Distance to Mars
Discussion
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-ma...
this is a great fiction book, a story of a stranded astronaut from a Mars mission
this is a great fiction book, a story of a stranded astronaut from a Mars mission
Snipping Eric's post a lot...
If anyone is interested in learning about orbits, the computer game Kerbal is quite a decent simulation of orbital mechanics despite the cartoon graphics, there's a thread in the computer games forum with more details.
Eric Mc said:
what launcher would be used
the size of the spacecraft
Do you think we would be close to the point where several launches would be needed to put parts of the spacecraft Earth orbit, bolt it together and then fire it off towards Mars? I imagine even the food needed to get to Mars would need a fair bit of fuel to get into orbit, let alone the fuel needed to get into Mars orbit and whatever system you need to get down to the planet surface. Wikipedia tells me the Apollo 11 lunar module weighed 15,0000 kg and that needed the mighty Saturn V to get into orbit, I dread to think what we need to get a Mars lander into space!the size of the spacecraft
If anyone is interested in learning about orbits, the computer game Kerbal is quite a decent simulation of orbital mechanics despite the cartoon graphics, there's a thread in the computer games forum with more details.
FunkyNige said:
Snipping Eric's post a lot...
If anyone is interested in learning about orbits, the computer game Kerbal is quite a decent simulation of orbital mechanics despite the cartoon graphics, there's a thread in the computer games forum with more details.
The Saturn V was not actually needed to put the Lunar Module into earth orbit. In fact, a Saturn IB was used for the first unmanned test flight of the LM.Eric Mc said:
what launcher would be used
the size of the spacecraft
Do you think we would be close to the point where several launches would be needed to put parts of the spacecraft Earth orbit, bolt it together and then fire it off towards Mars? I imagine even the food needed to get to Mars would need a fair bit of fuel to get into orbit, let alone the fuel needed to get into Mars orbit and whatever system you need to get down to the planet surface. Wikipedia tells me the Apollo 11 lunar module weighed 15,0000 kg and that needed the mighty Saturn V to get into orbit, I dread to think what we need to get a Mars lander into space!the size of the spacecraft
If anyone is interested in learning about orbits, the computer game Kerbal is quite a decent simulation of orbital mechanics despite the cartoon graphics, there's a thread in the computer games forum with more details.
What the Saturn V was needed for was to lift 100 tons into earth orbit. A lot of that 100 ton weight was the 3rd stage of the Saturn V itself (the S1 stage )and the fuel contained within it, together with the 30 ton weight of the Command/Service Module combination and the Lunar Module and the fuel contained within those modules.
To send a spacecraft HEAVIER than the Apollo Command/Service/Lunar Module combination (i.e. a lot more than 30 tons) into earth orbit and provide it with the fuel to fire it up to a speed where it starts moving in a transfer orbit away from the sun, would require a MUCH bigger rocket than the Saturn V.
However, if multiple launches are used to launch the Mars craft in separate components and park it in earth orbit first, then a series of launchers of at least Saturn V class would be needed.
At the moment, there is no such rocket in existence although the SLS booster being developed for NASA could do this type of Mars mission.
As for the "private enterprise" missions that are being discussed at the moment, I'd like to know what rockets they intend to use to literally get the whole assemblage off the ground.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 15th November 14:04
I assume they would send several unmanned missions first with equipment (spare parts, survival gear, food, water) so that when the Mars voyagers landed they would have some kit cached in situ.
Comparisons with early sea voyages are interesting. The longest unsupported voyages into the unknown were made by Magellan and Drake - both had issues with their crew and both resorted to executing those who were considered to be disruptive influences.
Comparisons with early sea voyages are interesting. The longest unsupported voyages into the unknown were made by Magellan and Drake - both had issues with their crew and both resorted to executing those who were considered to be disruptive influences.
Ayahuasca said:
I assume they would send several unmanned missions first with equipment (spare parts, survival gear, food, water) so that when the Mars voyagers landed they would have some kit cached in situ.
Comparisons with early sea voyages are interesting. The longest unsupported voyages into the unknown were made by Magellan and Drake - both had issues with their crew and both resorted to executing those who were considered to be disruptive influences.
I assume that unmanned missions would be needed to land habitation modules, equipment, survival gear, rovers etc months or even years in advance. So far the largest object we have ever landed on Mars is the Curiosity rover - about the size of a VW Golf. It weighs 2,000 lbs and that was launched using an Atlas V with a thrust rating on lift off of 285,500 lbs (per Wiki). Comparisons with early sea voyages are interesting. The longest unsupported voyages into the unknown were made by Magellan and Drake - both had issues with their crew and both resorted to executing those who were considered to be disruptive influences.
Multiply that up to a payload perhaps 10 times heavier (20,000 lbs) and the thrust rating required jumps to millions of pounds.
I think the most powerful boosters available at the moment are just over the 1 million [pounds of thrust.
The Saturn V pushed out 7.5 million pounds of thrust on lift off.
The SLS will be (initially) around 6 million lbs but later versions will be more powerful than the Saturn V.
I recon they should crew it with the cast of Jersey Shore. It solves the whole relationship thing in that they freely pass each other round, and they managed to live in a small apartment in one of the planets most challenging environments.
If you equipped the space craft with gym, tanning, and laundry facilities, then their needs would also be covered, and you wouldn't have to contend with demanding, highly trained astronauts.
If you equipped the space craft with gym, tanning, and laundry facilities, then their needs would also be covered, and you wouldn't have to contend with demanding, highly trained astronauts.
Eric Mc said:
Try your library - or a bookshop 
Lots and lots and lots of books on "space" and "spaceflight" to suit all levels.
Or chat here and ask questions - some of us have been into space, spaceflight and astronomy since we were kids.
I knew you were a font of knowledge - I didn't know it was first-hand experience! Lots and lots and lots of books on "space" and "spaceflight" to suit all levels.
Or chat here and ask questions - some of us have been into space, spaceflight and astronomy since we were kids.
Eric Mc said:
Sadly, someone is already doing this - but it is obviously a dumb stunt because the technology to send people to Mars is big stuff costing large amounts of money - way beyond the means of a single TV channel.
Who remembers the Shuttle reality TV series from about 10 years ago? Done in Russia in a simulator.Hugo a Gogo said:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-ma...
this is a great fiction book, a story of a stranded astronaut from a Mars mission
I agree - a brilliant book.this is a great fiction book, a story of a stranded astronaut from a Mars mission
Totally recommend it!
FunkyNige said:
If anyone is interested in learning about orbits, the computer game Kerbal is quite a decent simulation of orbital mechanics despite the cartoon graphics, there's a thread in the computer games forum with more details.
There is also Orbiter for this (it is free as well ), though it is not so much a game more of a simulator, it works in real time so if you don't increase the simulation rate the Earth/Mars transit time would be the same as it is in real life.There are both real spacecraft (Shuttle, Saturn etc) made as close to real physics as possible and fictional spacecraft of varying types to play with. It also simulates atmospheric flight. The graphics aren't cartoony but they aren't what you would expect from a modern game as the last version came out in 2006.
I haven't attempted an Earth to Mars transit flight in Orbiter yet, an Earth to Moon transit is a challenge in its self.
Edited by PanzerCommander on Wednesday 20th November 13:19
PanzerCommander said:
There is also Orbiter for this (it is free as well ), though it is not so much a game more of a simulator, it works in real time so if you don't increase the simulation rate the Earth/Mars transit time would be the same as it is in real life.
There are both real spacecraft (Shuttle, Saturn etc) made as close to real physics as possible and fictional spacecraft of varying types to play with. It also simulates atmospheric flight. The graphics aren't cartoony but they aren't what you would expect from a modern game as the last version came out in 2006.
I haven't attempted an Earth to Mars transit flight in Orbiter yet, an Earth to Moon transit is a challenge in its self.
Latest orbiter is 2010 and with the optional DX9 renderer and various texturepacks and graphical add-ons it looks pretty bloody good.), though it is not so much a game more of a simulator, it works in real time so if you don't increase the simulation rate the Earth/Mars transit time would be the same as it is in real life.There are both real spacecraft (Shuttle, Saturn etc) made as close to real physics as possible and fictional spacecraft of varying types to play with. It also simulates atmospheric flight. The graphics aren't cartoony but they aren't what you would expect from a modern game as the last version came out in 2006.
I haven't attempted an Earth to Mars transit flight in Orbiter yet, an Earth to Moon transit is a challenge in its self.
Edited by PanzerCommander on Wednesday 20th November 13:19
MiseryStreak said:
mrmr96 said:
My understanding was that the first trip was to be a "one way" trip.
Has anything ever come back to Earth from Mars? I know we've sent plenty of stuff TO Mars, but I don't think any of it has come back, has it?
No.Has anything ever come back to Earth from Mars? I know we've sent plenty of stuff TO Mars, but I don't think any of it has come back, has it?
http://www.space.com/23654-esa-unveils-spherical-m...
Seems like the idea is that this will allow us to bring part of Mars back to Earth!
mrmr96 said:
Update, European Space Agency has unveiled a video with a concept for a Mars Surface Sample Retrieval Device:
http://www.space.com/23654-esa-unveils-spherical-m...
Seems like the idea is that this will allow us to bring part of Mars back to Earth!
Hmmm...strange. Why go to all the effort?http://www.space.com/23654-esa-unveils-spherical-m...
Seems like the idea is that this will allow us to bring part of Mars back to Earth!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_meteorite
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