Space Things

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Spuds

To be fair, he also takes and takes (investment money) and it's never enough either.

And govt subsidies.

[TommyJ]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

There aren't really many new ideas floating around out there, we can only bend the laws of physics so far.

Source: have worked on twin ion engine (TIE) propulsion systems. Now working with plasma engines.

Is something running on a plasma engine now? I've only heard of the theoretical model from the Princeton Laboratory of Plasma Physics. And the operating space rockets use the engines of the last century.
That's not bad. It's just too early to talk about plasma engines.

[TommyJ]

Originally Posted by Challenger

Not so long ago there were no mobile phones, electric cars. But now we have them. Once it was impossible to build a skyscraper, but now there are thousands of them. And all these wonders of engineering today no longer surprise us. So why should we ignore our space travel fantasies? After all, it is fantasy and non-standard thinking that help humanity move forward.

I didn't say that we should ignore this.
I asked if there is anything that works. At least experimental. I love progress with all its pros and cons.
I especially like what the space industry is turning into. Maybe it's not too late to get a new profession?

[brewloc]

SpaceX lost a booster tonight. The booster's sixth attempt to land. You could tell there was a problem after the final landing burn, engines were supposed to cut off, but there was still bright flashing light. They cut away and did not cut back until the drone ship where you could see a faint light off in the distance as it pencil'd into the ocean.

[TommyJ]

Originally Posted by brewloc

SpaceX lost a booster tonight. The booster's sixth attempt to land. You could tell there was a problem after the final landing burn, engines were supposed to cut off, but there was still bright flashing light. They cut away and did not cut back until the drone ship where you could see a faint light off in the distance as it pencil'd into the ocean.

This is not exactly what I meant when I said that I like the modern space industry.
Nevertheless, it is noted that the main task has been completed. Hope no one gets hurt by such events.
I'm surprised that Greenpeace doesn't react violently to such things.
NASA invites everyone to join watching Preservance landing.
An online broadcast of the landmark event is scheduled for February 18, it will be possible to follow it both on the NASA website and on the agency's official YouTube channel.
This is the news I meant.

[TommyJ]

Recently there was a claim that the Chinese moon rover had discovered a strange monolith.
Scientists speculate that the unusual object could be debris from a crater that appeared as a result of a collision with the moon.

A rock about 1 kilometre high was discovered on the "dark side" of the moon. Exposure to wind and heat cycles on the Moon usually leads to the destruction of sharp corners and "rounding" of objects on the satellite. And the detected object has very sharp edges.

[spcmafia]

Perseverance will begin landing on Mars tomorrow at 3PM EST. Here's a link to watch the landing. https://www.floridatoday.com/space/

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by brewloc

SpaceX lost a booster tonight. The booster's sixth attempt to land. You could tell there was a problem after the final landing burn, engines were supposed to cut off, but there was still bright flashing light. They cut away and did not cut back until the drone ship where you could see a faint light off in the distance as it pencil'd into the ocean.

I recently watched a clip of Musk speaking, he was saying at this point in development they are more surprised when it goes right.

[TommyJ]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I recently watched a clip of Musk speaking, he was saying at this point in development they are more surprised when it goes right.

People who make statements like this help any project. On the one hand, these positive statements probably help to preserve the team spirit and so on. On the other hand, if you don't expect success, then why continue wasting resources on launches? Wouldn't it be better to spend the same time and money on improvements? Of course, tests are needed. But there is no logic in the statement.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by TommyJ

People who make statements like this help any project. On the one hand, these positive statements probably help to preserve the team spirit and so on. On the other hand, if you don't expect success, then why continue wasting resources on launches? Wouldn't it be better to spend the same time and money on improvements? Of course, tests are needed. But there is no logic in the statement.

Failing is learning. He claims they are still 2-3 years away from this being reliable.

[Stephen W.]

He who has never made a mistake...
Has never made a discovery!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Failing is learning. He claims they are still 2-3 years away from this being reliable.

[Spuds]

Btw, Perseverance lands at around 3:55pm Eastern Time today. Here's the "live" stream link.

https://www.nasa.gov/content/live-la...everance-rover

[NoHaveMSG]

I am sure his investors would prefer he not fail so much with their money