed yet:
EDIT: they are saying afternoon launch. Haven't clear the village yet.
Current plan for Crew-1 return, assuming the current weather forecast holds:
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) April 30, 2021
· 8:34 pm ET Saturday undock/separation
· 2:56 am ET Sunday splashdown in the Gulf
Many prayers for their safe return but that timeline doesn't allow for convenient viewing.... :-/NASAg03 said:Current plan for Crew-1 return, assuming the current weather forecast holds:
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) April 30, 2021
· 8:34 pm ET Saturday undock/separation
· 2:56 am ET Sunday splashdown in the Gulf
