Linked Questions
16 questions linked to/from how to procure a Launch vehicle for injecting a cubesat into LEO at LOW COST?
16
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What are the long term effects of Space Weathering on man-made materials?
Space Weathering is described as the type of weathering that occurs to any object exposed to the harsh environment of outer space. Unlike on Earth, a man-made vessel wouldn't be affected by rain or ...
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12
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3
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What would a "Kármán plane" look like, a bird, or a plane?
If I understand correctly (which I might not), the Kármán line is roughly the altitude where a "Kármán plane's" upward lift force at the orbital velocity for that altitude would be equal in magnitude ...
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9
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Why does Earth's atmospheric density have a big "knee" around 100 km? Is there a good analytical approximation?
I've used a quick very rough approximation of the drop of atmospheric density with altitude in this answer and in this answer by using a single exponential and scale height parameter, but that's not ...
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What are the common space application adhesives used in Earth orbiting satellites?
For quite some time, I am reading about space adhesives. Selecting the right adhesive for space applications is extremely important, mainly due to the high vacuum (around 10-8 Torr), and the variation ...
7
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1
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Why are spy satellites in elliptical orbits?
This answer mentions that (optical) spy satellites are often in elliptical orbits, and when I look here sure enough the orbits are elliptical, with periapsis altitudes around 250 to 400 km, and ...
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8
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1
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How low is VLEO? (FCC's newest approval for SpaceX)
Engaget's SpaceX gets FCC approval to deploy thousands more internet satellites says
SpaceX's plan to build a global, high-speed wireless internet network using satellites has taken another step ...
- 151k
4
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1
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What is the lowest altitude that an ion thruster can be used for station keeping?
What is the lowest altitude that an ion thruster can realistically be used for station keeping before its small amount of thrust is overcome by atmospheric drag? Please state your assumptions such as ...
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4
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1
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How exactly does atomic oxygen cause problems for spacecraft in VLEO?
In very low Earth orbit there are (at least) two problems; aerodynamic drag, and atomic oxygen (O rather than O2). Drag can be compensated with a low thrust from an ion engine.
Question: But what ...
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7
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1
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How to calculate the lowest possible altitude a satellite can orbit at due to aerodynamic heating if provided with a sufficient propulsion system?
If a satellite is equipped with a propulsion system which is enough for compensating the local drag and maintaining the orbit, then aerodynamic heating would be the limiting factor for attaining the ...
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4
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1
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What's the lowest altitude that an ion engine has been used for a significant orbital maneuver?
I'm thinking about trying to calculate something for Where do ion propulsion's ions go? Do they remain in the solar system or shoot out into interstellar space?
Excluding low altitude tests of ion ...
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3
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1
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What technologies enable or at least help satellite operation in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)?
This answer to How low is VLEO? (FCC's newest approval for SpaceX) suggests VLEO begins (or ends I guess) at 350 km.
The two bad things I know about in VLEO are an enhanced rate of altitude loss due ...
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1
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1
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What is Direct Simulation Monte Carlo and why is it a good method for simulating spacecraft drag in VLEO?
Reducing spacecraft drag in Very Low Earth Orbit through shape optimisation J. A. Walsh and L. Berthoud (2017) show simulations calculating drag coefficients for different "nose cone" shapes ...
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7
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Does the kinetic impact of gas particles cause erosion to the surface of objects in orbit?
When satellites or space stations orbit the Earth, they are constantly experiencing a low level of aerodynamic drag from Earth's atmosphere. The ISS needs to be reboosted every few months to account ...
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4
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Atomic oxygen and UV Radiation qualification tests for a cubesat
I'm the Assembly, Integration and Verification Engineer of a cubesat project developed by students. Currently I'm trying to create the specifications for our payloads upcoming (mon)atomic oxygen (ATOX)...
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Why is ~280 km one month before reentry the lowest altitude that the final ISS crew may see? Isn't that cutting it kinda close?
Writing this answer to When will the ISS deorbit? I came across Space Policy Online's NASA Solidifies Planning to Deorbit ISS in 2031 and the image below.
It shows the estimated last crew occupying ...
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What fraction of the Kapton thickness on the ISS' solar panels was likely eroded throughout their lifetime? Predictions? Measurements?
Background
@Tristan's answer to How are the silicon PV cells constructed in the ISS's solar panels? Are they as flexible as they appear here? informs us that Kapton is part of the "blanket" ...
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