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Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

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Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#121

Post by gcb0 »

Solarsail wrote: post #104
masklinn wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hypergolic doesn't mean "bad stuff", "highly toxic" or "carcinogenic" though, it just means "ignites on its own" (it's usually though not necessarily a combination of a fuel and an oxidiser[0]) Then again, hypergolic components are generally extremely toxic or ridiculously corrosive or both. [0] generally because e.g. Chlorine Trifluoride is such a strong oxidiser it's famously[1] hypergolic with stuff not usually co…

The word hypergolic doesn't mean that, but in spaceflight the term refers to a fairly specific group of compounds; Dinitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine or monomethylhydrazine (UDMH / MMH).

mmh+nto is the only thing still being used in the west outside of missiles. even spacex use it for module maneuver. I think. not even sure why I know that.

but china probably use the lesser hypergolic combinations for actuall lift off.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#122

Post by incompatible »

JaggedNZ wrote: post #112
unknown_apostle wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So same question: why did you go away, or how did you loose your work visa? For me it's a cool job in Auckland. What worries us is the distance and the logistics of bringing over our entire family... I can see myself working there, bringing over the family, and then loosing my job e.g. because of some recession and not find another job in the grace period.

If you are in IT then I would not worry to much about the job issue to much past the first job, there is still plenty of demand for skilled IT workers despite the record net migration of the last few years. However, make sure you are comfortable with housing prices / rent, particularly in the Auckland area.

I left NZ decades ago due to lack of software opportunities. I'd be tempted to return, but getting a "first job" in NZ would be a problem if I returned, I think, given that I'm aged over 50 and haven't worked for years.

P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#123

Post by cheyne_nz »

starik36 wrote: post #85
cheyne_nz wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mission Control was in Auckland.They used to be an NZ company but incorporated in the US to get a launch license as it was apparently much easier as a US company. Most of their work and staff is still in NZ

As mentioned yesterday in the live cast, design and manufacturing is happening in Huntington Beach, California, then it is shipped to New Zealand.

Was just listening to an interview with Peter Beck. He clarifies the US-NZ question. Short answer is it is both, I had my proportions off with being more (3/4) American now. It's been American company since 2012. The US factory is 3 times larger than the NZ factory and makes stuff we're can't do here.

https://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20181112-0826-rocket_l...

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#124

Post by PLenz »

Waterluvian wrote: post #16
quadcore wrote: post #4

I wish I could put software in one of those shoebox satellites.

I just had a daydream of Satellites as a Service. "give us a docker image extending our base image, no larger than x MB delta, and we will run it on a chosen satellite for a certain time slice for $y" I can see that future. Even if purely as a learning tool for students.

Considering the cost of storage it's probably cheaper to launch N sensors and just keep a record raw everything. Which is more or less the model of the existing earth-sensing satellite world.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#125

Post by apendleton »

MichaelMoser123 wrote: post #31

Do these nano satellites turn into some form of space junk, when will the orbit deteriorate / will they burn up? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_debris

Actually part of the payload for this flight was a technology demonstrator called NABEO, which is a sort of sail meant to more rapidly de-orbit small spacecraft using atmospheric drag.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#126

Post by syntaxing »

Gibbon1 wrote: post #119
syntaxing wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Super interesting! I wonder if there is an orbital limit to this technology. From what I remember, Rocket labs is mainly focusing on low orbital launches. As great as batteries are, they are no where near the energy density of the propellants out there. Though the advancement of electrical pumps for rockets is super exciting!

I saw a paper that examined pressure fed, turbo pumps, and electric. Electric beats both pressure fed and turbo pumps at the size Rocket Lab is targeting. At large sizes turbines beat electric but the plumbing is much more complex and technically challenging. I'm suspicious that electrics are viable for first stages where performance advantage is less important. For first stages the cost is linear with ISP. Where it'…

I would love to read that paper if you can find it!

Does metal 3D printing mitigate any of these challenges? Or is the problem a packaging problem where there is a minimum size required for the mechanical parts?

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#127

Post by robocat »

incompatible wrote: post #122
JaggedNZ wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you are in IT then I would not worry to much about the job issue to much past the first job, there is still plenty of demand for skilled IT workers despite the record net migration of the last few years. However, make sure you are comfortable with housing prices / rent, particularly in the Auckland area.

I left NZ decades ago due to lack of software opportunities. I'd be tempted to return, but getting a "first job" in NZ would be a problem if I returned, I think, given that I'm aged over 50 and haven't worked for years. P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

> P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

What, just like California?

I would highly recommend Wellington if you do software, are entrepreneurial, or you are sociable.

It is the most cosmopolitan city, the friendliest to foreigners, the friendliest to all ages (because so many people move there to work, and it is the only major city in NZ with a city centre based on walking).

Just my opinion as a well travelled NZer. Yes, an earthquake would wreak havoc, but I think the positives well outweigh the risks.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#128

Post by timClicks »

incompatible wrote: post #122
JaggedNZ wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you are in IT then I would not worry to much about the job issue to much past the first job, there is still plenty of demand for skilled IT workers despite the record net migration of the last few years. However, make sure you are comfortable with housing prices / rent, particularly in the Auckland area.

I left NZ decades ago due to lack of software opportunities. I'd be tempted to return, but getting a "first job" in NZ would be a problem if I returned, I think, given that I'm aged over 50 and haven't worked for years. P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

New Zealand's software industry is significantly more mature than it was 2+ decades ago. Multiple firms with several hundred developers building their own products rather than just government consulting.

Getting hired is hard, but not impossible. The unemployment rate is sub 4% these days.

If you're concerned about your employability, perhaps email Xero/Vend/Flux Federation/Catalyst IT/Intergen/Datacom/Trade Me/Weta Digital/... and explain your situation?

If you're willing to work with recruiters, the team at Talent Army are bona fide good.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#129

Post by Waterluvian »

PLenz wrote: post #124
Waterluvian wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just had a daydream of Satellites as a Service. "give us a docker image extending our base image, no larger than x MB delta, and we will run it on a chosen satellite for a certain time slice for $y" I can see that future. Even if purely as a learning tool for students.

Considering the cost of storage it's probably cheaper to launch N sensors and just keep a record raw everything. Which is more or less the model of the existing earth-sensing satellite world.

That defeats the whole point by optimizing for the wrong thing.

Re: Rocket Launch in New Zealand Brings Quick, Cheap Space Access

#130

Post by incompatible »

robocat wrote: post #127
incompatible wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I left NZ decades ago due to lack of software opportunities. I'd be tempted to return, but getting a "first job" in NZ would be a problem if I returned, I think, given that I'm aged over 50 and haven't worked for years. P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen.

> P.S. Avoid Wellington if possible, it's an earthquake mega-disaster waiting to happen. What, just like California? I would highly recommend Wellington if you do software, are entrepreneurial, or you are sociable. It is the most cosmopolitan city, the friendliest to foreigners, the friendliest to all ages (because so many people move there to work, and it is the only major city in NZ with a city centre based on walk…

Wellington is a terrible risk, there's a major fault line running right through the city. But yeah, it's a decent place to live in the meantime.
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