All Questions
Tagged with american or united-states
58 questions
14
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1
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4k
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When will the Apollo flags disintegrate?
The flags from Apollo 12, 16, and 17 are confirmed to be intact by the LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter). However, radiation and extreme temperature are slowly disintegrating the flags. So, ...
- 6,710
6
votes
1
answer
929
views
What "Texas and federal law"s is SpaceX "in violation of"?
According to this Space News article, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said that SpaceX was "in violation of Texas and federal law" and that is why the license for Starship was delayed. ...
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10
votes
2
answers
2k
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What is the lowest-inclination orbit ever achieved by a US crewed spacecraft?
The inclination range from KSC is advertised to be 28 to 62 degrees; what is the lowest inclination ever reached by a US crewed spacecraft?
- 189k
14
votes
2
answers
3k
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Which regulatory agency (if any) is in charge of investigating civilian rocket anomalies?
Yesterday Blue Origin's New Shephard had an anomaly during launch. Happens around 1:22:58 in this video
The accident happened around 29,000ft and the capsule fired its ...
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1
vote
2
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554
views
Why does Vandenberg have the most launches?
Why does Vandenberg SFB have the most launches? Is it related to location, when it was founded, something else, etc?
It would make more sense for Florida to have more launches. It is illegal for ...
user47012
6
votes
1
answer
837
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What is this patch worn by the American astronauts?
In this image the American astronauts wear some patches on their chest but what is it?
If it is the expedition's emblem, why it is so different from Russian ones?
- 3,186
2
votes
1
answer
115
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What was the first successful two-stage-to-orbit launch by the US? What was the first attempt if different?
Wikipedia's Juno I (the launch vehicle for the first US satellite in orbit Explorer 1) begins:
The Juno I was a four-stage American space launch vehicle, used to launch lightweight payloads into low ...
- 151k
2
votes
1
answer
169
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Was there any overlap between United Space Alliance and United Launch Alliance?
United Space Alliance was a joint venture including Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, which provided services and operations for the Space Shuttle program.
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture ...
- 48.4k
2
votes
1
answer
705
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Have "space lasers" really been used to temporarily blind US satellites?
In CNN's video An exclusive look into how Space Force is defending America they talk with Gen. John W. Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, US Space Force.
After about ...
- 151k
7
votes
1
answer
641
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Who decided that a <1 in 10,000 probability of contaminating the europan ocean by a viable Earth microorganism was legally and ethically sufficient?
In comments below Is there any demonstrated or even proposed technology that can sterilize a spacecraft with 100% certainty and yet leave it electronically functional? there is a link to Europa Lander ...
- 151k
3
votes
1
answer
453
views
Does the US government plan to issue "Astronaut Wings" for anyone passing 80 km forever?
Related and potentially helpful here: What kind of badge will tourists who performed a sub-orbital spaceflight receive? but here I'm asking specifically about the US government's future plans.
The BBC'...
- 151k
4
votes
0
answers
159
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Do space transportation firms such as SpaceX receive a financial compensation if a launch is cancelled because of an airplane entering the launch zone
I read on https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/06/spacex-to-launch-second-rideshare-pressuring-small-launch-industry/ (mirror 1, mirror 2):
The countdown clock got to T-11 seconds on Tuesday ...
- 1,284
1
vote
0
answers
77
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How is the anniversary of Vostok 1 celebrated in the U.S. space community?
Sixty years ago, the first human spaceflight was celebrated in the Soviet Union as a great technical and historic victory. Americans at the time were concerned that the United States was losing the ...
- 48.4k
17
votes
3
answers
6k
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Why do Space X starship launches need permission from the FAA?
For Flight #7 slated for 02-Feb-2021, Wikipedia's SpaceX Starship; Testing Program says:
SpaceX attempted to fly SN9 on 28 and 29 of January 2021, but failed
to receive permission from the FAA. (164, ...
- 305
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How many politically appointed positions are there at NASA in toto?
28-Nov-2020 Aviation Week's NASA Chief Plans To Step Aside Under Biden quotes former NASA director Jim Bridenstine saying:
“The right question here is ‘What’s in the best interest of NASA as an ...
- 151k
2
votes
1
answer
355
views
What was the first successful demonstration of a fuel cell in space?
Hydrogen fuel cells (together with batteries) were used for electrical power in the Apollo program, where it was recombined with oxygen on board to produce electricity.
Doing chemistry in practical ...
- 151k
7
votes
1
answer
1k
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Why is RocketLab capable of an order of magnitude more launches from two New Zealand launch pads than a single US launch pad?
In this video: Rocket Lab - In Focus Launch 10/28/2020, at 13:15, it is written on screen that RocketLab is capable of launching 120 satellites per year from Launch Complex 1, pad A & B, New ...
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3
votes
2
answers
137
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Can satellites really be launched within hours with RocketLab?
Watching the Rocket Lab - In Focus Launch 10/28/2020 video linked below, there is a section at 12:50:
The ability to deploy new satellites to precise orbits in a ...
- 688
42
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How do US citizens vote in space?
Astronaut Kate Rubins tweeted that she has voted while being on the ISS:
How does that work? Did she have some paperwork with her that she can send down to earth with a spacecraft soon? The ...
- 12.6k
1
vote
1
answer
181
views
Did the US hide 4179 Toutatis orbital data after China announced intentions of going there?
Recently I've been reading about a bit of Chinese space stuff and I found the accusation that the US hid orbital data for the asteroid 4179 Toutatis after China announced that they planned to send ...
- 4,283
11
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there such a thing as a "rocket license" in the US?
I heard in a video that a 15 year old got their rocket license before getting driving license.
The video does not explain further; but what I'd like to know is:
*In the US, is there any such a thing ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
87
views
Connection between Vanguard spacecraft, Vanguard rocket, and Project Vanguard?
I think I created the vanguard tag for Why would low pump inlet pressure result in such a spectacular explosion? (Vanguard TV3) and now I'm not sure of the connection between the Vanguard spacecraft, ...
- 151k
17
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4
answers
7k
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Was "Apollo" an acronym for "America’s Program for Orbiting Lunar and Landing Operations"?
I came across this paper which, on page 9, says the following:
The guidance or “shooting” algorithm is based on the Linear Peturbation Theory (Battin) developed for the America’s Program for Orbiting ...
- 1,049
11
votes
3
answers
2k
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Did/does the US use statute or nautical miles to decide who gets astronaut wings?
As mentioned in a few questions and answers (1,2,3,4), US astronauts receive their astronaut wings upon crossing the 50 mile altitude mark.
Are these statute miles (1609.344 m, 5280 ft) or nautical ...
- 1,063
8
votes
1
answer
715
views
How many US states receive large amounts of money due to SLS?
That NASA is spread out over so many locations across the US is history and discussed elsewhere in this site. Briefly, Congress approves funding and the funding ends up in many, many of congress' ...
- 151k
18
votes
6
answers
7k
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Why does the government still fund SLS while SpaceX is cheaper and has the same capabilities if not better?
Due to SpaceX's recent advancements in now proven rocket tech, why does the government still fund (what some would argue to be bloated) cost-plus contracts with Boeing and Lockheed? Am I missing ...
- 357
4
votes
0
answers
273
views
Do SpaceX and other US-based launch companies get "ITAR waivers" for live-broadcasting processed telemetry data?
The 17-Feb-2016 answer to Is the Falcon 9 launch/landing telemetry data available for visualisation purposes? explains that access to telemetry data is controlled by ITAR and/or other regulations, but ...
- 151k
2
votes
0
answers
92
views
Has California implemented its "rocket tax" yet?
Here are some questions from 2017:
California's rocket tax "by the mile", how would that work exactly?
What expenses and risks might the state of California incur that might partially ...
- 151k
8
votes
2
answers
714
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Can I release rocket plans or software under open-source licensing without running afoul of ITAR?
Related, but focused on export of hardware rather than laws on publishing data: Can I make a completely ITAR-free spaceship?
Quite reasonably, a launch vehicle capable of taking a payload to orbit is ...
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14
votes
3
answers
937
views
Can I make a completely ITAR-free spaceship?
Edit: I need to completely rewrite this question.
Is it possible (either theoretically possible, or realistically possible) for
a suffciently well-funded USA-based organization to make a complete ...
- 9,517
1
vote
1
answer
316
views
If the Earth spun clockwise, would Florida have still satisfied the requirements for the US launch center in the 1960's?
In a comment under the question If the Earth spun clockwise, how would that affect Space Exploration? I wrote:
Kennedy Space Center would be a lot closer to JPL; not sure what all happens with the ...
- 151k
2
votes
1
answer
98
views
Is 18 Space Control Squadron (18 SPCS) which "detects, tracks, and identifies all artificial objects in Earth orbit" a part of Space Force?
According to their twitter account:
18 Space Control Squadron (18 SPCS) detects, tracks, and identifies all artificial objects in Earth orbit.
Is 18 SPCS a US military squadron? Is it a part of ...
- 151k
2
votes
0
answers
85
views
Has the space industry ever had more manufacturing jobs than the aviation industry?
Was there ever any time when more persons were employed in the United States in the space industry (spacecraft), than the aviation industry (aircraft)? Please include manufacturing and support, but ...
- 48.4k
3
votes
1
answer
94
views
Did specific changes to DSCOVR's mission or design produce the change from "may not represent the best expenditure " to "strong and vital"?
The excellent answer to What ever happened to the Asteroid Redirect Mission? carries a warning:
There is no way to decouple politics from this; I have tried to be objective.
and it's possible an ...
- 151k
19
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What does space have to do with providing "fresh water ... without the need for aquifers or pipes?" as Steven Kwast suggested?
In this speech, retired U.S. Air Force General Steven Kwast (ostensibly fired for promoting a U.S. Space Force over objections from the outgoing Secretary of the Air Force) suggests the U.S. space ...
- 209
1
vote
1
answer
139
views
What were the two circa 1965 semi-polar missions launched from Cape Canaveral?
Teslarati's SpaceX sets date for first Florida launch of its kind in more than half a century says
That November 1960 launch thus shut down East Coast polar launches to avoid overflying Cuba and ...
- 151k
4
votes
1
answer
368
views
Has the National Near Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan seen any action?
This answer to Does NASA have an end-of-the-world policy? mentions the National Near Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan.
Has this plan resulted in any action?
- 151k
1
vote
0
answers
85
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Space Situational Awareness: What Key Issues were identified (in an Evolving Landscape)?
The recent House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Hearing: Space Situational Awareness: Key Issues in an Evolving Landscape lasted about 90 minutes, the video is included below and there are ...
- 151k
2
votes
1
answer
115
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Are all of these tweeted examples of spaceflight failures US failures?
This verified tweet from MJ Azari Jahromi, ICT Minister of Iran, found in Livescience's Iran satellite launch fails to reach orbit says:
Today "Zafar" satellite launch failed. Like many ...
- 151k
22
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Why does the U.S. military maintain their own weather satellites?
Why does the U.S. military maintain their own weather satellites like the DMSP Block 5D2?
What's the difference to "normal" weather satellites? Do they use other sensors or orbits?
If they have ...
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13
votes
1
answer
2k
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How close was the U.S. DoD to getting their own space shuttle?
This answer explains that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) had plans for their own space shuttle. The so-called "blue shuttle" would be operated by the U.S. Air Force out of Vandenberg Air Force ...
- 48.4k
5
votes
1
answer
396
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Why does this "Midas missile early warning satellite" have a tilting cone with such a complex black-and-white checkerboard pattern?
Clicking on images of historic satellites led me to the airvectors.net page Foundations Of Automated Space Technology which includes this image and passage:
A number of Samos satellites were also ...
- 151k
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What Soviet signals (if any) attempted to scramble communication and sabotage Apollo missions?
The NPR.org news item and audio podcast JoAnn Morgan: The Only Woman In The Firing Room During Apollo 11 features an excellent interview with JoAnn Morgan and other KSC personal.
It's a short but ...
- 151k
4
votes
0
answers
97
views
Does the FAA have anything to do with landing on the Moon specifically?
The Motley Fool's Space Investors, Rejoice! There May Be Something Worth Mining on the Moon begins with:
It's been four years now since Bigelow Aerospace filed its application with the Federal ...
- 151k
1
vote
2
answers
132
views
What is the US president talking about re US/Japan dramatic expansion of military(?) cooperation?
According to the Bloomberg article Japan Astronauts to Soon Join U.S. in Trip to Mars, Trump Says:
The U.S. and Japan will “dramatically expand” their cooperation in outer space, with missions to ...
- 151k
8
votes
1
answer
872
views
Does the US Navy guard SpaceX drone ships and make sure bad actors don't abscond with critical technology on the high seas?
SpaceX loses the center core of its Falcon Heavy rocket due to choppy seas
While I thought my question How vulnerable could space launch vehicles be to a “lone gunman”? was just my tangential ...
- 151k
14
votes
1
answer
420
views
How does the US's 2008 debris cloud compare to India's 2019 and China's 2007 contributions?
The NPR News article NASA: Debris From India's Anti-Satellite Test Raised Threat To Space Station discusses last week's antisatellite test by India described further in answers to India just shot down ...
- 151k
7
votes
1
answer
148
views
How did NORAD notice Kosmos 954 was making erratic manoeuvres?
In Wiki for Kosmos 954 there is:
In mid-December North American Aerospace Defense Command, which had assigned the satellite the Satellite Catalog Number 10361, noticed Kosmos 954 making erratic ...
- 321
1
vote
1
answer
300
views
How will the Gateway-before-boots sequence benefit US business, economic and technological development?
Update: Several people were kind enough to make helpful suggestions about this question. I'm looking strictly for well-reasoned, fact-based answer only. Thanks!
In the question More complete source ...
- 151k
3
votes
0
answers
234
views
More complete source for Lunar Gateway is “a stupid architecture” comments? (National Space Council Users' Advisory Group)
The Ars Technica article Former NASA administrator says Lunar Gateway is “a stupid architecture” disusses a meeting of the National Space Council Users' Advisory Group. Apparently there was not around-...
- 151k