Space - The Final Frontier

CaptTom said:
Sadly, I'm not sure cancelling SLS would be a bad thing. Maybe that money could go to some of the other up-and-coming space launch companies. There are several who would be in the running.

I only wish Boeing could be a wake-up call for US corporations. Somehow I doubt the message will be received.
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Commenting from all over here in Europe I agree with you. Something seem to have changed to the worse from the Boeing of my youth.

Perhaps the new era will be run by SpaceX, Blue Origin and others with new found enthusiasm.
 
Not sure I quite understand but an account called Space Domain Awareness posted on X about 67 pieces of space junk that seems to include New Glenn.
 
I think we’re years away from any sort of Mars base, or whatever pipe dream some zillionaires have. Without multiple, successful unmanned cargo missions, there’s no reason to risk astronauts’s lives.
 
HFWR said:
I think we’re years away from any sort of Mars base, or whatever pipe dream some zillionaires have. Without multiple, successful unmanned cargo missions, there’s no reason to risk astronauts’s lives.
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I'd say 50 years. I've been reading about it for 50 years, so the first 50 are already gone!

Radiation is one of the biggest issues they are going to have to solve.
 
HFWR said:
I think we’re years away from any sort of Mars base, or whatever pipe dream some zillionaires have. Without multiple, successful unmanned cargo missions, there’s no reason to risk astronauts’s lives.
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The last time I checked Musk figures that there will be dozens of supply landings on Mars before the first “settlers” arrive. That’s why he is so driven to bring down the cost of rocket launches.

I read an interesting article on why SpaceX catches the Starship booster with the chopstix. It's because this eliminates the need for landing legs, and their reinforcements to the booster to handle the stress of landing. That reduces the weight of the booster. And that means more payload to orbit on every launch at the same cost per launch.
 
Chuckanut said:
The last time I checked Musk figures that there will be dozens of supply landings on Mars before the first “settlers” arrive. That’s why he is so driven to bring down the cost of rocket launches.

I read an interesting article on why SpaceX catches the Starship booster with the chopstix. It's because this eliminates the need for landing legs, and their reinforcements to the booster to handle the stress of landing. That reduces the weight of the booster. And that means more payload to orbit on every launch at the same cost per launch.
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Musk’s history of predictions is spotty at best. Time will tell…
 
Urgh. Starship launch 8 scrubbed. Maybe tomorrow. Still awesome seeing that monster on the launch pad.
 
JackJester said:
Urgh. Starship launch 8 scrubbed. Maybe tomorrow. Still awesome seeing that monster on the launch pad.
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Next launch attempt may be as early as March 5. Maybe. Remember, it is a Musk prediction, which are notoriously optimistic. It sounds like they have some digging to do regarding problems the rocket was having.
 
Interesting day today. First, a moon landing will be broadcast real time:

www.nasa.gov

NASA

NASA.gov brings you the latest news, images and videos from America's space agency, pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.
www.nasa.gov www.nasa.gov

Then at 6:30pm eastern time, Starship 8 is scheduled to launch.
 
I still recall sitting in Astronomy class watching 16mm film of the first (intentional) crash landing of a moon rocket (originally broadcast from the "doomed" rocket). We could see the Moon getting closer and closer. The very last frame was only partial IIRC.

I've searched around on YouTube and can't seem to find that old film. A real antique of the mid '60s.

What a time to be alive. My mom recalled WWI era aircraft barnstorming in her area and then she got to see the Apollo 11 Moon landing. What a life-time! What a time we live!
 
A somewhat muted day today. Moon lander landed, but not optimally. Starship went into a spin and disassembled. But the booster catch was perfect
 
I read that the moon lander fell sideways. And it can't get up.
 
I've fallen on the moon and I can't get up.

I feel really bad for the small rover, who will never get to roam, and the even tinier rover called atom ant who was supposed to roam around on top of it.
 
Is it just me or does that thing look a bit top-heavy to begin with? Obviously I'm not a rocket scientist, and I understand they need to cram as much as they can into the long, narrow fairing of the launch vehicle. But I do remember the Apollo landers looking kind of short and squat.

Yeah, it's a shame all that gear won't get to operate. And in a few days it'll be night there, and the end of the mission. Better luck next time!
 
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