All Questions
18,097
questions
2
votes
1
answer
15
views
Data on satellites and/or space junk
I am hoping to develop a program capable of predicting when a satellite will fly through the path of a telescope observation. The aim is to make it possible to block or mitigate the light from the ...
- 389
-2
votes
0
answers
38
views
Maximum Flow Staged Combustion Cycle concept
Now, I have made a thought about a new engine cycle called; the "Maximum full flow staged combustion" cycle concept and I wanted to know if it raise the utilization all of the propellant ...
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
Can rocket engines produce high voltages? [closed]
I was reading Michael Collins' account of the Apollo 11 TLI burn [1], and I wonder wheter the "flashes", "lightning", "sparks flying" and "insistent fireflies" ...
- 173
2
votes
0
answers
46
views
Data of chemical element ambundance on celestial objects?
For worldbuilding purposes, I'm trying to find data on chemical element abundance on different celestial bodies, and I'm interested in numbers or percentages by mass. I have found something about ...
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
Why Aren't they Building Cosmodromes on Mountains? [duplicate]
Why Aren't they Building Cosmodromes on Mountains? Constructing a road leading 10000 feet or more up-hill should potentially save a lot of fuel.
- 370
-4
votes
0
answers
112
views
Who are in space right now? [closed]
Bing ChatGpt says: According to my sources, currently there are
seven people in space right now.
They are the current ISS crew: Sergei Korsakov, Oleg Artemyev, Denis
Matveev, Kjell Lindgren, Robert ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
TEME state vector to TLE orbital elements
I was looking at time series of some TLE parameter(semimajor axis, inclination, etc..) and I wanted to how those parameters evolve between measured time points.
So i decided to feed TLE element to ...
6
votes
0
answers
133
views
Why was the ExoMars Rover to use such as complex parachute system?
American Mars landers use a single, supersonic main parachute. The European/ Russian ExoMars rover was to use a much more complex 4 parachute system consisting of a drogue, a main and a pilot for each ...
- 860
18
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How did NASA avoid a repeat of the Mars Polar Lander failure?
One of the most likely causes of the MPL (Mars Polar Lander) crash landing on Mars was the deployment of the legs being mistaken by the onboard computer as touchdown. Phoenix (and later InSight) ...
- 860
0
votes
1
answer
92
views
Location of an object in empty space [closed]
Is it correct to assume that if there is only one object in the void, then its location (answer the question "where") cannot be established?
You need at least two objects to be able to tell ...
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
44
views
GEO station keeping in GMAT
I am currently trying to implement station keeping maneuvers for a geosynchronous satellite in orbit around Earth using the General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) but I am not managing.
I know there are ...
- 21
-3
votes
1
answer
66
views
How to determine the orbital parameter of Martian 5-sol orbit? [closed]
I need to calculate the trajectory to ascent back to 5-sol orbit from the surface of Mars.I have to calculate the orbital parameter.
-2
votes
0
answers
34
views
what is important of min, max, average of applied torque to rection wheel of satullite with three rection wheel over the course of maneuvers? [closed]
what is the important of min, max, and average of applied torque to the reaction wheel of a satullite with three reaction wheels over the course of maneuvers? And how can affect less or more min, max, ...
- 195
5
votes
2
answers
96
views
Insights into the Mylar heat welding technique used to weld the Echo II balloon seams?
I am working on a 50-micron BO-PET film (basically Mylar) which will need welding. I don't know if I'll be able to obtain an ultrasonic/HF welding machine and since the project will need extensive low-...
- 51
10
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What causes a satellite's orbit to decay?
Why do orbits of satellites orbiting at sufficient speed, far beyond the Earth's atmosphere, decay if there is no atmospheric drag? What drag is applied on the satellites at that altitude?
- 3,758
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
Satellite data services [closed]
I have specific question about satellite data.
So we have a standard device working with cellular and GPS signal receiver. It’s getting the location data from satellite, after sending it us with ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
283
views
Given the current state of technology, what would make bullet-sized interplanetary spacecraft technically impossible?
[Image: original source https://www.quora.com/How-many-types-of-bullets-do-we-have]
For example, if a spacecraft does not need a control module, propulsion or means of communication. All it is tasked ...
0
votes
0
answers
63
views
Inserting optical elements into a ring laser gyroscope to sense all three axes
Ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) leverage the physics of ring laser interferometers and the Sagnac effect to sense rotation in a single plane. My understanding of RLGs is that they are independent systems ...
- 501
24
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Why aren't the radiators on the ISS straight?
The radiators look like a highly stretched paper accordion. Is it just because of how they decomposed, or is there a deeper reason?
- 843
1
vote
1
answer
713
views
What is a Mars 5-sol orbit? [closed]
I need to calculate the delta-v for descent from 5-sol orbit to the surface of Mars and then ascent back to 5-sol orbit from the surface of Mars. What is a "5-sol orbit?"
0
votes
1
answer
131
views
Did Relativity's Terran 1 booster survive the fall to the ocean for recovery?
There is no plan to recover the booster of the Terran 1 rocket launched yesterday. Did the booster survive (not necessarily intact) the fall to the ocean and the impact with the surface of the water? ...
- 837
4
votes
1
answer
112
views
How much ice is there in the inner asteroid belt?
After asking this question (How long would it take before we use up all the ice in the asteroid belt?)I did some research to find out how much ice there is in the inner asteroid belt (Not the Kuiper ...
- 3,797
0
votes
0
answers
67
views
What was the largest single failure on an STS mission that wasn't critial? [closed]
What was the largest single failure on an STS mission that wasn't critial?Can only be single part failing and can't be something related to it. For example, a sensor not working is okay, but it not ...
0
votes
0
answers
92
views
Why did the May 2016 Falcon 9 launch have a radar glitch?
Looking at a chronicle of booster landing failures, in May 2016 the landing legs appear to have had a radar glitch. This then damaged them. So, my question is why did this happen?
22
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What was the most inconsequential failure on an STS mission recorded in mission reports?
Posting a comment over on this question got me thinking as to how insignificant (or not) recorded failures on the Space Shuttle could actually get.
For example browsing the STS-001 Postflight Mission ...
- 5,012
0
votes
1
answer
174
views
How long would it take before we use up all the ice in the asteroid belt? [closed]
Lets say that we have an interplanetary society using the ice from asteroids to convert it into rocket fuel, how long would it take before we have used up all the ice on the asteroids.
Conditions:
We ...
- 3,797
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
When sending a ship to mars what is the optimal travel path [duplicate]
its pretty self explanitory but I need to figure it out but not something from the past a ship that could be sent in the next 5-7 years what would be my time frame using the least amount of fuel and ...
- 9
4
votes
0
answers
60
views
What are exactly each of the coefficients in Modified Difference Arrays?
I am looking into the different types of SPK kernels.
Type 1 are the so-called Modified Difference Arrays (MDA).
The linked document mentions that its reference 163 contains a description of the ...
- 1,616
3
votes
1
answer
137
views
Are the Delta IV Heavy’s attachments for SRBs removable?
The Delta IV (which uses solid rockets in a couple configurations) shares a "Common Booster Core" with the Delta IV Heavy, which does not. Since Delta IV must have attachments for the solid ...
1
vote
1
answer
113
views
Need advice to set up reaction wheel cluster in lab
I am thinking of having a reaction wheel cluster set up in a physics lab for educational purposes. I would like to find out what the available options to me are. Here are some more specifics:
I see ...
- 169
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
How do "halo orbits" save on propellent (delta-v)?
I am trying to understand what advantage the satellite's 'Halo Orbit' has compared to LEO or Geostationary orbits.
"Lagrange points have proven to be very useful indeed since a spacecraft can be ...
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
Why ECEF does not coincide with ECI on January 1, 2000 at 12.00? [duplicate]
I assumed that ECEF frame coincides with ECI frame on January 1, 2000 at 12.00.
To see that, on MATLAB, I used the dcmeci2ecef() function as:
...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
103
views
Where and how many RCS thrusters are installed on Starship?
Starship from SpaceX will soon launch. During the 10 km test it used RCS thrusters to flip itself in the right position. On the website it mentions how important it is to use air friction to slow down ...
- 3,797
12
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Have any bits of a space mission ever collided with a planet or large moon (not Earth) that was not a target of the mission?
For example, a mission to Mars for which some bit of hardware ended up entering Venus's atmosphere.
Has this ever happened, or at least are there projections that it may happen?
2
votes
0
answers
33
views
Approach to Interplanetary Transfers in GMAT
I hope to find a straightforward process for designing interplanetary missions using the General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT). This would involve calculating the required initial state, timing, and ...
- 129
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How close was the ISS to running out of supplies after the failure of CRS-7?
2014-2015 probably was a scary time to be aboard the ISS, though not for the usual reasons. They were worried about supplies running low, at least somewhat. There was quite the string of bad luck.
...
-1
votes
0
answers
29
views
What is the capacity of the various Falcon Heavy configurations to LEO?
As you probably already know, Falcon Heavy has many configurations, going from all boosters and core expended to all boosters and core landing on land. I am wondering what the payload capacity of each ...
3
votes
1
answer
169
views
When chopsticks catch the booster by the grid fins, what is the maximum vertical speed?
How much vertical speed can the grid fins handle before breaking off?
- 211
1
vote
0
answers
172
views
+100
Were Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket engines damaged on impact?
Were Rocket Lab’s Electron Mission 26 rocket engines damaged on impact?
The photo of the recovered Electron Rocket https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/05/rocket-lab-catches-a-1-ton-booster-falling-...
- 14.3k
-1
votes
1
answer
151
views
Why didn't Electron's first stage go "There and Back Again"?
During the "There and Back Again" mission, it seems to have been caught around the 52:45 mark. Then it also seems like the helicopter dropped it. Was this intentional? If so, why? It seems ...
3
votes
0
answers
51
views
What are the technical differences between AxEMU and xEMU?
On March 15, 2023, Axiom Space sort-of unveiled their lunar spacesuit, based on the NASA xEMU. I say sort-of because apparently, though the Axiom suit is selected for Artemis III, missions following ...
- 7,098
0
votes
1
answer
178
views
How does SpaceX get through regulatory issues so quickly?
"Regulatory" isn't the right word, but I don't know what is.
For example, SpaceX seemed to be able to prove to NASA's satisfaction that they were sufficiently safe to use for crewed launches ...
- 424
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
What caused the falcon booster landing failure during the CRS-16 mission?
On December 5, 2018 the Falcon 9 booster started spinning during the landing burn, and promptly appears to have soft landed on the ocean. While SpaceX stated that the booster could be reused it never ...
0
votes
1
answer
105
views
Are Falcon Heavy fairings reused?
I heard a lot about SpaceX reusing the fairings from the Falcon 9. Do they/ are they planning to do the same for Falcon Heavy?
3
votes
0
answers
123
views
Why did the June 2016 SpaceX launch run out of propellant?
In other words, what caused SpaceX to miscalculate the amount of propellant required to safely land the booster. They had landed successfully on the drone ship in April. So what went wrong here? What ...
-2
votes
0
answers
56
views
An expanding rocket engine nozzle [duplicate]
I know that the efficiency of a rocket engine depends on ambient pressure and nozzle exit pressure. What if there was an engine that had a contracting nozzle? Is that issue such a big problem that it ...
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
What is the relationship between the power supply system and the thermal control system?
According to Wikipedia, the solar panels of the ISS produce an average of about 120 kW of electrical energy, which is then used by the station's systems. Can it be converted into something other than ...
- 843
0
votes
1
answer
157
views
Could an ICBM self-destruct? [closed]
A nuclear country's leadership sends a command to launch an ICBM. It launches.
Is it ever possible to abort attack on designated target if they change their mind?
If yes, for how long? Is it only ...
- 111
4
votes
1
answer
129
views
Would it make sense to compress air around a bell nozzle during booster ascent?
Regarding boosters having one single liquid fuel engine, such as Delta 4 for example.
Would some sort of annular aerodynamic device, attached to the skirt and placed around the bell nozzle, help ...
- 3,906
2
votes
1
answer
204
views
How many printed novels have been in space to date?
I am talking about actual novels brought for recreational purposes. As in manuals don't count. Also, I would like to know who and on what mission these were brought.