Questions tagged [technology]
Questions relating to the use of technology to further space exploration.
123 questions
60
votes
3
answers
21k
views
Curiosity: Why did they "reinvent the wheel" instead of using pressure tires?
Curiosity rover's wheels seem a bit tired and show signs of wear and tear, as reported for example in this Discovery News article from May 22, 2013. This damage only increased since then and wheels ...
- 76.4k
44
votes
1
answer
9k
views
How (the heck) did Lunokhod 2 drive, navigate and survive a ~40 kilometer drive over four months on the Moon using 1970's technology?
Mashable.com's Every rover, ranked by distance traveled on the moon and Mars; The 13 rovers, ranked. calls attention to this amazing feat, and a review of basic statistics and discussions on odometry ...
- 151k
34
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why are the recent flights of two billionaires discussed in terms of space travel?
Recently, there has been much attention on the fact that billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson were passengers in very high-altitude flights. Reputed media outlets discussed these events as &...
29
votes
6
answers
5k
views
Could liquid airlocks work?
I was looking through an old copy of Moon Miner's Manifesto a while ago and found the concept of a liquid airlock in an early issue.
It is on page 32 of this issue from 1988. It posits this as an ...
- 21.5k
29
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Why are spaceship capsules frustum shaped?
Why do spaceships have a frustum (portion of a cone) shape like e.g. the pressure capsule of the SpaceX Dragon on the image below?
I think there is some engineering stuff behind ...
- 393
28
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What happens to defunct lunar and Mars rovers? What technological barriers prevent humanity from creating a perpetual rover?
What happens to defunct lunar and Mars rovers?
What technological barriers prevent humanity from creating a perpetual rover with sun batteries or nuclear portable reactors for use on Mars, the Moon, ...
- 381
27
votes
5
answers
11k
views
Could a helicopter fly on Mars?
Helicopter drones are awesome fun down here on Earth, but what if... we took one to Mars? This sounds like a good question for Randall Munroe. But I read about a proposal to send a helicopter drone (...
- 2,919
26
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Technology: How would a state-of-the-art space shuttle be built?
As the title states, if a space shuttle 2.0 were to be built with current technology, in which ways or areas might it be superior to the original space shuttle?
Which components are most ripe for ...
- 1,249
26
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What paper size do they use on the International Space Station?
We know they have at least one printer on the ISS – that's NASA-supplied so it would be in the US Orbital Segment. Presumably there is a printer in the Russian Orbital Segment as well. (Mir had a ...
- 433
25
votes
4
answers
20k
views
If human space travel is limited by the G force vulnerability, is there a way to counter G forces?
I read somewhere that prolonged G forces (even 2 Gs) are not tolerated by human physiology and that this ultimately limits our ability to sustain space travel.
Are there any tactics to reduce G force ...
- 275
25
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Has any technology been demonstrated that allows a useful payload to survive at least one month on Venus' surface?
According to the Wikipedia article on Venera-D,
A lander, based on the Venera design, is also planned, capable of surviving for a long duration on the planet's surface.
The surface of Venus has ...
- 11.9k
22
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Were decommissioned Cold War missiles repurposed for peaceful spaceflight?
Those formerly on either side of the Iron Curtain can now admit that the Cold War had its plusses and minuses. The key minus, of course, is that the United States and the Soviet Union constructed ...
- 3,257
22
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Has any CubeSat flown with an active propulsion system?
CubeSats are small, but so are some propulsion systems (cold gas thrusters, for instance, really aren't too complex and can be low volume/mass). Has any CubeSat actually flown with its own propulsion ...
user29
22
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Could 3D printing be used to achieve perfect grain geometry of solid and hybrid rocket motors?
Solid cores, either for solid-fueled of hybrid rocket motors, use various propellant grain geometries to achieve thrust curve needed. For example, some of these could look like:
&...
- 76.4k
21
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is the technology behind the Shuttle's heat-shielding tiles used in any product today?
Many NASA inventions have had subsequent lives in the commercial marketplace. Have the Space Shuttle's heat-shielding tiles also had a second life?
- 997
20
votes
6
answers
6k
views
What are some of the obsolete technologies that space agencies used in day-to-day work during the 1960s?
This may be a vague question, please let me know if more info is needed.
As we know, NASA put a man on the moon using technologies that we no longer use, like slide rules and entire teams of people ...
- 319
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can spacecraft be made invisible to stations on Earth?
Can spacecraft be made invisible to ground stations? For example, are spy satellites perhaps equipped with stealth technology to prevent radar tracking? Or is it pointless as they can always be ...
- 6,103
18
votes
1
answer
718
views
What technology could the Soviets have contributed to the Apollo program?
Spacedaily writes to say about President. Kennedy's Sept 20th 1963 address to the UN General Assembly
"I include among these possibilities," he added, "a joint expedition to the Moon." Why, the ...
- 13.7k
17
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What technological barriers, if any, prevent a manned mission to Mars at this time?
Is the technology currently in place to launch a manned mission to Mars (and is it thus just a resource constraint that's preventing such a mission from occurring), or are there still other ...
- 2,053
16
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Has any piston machine been used on a space mission?
Inspired by question about engine lubrication in space.
Piston engines are not used for propelling spacecraft, but there are some possible uses for especially Stirling engines and compressors:
...
- 3,328
16
votes
1
answer
875
views
What are the differences in technology between OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa missions?
Up to now two spacecraft have been launched for an asteroid sample return mission. The first one Hayabusa is a completed mission and now OSIRIS-REx is an ongoing mission. Hayabusa was launched in 2003,...
- 2,145
16
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What improvements have SpaceX made to their proprietary Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA-X) heat shield?
PICA-X is a SpaceX proprietary variant on the NASA Ames developed PICA (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator) heat shield material. NASA quotes decades of rigorous research, testing and development ...
- 76.4k
15
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Why do ISS astronauts use lower quality microphones for official radio communication than for PR events?
In the first seconds of this video you can see/hear ISS astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti prepare for a PR event:
During the preparation she uses two different ...
- 9,376
15
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Could Von Neumann probes be forbidden by technological limitations?
The famous Fermi paradox asks an important question: if space-faring civilizations exist and are not extremely rare, why are they not already here? Von Neumann proposed a probe, that flies to nearest ...
- 675
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do they conduct electrolysis in zero gravity?
I'm building an electrolysis cell myself, and got to wondering. On Earth, there is a significant force pushing bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen upward, so your electrodes still contact mainly water. ...
- 295
15
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Why did the ESA choose SPARC for LEON?
In late 1997, the European Space Agency started the LEON project to provide higher performance processors for ESA missions. An open instruction set architecture was a first-level requirement (both to ...
user56
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How do spacecraft measure onboard gravity?
How do spacecraft measure onboard (micro)gravity at any given point in time (especially when subject to the gravitational fields of multiple bodies)? I'm guessing that rudimentary accelerometers won't ...
- 6,103
13
votes
3
answers
6k
views
On a Super-Earth 1.5x the volume and mass of Earth, would our rocket technology allow us to reach orbit? [duplicate]
To try and make parameters clear, can we say we are talking about 50% 'more Earth'? As in, Earth, but 1.5 times as big and heavy? And let us include the atmosphere. If there is 50% more of it by ...
- 21.5k
13
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Realistic space battle, how it could looke like? No hollywood version or videogames like [closed]
I am about to program space exploration simulation game in the future, but I need to consider many factors. I would like to be as much realistic as possible, but keeping the game playable as well and ...
- 341
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Do any systems in space use Artificial Intelligence yet?
Technology has apparently advanced to the point some states in the Untied States are debating AI managed cars. The thought comes to mind that space is relatively less crowded than most streets on ...
- 13.7k
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can you print 3D with iron in space?
A couple of recent questions; How is the unwanted cold welding prevented in space? & Would unpainted iron or steel rust in space? indicate that some pure metals like iron that have been forged in ...
- 27.2k
13
votes
2
answers
763
views
Is there any research going on launching into orbit with "space guns"? Why (not)?
Many have said that rocket launches are an outdated and inefficient technology and have predicted that other technologies will take over, yet to date, it's still the only thing we have to launch into ...
- 11.9k
13
votes
0
answers
495
views
What spinoff technologies have come from the Soviet/Russian space program?
There is plenty of information available on NASA spinoff technologies including a Wikipedia page and Space SE question. What innovations are a byproduct of the Russian space program?
- 131
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What are the "everyday" technologies that are a byproduct of the Apollo program?
There is an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of space exploration. One of the oft-cited pros is integrating the spin-off technologies developed for space into everyday life.
Did the research ...
user55
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is feathering?
I heard that Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo just tested something called “feathering”. What is it? How come I didn't hear about the shuttle doing this, it is unique to Virgin Galactic's ship?
- 27.2k
12
votes
2
answers
633
views
Interstellar eavesdropping
For about a century, humanity has broadcasted noise to space in the form of TV broadcasts, radio, etc...
The nearest star is 4.242 light-years away, so for about 90 years, aliens -- if they exist in ...
- 121
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Where could we build a space elevator today (2014)?
A space elevator is an interesting concept, allowing for very low cost transit to orbit. Currently we don't seem to have a technology that will provide a strong enough cable to make the climb from ...
- 27.2k
12
votes
1
answer
998
views
Is there an alternative to nuclear reactors for high-power spacecraft?
Many of my favorite ideas for space exploration, such as large outer solar system probes, or the Mars Direct human Mars exploration proposal, require nuclear reactors to supply the high-power ...
- 123
12
votes
1
answer
267
views
What cryogenic selective surface materials have high Technology Readiness Level?
NIAC ("NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts") has approved the following research application for 2015 funding:
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/cryogenic-selective-surfaces
Cryogenic Selective ...
- 11.5k
10
votes
2
answers
870
views
What progress has there been in the design of modern spacesuits?
In the early 90's I remember seeing a program where they were discussion new designs in space suits that would be more flexible and allow for less restrictive movements of the occupant. These suits ...
- 994
10
votes
3
answers
742
views
Could we deal with an asteroid threat given current technology?
If we discovered a sizeable (Tunguska-like mass or larger) near-earth object tomorrow that was on a definite collision course with Earth in the near future, could we deal with it with our current ...
- 773
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can we get energy from the motion of orbiting bodies?
Can we convert the motion energy of bodies (such as satellites) moving around a high-gravity objects (like Earth or the Sun) to some kind of usable energy?
- 5,223
10
votes
1
answer
352
views
What is the preferred technology for bulk data storage on a modern space probe?
I was surprised to find that the Voyager spacecraft use tape to store data pending transmission to Earth. Amazing that they have enjoyed such a long operating life, given that they are mechanical ...
- 17.6k
9
votes
2
answers
320
views
Is there any reason that NASA's launched space probes and MERs usually operate decades longer than expected?
Space Probes & MERs History Recap
Pioneer 10 & its twin probe Pioneer 11 reference
Courtesy of Uwe's response on my question :-
Pioneer 10 was planned for 21 months of operation. It did ...
- 1,507
9
votes
2
answers
281
views
Could a swarm of probes autonomously establish orbit around an asteroid?
To position a spacecraft around an asteroid, one must know the orbital parameters and orientation of the asteroid and the spacecraft. Formation flying will be more complex in terms of positioning ...
- 328
9
votes
1
answer
439
views
Why have space stations become less volume-efficient despite technological progression?
If you compare the pressurized volume of all the space stations launched to their mass, their volume-efficiency (in this context volume divided by mass) seem to decrease over time.
In chronological ...
9
votes
1
answer
677
views
What is the difference in solar panel efficiency between Solar Impulse & ISS?
Solar Impulse is on target to circle the world. Presumably Solar Impulse has the most current and efficient solar cells available, while those on the ISS range between 5 and 10 years old. How do the ...
- 27.2k
8
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Do 3D printers in space stations mean a significant cost reduction?
I just watched a VSauce2 video, at the end of which certain NASA animations were shown about some of their recent innovations. One of them included use of printers in the ISS.
Do they actually mean a ...
- 5,223
8
votes
1
answer
321
views
Why is there no POV video of the Philae lander landing?
Why is there no POV video of the Philae lander landing? All I can find are animations made beforehand mixed with commentary and one or two stills.
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Adapting to Increased Gravity on Alien Planets
What would mankind use in order to adapt or merely cope with the effects of a large increase of gravity on an alien world?
Assuming there are no other problems we would face.
- 183