Orion Launch Today
Discussion
Yes, there is a lot of work to do on the program, but we have such an amazing "footing" on which to do it now:
This taught us about powerful, efficient launch vehicles, and orbital dynamics
This taught us about the practicalities of using space as a resource:
This (and many like it), forged a path outwards into our solar system, sending back data to help us determine the challenges:
And finally, this is teaching us every day how to live, work, and even enjoy space
We are living in exciting times, where technology is routinely allowing us to explore our solar system and beyond. Which considering it's just over 100 years since we first even flew in our atmosphere is frankly amazing ;-)
This taught us about powerful, efficient launch vehicles, and orbital dynamics
This taught us about the practicalities of using space as a resource:
This (and many like it), forged a path outwards into our solar system, sending back data to help us determine the challenges:
And finally, this is teaching us every day how to live, work, and even enjoy space
We are living in exciting times, where technology is routinely allowing us to explore our solar system and beyond. Which considering it's just over 100 years since we first even flew in our atmosphere is frankly amazing ;-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th December 11:54
I am quite optimistic about these things. I do feel that we are now arriving at a point where the vast store of technical know-how that has built up over 57 years of sending men and machines into space and doing all sorts of things up there is now beginning to come together.
The good thing about Orion and SLS is that it has come together just at the time when some of the old hands from the Apollo era are gradually fading out. Indeed, already too many are no longer with us. Hopefully, sufficient knowledge and lore has been retained to allow what was learned between 1960 and 1975 to be properly assimilated into the Orion project. I am pretty sure that is the case.
The number of times Mark Geyer (Orion project manager) referred to Apollo during the press conferences was quite striking. And it was quite poignant when the Lockheed-Martin representative, Mike Hawe more or less said that, for the first time since getting involved in the space programme in 1980, he feels like he is working on a project that will have a genuine legacy for future generations.
And that speaks volumes for how these people view the Space Shuttle.
The good thing about Orion and SLS is that it has come together just at the time when some of the old hands from the Apollo era are gradually fading out. Indeed, already too many are no longer with us. Hopefully, sufficient knowledge and lore has been retained to allow what was learned between 1960 and 1975 to be properly assimilated into the Orion project. I am pretty sure that is the case.
The number of times Mark Geyer (Orion project manager) referred to Apollo during the press conferences was quite striking. And it was quite poignant when the Lockheed-Martin representative, Mike Hawe more or less said that, for the first time since getting involved in the space programme in 1980, he feels like he is working on a project that will have a genuine legacy for future generations.
And that speaks volumes for how these people view the Space Shuttle.
interestingly Nasa is say that Orion will have '9.2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and weigh 6.5 million pounds. It will be able to carry payloads weighing 286,000 pounds to orbit'
To put that in to context a dreamliner engine (1) develops 63600 lbs of thrust
And the old chestnut of the Virgin Galactic 60698 lbs of thrust......
Puts it all in to context really
To put that in to context a dreamliner engine (1) develops 63600 lbs of thrust
And the old chestnut of the Virgin Galactic 60698 lbs of thrust......
Puts it all in to context really
Edited by Toaster on Monday 8th December 14:57
You can see that the holy grail is lift capability. Thn benchmark is the Saturn V. It could place 100 tons directly into earth orbit - or put 30 tons into orbit around the moon.
If you want to better what the Saturn V could do, you MUST have a thrust capability on lift off greater than 7.5 million pounds.
As a little aside, the solid fuelled rockets that power Orion's Launch Escape System develop 500,000 lbs of thrust (al be it for a very brief period of time).
A slight correction to Toaster's post - Orion has very little thrust at all as it is, in effect, just the space capsule as tested last week. I think he must have been referring to the thrust of the Space Launch System booster.
If you want to better what the Saturn V could do, you MUST have a thrust capability on lift off greater than 7.5 million pounds.
As a little aside, the solid fuelled rockets that power Orion's Launch Escape System develop 500,000 lbs of thrust (al be it for a very brief period of time).
A slight correction to Toaster's post - Orion has very little thrust at all as it is, in effect, just the space capsule as tested last week. I think he must have been referring to the thrust of the Space Launch System booster.
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/664158main_sls_fs_master.p... for those who would like a little more detail
Edited by Toaster on Monday 8th December 17:58
Video of the last ten minutes - re-entry to splashdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E
Looks like a nice ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E
Looks like a nice ride
MrCarPark said:
Video of the last ten minutes - re-entry to splashdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E
Looks like a nice ride
Height and speed would have been handy. Clever the way the main chutes don't open fully for 15 secs, ie two chutes for the price of one.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E
Looks like a nice ride
The SLS engine was tested earlier this week. It's a developed version of the Space Shuttle Main Engine.
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/01/13/nasa-kicks-of...
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/01/13/nasa-kicks-of...
So it met 85 of the 87 test objectives.
The 2 it failed on were to do with the five self-righting airbags on splash down. There were 5 that should have inflated, and stayed inflated for a pre-longed period of time (24hrs). 2 worked as they should, 2 inflated and lost pressure quickly and 1 failed to inflate at all.
Redesign likely needed for Orion airbag system
The 2 it failed on were to do with the five self-righting airbags on splash down. There were 5 that should have inflated, and stayed inflated for a pre-longed period of time (24hrs). 2 worked as they should, 2 inflated and lost pressure quickly and 1 failed to inflate at all.
Redesign likely needed for Orion airbag system
Eric Mc said:
Apollo used three. I wonder why they need five on Orion?
Apollo bags only inflated if needed. On some missions the capsule remained upright in the water so they weren't activated.
Orion is slightly bigger, It was a test and as it says on the tin these are self-righting airbags probably best if they do all activate when requiredApollo bags only inflated if needed. On some missions the capsule remained upright in the water so they weren't activated.
Eric Mc said:
I have read now that they plan to inflate them on all landings rather than just if the capsule becomes inverted in the water - as was the case with Apollo.
Maybe the Orion capsule is not quite as stable in the water as the Apollo Command Module was.
the video below states that Apollo filpped over 50% of the time, testing has been carried out at the Langly research centre for OrionMaybe the Orion capsule is not quite as stable in the water as the Apollo Command Module was.
"if a capsule lands up right it is refferd to a stable 1 if inverted it is stable 2"
in the video it is said that how the current software is written the bags will inflate in either condition (about 11 mins in) so if there is a change in the software the bags may not have to inflate but in someways it makes sense to inflate just in case which seems to be inferred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421782837&a...
Edited by Toaster on Wednesday 21st January 14:17
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