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NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

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Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#21

Post by cpeterso »

coderdude wrote: post #4

This is great news! Hopefully the final version isn't as ugly as the artist's conception: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/multimedia/galle... Kind of reminds me of a rocket used for the Apollo missions (although it's not) with some Space Shuttle SRBs attached to the side. The first version shown in the video actually looks kind of cool -- like something SpaceX would have built. It's a good thing progress…

Why are space ships always white? If the designers are not going to use cool colors, they could at least give the rocket racing stripes or "go Nascar" with tons of advertisements. :)

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#22

Post by marze »

The primary design objective for this system, as well as the cancelled programs NASA wasted billions on over the last four years, is to:

Spend the same money in all the congressional districts that the Shuttle program spent money in.

$18B is 50 times what NASA has paid out to SpaceX so far, and SpaceX already has already developed a working rocket. Congress could fund 50 SpaceX-like firms for that same amount.

Instead, Congress is attempting to cut the money NASA has requested for commercial crew transport.

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#23

Post by derrida »

russell wrote: post #18

"...kids today can now dream of one day walking on Mars." Hell, I dreamed of walking on Mars when I worked on the Apollo Project. I never dreamed that 2011 would come and we would never have even gone back to the moon. It makes me regret even more that I never made the trek to Florida to see a Saturn V launch.

You worked on the Apollo Project!!! What was your role in the Apollo Project?

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#25

Post by [deleted] »

krschultz wrote: post #10
zrail wrote: post #6

If SpaceX and friends can reliably launch cargo and eventually humans into LEO, why can't NASA focus on what to put into space, rather than how to get there? I'm sure I don't understand the mechanics of it, but wouldn't it be possible to put up a few smaller cargo carriers containing fuel and pieces of a trans-mars ship and assemble it in orbit?

The proposed payload for the NASA SLS is 64,000kg-120,000kg while the Falcon 9 is 10,450 kg. The proposed payload for the Falcon Heavy is 53,000 kg. So to match 1 SLS launch you are looking at 6-12 Falcon 9s (which have flown) or 2-3 Falcon Heavy launches (which have not flown). I don't think it's a stretch to say that using Space X would be significantly cheaper to get the same weight up there because the design wor…

[deleted]

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#26

Post by nostromo »

cpeterso wrote: post #21
coderdude wrote: post #4

This is great news! Hopefully the final version isn't as ugly as the artist's conception: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/multimedia/galle... Kind of reminds me of a rocket used for the Apollo missions (although it's not) with some Space Shuttle SRBs attached to the side. The first version shown in the video actually looks kind of cool -- like something SpaceX would have built. It's a good thing progress…

Why are space ships always white? If the designers are not going to use cool colors, they could at least give the rocket racing stripes or "go Nascar" with tons of advertisements. :)

A guess: it's because it's easier to spot damage, dust, debris, etc.

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#27

Post by russell_h »

marze wrote: post #22

The primary design objective for this system, as well as the cancelled programs NASA wasted billions on over the last four years, is to: Spend the same money in all the congressional districts that the Shuttle program spent money in. $18B is 50 times what NASA has paid out to SpaceX so far, and SpaceX already has already developed a working rocket. Congress could fund 50 SpaceX-like firms for that same amount. Instea…

My favorite part is that the first quote in the article is "This launch system will create good-paying American jobs". When an election isn't coming up they at least put that below the nationalistic/visionary stuff.

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#28

Post by rbanffy »

russell wrote: post #18

"...kids today can now dream of one day walking on Mars." Hell, I dreamed of walking on Mars when I worked on the Apollo Project. I never dreamed that 2011 would come and we would never have even gone back to the moon. It makes me regret even more that I never made the trek to Florida to see a Saturn V launch.

> when I worked on the Apollo Project

Wow!

I was a toddler when Armstrong walked on the moon. While I was too young to remember the live broadcast (my mother says I did watch it with interest), growing up with it certainly had an impact on my decision to become an engineer.

Thank you for being part of something that inspired and continues to inspire so many of us.

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#29

Post by Udo »

timroman wrote: post #9
zrail wrote: post #6

If SpaceX and friends can reliably launch cargo and eventually humans into LEO, why can't NASA focus on what to put into space, rather than how to get there? I'm sure I don't understand the mechanics of it, but wouldn't it be possible to put up a few smaller cargo carriers containing fuel and pieces of a trans-mars ship and assemble it in orbit?

I think the problem is that the things NASA wants to send into orbit are much larger than what the commercial space industry is planning to send into orbit. That's why NASA is taking the lead and building a vehicle specifically designed for large loads rather than people or satellites.

I disagree. Commercial launch systems are just beginning to unfold and for example SpaceX has already announced plans for heavy lift versions in the very near future. Contrast this with the SLS, which is the umpteenth attempt at rediscovering how the mysterious and ancient Saturn V worked, and which will probably be cancelled within three years without ever producing something that can actually get off the launch pad.

Programs like these are completely superfluous and most people involved know it. NASA is not even hiding what this project is for: it's a job program, says so right there in the article. And when they say "jobs", they don't refer to real companies like SpaceX or even themselves, they mean huge defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Re: NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

#30

Post by coderdude »

nostromo wrote: post #26
cpeterso wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are space ships always white? If the designers are not going to use cool colors, they could at least give the rocket racing stripes or "go Nascar" with tons of advertisements. :)

A guess: it's because it's easier to spot damage, dust, debris, etc.

Also, in a vacuum does white still absorb the least amount of heat energy from light?
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