Recently, I've observed how the multistage rocket system probably isn't going anywhere and that the best approach might be to embrace it and make it work as effectively as possible. I've noted the appeal of VTOL (vertical take off and landing) rocket. Well, it turns out SpaceX was way ahead of me on both points. … Continue reading SpaceX prepares to take the biggest step towards affordable space travel: Soft landing the Falcon 9 rocket
Tag: Space
Why the Asteroid Belt Doesn’t Threaten Spacecraft
When Cosmos showed the asteroid belt Sunday night, I noticed that, taking some artistic license to quickly get a point across, they showed it as crammed with asteroids. Anyone familiar with the real asteroid belt knows that's not accurate. Even in the belt, asteroids are lonely rocks. When you think of the asteroid belt, you … Continue reading Why the Asteroid Belt Doesn’t Threaten Spacecraft
NASA planning a robotic mission to Europa
Related to my last post on Europa Report, a movie I discovered when I read these articles earlier today, and also in the category of things I somehow missed, NASA is planning a robotic mission to Europa. This is exciting since, as I noted in the movie review, Europa's underground ocean makes it currently the … Continue reading NASA planning a robotic mission to Europa
If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel – A tediously accurate map of the solar system
Wow! We've talked before that humans can't really comprehend large numbers, or very large or very small distances. We have to deploy metaphors to handle them. At this link is an image of the solar system, drawn to scale, including all the empty space. If you think you've ever seen that, you may be in … Continue reading If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel – A tediously accurate map of the solar system
Kepler’s Latest Exoplanet Hoard, Graphed
Ok, so if you're like me, you probably didn't pay much attention to the latest announcement of the number of exoplanets that had been found by Kepler. It seems like those kinds of announcements have become old hat. This reaction must have been common, and must have annoyed someone at NASA, so they created this … Continue reading Kepler’s Latest Exoplanet Hoard, Graphed
Gravity: a review
I finally watched the movie Gravity last night. Despite a number of flaws, I enjoyed it immensely. I think it sets a new standard for movies set in space (at least I hope it does). The visuals were stunning and the story had me on the edge of my seat. I now really regret not … Continue reading Gravity: a review
The hard working but unloved multi-stage rocket
If you've ever read about rocket technology, particularly the issues involved in how much fuel is needed to get somewhere, you quickly run into a stark reality. The payload, the part of the rocket that you want to get somewhere, is inevitably a tiny portion of the size and weight of the rocket. The rest … Continue reading The hard working but unloved multi-stage rocket
Where is the Earth located?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_l8CxIieVQ I enjoyed this video, but I wonder about Fraser's statement that cosmologists think if you travel in one direction long enough you'll eventually end up back where you are. That is one model, but not the only one. It depends on space being curved, and tests currently show it to be flat. Of course, … Continue reading Where is the Earth located?
Skylon Spaceplane
On the post I made about the Dream Chaser spacecraft, Steve Morris called my attention to the Skylon Spaceplane. It takes off as a plane, but has an jet engine that can switch into rocket mode, allowing it to rocket into orbit. It reenters much as the shuttle did, but still has enough fuel to … Continue reading Skylon Spaceplane
The Dream Chaser: What the Space Shuttle should have been
This video shows the Dream Chaser spacecraft. Similar to the old Space Shuttle, it glides down to Earth, although it's a much smaller vehicle, and would launch on top of a rocket rather than the dangerous side mount that the Shuttle used. In many ways, it's what the Space Shuttle should have been, had it … Continue reading The Dream Chaser: What the Space Shuttle should have been
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