The Official Space Flight Thread - The Space Station and Beyond

Glaucus · 29 Sep 2011 at 18:24

Dang it....

Their rocket looks so darn slow of the launch pad compared to other launch vehicles.

Cosimo · 29 Sep 2011 at 22:55

AcidHell2 said:
Dang it....

Their rocket looks so darn slow of the launch pad compared to other launch vehicles.

The full launch:

Scarecrow · 30 Sep 2011 at 10:04

If this is possible i would be amazed.

http://news.discovery.com/space/spa...-forgets-parachute-110930.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Glaucus · 30 Sep 2011 at 10:07

I do t understand why you would do that. That would massively reduce pay load and for what benefit?
Surly a parachute decent with extras would save weight and save the craft from damage.

PermaBanned · 30 Sep 2011 at 17:31

Yeah, parachutes might weigh a bit but nothing compared to the fuel you need to land safely, or the extra motors and fuel you would need to make sure you landed in the correct orientation. The case is pretty strong for unpowered descent, be it from a parachute, fixed wing, deployable wing (ala Rogallo), airbag or whatever.

Anyway, i've just heard about the Lunar X-Prize. While i don't doubt that people with the right knowledge could build a rover, and with enough resources could even build a lander - i can't really imagine any of the contenders getting into space in the first place (never mind with enough payload to get to the moon). Eventually perhaps, but certainly not by the deadline.

Glaucus · 30 Sep 2011 at 17:47

When's the deadline?

I could see virgin galactic going for it, but not before it's established space tourism.

Don't these prizes usually get a new dead line when they expire.

PermaBanned · 30 Sep 2011 at 17:54

2015 off the top of my head?

Glaucus · 30 Sep 2011 at 17:55

Yeah no ones going to make that deadline, they would Allready need a large launch vehicle under tests.

PermaBanned · 30 Sep 2011 at 17:57

Well there's nothing that says they have to make the rocket themselves, would be interesting if someone managed to hitch a ride on an already planned mission but i don't see it myself.

PermaBanned · 2 Oct 2011 at 13:14

Pretty much the only reason i still go on Google+

http://news.discovery.com/space/photos-ron-garan-space-station-odyssey-110929.html

PermaBanned · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:14

Hate to say i told you so

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.947744aa7f2a9543ab7c4b0e24b9136c.221&show_article=1

Cosimo · 4 Oct 2011 at 14:52

This is one day we will look back upon, 4th October 1957. The day the space race began when the first artificial satellite was put into Earth's orbit. That satellite was Sputnik 1:

Sputnik 1

On Oct. 4, 1957, Sputnik 1 successfully launched and entered Earth's orbit. Thus, began the space age. The successful launch shocked the world, giving the former Soviet Union the distinction of putting the first human-made object into space. The word 'Sputnik' originally meant 'fellow traveler,' but has become synonymous with 'satellite' in modern Russian.

This historic image shows a technician putting the finishing touches on Sputnik 1, humanity's first artificial satellite. The pressurized sphere made of aluminum alloy had five primary scientific objectives: Test the method of placing an artificial satellite into Earth orbit; provide information on the density of the atmosphere by calculating its lifetime in orbit; test radio and optical methods of orbital tracking; determine the effects of radio wave propagation though the atmosphere; and, check principles of pressurization used on the satellites.

Image Credit: NASA/Asif A. Siddiqi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1

PermaBanned · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:33

As amazing as Sputnik was, that video is rubbish

http://www.esa.int/esaNA/SEM0E29U7TG_index_0.html

Glaucus · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:39

Sweet,still plenty planned, despite lack of shuttle. Is space even increasing, or am I just paying more attention.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15146082

PermaBanned · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:56

Ah yes, i saw that on ESA's twitter:

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMOZ59U7TG_index_0.html

KnightStalker · 4 Oct 2011 at 17:00

Something which struck me as odd and interesting from free falling around earth video, Was when it was over the thunder storms below and the lightning flashes, well you could see some of the reflection flashes on the ship itself..quite amazing i thought.

PermaBanned · 4 Oct 2011 at 22:33

Can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to do this?

It's a good video if you can endure the music

Are there any good 'documentaries' on the Soviet/Russian Space Program?

Metalface Mark · 5 Oct 2011 at 08:30

PermaBanned said:
Can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to do this?

It's a good video if you can endure the music

Are there any good 'documentaries' on the Soviet/Russian Space Program?

Have you seen this one? Its a Nasa documentary about Apollo-Soyuz.

Cosimo · 5 Oct 2011 at 14:12

PermaBanned said:
As amazing as Sputnik was, that video is rubbish

All the films at the time were rubbish and just propaganda.

Now for something different:

PermaBanned · 5 Oct 2011 at 20:50

I don't know if i should find that funny or sickening

** The Official Space Flight Thread - The Space Station and Beyond **

The Official Space Flight Thread - The Space Station and Beyond