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Posted on: A Kerosene-Fueled X-33 as a Single Stage to Orbit ...
at 11/19/2009 7:07am

Okay, so SSTO is a great concept. I regard the old Atlas as 'nearly' SSTO i.e. it is a workable concept. Differences ... more(+)

Okay, so SSTO is a great concept. I regard the old Atlas as 'nearly' SSTO i.e. it is a workable concept. Differences being we want it reusable. Would strapping on a couple of solids for the initial push be out of the question? close(-)

Posted on: STS-129/ULF-3 Mission Thread
at 11/16/2009 6:10pm

Zipi, that is an excellent launch video - one of the best. I have heard good audio tracks of various shuttle launches ... more(+)

Zipi, that is an excellent launch video - one of the best. I have heard good audio tracks of various shuttle launches on the 'Sonicbooms' CD's, but have yet to set up my sound system to fully exploit them. Your video seemed to capture the dynamic range pretty well - plus the delay between action and sound is not something immeadiately 'visible' on a CD. I give this an 'AWESOME' too.  close(-)

Posted on: LRO/LCROSS Mission
at 10/12/2009 7:43am

Yes, it was hyped somewhat. I think we've been spoilt somewhat with all the great successes we have been having
in what ... more(+)

Yes, it was hyped somewhat. I think we've been spoilt somewhat with all the great successes we have been having
in what is still, the most extreme enviroment we can place ourselves or our metal/silicon clones. At the end of the day,
the mission will prove to have been a success, water or no water. We targeted the Moon, and by golly, we gave it a pretty good whack. No matter what happens now, until we have a real physical prescence on, say, the planet Mars, and access to space is as commonplace as a plane flight across country, this is just the beginning. Two hundred years from now, someone will look back at LCROSS and will be astounded by our audacity.
Meanwhile, a bit of harmless levity from our UK cousins. It's okay. You may have to copy the link.
http://newsarse.com/2009/10/09/nasa-set ... collision/ close(-)

Posted on: MESSENGER Mercury Updates.
at 09/27/2009 9:34am

Andrew, hope all goes well for you. We need your input
Has the bright crater near the top of the crecent (apologies, ... more(+)

Andrew, hope all goes well for you. We need your input
Has the bright crater near the top of the crecent (apologies, my Hermian knowledge is sadly lacking),
been identified in any Earth based observations, current or historical? It's a real eye catcher.
Go Messenger! close(-)

Posted on: The far side during a lunar night?
at 09/27/2009 9:27am

Good question Kelvin, and one I'm not qualified to answer.
That said, having been outside on dark, cloud free nights, ... more(+)

Good question Kelvin, and one I'm not qualified to answer.
That said, having been outside on dark, cloud free nights, away from towns and
artificial light, it can be so dark, that you cannot clearly see your feet and the
ground you stand on. Your hand can be seen infront of your face, but it has no colour.
Of course, it is not truly dark on the Earth, sky glow is usually present. Even the brighter planets,
Venus and Jupiter contribute substantial light, and at times (at least here in Australia), the
Milky Way intrudes on your night vision. Infrared night goggles can make the night scene look like day,
but in the middle of a farside night, when the terrain has reached a frigid equilibrium, even IR detectors
(at ground level) will have their limitations.
Like yourself, I can only imagine. You will need a torch It will be a dangerous place to be. Lunar regolith
is in the main, coal black. As black (almost) as the shadows cast by your torch - very tricky to navigate.
I don't know enough about the properties of current spacesuits subjected to a long cold soak, but
insulation from the cold would not be a problem. A vacuum is not a good conductor of .......anything, so oddly
enough, the suits may still require an evaporator system to shed excess body heat.
Would be one hell of a trip, a visit to the Land of Weird and well worth the look. close(-)

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