Can anyone name an aerospace company that is not dependent on government funding? ATK for example would have never existed without it.
Rodger,
I see your point, I was simplifying the situation for the basic idea. The ships could still be far more light and delicate than needed for earth entry, but you're right, a major drive system would shred them if they were as delicate as the ISS.
As for the timeframe, I like to try and be a little optimistic, but at heart, I think you're right. Like I said, with space exploration being done as a commercial venture, things will progress far more quickly. Putting things in the hands of the free market isn't always good, but it definitely speeds things up. If space exploration had been done with anxious stockholders watching, we'd have at least sent a manned mission to Mars by now.
Let's just hope that we can trust corporations to do it well. The cynic I me sees them cutting corners wherever they can. On Nov 29, 2012 6:37 AM, "Rodger C. Fry" <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
Michael,
Don't forget that in physics, gravity and acceleration are interchangeable. As long as the crafts motion through space/time is constant, structural integrity is not a significant factor but as soon as you start accelerating the spacecraft to velocities needed to make the trip, the structural integrity becomes very important.
My big concern is one's ability to stand the prolonged exposure to radiation and providing the long-term breathable atmosphere.
I don't see this happening in my or my grandchildren's lifetime.
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+rcfry=comcast.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+rcfry=comcast.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Michael Wells Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 9:12 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Mars exploration
By far the best plan has been a SciFi staple for decades. Build a space station with an earth bound shuttle and then a space-only fleet of ships for further travel. Eliminating the need to handle Earth's gravity removes something like 85% of the structural strength requirements. If you fly only in space, the thing could be light and delicate, and wouldn't even have things like aerodynamic design limitations.
I really think it's the key to making this whole space travel thing a deal we can hope to accomplish realisticly within our lifetimes. The move to commercial space flight is the first step. Competition will fuel innovation and expansion. Once we have a space station and shuttle set up on both ends, traveling to Mars will be a relatively common occurance. I'll never lived long enough to make it there, but maybe my daughter will. On Nov 28, 2012 8:53 PM, "Joe Bauman" <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Dan, I have heard of that -- it's a fascinating idea. On the question of structural weakness: I wonder if special struts could be built onto the ISS to make it possible. Or if some ISS-like orbiter could be built from scratch with the idea of shuttling between Earth and Mars. Thanks, Joe
________________________________ From: Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 8:05 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Mars exploration
Yea! It sounds like and interesting deal. All sales are final and no returns;^)
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Holmes Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 7:15 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Mars exploration
And based on the problems they have had with it, I'm not sure the toilet is up to generational ship standards.
Have all of you been paying attention to Elon Musk's idea of a one-way trip to found a Mars colony?
Dan
On Nov 28, 2012, at 7:03 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
Several ion engines, at strategic points. A single thruster, even at very low thrust, would be structurally unsound over long periods of time. On Nov 28, 2012 6:44 PM, "Daniel Holmes" <danielh@holmesonics.com> wrote:
That was my first thought. So you probably could strap an ion engine or two to it, but I'm not sure they have enough thrust to break earth orbit. But it'd be cool to rename it the ISS-TIE. Sienar Fleet Systems wasn't founded here, but we could pretend.
Have you heard of the 100 year starship project, Joe?
Dan
-- Sent from my iPhone. Please pardon any mispelings or errors.
On Nov 28, 2012, at 6:19 PM, Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
VERY low thrust only. It would take years to decades. The ISS isn't designed for interplanetary thrusting, from a structural standpoint. Station-keeping and minor tweaks to avoid collisions only.
Good question though. On Nov 28, 2012 6:11 PM, "Joe Bauman" <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > A question for the group: what is the feasibility of attaching propulsion > units to the International Space Station and taking it out of > Earth orbit, > into Mars orbit, and back again? > > _______________________________________________ > Utah-Astronomy mailing list > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astrono > my > > Send messages to the list to > Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com > > The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any > astronomy club.. > > To unsubscribe go to: > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astrono > my Then enter your email address in the space provided and click > on "Unsubscribe or edit options". _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronom y
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin
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