Author Topic: Deep Space and Interplanetary Exploration - Houston, we are go for launch! (Read 117477 times)

worktroll · « **Reply #180 on:** 03 August 2020, 04:45:41 »

And welcome home Crew Dragon!

rebs · « **Reply #181 on:** 04 August 2020, 17:48:13 »

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-broadcasts-first-splashdown-of-american-astronauts-in-45-years

Like the above link (courtesy of NASA) says, it was the first splashdown of American astronauts in 45 years. Hopefully this will be the start of a new trend.

Natasha Kerensky · « **Reply #182 on:** 05 August 2020, 01:40:42 »

Starship has started flying...

https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1290854457136181248

rebs · « **Reply #183 on:** 05 August 2020, 01:44:12 »

It's a truly awesome thing to see a rocket like that take off and land under it's own control.

Weirdo · « **Reply #184 on:** 05 August 2020, 08:34:51 »

That is awesome... But was the side of the engine supposed to be on fire like that?

Sharpnel · « **Reply #185 on:** 05 August 2020, 09:48:02 »

Quote from: Natasha Kerensky on 05 August 2020, 01:40:42

Starship has started flying...

https://mobile.twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1290854457136181248

The birth of the DropShip.

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #186 on:** 05 August 2020, 17:58:29 »

What exploded on the pad just after it took off?

Van Gogh · « **Reply #187 on:** 06 August 2020, 01:47:57 »

Quote from: ANS Kamas P81 on 05 August 2020, 17:58:29

What exploded on the pad just after it took off?

It looks like the scaffold the rocket was standing on. And something has to explode during a Starship test, it's a tradition now.

rebs · « **Reply #188 on:** 06 August 2020, 01:59:20 »

Yes, as long as the business end didn't blow up, we're all good.

Sabelkatten · « **Reply #189 on:** 06 August 2020, 05:19:20 »

Quote from: ANS Kamas P81 on 05 August 2020, 17:58:29

What exploded on the pad just after it took off?

Maybe some fuel lines that hadn't been emptied? I think SpaceX might be pushing their timetable just a bit harder than what's really advisable... I hope NASA keeps a close eye on their future testing, we don't need another Boeing debacle... :(

Wrangler · « **Reply #190 on:** 06 August 2020, 06:11:52 »

I'm glad they finally pulled it off. The company finally got spooked after the fuel quick release failed and leaked fuel below previous rocket SN04 and blew it up. So they been paying more attention to the supporting infrastructure. Cant build a road to the stars without a good foundation!

Now it remains to be seen if they will switch to one prototypes that using new grade of stainless steel for higher altitude flight and landing trials. The ship called SN08, which suppose to get a nose cone and surface controls.

The backup prototype SN06 is rumored to be dismantled due to it inherited construction materials not being deemed strong enough for flight beyond 150 meter hop that SN05 just did.

Im curious what next steps will be taken.

Wrangler · « **Reply #191 on:** 11 August 2020, 08:12:58 »

Something interesting. There been some interest in using mold discovered at the Chernobyl Disaster site, that eats radiation. There been some talk about using it to perhaps solve the issue radiation in space. Popular Mechanics originally posted the story about the mold in February 2020. A blog i sometimes visit has it as a story about it being used for spaceflight to Mars. Link is here. Just heads up, i'm blog is little junky.

Wrangler · « **Reply #192 on:** 11 August 2020, 11:24:42 »

Looks like Ceres (large dwarf planet) has liquid ocean. As reported on website ZME Science.

NASA Space Probe, Dawn, since 2015 has been making observations/images of the planet's surface. Its been noted the planet's surface is active with cryovolcanic eruptions (frozen water). The scientist have review data from the probe again, revised what probe reported, which is indicated the presence of hydrohalite rock formations on the surface. hydrohalite is translated water & rock salt. The hydrohalite is unstable, thus the probe's instruments show what is likely fresh material on the surface.

It's believe there a salty ocean under the surface or something to that effect.

This is a image that was used to measure the gravity of the planet, thus giving suggestive indication what under the surface of the planet.

Wrangler · « **Reply #193 on:** 09 September 2020, 16:54:04 »

Something unique. This is recent Falcon 9 Launch of SAOCOM 1B Satellite from launch to landing. What wild is, there sound. Its pretty cool.

Link to Youtube

BairdEC · « **Reply #194 on:** 09 September 2020, 23:21:21 »

That's pretty neat. Up and back in a little over two minutes.

Wrangler · « **Reply #195 on:** 14 September 2020, 11:34:28 »

Signs of possible life on Venus. Axios.com reported there indication in the atmosphere of Venus of there being a possibility of life in some form existing on Venus.

Which is crazy and interesting. Given state of the surfacing hot enough melt lead, but maybe it's left over signs when it did have ocean.

Weirdo · « **Reply #196 on:** 14 September 2020, 13:55:01 »

Or it means there are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. :)

Kit deSummersville · « **Reply #197 on:** 14 September 2020, 14:02:29 »

We should send a crew of Texans and Australians to Venus. They'd be all Four Yorkshiremen-ing each other about the heat on the surface.

worktroll · « **Reply #198 on:** 14 September 2020, 14:35:31 »

There's a cloud layer where the average temperatures and pressure are quite Earth-like. And sulphur compounds can be cracked for energy. The atmosphere's dense enough to support life ...

Wrangler · « **Reply #199 on:** 14 September 2020, 14:40:11 »

Only issue is lack of planetary magnetic field protect the surface, which has none. That's the rub. If planet could be made to inhabit life, they'd would have figure out how restart it or create some kind shielding to allow inhabitants once surface is sorted out.

Weirdo · « **Reply #200 on:** 14 September 2020, 14:59:42 »

You mean life-as-we-know-it, not all life in the universe. In situations like this, accuracy is paramount. :)

Sabelkatten · « **Reply #201 on:** 14 September 2020, 16:02:13 »

Bacteria like those in Chernobyl might stand the radiation. I sure hope some space agency gets money for an aerial probe!

Wrangler · « **Reply #202 on:** 14 September 2020, 19:03:45 »

Quote from: Sabelkatten on 14 September 2020, 16:02:13

Bacteria like those in Chernobyl might stand the radiation. I sure hope some space agency gets money for an aerial probe!

i was reading couple months ago, they think the could use that Bacteria for space flight to protect the crew from radiation.

qc mech3 · « **Reply #203 on:** 15 September 2020, 14:40:33 »

I wonderif thy found a variation of Deinococcus radiodurans also known as Conan the Bacterium.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans

Wrangler · « **Reply #204 on:** 25 September 2020, 06:43:15 »

Looks like X-34 has hit rough times. The Drive did a feature story how the prototype space plane ended up in someone's backyard.

From happier times, with the X-37, X-40 and the X-34 on the right.

Now...surrounded by chicken wire...must be a hen house now..(i'm kidding).

Wrangler · « **Reply #205 on:** 09 October 2020, 08:49:07 »

The first Orion & it's ESA service module in process of being assembled for the Artemis I mission.

Been long coming get this thing put together. ESA's website posted the story.

Is it me or the Orion Capsule was already launched or something? It looks like its been dirtied up or something from tests. Or is it a coating making look that way?

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #206 on:** 09 October 2020, 09:04:32 »

They launched at least once, there's a video of the re-entry looking out the window behind the ship here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E
The plasma hole it burns through the atmosphere is amazing. Video goes all the way to splashdown.

Wrangler · « **Reply #207 on:** 09 October 2020, 09:10:59 »

This is the SAME capsule? I thought they were building second one for the Artemis mission. Not a reuse Ares I mission.

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #208 on:** 09 October 2020, 09:44:50 »

No idea if it's the same one that did the orbit test or not, but at least one of them did. And it's a spiffy video anyway, worthy of posting just on the "things you don't see every day" list.

rebs · « **Reply #209 on:** 11 October 2020, 02:04:21 »

https://scitechdaily.com/hubble-observes-spectacular-supernova-time-lapse-no-earthly-fireworks-display-can-compete/amp/

The link above is regarding a powerful supernova in a galaxy called NGC2525 that has been observed time lapse by the good old Hubble space telescope.