After Apollo 11, for me the coolest mission was 15 to the Hadley Rille.
I recall the unfolding drama of Apollo 13, i guess taking photos was not a priority but it is nice to see a few photos of damaged command module - cool in different way.
My research indicates the photo was taken by Russell ( Rusty ) Schweickart ( on the porch of the Lunar Module ) looking at David Scott coming out of the command module. It was Schweickart's only spaceflight ever, he was EVA for about an hour using NASA's first independent suit ( tethered of course, but no umbilical supplies ), alas he became spacesick thus making it his only EVA ever. Scott later went onto to Apollo 15 doing 3 EVAs on the moon, was EVA with 9 simply by standing up as you see him. The mission was purposed to test all the stuffing about with docking and undocking of the Lunar & Command Modules, approaching, backing off and generally maneuvering around.
For those not familiar the modules are docked, mated at the apex of both. If you follow the white/flat hand rail around that is where the collar would be. I've rotated and enlarged Mr Scott's helmet visor :
... the 'teddy bear' that appears to be a decal on the faceplate is the lunar module, the white bit on that is the guy taking the photo. The triangular window on the lunar module ( partly shaded, lower middle of shot ) is where the pilot would look 'down' through while standing during descent to the Moon's surface. Now the third launch stage for this mission is still where they put it : in orbit around the Sun !
Cheers, Mike.
( edit ) 'Spacesick' is basically disorientation plus nausea because the balance apparatus in one's ears may not do well in freefall. You have no feeling of 'down' and this can be even more difficult if you have no visual references. Plus I have heard it postulated that when there are no midfield objects ie. everything is either within ten meters or effective visual infinity, then this compounds the problem. Mind you effective infinity in space is actual infinity. I've tried to get this sense myself a few times when looking skyward at eclipses, because the unusual visual cues can lend that. However I still know that I'm standing on a planet so I only get the briefest of qualia. Maybe I ought be careful what I wish for : I'd expect during an actual spacewalk there would arrive some real forceful 'oh shit' moments. ;-)
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
I just saw a headline about: nasa launches black brant IX rocket. There is video. It talks about making future space missions less expensive/risky. Looking at that video begs the question: Who could handle those G forces? :>)
My Google News is set to bring SpaceX news to my attention. Otherwise I'd never have spotted this story which recounts that the SpaceX vice president of mission and launch operations, speaking in Jerusalem, gave a six to eight week time frame for the next flight. The article also asserts that another landing attempt is intended on this flight.
Excellent. I was wondering where SpaceX was in their return to launch scenario. I read the article you linked to and noted that the Dec launch would 1. utilize a more powerful vehicle and 2. include a return-to-barge landing.
NASA Offers Licenses of Patented Technologies to Start-Up Companies
Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:27:55 -0400
NASA is unveiling a new opportunity for start-up companies to license patented NASA technology with no up-front payment. The Startup NASA initiative addresses two common problems start-ups face: raising capital and securing intellectual property rights.
Aimed at encouraging the growth of high-tech businesses and advancing American innovation, NASA's Technology Transfer Program within the Office of the Chief Technologist designed this initiative to allow start-up companies to choose from a diverse portfolio of more than 1,200 patented NASA technologies that range from materials and coatings to sensors, aeronautics technologies, instrumentation and more.
"The Startup NASA initiative leverages the results of our cutting-edge research and development so entrepreneurs can take that research -- and some risks -- to create new products and new services," said David Miller, NASA's chief technologist.
Finding the technologies available for license is simply a click away. NASA has created a streamlined, online patent portfolio covering 15 categories and packed with patents protected by the U.S. government. Once a desired technology is identified, an online application can be filled out and submitted through the website.
Although the license itself is free, the start-up companies must adhere to the following guidelines:
- This offer is open only to companies formed with the express intent of commercializing the licensed NASA technology.
- "No up-front payment" means NASA waives the initial licensing fees, and there are no minimum fees for the first three years.
- Once the company starts selling a product, NASA will collect a standard net royalty fee. This money goes first to the inventor and then to maintaining the agency's technology transfer activities and technology advancement.
- This announcement applies only to non-exclusive licenses, which means other companies may apply for similar rights to use the technology for commercial purposes. However, NASA will consider further exclusivity if the start-up wishes to negotiate.
- Companies entering into these licenses are bound by all requirements in federal licensing statutes and NASA policies, including development of a commercialization plan and reporting on efforts to achieve practical application.
Also Elon has further to say about the progress and challenges of the re-usability goal. Plus here is a piece on the head-to-head with Boeing, which I would basically interpret as the US government having 'an heir and a spare' strategy.
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Several news stories have been posted recently regarding NASA signing a contract with SpaceX to transport people to ISS, nominally in 2017. They joint Boeing which got a contract a few months ago.
RE: After Apollo 11, for
)
I recall the unfolding drama of Apollo 13, i guess taking photos was not a priority but it is nice to see a few photos of damaged command module - cool in different way.
My research indicates the
)
My research indicates the photo was taken by Russell ( Rusty ) Schweickart ( on the porch of the Lunar Module ) looking at David Scott coming out of the command module. It was Schweickart's only spaceflight ever, he was EVA for about an hour using NASA's first independent suit ( tethered of course, but no umbilical supplies ), alas he became spacesick thus making it his only EVA ever. Scott later went onto to Apollo 15 doing 3 EVAs on the moon, was EVA with 9 simply by standing up as you see him. The mission was purposed to test all the stuffing about with docking and undocking of the Lunar & Command Modules, approaching, backing off and generally maneuvering around.
For those not familiar the modules are docked, mated at the apex of both. If you follow the white/flat hand rail around that is where the collar would be. I've rotated and enlarged Mr Scott's helmet visor :
... the 'teddy bear' that appears to be a decal on the faceplate is the lunar module, the white bit on that is the guy taking the photo. The triangular window on the lunar module ( partly shaded, lower middle of shot ) is where the pilot would look 'down' through while standing during descent to the Moon's surface. Now the third launch stage for this mission is still where they put it : in orbit around the Sun !
Cheers, Mike.
( edit ) 'Spacesick' is basically disorientation plus nausea because the balance apparatus in one's ears may not do well in freefall. You have no feeling of 'down' and this can be even more difficult if you have no visual references. Plus I have heard it postulated that when there are no midfield objects ie. everything is either within ten meters or effective visual infinity, then this compounds the problem. Mind you effective infinity in space is actual infinity. I've tried to get this sense myself a few times when looking skyward at eclipses, because the unusual visual cues can lend that. However I still know that I'm standing on a planet so I only get the briefest of qualia. Maybe I ought be careful what I wish for : I'd expect during an actual spacewalk there would arrive some real forceful 'oh shit' moments. ;-)
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
RE: I'd expect during an
)
Well you can't exactly drop a spanner in LEO, but it might float off if you let go of it!
Waiting for Godot & salvation :-)
Why do doctors have to practice?
You'd think they'd have got it right by now
I just saw a headline about:
)
I just saw a headline about: nasa launches black brant IX rocket. There is video. It talks about making future space missions less expensive/risky. Looking at that video begs the question: Who could handle those G forces? :>)
My Google News is set to
)
My Google News is set to bring SpaceX news to my attention. Otherwise I'd never have spotted this story which recounts that the SpaceX vice president of mission and launch operations, speaking in Jerusalem, gave a six to eight week time frame for the next flight. The article also asserts that another landing attempt is intended on this flight.
Excellent. I was wondering
)
Excellent. I was wondering where SpaceX was in their return to launch scenario. I read the article you linked to and noted that the Dec launch would 1. utilize a more powerful vehicle and 2. include a return-to-barge landing.
great post by the way.
Copied from
)
Copied from marktertek.com
NASA Offers Licenses of Patented Technologies to Start-Up Companies
Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:27:55 -0400
NASA is unveiling a new opportunity for start-up companies to license patented NASA technology with no up-front payment. The Startup NASA initiative addresses two common problems start-ups face: raising capital and securing intellectual property rights.
Aimed at encouraging the growth of high-tech businesses and advancing American innovation, NASA's Technology Transfer Program within the Office of the Chief Technologist designed this initiative to allow start-up companies to choose from a diverse portfolio of more than 1,200 patented NASA technologies that range from materials and coatings to sensors, aeronautics technologies, instrumentation and more.
"The Startup NASA initiative leverages the results of our cutting-edge research and development so entrepreneurs can take that research -- and some risks -- to create new products and new services," said David Miller, NASA's chief technologist.
Finding the technologies available for license is simply a click away. NASA has created a streamlined, online patent portfolio covering 15 categories and packed with patents protected by the U.S. government. Once a desired technology is identified, an online application can be filled out and submitted through the website.
Although the license itself is free, the start-up companies must adhere to the following guidelines:
- This offer is open only to companies formed with the express intent of commercializing the licensed NASA technology.
- "No up-front payment" means NASA waives the initial licensing fees, and there are no minimum fees for the first three years.
- Once the company starts selling a product, NASA will collect a standard net royalty fee. This money goes first to the inventor and then to maintaining the agency's technology transfer activities and technology advancement.
- This announcement applies only to non-exclusive licenses, which means other companies may apply for similar rights to use the technology for commercial purposes. However, NASA will consider further exclusivity if the start-up wishes to negotiate.
- Companies entering into these licenses are bound by all requirements in federal licensing statutes and NASA policies, including development of a commercialization plan and reporting on efforts to achieve practical application.
For more information on this initiative, visit: http://technology.nasa.gov/startup
David
Miserable old git
Patiently waiting for the asteroid with my name on it.
A new-ish video of
)
A new-ish video of Super-Draco. A pocket rocket.
Also Elon has further to say about the progress and challenges of the re-usability goal. Plus here is a piece on the head-to-head with Boeing, which I would basically interpret as the US government having 'an heir and a spare' strategy.
Cheers, Mike.
I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it shorter ...
... and my other CPU is a Ryzen 5950X :-) Blaise Pascal
Several news stories have
)
Several news stories have been posted recently regarding NASA signing a contract with SpaceX to transport people to ISS, nominally in 2017. They joint Boeing which got a contract a few months ago.
Guardian story
Saw a similar story on
)
Saw a similar story on another news feed. Its been too quiet. Looking forward to their next launch.