DOCSLIB.ORG

Episode 115: the Moon Part 3 – Return to the Moon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Episode 115: the Moon Part 3 – Return to the Moon Astronomy Cast Episode 115: The Moon Part 3 – Return to the Moon Fraser Cain: Hey Pamela, how is Europe? Dr. Pamela Gay: [Laughter] well this is a little bit of a cheat – we’re recording this 2 days before I leave but by the time you’re all hearing this, I should be over at Munich working on Portal to the Universe with its wonderful program lead, Lars Lindberg Christensen and getting ready to hopefully meet some of you on November 23rd at Mabel’s Tavern in London. Fraser: Alright, it’s time for the third Lunar chapter. We’ve talked about the physical characteristics of the Moon and exploration of the Moon and now we going to talk about plans to return to the Moon. From the current missions orbiting the Moon right now to the upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the plans to have humans set foot on the Moon again for the first time in more than half a century. Let’s just bring everybody up to speed and let’s talk about who’s hanging out at the Moon right now. In late 2008, who’s at the Moon? Pamela: Well currently there is both a Japanese mission – Selene and a Chinese mission Chang’e and an Indian mission which I can’t Fraser: Say it. Pamela: Oh, it’s scary and I’m going to be made fun of but I will go for it for the sake of our audience. Forgive me Chandrayaan – 1, maybe? People really need to add pronunciations of the missions to their websites please a desperate plea from podcasters everywhere. Fraser: Let’s start with the – where do you want to start? Which mission? Pamela: Well, why don’t we go ahead and start with Selene since it’s one of the ones that have been up the longest. Fraser: a.k.a. Kaguya. Pamela: Yes, the mission with two names, one of which is more pronounceable than the other. Fraser: Right, so right now – and this is the Japanese Spacecraft that took those amazing high-definition movies of the Lunar surface and Earth rising over the horizon – if you haven’t seen them we’ll link to the show notes again. They’re awesome. What are the plans for the Kaguya right now? 1 Pamela: This is a mission that largely has proprietary data. They’re taking lots of gorgeous images, lots of laser altimetry, lots of science data and are holding on to their data for a fairly significant period of time to allow the Japanese scientists a chance to go through and get their data papers out before the rest of the world can get their hands on the data. This is fairly common with the very large array here in the United States. Scientists for instance get 6 months before their data goes public. They’re taking all of this amazing data, putting high-definition video on-line of things like the Earth rise over the Moon. Along the way they are working to try and better define the surface of the Moon and work on trying to define some of the chemistry of the Moon. There are a whole range of different instruments onboard, everything from a plasma analyzer looking for things in the atmosphere of the Moon to using a variety of different Doppler shift techniques to try and better map the mass density of the Moon. This is actually 3 different satellites that they have in orbit. One is a relay satellite and the other two are working together to do a variety of different radio measurements where as they fly over the surface of the Moon, one craft will first get accelerated by an overly dense region under the surface. Then the other one will get accelerated by this. By very carefully measuring the separation between the two different Spacecraft, they can map the density of stuff that we can’t see beneath the surface of the Moon and thus map the gravity of the Moon. They’re using these three different missions to better map out the Moon, to take very careful altimetry data by bouncing lasers off the surface off the Moon. This way you can go, ah this region looks flat but it’s denser, or rather it has a larger gravitational pull so you know it’s denser. You can look at regions and go ah, hill but less gravitational pull so it’s a less dense region. Fraser: Right and this is one of those problems that we had talked about in a previous episode. The gravity of the field of the Moon is very lumpy bumpy and if you’re trying to orbit a Spacecraft fairly low to the surface of the Moon it’s almost impossible to keep them in a stable orbit and they tend to crash. Pamela: And that’s a problem. They’re looking at things like what are reflected gamma rays coming off of the surface? Reflected is probably not quite the right word. When a Solar Flare hits the surface of the Moon you can get all sorts of neat reactions that throw off gamma rays. That helps us understand the chemistry of the Moon a bit better. 2 Basically they’re trying to open the door for the plans to eventually put men on the Moon. This is something that is going to come up over and over in the show is all these different countries that are currently flinging metal bits at the Moon. All have the goal of understanding the Moon a bit better so that they can understand how to put people on its surface a bit better in the future. Fraser: Let’s move on then and talk about the Chinese Spacecraft. Pamela: Chang’e is a whole lot more equipment. It has a neat stereo camera where they have two different CCDs separated that allow them to get a pseudo-stereo view – well it’s not pseudo – an actual stereo view of the surface. It’s not quite as impressive as what we get with the stereo mission with the Sun where you’re separating out the cameras on two different Spacecraft, but it’s still separated and gives us a new impression. Along with the stereo camera they have their own laser altimeter that again is working to measure the surface of the Moon. They have their own gamma ray and x-ray spectrometers. It’s a lot of the same instruments over and over again as each country tries to get their: who gets the better resolution with this; who gets the better resolution of that. Each country’s program has its own strengths and weaknesses. Fraser: Right and then the last one is the Indian one. What are the plans for that one? Pamela: It’s launched; I believe it injected itself into orbit this week. It’s another mission that is out to do high-resolution imagery. This one has a lot of different instruments that are focused to try and understand the chemistry of the surface of the Moon. It has what’s called a hyperspectral imager. This is similar in technology to some of the stuff that was used to study the surface of Mars. It’s going to allow us to start understanding what are the minerals on the surface of the Moon? Again, it has its own laser altimeter to measure the surface. They are also carrying their own little side-satellite that they’re going to fling at the surface of the Moon. It’s a Moon impact probe. It’s going to be ejected and basically it carries with it a picture of the Indian flag and it’s going to basically mark another nation’s presence at the surface of the Moon. Now this mission is also carrying a bunch of instruments that aren’t Indian- made. It’s carrying some ESA equipment, some NASA equipment, again looking to try and understand what the chemistry of the Moon is. There’s another mineral mapper – M3 built by Brown University and JPL. It’s carrying a near infrared spectrometer from ESA. It’s similar to the technology from Smart-1. 3 We’re learning how to re-use technology effectively to build more and more missions that get us more and more data by taking designs we used for one object and using them to study another object. Fraser: So, all of these missions are all going to suffer from the problem of orbiting the Moon, right? They’re not going to last too long. Pamela: It varies from mission to mission. So Selene has been in orbit for awhile. It ejected itself into orbit in 2007 and they’re planning to keep going for awhile. Current plans for Selene are that in August of 2009 they are going to de-orbit it rather violently impacting it into the surface. As far as I know – and it is hard to find information on these things on the web – there are similar plans to do the same with Chang’e. It’s just hard to keep things in long-term orbits around the Moon. There’s a lot of data to be gathered by impacting things and studying the plume. It’s possible by studying the plume of dust that comes up to start looking for water, to start looking at different facets of mineralogy. In fact that’s a good way to segue to our next mission LRO. Fraser: Right, so this is now a future mission.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ares I Upper Stage Powering the Second Phase of a Rocket’S Journey to Space
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA’s Ares I Upper Stage Powering the Second Phase of a Rocket’s Journey to Space Going to the moon and beyond will be a stunning Shortly after J-2X engine cutoff, the Orion cap- achievement and an enduring legacy to future sule will separate from the upper stage. Orion’s generations. Supporting the agency’s mission engine then will ignite to insert the capsule into to explore, learn and progress is NASA’s Ares I low-Earth orbit. The Ares I upper stage – dor- crew launch vehicle, an in-line, two-stage rocket. mant after safe shut-down of the J-2X upper The flagship of the Constellation Program’s space stage engine – will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere facts transportation system, the Ares I will carry the and splash down in the Indian Ocean. The upper Orion spacecraft and its crew on missions to the stage and J-2X engine will not be reused. International Space Station and then later on to the moon and beyond. Upper Stage Components The entire Ares I vehicle will be 325 feet tall, with Taking the Ares I on the second phase of its jour- a liftoff mass of 2.0 million pounds and payload ney from Earth will be the spacecraft’s second, capacity of 56,200 pounds mass to low Earth or upper, stage, powered by the J-2X engine. orbit for International Space Station missions, Approximately 133 seconds after liftoff, the Ares and 55,600 pounds mass for lunar missions. I upper stage will separate from the vehicle’s first A self-supporting cylindrical structure, the Ares stage, and the J-2X will ignite.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Issues Related to Spacecraft Vibration During Ascent
    Human Issues related to Spacecraft Vibration during Ascent Consultant Report to the Constellation Program Standing Review Board Jonathan B. Clark M.D., M.P.H. Suite NA 425 One Baylor Plaza Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX 77030-3498 1731 Sunset Blvd Houston TX 77005 713 859 1381 281 989 8721 [email protected] [email protected] Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Human Issues related to Spacecraft Vibration during Ascent Consultant Report to the Constellation Program Standing Review Board Jonathan B. Clark M.D., M.P.H. Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Pogo in Liquid Fueled Rocket Motors The pogo phenomenon, or fuel pump inlet pressure fluctuation/ cavitation due to tuning feed line resonant frequencies was a major concern in the early space program. Pump tests showed that as inlet pressures were reduced toward cavitation, the pump started acting as an amplifier, causing large oscillations in the thrust chamber pressure. As the rocket engine thrust develops, liquid propellant is cyclically forced into the turbopump. This fluctuating fluid pressure is converted into an unintended and variable increase in engine thrust, with the net effect being longitudinal axis vibration that could result in spacecraft structural failure.
    [Show full text]
  • Ares I Can Model by Clicking on Ares Education Program Under Contacts on the Right of the Screen
    VISIT US ON THE WEB National Aeronautics and Space Administration Be sure to ask for parental assistance before get- ting online at <www.nasa.gov/ares>. Click the Ares Education link, on the left of the screen for additional information: • Print a Full-Page Color Poster and Paper Funnel Template. • View Detailed Ramp Assembly Instructions. • Send us an e-mail with comments and pictures of your Ares I Can Model by clicking on Ares Education Program under Contacts on the right of the screen. ARES I CAN MODEL National Aeronautics and Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL 35812 www.nasa.gov/marshall A hands-on project to help learn about and interact with NASA’s Ares I Rocket. www.nasa.gov NP-2009-06-118-MSFC 8-426227 OVERVIEW NASA plans to take humans back to the Moon, and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) will help them 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 get there. The Ares I rocket is made of several parts: The recipe shows how to make these can groups. 1. Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) 2. Instrument Unit (IU)* RECIPE DISPLAY RAMP 3. Core Stage (CS)* 1. Tape a funnel to the top of an upside down can The Human Factors Engineering Team built a ramp 4. Upper Stage Engine (USE) located within the of peppers (The peppers symbolize the propulsion to proudly display the Ares I Can Model. It is a Interstage (IS)* engine “hot zone” of the Orion Crew Exploration V-shaped ramp made of medium-density fiberboard 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights in Space 2010
    International Astronautical Federation Committee on Space Research International Institute of Space Law 94 bis, Avenue de Suffren c/o CNES 94 bis, Avenue de Suffren UNITED NATIONS 75015 Paris, France 2 place Maurice Quentin 75015 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 Tel. + 33 1 44 76 75 10 E-mail: : [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax. + 33 1 44 76 74 37 URL: www.iislweb.com OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS URL: www.iafastro.com E-mail: [email protected] URL : http://cosparhq.cnes.fr Highlights in Space 2010 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs P. O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4950 Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5830 E-mail: [email protected] URL: www.unoosa.org United Nations publication Printed in Austria USD 15 Sales No. E.11.I.3 ISBN 978-92-1-101236-1 ST/SPACE/57 *1180239* V.11-80239—January 2011—775 UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT VIENNA Highlights in Space 2010 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law Progress in space science, technology and applications, international cooperation and space law UNITED NATIONS New York, 2011 UniTEd NationS PUblication Sales no.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Vision for Space Exploration
    Constellation The New Vision for Space Exploration Dale Thomas NASA Constellation Program October 2008 The Constellation Program was born from the Constellation’sNASA Authorization Beginnings Act of 2005 which stated…. The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the moon, including a robust precursor program to promote exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. CONSTELLATION PROJECTS Initial Capability Lunar Capability Orion Altair Ares I Ares V Mission Operations EVA Ground Operations Lunar Surface EVA EXPLORATION ROADMAP 0506 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 LunarLunar OutpostOutpost BuildupBuildup ExplorationExploration andand ScienceScience LunarLunar RoboticsRobotics MissionsMissions CommercialCommercial OrbitalOrbital Transportation ServicesServices forfor ISSISS AresAres II andand OrionOrion DevelopmentDevelopment AltairAltair Lunar LanderLander Development AresAres VV and EarthEarth DepartureDeparture Stage SurfaceSurface SystemsSystems DevelopmentDevelopment ORION: NEXT GENERATION PILOTED SPACECRAFT Human access to Low Earth Orbit … … to the Moon and Mars ORION PROJECT: CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE Orion will support both space station and moon missions Launch Abort System Orion will support both space stationDesigned and moonto operate missions for up to 210 days in Earth or lunar Designedorbit to operate for up to 210 days in Earth or lunar orbit Designed for lunar
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report
    The 2008 Annual Report of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group Released March 2009 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK 1 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 CONTENTS Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 4 Part 1: The Role of the ISECG 1.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.2 Working Groups of the ISECG …………………………………………………… 7 1.2.1 Enhancement of Public Engagement …………………………………………… 7 1.2.2 Establishment of Relationships with Existing International Working Groups …. 7 1.2.3 The International Space Exploration Coordination Tool (INTERSECT) ……. 8 1.2.4 The Space Exploration Interface Standards Working Group (ISWG) ………….. 8 1.2.5 Mapping the Space Exploration Journey ………………………………………... 8 Part 2: Current and Near-Term Activities of ISECG Members 2.1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) …………………………………………………………… 10 2.1.1 The International Space Station (ISS) …………………………………………… 10 2.1.2 Emerging Government Capabilities …………………………………………….. 10 2.1.3 Emerging Commercial Providers ……………………………………………….. 11 2.2 Beyond LEO – The Moon and Mars ……………………………………………….. 11 2.2.1 Moon ……………………………………………………………………………… 11 2.2.2 Mars ………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Part 3: Progress in 2008 towards Opportunities for Integrated and Collaborative Space Exploration 3.1 Robotic Network Science – The International Lunar Network ……………………… 16 3.2 Joint Development for Robotic Exploration – Mars Sample Return ………………………… 17 3.3 Collaborative
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Nasa's Exploration
    A REVIEW OF NASA’S EXPLORATION PROGRAM IN TRANSITION: ISSUES FOR CONGRESS AND INDUSTRY HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION MARCH 30, 2011 Serial No. 112–8 Printed for the use of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://science.house.gov U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 65–305PDF WASHINGTON : 2011 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY HON. RALPH M. HALL, Texas, Chair F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas Wisconsin JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois LAMAR S. SMITH, Texas LYNN C. WOOLSEY, California DANA ROHRABACHER, California ZOE LOFGREN, California ROSCOE G. BARTLETT, Maryland DAVID WU, Oregon FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma BRAD MILLER, North Carolina JUDY BIGGERT, Illinois DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois W. TODD AKIN, Missouri GABRIELLE GIFFORDS, Arizona RANDY NEUGEBAUER, Texas DONNA F. EDWARDS, Maryland MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio PAUL C. BROUN, Georgia BEN R. LUJA´ N, New Mexico SANDY ADAMS, Florida PAUL D. TONKO, New York BENJAMIN QUAYLE, Arizona JERRY MCNERNEY, California CHARLES J. ‘‘CHUCK’’ FLEISCHMANN, JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland Tennessee TERRI A. SEWELL, Alabama E. SCOTT RIGELL, Virginia FREDERICA S. WILSON, Florida STEVEN M. PALAZZO, Mississippi HANSEN CLARKE, Michigan MO BROOKS, Alabama ANDY HARRIS, Maryland RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois CHIP CRAVAACK, Minnesota LARRY BUCSHON, Indiana DAN BENISHEK, Michigan VACANCY SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS HON.
    [Show full text]
  • FY10 Agency Mission Planning Model Acronyms
    Version 6-11-09 Mission Data Sources Science Mission Directorate (SMD) submit; 5-4-09 Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) submit; 6-11-09 Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) submit; 5-27-09 Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) response; 5-28-09 Mission Acronyms & Definitions Mission Directorate Altair-x Lunar descent stage aka: LSAM = Lunar Surface Access Module (x-mission #) ESMD Ares 1 Crew Launch Vehicle (aka CLV) ESMD Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle (aka CaLV) ESMD Astro-H SXS Instrument (Explorer Program Mission of Opportunity) [JAXA launch] SMD X-Air Estimated number of Aircraft Earth Science Flights SMD X-Bal Estimated number of Scientific Balloon Flights SMD BARREL Balloon Array for RBSP Relativistic Electron Losses (Two balloon campaigns of 20 flights each) SMD CaLV Cargo Launch Vehicle (aka CaLV) ESMD Chndraayn1 Discovery MoO instrument to be flown on Indian satellite Chandraayan [ELV launch] SMD CLARREO Climate Absolute Radiance and Reflectivity Observatory (see ESDS-x below) SMD CLV Crew Launch Vehicle (aka Ares I) ESMD COR-Lx Cosmic Origins Program Large class mission (x-mission #) (Flagship missions to be defined by Decadal Survey) SMD COR-Mx Cosmic Origins Program Medium class mission (x-mission #) SMD dB decibels ARMD DESDynl Deformation, Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics of Ice (see ESDS-x below) SMD Disc-xx Discovery Mission (xx- mission #) SMD ESDS-x Earth Science Decadal Survey Mission (x- mission #) Likely CLARREO and DESDynI first, order TBD SMD EX-xx Explorer mission (class undefined: Could
    [Show full text]
  • N a S a Fa C Ts
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration Constellation Program: America’s Fleet of Next-Generation Launch Vehicles The Ares l Crew Launch Vehicle NASA is designing, testing and evaluating these teams are designing and developing hardware and related systems for the agency’s vehicle hardware, evolving proven technolo- Ares I rocket—the vehicle that will carry a gies, and testing components and systems. new generation of space explorers safely Their work builds on powerful, reliable Saturn and reliably into orbit. and space shuttle propulsion elements, as well as nearly a half-century of NASA space-flight facts Under the goals of NASA’s exploration missions, experience and technological advances. Ares I is a chief component of the cost- effective space transportation infrastructure Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket topped being developed by NASA’s Constellation by the Orion capsule, its service module and Program. These transportation systems will a launch abort system. The combination of the carry human explorers back to the moon and rocket’s configuration and Orion’s launch abort other destinations in the solar system. system, which can move astronauts away quickly in case of a launch emergency, will The Ares I effort includes multiple project improve crew safety. element teams working at NASA centers and contract organizations around the nation, and The launch vehicle’s first stage is a single, is led by the Ares Projects at NASA’s Marshall five-segment reusable solid rocket booster, Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Together, derived from the Space Shuttle Program’s NASA four-segment reusable solid rocket booster, which burns a specially formulated and shaped solid propellant called polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN).
    [Show full text]
  • Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration Constellation Program: America’s Fleet of Next-Generation Launch Vehicles The Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle Planning and early design are under way for hard- NASA’s Constellation Program to carry human ware, propulsion systems and associated techno- explorers back to the moon, and then onward to logies for NASA’s Ares V cargo launch vehicle — the Mars and other destinations in the solar system. “heavy lifter” of America’s next-generation space fleet. The Ares V effort includes multiple hardware and Ares V will serve as NASA’s primary vessel for safe, propulsion element teams at NASA centers and facts reliable delivery of large-scale hardware to space — contractor organizations around the nation, and is from the lunar landing craft and materials for estab- led by the Ares Projects Office at NASA’s Marshall lishing a moon base, to food, fresh water and other Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. These teams staples needed to extend a human presence beyond rely on nearly a half century of NASA spaceflight Earth orbit. experience and aerospace technology advances. Together, they are developing new vehicle hard- Under the goals of NASA’s exploration mission, ware and flight systems and matur ing technologies Ares V is a vital part of the cost-effective space evolved from powerful, proven Saturn rocket and transportation infrastructure being developed by space shuttle propulsion elements and knowledge. NASA Concept image of Ares V in Earth orbit. (NASA MSFC) The versatile, heavy-lifting Ares V is a two-stage, vertically- stacked launch vehicle. It can carry nearly 414,000 pounds (188 metric tons) to low-Earth orbit.
    [Show full text]
  • Rockets and Racecars
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ares I: 0 to 1,000 MPH in Less Than 60 Seconds www.nasa.gov Rockets and Race Cars: Stock car racing and NASA’s newest rockets both push technology beyond the limits of daily life. While stock cars are some of the fastest The next giant leap for mankind is taking shape under vehicles on Earth, NASA’s exploration spacecraft can take humans NASA’s Constellation Program, and the journey begins farther away from Earth than they’ve ever traveled before. NASA is dev- with the development of America’s new crew launch eloping the Ares family of rockets to succeed the Space Shuttle, ferry vehicle, the Ares I. crews to and from the International Space Station, and send explorers for extended stays on the Moon and journey to Mars and beyond. NASA’s new Ares I launch vehicle could finish a 500-mile race 0 to Really Fast: in 104 seconds and develops 3.85 million horsepower, equal Stock car: 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6-7 seconds to the horsepower of 4,280 stock cars. Space Shuttle: 0 to 1,000 mph in 60 seconds Ares I: 0 to 1,000 mph in 57 seconds More amazing facts: Fill ’er Up: Going The Distance: Stock car 4.5 mpg, 137.5 lb. of gasoline, 111 gallons for a 500-mile race Stock car race: 200-600 miles Ares I: 0.0065 mpg, 1.6 million lb. of solid and liquid propellants, Ares I mission: 1,253 miles from launch pad to Earth orbit 217 gallons per second for the J-2X engine Stop Watch: Vroom Vroom: Stock car race: 2-3 hours for a 500-mile race Stock car engine: 850 horsepower 1 Ares I: 8 /2 minutes to reach
    [Show full text]
  • NASA Launch Services Manifest
    Launch Options - Future Options • Constellation Architecture • Commercial Alternatives – SpaceX – Orbital Sciences • EELV Options • DIRECT • Side-Mount Shuttle Derived • Space (or “Senate”) Launch System • Recent Developments © 2012 David L. Akin - All rights reserved http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu U N I V E R S I T Y O F U.S. Future Launch Options MARYLAND 1 ENAE 791 - Launch and Entry Vehicle Design Attribution • Slides shown are from the public record of the deliberations of the Augustine Commission (2009) • Full presentation packages available at http:// www.nasa.gov/ofces/hsf/meetings/index.html U N I V E R S I T Y O F U.S. Future Launch Options MARYLAND 2 ENAE 791 - Launch and Entry Vehicle Design Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Constellation Overview June 17, 2009 Doug Cooke www.nasa.gov Jeff Hanley Constellation Architecture Earth Departure Stage Altair Lunar Lander Orion Ares I Crew Exploration Crew Launch Vehicle Vehicle Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle Constellation is an Integrated Architecture National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2 Key Exploration Objectives 1. Replace Space Shuttle capability, with Shuttle retirement in 2010 2. To ensure sustainability, development and operations costs must be minimized 3. Develop systems to serve as building blocks for human exploration of the solar system using the Moon as a test bed 4. Design future human spaceflight systems to be significantly safer than heritage systems 5. Provide crew transport to ISS by 2015, to the lunar surface for extended durations by 2020, and to Mars by TBD 6. Separate crew from cargo delivery to orbit 7. Maintain and grow existing national aerospace supplier base 8.
    [Show full text]