Orion Launch Today
Discussion
Not that old chestnut again.
ALL these programmes are worthwhile.
This is what NASA was established to do. It lost its way with the Shuttle and tried to become a trucking company. Genuine testing of new technologies and exploring new ways of doing things and new places to go is the raison detre of NASA.
ALL these programmes are worthwhile.
This is what NASA was established to do. It lost its way with the Shuttle and tried to become a trucking company. Genuine testing of new technologies and exploring new ways of doing things and new places to go is the raison detre of NASA.
CrutyRammers said:
Don't think I've ever seen such clear footage of a re-entry.
You obviously don't remember the Apollo era then. The last few missions landed within a mile or two of the carriers - so the pictures were pretty good. They even had live images from circling helicopters.But this is pretty good too - at a fraction of the cost and resources.
They now need to get it onto the recovery ship.
Have a trawl through youtube. A lot of the footage of the missions is now on there.
It's quite amazing what we were able to get even 40 years ago. Considering a few days earlier we had been watching live colour TV from the surface of the moon, showing live colour TV from the Pacific wasn't such a big deal.
It's quite amazing what we were able to get even 40 years ago. Considering a few days earlier we had been watching live colour TV from the surface of the moon, showing live colour TV from the Pacific wasn't such a big deal.
It was pretty immediate back then as well - considering that much if it was shown live on TV.
Whole evening schedules were devoted to covering the Apollo missions - especially on the BBC.
By 1968 we had the geosynchronous communications satellites in orbit which allowed live coverage from the other side of the world - so from Apollo 7/8 onwards, it was possible to watch these events live.
Whole evening schedules were devoted to covering the Apollo missions - especially on the BBC.
By 1968 we had the geosynchronous communications satellites in orbit which allowed live coverage from the other side of the world - so from Apollo 7/8 onwards, it was possible to watch these events live.
CrutyRammers said:
Eric Mc said:
The Delta was not designed by NASA engineers. It was designed by the company who build the Delta rocket - which is now Boeing.
Yeah it was a generic term for space-boffins 
Fair point about the launch window, I don't actually know how long they are for satellite launches etc. Obviously pretty tight for something like rendevous with ISS, but not sure for a general satellite. I guess they will want to make sure it's well clear of any others.
ash73 said:
Is the capsule reusable?
Probbaly not this one. But the plan is for the fully functionable Orion to be reusable.And elements of the SLS rocket will also be reusable, such as the SRBs (which are developments of the ones used on the Shuttle). I'm not so sure about the first stage of the SLS though. It is powered by four Shuttle Main Engine derivatives. The SME was reusable but these will have to survive a plummet into the Atlantic and immersion in salt water - so may not be capable of being reused.
No.
They had various weights positioned in strategic locations to simulate the effect of instrument panels, seats and other internal fittings. The weight distribution inside the capsule affects the behaviour of the spacecraft as it re-enters so this was an important part of the test.
The main part of the life support system for the crew will actually be housed in the Service Module (just like Apollo). The service Module used on this flight was essentially a dummy - again with weights inserted to provide a reasonable approximation of the behaviour of the Service Module under various flight and orbital conditions.
They had various weights positioned in strategic locations to simulate the effect of instrument panels, seats and other internal fittings. The weight distribution inside the capsule affects the behaviour of the spacecraft as it re-enters so this was an important part of the test.
The main part of the life support system for the crew will actually be housed in the Service Module (just like Apollo). The service Module used on this flight was essentially a dummy - again with weights inserted to provide a reasonable approximation of the behaviour of the Service Module under various flight and orbital conditions.
The recovery team has been given the all clear to approach the capsule.
In Apollo days they would have been all over the spacecraft like a rash.
They seem to be taking a far more cautious approach with this one - probably because it's the first flight. They are a bit concerned about the non appearance of two of the flotation bags. I don't suppose they don't want those things going off with a frogman sitting on top of the capsule.
In Apollo days they would have been all over the spacecraft like a rash.
They seem to be taking a far more cautious approach with this one - probably because it's the first flight. They are a bit concerned about the non appearance of two of the flotation bags. I don't suppose they don't want those things going off with a frogman sitting on top of the capsule.
No need to blow the hatch.
The Apollo hatch opened on hinges - so all that was required for one of the occupants to pull a lever down and push the hatch outwards.
The Gemini hatches also opened outwards on hinges.
(I always think that Armstrong and Scott look the coolest dudes in that picture - with their shades. They've just survived America's first serious space emergency).
Both designs featured hinged, opening outward hatches to allow spacewalks (EVAs).
When Mercury was designed, no one in their right mind considered that once placed safely in orbit in a spacecraft, the astronaut would want to get out of the thing. Such a thought "did not compute" in 1958. Therefore, when the Mercury capsule was designed, not only did it not have a hatch of ANY sort, it had no window either.
The astronauts lobbied for a proper opening hatch and for a proper window so they could look out. The designers relented. The Mercury hatch was NOT hinged as it was only expected to be used if the astronaut needed to get out in a hurry after splashdown.
In the second manned Mercury mission with Gus Grissom, the hatch did blow unexpectedly and the capsule sank, nearly taking Grissom with it. Notice the water pouring from the flooded capsule. Seconds later, the helicopter crew cut the cable and let it sink.
The Apollo hatch opened on hinges - so all that was required for one of the occupants to pull a lever down and push the hatch outwards.
The Gemini hatches also opened outwards on hinges.
(I always think that Armstrong and Scott look the coolest dudes in that picture - with their shades. They've just survived America's first serious space emergency).
Both designs featured hinged, opening outward hatches to allow spacewalks (EVAs).
When Mercury was designed, no one in their right mind considered that once placed safely in orbit in a spacecraft, the astronaut would want to get out of the thing. Such a thought "did not compute" in 1958. Therefore, when the Mercury capsule was designed, not only did it not have a hatch of ANY sort, it had no window either.
The astronauts lobbied for a proper opening hatch and for a proper window so they could look out. The designers relented. The Mercury hatch was NOT hinged as it was only expected to be used if the astronaut needed to get out in a hurry after splashdown.
In the second manned Mercury mission with Gus Grissom, the hatch did blow unexpectedly and the capsule sank, nearly taking Grissom with it. Notice the water pouring from the flooded capsule. Seconds later, the helicopter crew cut the cable and let it sink.
Sadly, we won't see humans emerge from an Orion for about six more years. I was impressed with what was done today but am so frustrated at how slowly the programme is moving.
I am genuinely pleased with how well everything went today. I think Orion is turning into a well screwed together, solid bit of space engineering.
It contrasts very favourably with the Shuttle, which was always a bit flaky.
I am genuinely pleased with how well everything went today. I think Orion is turning into a well screwed together, solid bit of space engineering.
It contrasts very favourably with the Shuttle, which was always a bit flaky.
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