Space and Science BS Thread

Just missed the ULA Atlas V launch...

 

https://spaceweathergallery.com/aurora_gallery.html

https://spaceweathergallery.com/nlc_gallery.html
Just really cool pics.

 

Looks like engine test for SN3 in early april, followed by a 500m hop.

 

Huge news for SpaceX. They were awarded a cargo contract with NASA.
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services

 

I posted this in the aviation thread a while back, but some may find it pretty cool here too!

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My mom's dad, Jack, was in the Air Force back in the 50s. Started out flying T6 trainers, then moved on to B-47s. Ended up competing in a SAC bomber competition, and did well enough that he was awarded a meritorious promotion and a DFC awarded by Gen. LeMay himself.

He later went on to be the head pilot at Northwest Airlines, as well as a commercial fisherman in Westport, WA. While in Westport, he made good friends with a lot of the early space shuttle astronauts that would go out there to fish in their off time.

Photo of the Olympic Peninsula, WA from the Apollo-Soyuz window signed by the crew



A photo of the first operational space shuttle landing signed by the crew of STS-1

 

Way cool! Thanks for posting @Gunshot-6A

Young was the baddest of the bad asses. He and Crippen had nerves of steel doing that mission. First ever for a manned first flight.

Leonov (a bad ass too) and Kubasov are still alive.... wonder if you could somehow get them to sign that ASTP photo??

Edit: They’re all bad asses..

 

Kubasov died in '14, and Leonov died last October. That would have been a heck of a thing to pull off though.

 

. Wow, I completely missed that..Thanks for the heads up.
Guess I need to start fact checking...

 

'Dragon XL'

 

Anyone need to read up on the Starship users guide?

https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/techcr...tronaut-mission-include-a-jaxa-astronaut/amp/

 

This is fascinating on so many levels. Thanks!

 

I love how open Elon and SpaceX is on letting the average Joe get some inside information. I think that’s what’s so cool about the Starship project, the fact it’s being constructed and developed in the open atmosphere of Texas. So many eyes and cameras on the Boca Chica site picking up on little details and changes in designs from MK1 to MK2 to the current version.
Almost like watching the most realistic of reality TV series.

I’m really glad I found this thread, tons of good stuff to learn and a great place to share. Glad you enjoyed that last one!

 

They did the same for F9

 

Speaking of the SpaceX Boca Chica site being like reality TV. LabPadre just set up a 4K live needle cam on the starship construction and launch facility site!

https://youtu.be/FHGXmitQGcg

 

Going over the guide. Looks like they won't have an electrical umbilical, but will have internal power at the same amount?

 

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Kerbal Space Program was free for the weekend on Steam. I've been sucked into it. Anyone else play? There's a lot of physics wrapped up in a goofy minion like wrapper.

https://www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/

 

I used to. Started when it was in beta and you could renter without a heat shield lol. Depending on the mode you play, once you get past a certain point it gets a bit boring. I mean I still love it but you either play it as a sandbox which won't feel challenging once you're experienced or you do the career thing and your interest will fall off once you're past the research hump.

There were some rumors of a second game with a complete relative physics rework but I haven't heard much about it since the quiet announcement a few years back.

It sucked that the original is so heavily CPU bound and single threaded. A new game would probably fix a lot of the weird glitches that happen with larger builds.