Current Space Missions

[enorbet2]

Wow! I hope this thread lasts forever. Thanks MB. Regarding the Ares and on possibly a down note, I must say it bothers me that dedication to the Shuttle program "required" losing touch with the capsule exploratory systems. Ares looks like an updated Apollo system and IIRC incredible amounts of data have been somehow lost, even the precious blueprints for a Saturn V for crying out loud, but what's more is most of the people who even ever worked on such a project are cycled out in one way or another. It is going to be interesting, if a little depressing, to see just how much re-inventing the wheel might take place from letting such value just dissipate. How does NASA lose blueprints to the most famous rocket of all time?

[Mercedes Benzene]

It's ready! The Ares I-X is assembled.

"CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- For the first time in more than a quarter-century a new space vehicle stands ready in NASA's Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building. The Ares I-X rocket, its simulated crew module and launch abort system are assembled on a mobile launch platform at Kennedy in preparation for launch this fall.

The final segments of the Ares I-X were stacked on Aug. 13, completing the 327-foot launch vehicle and providing the first look at the finished rocket's distinctive shape. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct. 31."

[PICTURE]

Further, the the first "full-scale, full duration" static test of the 5-segment motor will take place at Alliance Techsystem's facility in Promontory, UT on August 27 (1 pm).

I can't explain how excited I am!!!

[Mercedes Benzene]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Benzene

Further, the the first "full-scale, full duration" static test of the 5-segment motor will take place at Alliance Techsystem's facility in Promontory, UT on August 27 (1 pm).

The stationary 1st stage test took place today, after being delayed on the 27th. It was a huge success and the data will now be analyzed prior to the scheduled launch of the actual Ares I-X vehicle in October.

Here's one perspective of today's test, although other shots are available from the website.
http://mfile3.akamai.com/18566/wmv/e...RES/Gantry.asx

[Mercedes Benzene]

Ares 1-X is *finally* clear for launch in just about 7 minutes.
Will update if it actually happens. :]

Update:
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FREAKING LAUNCH! Honestly, one of the most beautiful launches I've ever seen... and to think that this program is only 3 years in the making.
The launch was an absolute success. And think about it: this was the first launch of a brand new space vehicle. And it worked flawlessly.

Now they're in the recovery stage, to recover the pieces and analyze the shit-ton of data that the instruments recorded on its short flight.

Congrats to NASA for their fantastic ingenuity (as always). Now we just have to hope that the Obama Administration doesn't cut funding... so we can finally get back to the moon. :]

[Pyrotex]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Benzene

Ares 1-X... WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FREAKING LAUNCH! Honestly, one of the most beautiful launches I've ever seen... and to think that this program is only 3 years in the making.
The launch was an absolute success. And think about it: this was the first launch of a brand new space vehicle. And it worked flawlessly. ...

One might wonder why I don't post here every day. I'm an engineer working for NASA. In fact, I work part time on the Constellation Program (Ares 1-X). The reason I don't is because I'm so disallusioned.

The Ares 1 is a rocket to nowhere. As soon as the Space Station is moth-balled in a few years, there will be no mission it is suited for. The Ares 1 is unsuitable for going to the Moon because the full-up Orion manned module will be too heavy. The launch you saw used a light-weight payload. The Ares 1 has stability problems that scare the bejeezus out of rocket designers, due to its long, narrow mass distribution, and vernier (guide) rockets that are too small.

The Ares 1 wasn't "designed" as such (from requirements) as it was cobbled together out of existing components made by existing companies who did not want to retool and try something else. The 5-segment SRB used as a first stage pushes that technology to its very limit. Maybe beyond if you ask some folks around JSC.

The Ares 1 / Ares 5 combination (Constellation) was the quickest way to replace the Shuttle, not the best. Maybe not even adequate. There was no thought given to allowing a competition among the new flock of budding rocket companies out there, like Space-X, who are near the testing stage of reliable, cheap boosters that CAN be upgraded as needed. (The Ares 1 cannot -- and it's not cheap.)

We got a lot of smart heads shaking down here. Nobody talked about the Ares 1 launch at work today, at all, except for a company email that it "succeeded". There is no joy in Muddville. I'm glad I will be retiring in a few years.

[Jay-qu]

Wow thats really interesting to here that side of the story, thanks Pyro.

Its a pitty the 'smart heads' dont get to make the decisions that deal with the money spending..

[lemit]

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

One might wonder why I don't post here every day. I'm an engineer working for NASA. In fact, I work part time on the Constellation Program (Ares 1-X). The reason I don't is because I'm so disillusioned.

Thanks for answering a question I'd been asking myself. Sorry the answer was what it was. Can you speed up retirement? It is the most wonderful thing in the world.

I thought the Ares I-X didn't look right. I am a fan of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. The Ares looks to me like something from a bad '50's science fiction movie, not like something from the 21st Century. Thanks for explaining why it looks strange: because it is strange.

--lemit

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by lemit

I am a fan of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. The Ares looks to me like something from a bad '50's science fiction movie...

You honor it overmuch.

I'd say more like National Lampoon....

Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance,
Buffy

[Pyrotex]

Well, if you thought the Ares 1-X looked strange.
That wasn't even a 5-segment rocket casing.
It was an "ordinary" 4-segment rocket casing as used on the Space Shuttle.
And there were anomalies.
2 out of 3 parachutes failed.
The half-inch thick rocket casing, made of D6AC alloy steel, was dented.
When the rocket burned (almost) out and the dummy payload was released,
the dummy payload began an immediate rotation and it looks like it impacted the rocket casing.
That may be where the dent came from.
Do you have any idea how HARD an impact is required to dent D6AC steel???

LESCALLOY D6AC VAC-ARC steel is a medium carbon, low alloy, ultra high strength steel primarily designed for high strength structural applications requiring strength leaves up to 280,000 psi. This alloy provides a high yield strength to tensile strength ratio, combined with good ductility.

Payloads are NOT supposed to rotate (yaw) upon staging.

But I notice that none of that got into the celebratory declarations of total success in the press.
Whatever happened to "engineering"?
It used to be a science.
Now it's a reality show.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

And there were anomalies.

Gotta love those engineers. "Anomalies"

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

Do you have any idea how HARD an impact is required to dent D6AC steel???

Ya mean kinda like what Ryan Newman did on Sunday?

YouTube - Ryan Newman Crash Flip Wreck WILD...

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

Payloads are NOT supposed to rotate (yaw) upon staging.

Add to the launch checklist: give the 1-X a cuppa joe before ignition...oh wait, you mean *yaw*....

Originally Posted by Pyrotex

It used to be a science. Now it's a reality show.

Or Nascar....people watch for the crashes. Those anomalies were probably on purpose....

So did it obey your equation for software failure?

The most amazing achievement of the computer software industry is its continuing cancellation of the steady and staggering gains made by the computer hardware industry,
Buffy