Space exploration thread

[ScienceRocks]

The Earth at night

In stunning new images of Earth taken at night, the Suomi NPP satellite shows how the lights from our cities illuminate the black marble globe. The composite image, taken in April and October, was mapped over existing Blue Marble imagery of Earth to provide a realistic view of the planet.

The Earth at night - NASA releases incredible views of the Earth at night (pictures) - CNET News

http://eoimages2.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/79000/79765/dnb_land_ocean_ice.2012.3600x1800.jpg

 

[ScienceRocks]

I'll tell you straight up...If we cut our science and technology programs that will be the day we become a second rate power. History shows clearly that a nation is based on two things, 1# Millitary, 2# technology and science.

Both use each other to build a nation into something great. America becomes Mexico if we cut science.

 

[ScienceRocks]

'Golden Spike' Plans to Fly People to the Moon


'Golden Spike' Plans to Fly People to the Moon : Discovery News

A Colorado company run by former NASA managers plans to offer missions to the moon at a cost of about $1.5 billion.

By making use of existing rockets and commercial spaceships already in development, the company expects it will need raise between $7 billion and $8 billion to set up operations, said Alan Stern, a former NASA associate administrator who serves as president and chief executive of Golden Spike.


VIDEO: NASA smashes the LCROSS and spent Centaur rocket into the moon in a search of water.

ANALYSIS: Strip Mine the Moon to Fuel Space Exploration

"There's a hunger out there for lunar exploration," Stern told reporters during a press conference on Thursday unveiling the venture.

"We can fly human missions for the cost of a robotics one," he said.

In addition to wealthy tourists, Golden Spike says its market research identified 25 nations that are in a position to afford and have the desire for lunar expeditions.

 

[ScienceRocks]

SpaceX lands first military contracts, a big step for private space flight
By James Plafke on December 7, 2012 at 4:11 pm

SpaceX lands first military contracts, a big step for private space flight | ExtremeTech

SpaceX has announced that it won two military contracts from the US Air Force, which happen to be the first military contracts the company has ever won. Even though the contracts are one-and-done jobs, if SpaceX performs them well, it could wrestle US Air Force business away from United Launch Alliance (ULA), the company that usually handles the biggest Air Force launches.

 

[ScienceRocks]

US to launch anew secretive space plane
December 10, 2012

The United States is planning a new launch of its tiny, pilotless military space plane on Tuesday as part of a futuristic Air Force program that has fueled speculation over its mission.

US to launch anew secretive space plane

 

[ScienceRocks]

Air Force’s Secret X-37B Space Plane Launches on Third Mission

by Nancy Atkinson on December 11, 2012

An Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station today, carrying the Air Force’s X-37B space plane into orbit on its third classified mission. Launch took place at 1:03 EST (18:03 UTC) for the unmanned orbital test vehicle, which looks like a mini space shuttle.

The U.S. Air Force has not released any details of what may be on board the vehicle or what its mission may be. United Launch Alliance provided a webcast of the launch, but the broadcast was ended “at the request of our customer (the Air Force),” when the space plane successfully reached orbit.
.

Read more: Air Force’s Secret X-37B Space Plane Launches on Third Mission

Our military has themselves a space plane!

 

[ScienceRocks]

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan
Chris Davies, Dec 13th 2012 Discuss [5]

NASA has identified what appears to be a huge river system on Saturn’s moon Titan, after the spacecraft Cassini performed a close flyby and snapped photos of what’s believed to be a 200 mile long, liquid-filled trench. The river valley, compared to Earth’s Nile River by NASA by virtue of its sheer scale, is the largest ever to have been observed other than on our planet, though it’s not filled with water. Instead, the Titan river is believed to be made up of the liquid hydrocarbons that give the moon its unusual precipitation.

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan - SlashGear

 

[Old Rocks]

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan
Chris Davies, Dec 13th 2012 Discuss [5]

NASA has identified what appears to be a huge river system on Saturn’s moon Titan, after the spacecraft Cassini performed a close flyby and snapped photos of what’s believed to be a 200 mile long, liquid-filled trench. The river valley, compared to Earth’s Nile River by NASA by virtue of its sheer scale, is the largest ever to have been observed other than on our planet, though it’s not filled with water. Instead, the Titan river is believed to be made up of the liquid hydrocarbons that give the moon its unusual precipitation.

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan - SlashGear

We need to design a Curiosity type vehicle to explore Titan. This is one of the most fascinating objects in our solar system. Also, a very good candidate for "Life as we don't know it".

 

[ScienceRocks]

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan
Chris Davies, Dec 13th 2012 Discuss [5]

NASA has identified what appears to be a huge river system on Saturn’s moon Titan, after the spacecraft Cassini performed a close flyby and snapped photos of what’s believed to be a 200 mile long, liquid-filled trench. The river valley, compared to Earth’s Nile River by NASA by virtue of its sheer scale, is the largest ever to have been observed other than on our planet, though it’s not filled with water. Instead, the Titan river is believed to be made up of the liquid hydrocarbons that give the moon its unusual precipitation.

Pack up the space canoe: 200 mile “Mini Nile” spotted on Saturn moon Titan - SlashGear

We need to design a Curiosity type vehicle to explore Titan. This is one of the most fascinating objects in our solar system. Also, a very good candidate for "Life as we don't know it".

We can agree on this one my friend. I wish we would stop protecting the world with hundreds of bases all over the world and fund our edge in science.

The advancements and cures would be well worth it. Now I do think we should have a first rate military that has the best but just for us.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid

While the rest of the world was content to just let the mountain-sized asteroid 4179 Toutatis zip right past Earth without being molested, China sent a spacecraft out to get a closer look at this potential herald of an extinction-level event.

We'd originally heard that China's Chang'e 2 spacecraft (which was puttering around out in space after its successful 2010 lunar survey mission) would pass within about a 100 miles of Toutatis. This is very, very close, as distances out in space go. Instead, Chang'e 2 apparently passed within two miles of Toutatis. Two. We don't know whether this was intentional or an accident, but either way, that's ridiculously, suicideally close, especially consider that the probe was travelling at 6.7 miles per second relative to the asteroid. For scale, the asteroid is about three miles long, and the largest surface feature in the picture is about 35 feet across.

The pictures you're looking at here were taken from as close as 58 miles away, using a one megapixel auxiliary camera originally designed to provide verification of a successful solar panel deployment. Chang'e 2 also has on board a high resolution stereo camera, along with a laser altimeter and a variety of spectrometers, but we don't yet know whether any of these instruments were turned on during the flyby. So, it's possible that we'll get back even better pictures somewhere down the line, but for now, these ones are fairly spectacular all by themselves.

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid | DVICE

Just the start of CHINA owning space. America is dying.

 

[RoadVirus]

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid

While the rest of the world was content to just let the mountain-sized asteroid 4179 Toutatis zip right past Earth without being molested, China sent a spacecraft out to get a closer look at this potential herald of an extinction-level event.

We'd originally heard that China's Chang'e 2 spacecraft (which was puttering around out in space after its successful 2010 lunar survey mission) would pass within about a 100 miles of Toutatis. This is very, very close, as distances out in space go. Instead, Chang'e 2 apparently passed within two miles of Toutatis. Two. We don't know whether this was intentional or an accident, but either way, that's ridiculously, suicideally close, especially consider that the probe was travelling at 6.7 miles per second relative to the asteroid. For scale, the asteroid is about three miles long, and the largest surface feature in the picture is about 35 feet across.

The pictures you're looking at here were taken from as close as 58 miles away, using a one megapixel auxiliary camera originally designed to provide verification of a successful solar panel deployment. Chang'e 2 also has on board a high resolution stereo camera, along with a laser altimeter and a variety of spectrometers, but we don't yet know whether any of these instruments were turned on during the flyby. So, it's possible that we'll get back even better pictures somewhere down the line, but for now, these ones are fairly spectacular all by themselves.

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid | DVICE

Just the start of CHINA owning space. America is dying.

Meanwhile, Obama is wanting NASA to worry more about climate change and Muslim "outreach".

 

[Mr. H.]

It looks like a big ol' tater.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid

While the rest of the world was content to just let the mountain-sized asteroid 4179 Toutatis zip right past Earth without being molested, China sent a spacecraft out to get a closer look at this potential herald of an extinction-level event.

We'd originally heard that China's Chang'e 2 spacecraft (which was puttering around out in space after its successful 2010 lunar survey mission) would pass within about a 100 miles of Toutatis. This is very, very close, as distances out in space go. Instead, Chang'e 2 apparently passed within two miles of Toutatis. Two. We don't know whether this was intentional or an accident, but either way, that's ridiculously, suicideally close, especially consider that the probe was travelling at 6.7 miles per second relative to the asteroid. For scale, the asteroid is about three miles long, and the largest surface feature in the picture is about 35 feet across.

The pictures you're looking at here were taken from as close as 58 miles away, using a one megapixel auxiliary camera originally designed to provide verification of a successful solar panel deployment. Chang'e 2 also has on board a high resolution stereo camera, along with a laser altimeter and a variety of spectrometers, but we don't yet know whether any of these instruments were turned on during the flyby. So, it's possible that we'll get back even better pictures somewhere down the line, but for now, these ones are fairly spectacular all by themselves.

Chinese spacecraft sends back snapshots of near-miss asteroid | DVICE

Just the start of CHINA owning space. America is dying.

Meanwhile, Obama is wanting NASA to worry more about climate change and Muslim "outreach".

Why do we fear North Korea while Ignoring China? They just went within 2 miles of a asteroid going 6 miles/second. They could land a nuke on each and everyone of our cities.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Astronomer discovers three potentially habitable planets orbiting around one red dwarf
Astronomer discovers three potentially habitable planets orbiting around one red dwarf

George Dvorsky

Canadian astronomer Philip Gregory has confirmed that there are three habitable zone planets orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 667C. The star, which is part of a trinary star system, is only 22 light-years away and it features a planet that's only twice the mass of Earth — making it the lowest mass planet found in a habitable zone thus far.

New results with old data

Astronomers have known about the Gliese 667 system for some time — including the fact that it features some interesting exoplanets. But now, armed with new telescopic techniques, scientists have been able to study the triple star system in much greater detail.

Specifically, Gregory re-analyzed data acquired by the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher, HARPS, which is part of the European Southern Observatory's 3.6 metre telescope in Chile. But this time he performed a Bayesian analysis based on a fusion Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm — a system that allowed him to sample probability distributions.

Looking at the new results, he confirmed the presence of at least six planets, including the three potentially habitable ones.

 

[ScienceRocks]

A home from home: Five planets that could host life

The nearest single Sun-like star to the Earth hosts five planets - one of which is in the "habitable zone" where liquid water can exist, astronomers say.

Tau Ceti's planetary quintet - reported in an online paper that will appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics - was found in existing planet-hunting data.

The study's refined methods of sifting through data should help find even more far-flung worlds.

The star now joins Alpha Centauri as a nearby star known to host planets.

In both those cases, the planets were found not by spying them through a telescope but rather by measuring the subtle effects they have on their host stars' light.

BBC News - Tau Ceti's planets nearest around single, Sun-like star

20 years ago our government would of doubled the nasa budget if such discoveries were found. Today, O'nooo's, fuck discovery lets build another base in someones country!

Under 12 light years http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_Ceti

Between this and the discovery above of habitable planets at 20 light years this is turning out to be one hell of a end of a year!

Astronomers Discover Potentially Habitable Earth-Like Planet Very Near Us

http://gizmodo.com/
Jesus Diaz

This is really exciting: an international team of astronomers has discovered that Tau Ceti, the closest single star like our Sun, has planets just like our solar system. But more importantly, one of these planets orbits in the habitable zone around the star.

Tau Ceti is very close to Earth. It's only 12 light-years away, which in cosmic terms is just around the corner. It's so close that we can see it with the naked eye at night

 

[ScienceRocks]

Spaceport Sweden and Qinetiq explore commercial spaceflight

19 December 2012

Spaceport Sweden and Qinetiq have signed a strategic partnering agreement to identify, explore and exploit opportunities in commercial human spaceflight (CHSF).

Under the agreement, Spaceport Sweden and Qinetiq will initially use the Flight Physiological Centre (FPC) in Linköping, Sweden, to develop a preparation programme for CHSF passengers.

‘Spaceport Sweden is establishing commercial human spaceflights and Europe’s gateway to space and is proud to be partnering with Qinetiq to further our development and offering. Initially we will seek to develop and deliver a world-class spaceflight preparation programme together, where future space travellers will emerge prepared, confident and relaxed, ready to maximise their journey to space,’ said Karin Nilsdotter, chief executive officer of Spaceport Sweden, in a statement

Read more: Spaceport Sweden and Qinetiq explore commercial spaceflight | News | The Engineer

 

[ScienceRocks]

NASA Public Affairs Officer Josh Byerly and Spacesuit Engineer Amy Ross with the Z-1.
To infinity, and beyond!

As least, that’s what NASA must think, considering the design of its new Z-1 spacesuit. The prototype comes with a number of neat features to make Buzz Lightyear Aldrin proud.

The white and green suits designed by contractors David Clark Company are good for use in all aspects of NASA space exploration—a one-outfit-suits-all deal—which in turn should help NASA save precious funds. Other than the green strips, another striking element is the large hatch on the back to help you climb in and out of the suit. This also doubles as a dock that attaches you to the side of a shuttle or station—no need for an airlock on the craft.

The Z-1's joints are more flexible than those on previous space suits (which should make it it easier for astronauts to move around) and provides improved radiation protection. They’ll still look a bit like the Marshmallow Man though, seeing as the suits have to carry a certain amount of air for protection against the elements (or lack of!).

NASA's space suit prototype will take us to infinity...and beyond | TechHive

 

[ScienceRocks]

Four planets in 'habitable zones' spotted within spitting distance of Earth

Four planets in 'habitable zones' spotted within spitting distance of Earth - CSMonitor.com

Astronomers say they used a new statistical technique to find four possible super-Earths orbiting in the habitable zone of two stars within 22 light-years of Earth, Gliese 667C and tau Ceti.

Three of those candidate planets are among a tightly packed clutch of five that orbit Gliese 667C, part of a triple-star system 22 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. The other possible planet is one of five orbiting tau Ceti, a sun-like star 12 light-years away in the constellation Cetus

 

[ScienceRocks]

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Passes Key Flight Test

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo Passes Key Flight Test | Commercial Suborbital Spacecraft | Space.com

Suborbital SpaceShipTwo makes safe landing after Dec. 19 drop test.

After a high-altitude release from the WhiteKnightTwo mothership, SpaceShipTwo was piloted to a smooth runway touchdown Wednesday (Dec. 19), scoring a successful test drop and checking off a number of milestones.

"Today was a big step closer to first powered flight," said George Whitesides, CEO and president of Virgin Galactic, a spaceliner firm backed by British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

"We had a variety of systems newly installed on the vehicle," Whitesides told SPACE.com. "The most important were the components of the rocket system, including all the flight-ready tanks and valves. But we also flew with flight-ready thermal protection materials on the leading edges of the vehicle for the first time," he said.

Why not go all the way?

 

[ScienceRocks]

A novel twist on space launches

In October, a small team of rocket scientists gathered in the middle of the Mojave Desert to watch a launch they hoped would help change space flight forever.

Spaceplane engine passes key test


Poised in front of them on the flat, open pan was a slender, 7.5-m (25-ft) tall, Garvey Prospector P-15 sounding rocket. To the untrained eye, the rocket was nothing special. But inside was a radical new engine technology that promises to cut the size, weight and therefore the cost of putting a rocket – and payload – into space.

When the countdown clock ticked zero, the rocket fizzed into a roar and rose rapidly from its launch pad; its blazing engine pushing the rocket to 270 m/s (600 mph). After 30 seconds, the engine cut out and the first of the rocket’s red parachutes popped from their casing. The flight test was a success.

For the crew from Orbital Technologies Corp (Orbitec) that built the test motor, it was another step in its decade-plus-long journey to prove its technology and show it to be an attractive alternative to a technology that’s been around since the birth of rocketry and one that is still used in most big rockets today.

“Orbitec is ready and excited to compete for any future rocket engine and propulsion application,” Paul Zamprelli, business director at the firm said at the time. He and his colleagues believe that their “game-changing technology” could have a major impact on lowering the cost of space access. “We look forward to supplying the Air Force, Nasa and commercial markets with all of our affordable advanced engines and technologies.”

Cyclonic swirl

To understand why Orbitec’s engines are different, you must first understand how larger liquid-fuel rocket engines – the ones that power astronauts and satellites into orbit – work. At their most basic these rockets have a combustion chamber that’s fed by two pressurised tanks – one of a rocket fuel and one of an oxidiser. When these two are forced into the chamber they mix, ignite and the exhausts are sent at high speed through a nozzle at the end of the rocket, propelling it forward.

At full thrust, these engines get incredibly hot, reaching temperatures upwards of 3,000C (5,400F) or more, hot enough to melt the metal chamber in which the rocket fuel mixes with oxygen and burns. At these extremes, even rockets with sidewalls made of heat-resistant superalloys would fail catastrophically.

To solve this problem, rocket scientists usually incorporate vein-like networks of cooling tubes through the sides of the combustion chamber which contain heat-absorbing liquid fuels that carry off excess thermal energy. The arrangement is like a car’s radiator system with internal coolant ducts arrayed around the outside of the engine core. It is only through this so-called "regenerative cooling" system that the rocket is able to maintain its structural integrity. Although the system works it adds considerable weight, cost and complexity to the engine.

Orbitec’s alternative approach keeps the hot burning gases away from the chamber surfaces altogether. The company’s patented designs create a cyclonic swirl, or vortex, of fuel and oxygen that holds the searing gases and fumes in the very centre of the cylindrical combustion chamber, away from the vulnerable sidewalls.

“Our vortex generator eliminates the high temperatures at the inner surfaces of the engine,” says Martin Chiaverini, principal propulsion engineer at the firm. “You can touch the exterior during lab-test firings and not get burned.”

The vortex, or swirl, is produced by placing the oxidiser nozzles at the base of the combustion chamber and aiming them tangentially to the inner surface of its curving walls. This produces an outer vortex of cool gases that spiral up the walls forming a protective, cooling barrier. When this meets the top of the chamber it is mixed with rocket fuel and forced inward and down, forming a second, inner, descending vortex in the centre of the chamber that is concentrated like a tornado. The escaping downward stream of hot, high-pressure gases are then forced through the nozzle at the back of the chamber, producing thrust

BBC - Future - Science & Environment - A novel twist on space launches