Guest1 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Kip Powick said: MARS.... . Reddish in color, lack of a free breathing atmosphere, complete desolation extreme temperature variations, absolutely no life SAHARA... Sandy color, rocks are smaller, breathable atmosphere Tolerable temperature variations, life in certain areas is certainly livable Lets say you only have two choices...take your pick and live the rest of your life there... Well, Kip, we do hope that Mars maybe or may become as fruitful as the Sahara. The Sahara Desert: Wildlife, Plants, People and Cultures, Interesting Facts - DesertUSA Altogether, the Sahara hosts some 70 species of mammals, 90 species of resident birds, 100 species of reptiles, and numerous species of arthropods (invertebrates that have jointed limbs, segmented bodies and external skeletons). The animals include, for a few examples, Barbary sheep, oryx, anubis baboon, spotted hyena, dama gazelle, common jackal and sand fox; the birds--ostriches, secretary birds, Nubian bustards and various raptors; the reptiles--cobras, chameleons, skinks, various lizards and (where there is sufficient water) crocodiles; and the arthropods--numerous ants, scarab beetles and the "deathstalker" scorpion. The wildlife is concentrated primarily along the less severe northern and southern margins and near desert water sources. Read more: https://www.desertusa.com/du_sahara_life.html#ixzz6tdRuSJif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 2 hours ago, Kargokings said: Well, Kip, we do hope that Mars maybe or may become as fruitful as the Sahara. Well that ain't gonna happen......camels couldn't endure the ride, let alone the climate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 FoFour Crew Dragon astronauts head home from space station (msn.com) Crew Dragon astronauts head home from space station William Harwood 2 hrs ago The latest numbers on COVID-19 in Canada for Saturday, May 1, 2021 Analysis: 'The honeymoon is over': Biden face tougher tasks ahead as… Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station readied their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for undocking Saturday night, setting up a fiery plunge to a pre-dawn splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday to close out the first operational flight of SpaceX's futuristic touch-screen ferry ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Kip Powick said: Well that ain't gonna happen......camels couldn't endure the ride, let alone the climate. Well so much for the camels and also so much to comparing Mars to the Sahara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-demonstrates-its-quiet-electric-mini-chopper-for-the-first-time-1234599351/ Watch This Quiet, All-Electric Air Taxi Fly for the First Time Beyond the demo, California aviation startup Joby had a good February, announcing a merger with a large investor and steps towards FAA certification. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Touchdown! SpaceX successfully lands Starship rocket By Issam AHMED Washington (AFP) May 5, 2021 SpaceX managed to land its prototype Starship rocket at its Texas base without blowing it up on Wednesday, the first time it has succeeded in doing so in five attempts. The test flight represents a major win for the hard-charging company, which eventually wants to carry crew inside Starship for missions to Mars. "Starship landing nominal!" tweeted founder Elon Musk triumphantly, after the last four tries ended in big explosions. "Nominal" means normal in the context of spaceflight. The execution wasn't quite perfect, with a small fire engulfing the base of the 50 meter- (160 feet-) high rocket, dubbed SN15, shortly after landing. SpaceX webcaster John Insprucker explained this was "not unusual with the methane fuel we're using," adding engineers were still working out design issues. The flames were quickly put out with water cannons, footage showed. Earlier, the rocket took off at around 5:25 pm local time (2225 GMT) from the Starbase in Boca Chica in southern Texas, reached an altitude of 10 kilometers (6 miles) and performed a series of maneuvers, including a horizontal descent called a "belly flop." SpaceX was facing added pressure to succeed with Wednesday's flight after NASA last month announced a version of Starship will be used as a lunar lander when the space agency returns humans to the Moon. But the $2.9 billion contract is currently suspended after two rival companies, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Dynetics, lodged a protest. Nevertheless, if the award is eventually confirmed, it will transform Starship from Musk's pet project to a major tax payer-funded venture, with all the scrutiny that entails. The first two flight tests of Starship, SN8 and SN9, both crash landed and exploded when they launched in December and February, respectively. The next, SN10, successfully landed then blew up a few minutes later on March 3. The video feed cut out during the test flight of the fourth, SN11, with Musk later confirming it too had exploded, this time in mid-flight. Eventually, SpaceX plans to combine the Starship spaceship with a Super Heavy rocket, creating a fully reusable system to explore deep into our solar system. This final version will stand 394 feet (120 meters) tall and will be able to carry 100 metric tonnes into Earth orbit -- the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. Musk wants to use this to help realize his goal of transforming humanity into a multiplanetary species with a colony on Mars. The planned lunar version of Starship would however serve a more modest goal -- docking with a future lunar orbital station, collecting astronauts, then setting them down on the Moon. To get the astronauts to the lunar station in the first place, NASA has a more traditional plan in mind: using its own giant SLS rocket with a crew capsule called Orion affixed on top. But the SLS rocket has suffered severe delays and cost overruns, and observers have mused if Starship succeeds, it could one day make SLS obsolete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Jaunt Air Mobility Announces Design and Manufacturing Operations in Canada And the Appointment of Eric Côté as President 7 May 2021Canadian Aviation News Highlights Jaunt Air Mobility, an OEM and operator of eVTOL (all-electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft for the Urban Air Mobility market will be opening design and manufacturing centers in Canada. Eric Côté is joining the leadership team as president of Jaunt Air Mobility Canada. DALLAS, TX, May 06, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Jaunt Air Mobility announced today the company plans to open design and manufacturing operations in Canada. Jaunt Air Mobility takes the first step in expanding its global reach by appointing Eric Côté to head its Canadian operations. The Jaunt Journey is an all-electric aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), designed to meet the highest performance and safety standards. The aircraft offers a solution for several urban and regional air mobility markets. (CNW Group/Jaunt Air Mobility) Eric Côté “Our announcement today to locate our design and manufacturing operations to Canada aligns with our certification path and commercialization strategy,” states Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. “Canada and Québec offer a wide range of opportunities stemming from a long history in the aerospace industry, including an experienced workforce and global suppliers. Canada’s aerospace industry is known for export, and we intend to capitalize on that reach. Canada is a global leader in developing and promoting clean technology and this is aligned with our core values.” Eric Côté joins the team with CEO experience in leading the Soucy Group, a worldwide engineering and manufacturing organization (10 independent companies with 1800 employees) in the defense, power sports, industrial, and agriculture sectors. During Eric’s 15-year tenure at Soucy, his strategic vision and leadership allowed him to set up a strong and mobilized organization with an increased presence in all five continents. Before his time at Soucy, Eric spent 15 years with Bombardier Aerospace in senior-level positions (manufacturing engineering, operations strategies, continuous improvement, Industrialization). He was involved in setting up new manufacturing and assembly organizations in different countries. Eric’s first mandate will be to assist with engaging strategic investment partners and planning Jaunt’s Canadian operations. “We are pleased to have Eric join our senior leadership, Eric brings significant experience in managing organizations and growing organizations to meet customer needs worldwide and Jaunt’s Canadian operations will create many new jobs in manufacturing and engineering and will introduce a new, sustainable, aviation ecosystem. We are committed to a sustainable environment with our green and innovative aircraft.”, says Martin Peryea. “Jaunt Air Mobility is developing a new generation of aircraft that will meet the growing demand for faster urban and regional travel. The Jaunt Journey will meet the highest safety standards and eliminate Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. One aircraft can eliminate the equivalent of 95 cars of GHG in congested city driving conditions. The aircraft will offer a solution for urban air mobility, cargo delivery, medical transport, and humanitarian aid.”, says Eric Côté. About Jaunt Air Mobility Jaunt Air Mobility is a new generation aerospace organization. Jaunt Air Mobility designs and manufactures vertical take-off and landing, electric and hybrid, piloted and autonomous aircraft for advanced air mobility to serve several markets. Jaunt is the world leader in Reduced Rotor Operating Speed (ROSA™) aircraft, combining the efficiency of an airplane with advanced helicopter performance. Jaunt Air Mobility is developing the aircraft in partnership with global aviation suppliers such as BAE Systems and operators around the world such as Walle Mobility and Varon Vehicles. www.jauntairmobility.ca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Looking forward to seeing "real pictures" vs artist renditions. China lands its Zhurong rover on Mars Published 6 minutes ago Share IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionArtwork of the Zhurong robot: It's a daunting prospect landing on Mars China has successfully landed a spacecraft, state media announced early on Saturday, The six-wheeled Zhurong robot was targeting Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the planet's northern hemisphere. The vehicle used a combination of a protective capsule, a parachute and a rocket platform to make the descent. The successful touchdown is a remarkable achievement given the difficult nature of the task. Only the Americans have really mastered landing on Mars until now. With this landing, China becomes the second country to put a rover on Mars. IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionSince its arrival, the Tianwen-1 orbiter has been busy mapping the planet's surface China succeeds in putting a probe in Mars orbit UAE space mission returns first image of Mars Remarkable photo of Mars rover during landing Zhurong, which means God of Fire, was carried to Mars on the Tianwen-1 orbiter, which arrived above the planet in February. The time since has been spent surveying Utopia, taking high-resolution images to pinpoint the safest place to put down. The aim with all such ventures is to pick a spot, as far as possible, that is devoid of imposing craters and large boulders. IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionThis model shows Zhurong to have a similar look to Nasa's Spirit and Opportunity vehicles Chinese engineers have to follow events with a time lag. The current distance to Mars is 320 million km, which means radio messages take almost 18 minutes to reach Earth. Every stage of the Zhurong's approach to the surface therefore has to be managed autonomously. The entry (into the atmosphere), descent and landing strategy follows a familiar architecture. At the chosen moment, the rover, encased in an aeroshell, is released from the Tianwen orbiter and dives downwards. IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionThe name's significance: Zhurong is the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology A heatshield on the capsule slows the fall by pushing up against the Martian air. A parachute then opens to reduce the velocity still further. Finally, the robot breaks away on a rocket-powered bench for the manoeuvres that take it to the ground. It is a daunting challenge, but China has shown great competence of late in its space endeavours, which have included putting two rovers on the Moon. Now that Zhurong has got down successfully, scientists will try to get at least 90 Martian days of service out of it, studying the local geology. A day, or Sol, on Mars lasts 24 hours and 39 minutes. The robot looks a lot like the American space agency's (Nasa) Spirit and Opportunity vehicles from the 2000s. It weighs some 240kg and is powered by fold-out solar panels. A tall mast carries cameras to take pictures and aid navigation; five additional instruments will help assess the mineralogy of local rocks and look for any water-ice below ground. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 China on Mars: Zhurong rover returns first pictures By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent Published 2 hours ago Share IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionThe front view shows the flat landscape of Utopia Planitia China has released the first pictures taken by its Zhurong rover on Mars. The forward view shows the landscape ahead of the robot as it sits on its landing platform; the rear-looking image reveals Zhurong's solar panels. The rover touched down on the Red Planet early on Sunday, Beijing time. In doing so, it made China only the second nation - after America - to successfully put a probe on the surface of Mars and operate it for a significant length of time. Chinese scientists hope get at least 90 Martian days of service out of the six-wheeled robot at its location on Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the planet's northern hemisphere. China lands its Zhurong rover on Mars China succeeds in putting a probe in Mars orbit UAE space mission returns first image of Mars Remarkable photo of Mars rover during landing IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionThe rear view shows the unfolded solar panels and communications antenna China's National Space Administration (CNSA) posted the pictures on its website. There are even a couple of short videos that record the moment the rover's aeroshell - the capsule it used to enter the Martian atmosphere - departs the Tianwen-1 orbiter, the satellite that carried the rover from Earth. The surface imagery tells us that critical hardware deployments after landing were completed cleanly. These deployments included the unfurling of the solar arrays to provide power to the robot; the release of the antenna to communicate with Tianwen-1, and onwards with controllers back in China; and the extension of the ramp down which Zhurong will soon roll to begin its mobile mission. Zhurong looks a lot like the US space agency's (Nasa) Spirit and Opportunity vehicles from the 2000s. It weighs some 240kg. A tall mast carries cameras to take pictures and aid navigation; five additional instruments will investigate the mineralogy of local rocks and the general nature of the environment, including the weather. Like the current American rovers (Curiosity and Perseverance), Zhurong has a laser tool to zap rocks to assess their chemistry. It also has a radar to look for sub-surface water-ice - a capability its American cousins don't share. IMAGE COPYRIGHTCNSA image captionArtwork: Zhurong looks similar to Nasa's Spirit and Opportunity vehicles Utopia Planitia is where Nasa landed its Viking-2 mission in 1976. It's a colossal basin - more than 3,000km across - that was formed by an impact early in Mars' history. There is some evidence pointing to it having held an ocean long ago. Remote sensing by satellites indicates there are significant stores of ice at depth. IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES image captionThe ramp: This model shows how Zhurong will descend from its landing platform America put down the much larger (one tonne) Perseverance robot in February. Europe, which has twice failed with landing attempts, will send a rover called Rosalind Franklin to Mars next year (in a joint project with the Russians). Related Topics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 China's core space station module Tianhe completes in-orbit tests by Staff Writers Beijing (XNA) May 19, 2021 . China's core space station module Tianhe has recently completed its platform function tests and entered the orbit to rendezvous and dock with the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Tuesday. The core module, which was sent into orbit on April 29, has recently completed platform function tests for rendezvous and docking, astronaut stay and the mechanical arms, as well as in-orbit performance checks for space application project equipment. The CMSA said the core module's various functions are normal. It is operating in good condition and has entered the orbit for rendezvous and docking. It will continue its preparations for rendezvous and docking with the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft. Source: Xinhua News Agency 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 More than 3,000 jobs created as space sector grows across the UK by Staff Writers London, UK (SPX) May 20, 2021 . The UK's space sector has seen growth in jobs and income while investing more in research and development, leaving it well-placed to grow strongly as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, Science Minister Amanda Solloway announced today. Findings from the latest 'Size and Health of the UK Space Industry' report, commissioned by the UK Space Agency and delivered by know.space, show the sector supports a highly skilled and productive workforce that's growing across the country. The statistics show that in 2018/19, compared to the previous survey from 2016/17: + Income has risen from 15.6 billion pounds to 16.4 billion pounds, representing growth of 5.7% (or 2.8% per annum) in real terms + Employment is up by 3,200 from 41,900 to 45,100 + R and D investment now sits at 702m pounds, up 18% and 5 times the national average intensity + Scotland's thriving sector sees 31% increase in space companies, up from 132 to 173 + Gross Value Added is up from 6 billion pounds to 6.6 billion pounds, representing growth of 10.1% (or 5.0% per annum) + Over 360 billion pounds worth of wider UK economic activity is now supported by satellites, up from 300 billion pounds. The number of organisations engaged in space-related activity in the UK has increased from 948 to 1,218, which includes 95 new space-related companies established in the UK during the two year period. Scotland has increased its number of space companies from 132 employing 7,555 to 173 employing 7,703. Other parts of the UK to see a growth in the number of companies and jobs in the space sector are the South East, South West, East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: The UK space industry is booming and this strong growth is a key part of our plans to level up and build back better from the pandemic, creating thousands of high value space jobs in regions right across the UK. As we look to fulfil our bold ambitions for space, including the first satellite launches from UK soil next year, I look forward to seeing the sector growing further with more young people pursuing exciting careers in space, all while helping to cement the UK's status as a global space superpower. In a boost to the government's target of investing 2.4% of GDP in research and development by 2027, the survey shows the UK space sector investing increasing sums in new ideas and technologies. R and D spending is up 18% in real terms from 595 million pounds in 2016/17 to 702 million pounds in 2018/19. As a proportion of Gross Value Added (GVA), this is 5 times the national average. Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: The UK is already a world leader in small satellite technology and applications, telecommunications, robotics and Earth observation, while British universities are some of the best in the world for space science. It is fantastic to see our innovative space sector investing in the future through increased commitment to research and development - and to see more and more jobs being created in this exciting industry. The UK Space Agency's Spaceflight Programme aims to establish commercial vertical and horizontal small satellite launch from UK spaceports from 2022, providing a further boost for the sector. Growing the UK's launch capability will also help bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations right across the UK, as well as inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers. Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: Today's findings highlight the exciting growth we're seeing in the UK space sector, with significant investment and research helping to create thousands of new jobs. The UK is leading the way in this field with more companies carrying out space-related activity than ever before. We'll continue to do everything we can to support this exciting area, as the Government expands its ambitions for spaceflight. The space sector also has an exceptionally skilled workforce, with 3 in 4 (77%) employees holding at least a primary degree, while employee productivity remains 2.6 times that of the national average. For the first time the 'Size and Health of the UK Space Industry' looked at the diversity of the industry. More than one in three employees are female. As the government continues work to level up the UK economy the figures also show the growth of the sector outside of London, with 27% of space jobs now employed in the capital, down from 29% at the previous survey. The UK Space Agency is working to embed space as a fundamental part of the UK economy and society, unlocking new markets and technologies for the benefit of everyone in the UK. The Size and Health of the UK Space Industry is the UK's definitive source of information on the UK space sector, based on a survey of UK organisations who supply or use space or satellite services. All 2016/17 values have been adjusted to bring them in line with 2018/19 prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 21, 2021 Share Posted May 21, 2021 Everything you need to know for the May 26 Lunar Eclipse by Staff Writers Washington DC (SPX) May 21, 2021 The map shows locations worldwide from which the May 26th total lunar eclipse is visible, weather permitting. Because an eclipsed Moon is always full, the Moon sets (or rises) at almost the same time as the Sun rises (or sets) on the opposite horizon. For North America, views improve farther west. Click here or on the image for a higher-resolution version. Additional supporting images and data are available here at Sky and Telescope. The total lunar eclipse of May 26th - the first in more than two years - favors western North America, but much of the continent will see the partial phases, provided skies are clear. No one has seen a total lunar eclipse since January 20-21, 2019, but the drought is finally ending. Viewers in the western half of North America, western South America, East Asia, and Australia will see the Moon darken and turn a reddish hue on the morning of May 26th. Much of North America will see at least some of the penumbral stages, in which the Moon appears almost imperceptibly shadowed. But the Moon will be low in the sky - for any chance of catching a glimpse of the event you'll need to find an open view to the southwest. For the eastern U.S. and Canada, the Moon sets (and the Sun rises) as the early stages of the eclipse get underway. Midwesterners are luckier and might catch a peek of the setting Moon with about half of its disk immersed in Earth's dark, inner shadow. The western part of the continent will see the full eclipse, but you'll have to get up early (or stay up really, really late). For those in Hawai'i, you'll be in for a treat if your skies are clear: You'll get to witness the whole event, from start to finish. Australia and East Asia should also get good views of the eclipse, since the Moon rises as the early stages of the eclipse get underway. "If you miss this eclipse, don't despair - the night of November 18-19 presents another lunar eclipse," says Diana Hannikainen (pronounced HUHN-ih-KY-nen), observing editor at Sky and Telescope. "Technically, the November event will be partial, but only the thinnest sliver of the Moon's disk will remain outside the umbra, so for all intents and purposes it'll be very much like a total eclipse." What To Look For Totality is predicted to last for 15 minutes and 52 seconds, so it's short as far as lunar eclipses go. Mid-eclipse May 26th (11:19 Universal Time) happens a mere 9 0.5 hours after the Moon reaches perigee, the point in its orbit when it's closest to Earth. The Moon will appear around 8% larger than it does when it's at apogee (farthest from Earth in its orbit), but likely only dedicated Moon watchers will notice this. A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and a full Moon form a near-perfect lineup in space, in what is known as syzygy. The Moon gradually glides into Earth's shadow, until the entire lunar disk turns from silvery grey to an eerie dim orange or red. Then events unfold in reverse order, until the Moon returns to full brilliance. The whole process for the May 26th eclipse will take a touch more than five hours. "You only need your eyes to see the drama unfold, but if you have binoculars or a backyard telescope, they'll give a much-enhanced view," says Hannikainen. The events that happen during a total lunar eclipse are more complex and interesting than many people realize. The event has five stages, each with different things to watch. (1) The Moon's leading edge enters the pale outer fringe of Earth's shadow: the penumbra. You probably won't notice anything until the Moon is about halfway across the penumbra. Watch for a slight darkening on the Moon's lower-left side as seen from North America. The penumbral shading becomes stronger as the Moon moves deeper in. The penumbra is the region where an astronaut standing on the Moon would see Earth covering only part of the Sun's face. (2) The Moon's leading edge enters the umbra, the cone of Earth's shadow within which the Sun's completely hidden. You should notice a dramatic darkening on the leading edge of the lunar disk. With a telescope, you can watch the edge of the umbra slowly engulfing one lunar feature after another, as the entire sky begins to grow darker. (3) The trailing edge of the Moon slips into the umbra for the beginning of total eclipse. But the Moon won't black out completely: it's sure to glow some shade of intense orange or red. Why is this? The Earth's atmosphere scatters and bends (refracts) sunlight that skims its edges, diverting some of it onto the eclipsed Moon. It's the same effect that happens at sunset. If you were on the Moon during a lunar eclipse, you'd see the Sun hidden by a dark Earth rimmed with the reddish light of all the sunrises and sunsets ringing the world at that moment. The red umbral glow can be quite different from one eclipse to the next. Two main factors affect its brightness and hue. The first is simply how deeply the Moon goes into the umbra as it passes through; the center of the umbra is darker than its edges. The other factor is the state of Earth's atmosphere. If a major volcanic eruption has recently polluted the stratosphere with thin global haze, a lunar eclipse can be dark red, ashen brown, or occasionally almost black. In addition, blue light is refracted through Earth's clear, ozone-rich upper atmosphere above the thicker layers that produce the red sunrise-sunset colors. This ozone-blue light tints the Moon also, especially near the umbra's edge. You'll need binoculars or a telescope to see this effect. (4) As the Moon continues moving along its orbit, events replay in reverse order. The Moon's edge re-emerges into sunlight, ending totality and beginning a partial eclipse again. (5) When all of the Moon escapes the umbra, only the last, penumbral shading is left. Some time later, nothing unusual remains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 Planned supersonic aircraft may be faster than a speeding bullet and present systems may not be able to keep up. Seems that NASA is on the ball. NASA tests system for aircraft positioning in supersonic flight by Matt Kamlet for AFRC News Edwards AFB CA (SPX) May 20, 2021 NASA's X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft, or QueSST, is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without producing a loud, disruptive sonic boom, which is typically heard on the ground below aircraft flying at such speeds. Instead, with the X-59, people on the ground will hear nothing more than a quiet sonic thump - if they hear anything at all. The X-59 will fly over communities around the United States to demonstrate this technology, but first, NASA will need to validate the X-plane's acoustic signature, using a ground recording system. Video NASA Tests System for Precise Aerial Positioning in Supersonic Flight NASA recently flight tested a visual navigation system designed to enhance precise aerial positioning between two aircraft in supersonic flight. The Airborne Location Integrating Geospatial Navigation System (ALIGNS) was developed to prepare for future acoustic validation flights of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology airplane. The X-59 is designed to reduce the loud sonic boom, heard on the ground when an aircraft flies at supersonic speeds, to a quiet thump - a technology that will be demonstrated when the X-plane flies over communities starting in 2024. First, NASA will need to fly the X-59 as part of an acoustic validation phase, to confirm that the aircraft is as quiet as it's designed to be. This is where ALIGNS comes in. To validate the X-59's acoustic signature, the team at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California will need to both measure and visualize its shock waves, which are waves of pressure produced by aircraft as they fly faster than the speed of sound and are heard as sonic booms. Getting accurate measurements of the X-59's unique shock waves will require a chase aircraft, flying in exact positions relative to the X-59 while both aircraft fly at supersonic speed. A shock-sensing probe, mounted to the nose of an F-15, will be the primary tool in measuring the X-59's shock waves. For the probe to take accurate measurements, the F-15 will need to fly in and out of the X-59's shock waves at precise distances. "ALIGNS is software that is designed to create a virtual point on the shock wave that is produced from the target aircraft. The pilots will get directional cues on the ALIGNS display to help them steer the F-15 to that specific point in space," said ALIGNS Principal Investigator Troy Robillos. "For our initial flights, we used the ALIGNS tablet to show our pilots where to steer the F-15. ALIGNS shows the horizontal, vertical, fore, and aft offsets in relation to a point on the F-18 shockwave." The acoustic validation phase will also include shock wave visualization. Using a technique called schlieren photography, NASA is able to capture imagery of the shock waves from supersonic aircraft - a critical requirement to confirm that the X-59's shock waves travel through the air as predicted. The maneuver to capture these images will be challenging. The F-15 chase aircraft, with a special camera system, will need to position itself in a precise location that places the X-59 in frame from a moderate distance, directly in front of the sun, as both aircraft are flying at supersonic speeds. "ALIGNS is absolutely going to help us get this done," says NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less. "We've flight tested it, we're going to continue to make it better, and we'll be ready." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 If humans are to truly become interplanetary settlers, we're going to need to have access to water — a lot of it. But loading it on a rocket would be heavy, and trying to escape Earth's gravity with all that weight would be costly. That's why space agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency, as well as planetary geologists, have been looking for sources of water on Mars. Now, a new paper published in the journal Icarus suggests there is a unique subsurface ice feature in a location that would be optimal for future explorers of the Red Planet. Researchers found a kind of shallow river of ice, similar to what we see in regions of Antarctica. Read more about the new study here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Mars: Nasa's Perseverance rover's first 100 days in pictures - BBC News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Tianzhou 2 docks with China's new station core module by Staff Writers Beijing (XNA) Jun 02, 2021 . Tianzhou 2, a cargo spacecraft launched on Saturday evening, docked with Tianhe-the recently deployed core module of the country's permanent space station-early on Sunday morning, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The Long March 7 rocket, carrying Tianzhou 2, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan at 8:55 pm Saturday. After a 10-minute flight atop the 53-meter rocket, the craft entered a low Earth orbit, unfolded its solar panels and began to execute the rapid autonomous rendezvous and docking procedures, which lasted about eight hours, the agency said in a statement. Tianzhou 2 successfully docked with Tianhe's rear hatch at 5:01 am. Next, it is programmed to conduct autonomous refueling operations and carry out some equipment tests, according to the statement. When astronauts from the Shenzhou XII spacecraft board Tianhe in the future, they will gradually move living materials and mission payloads from Tianzhou 2 to the core module. Tianhe, or Harmony of Heavens, was lifted by a Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket at the Wenchang launch center on April 29. The module, the largest and heaviest spacecraft China has ever built, is the first part of the Chinese space station, named Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace. Before docking with Tianzhou 2, Tianhe carried out a series of tests to verify its procedures for rendezvous and docking maneuvers, astronaut accommodation and experimental equipment. Hao Chun, director of the manned space agency, said previously that the Shenzhou XII spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, will launch and dock with Tianhe early in June. The crew will stay in the module for three months. Tianzhou 2's launch was originally scheduled for the early morning of May 20, but mission commanders decided to postpone it shortly before the predetermined ignition time after a technical problem on the rocket was detected. Over the past 10 days, engineers and technicians from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which designed and built the rocket, raced against time to pinpoint and solve the problem and managed to make sure the rocket could be launched on Saturday, according to the academy. A Tianzhou cargo spaceship has two parts-a cargo cabin and a propulsion section. Such vehicles are 10.6 meters long and 3.35 meters wide. The craft, which has a liftoff weight of 13.5 metric tons, can transport up to 6.9 tons of supplies to the space station, according to Bai Mingsheng, Tianzhou's chief designer at the China Academy of Space Technology. With a designed life of more than 1 year, Tianzhou 2, the country's second cargo spaceship, carried 6.8 tons of supplies for Tianhe, including 2 tons of propellants, more than 160 packages of living and experiment materials and two roughly 100-kilogram spacesuits for the astronauts to perform extravehicular activities outside the core module. "Tianzhou 2 features a capability to conduct rapid autonomous docking with the space station. That is very significant for the station's operation because it ensures the timely delivery of time-sensitive items such as biological materials needed in experiments," Bai said. "Furthermore, such capability improves our readiness to respond to possible emergencies, as it can ferry urgently needed supplies to astronauts." Besides refueling and resupplying tasks, the cargo ship will be used in scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during its linkup with Tianhe, but for most of its time in space, the craft will be dormant to save fuel, according to Bai. The designer noted that when Tianzhou 2 departs from Tianhe, it will carry waste from the module and burn up during atmospheric reentry. Lei Jianyu, a chief structural engineer of Tianzhou 2, said it is the world's best space cargo ship when it comes to carrying capacity-before it, no cargo vehicle could transport as much as 6.9 tons of materials to space. He said there are 18 cubic meters inside the vehicle for cargo and the shelves' shapes and arrangements were carefully calculated to make it easy for astronauts to move among them to get desired items. Hao, from the manned space agency, said the Tianzhou 3 cargo ship will be launched in September to dock with Tianhe. In October, another three-astronaut team will fly to the core module on Shenzhou XIII to stay there for six months. Two large space labs will be launched next year to connect with the module, and 2022 will also see two manned missions and two robotic cargo flights to further the construction of the Tiangong space station, which is scheduled to be completed around the end of next year. Tiangong, China's most adventurous space endeavor, will consist of three main components-a core module attached to two space labs-with a combined weight of nearly 70 tons. The entire station is set to operate for about 15 years, mission planners have said. Tianzhou 2's predecessor, Tianzhou 1, was China's biggest spacecraft when it entered service and was launched at the Wenchang launch center in April 2017. It carried out several docking and in-orbit refueling maneuvers with a Chinese space laboratory in a low Earth orbit from April to September that year, making China the third nation with in-orbit refueling capability, after the former Soviet Union and the United States. The world's first operational cargo spacecraft, Progress 7K-TG, was developed and launched by the Soviet Union in 1978. This type of transport vehicle conducted 43 cargo flights before being retired in 1990. More than 200 cargo vehicles have been sent to deliver supplies to space stations. Currently, four models are in service-China's Tianzhou, Russia's Progress-MS and the US' Cargo Dragon and Cygnus. Source: Xinhua New Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 NASA plans 2 new robotic missions to Venus Social Sharing Facebook Twitter Email Reddit LinkedIn Missions 'aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world' The Associated Press · Posted: Jun 02, 2021 7:03 PM ET | Last Updated: 2 hours ago This image made available by NASA shows the planet Venus made with data from the Magellan spacecraft and Pioneer Venus Orbiter. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/The Associated Press) NASA is returning to sizzling Venus, our closest yet perhaps most overlooked neighbour, after decades of exploring other worlds. The space agency's new administrator, Bill Nelson, announced two new robotic missions to the solar system's hottest planet, during his first major address to employees Wednesday. "These two sister missions both aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world capable of melting lead at the surface," Nelson said. One mission, named DaVinci Plus, will analyze the thick, cloudy Venusian atmosphere in an attempt to determine whether the planet ever had an ocean and was possibly habitable. A small craft will plunge through the atmosphere to measure the gases. It will be the first U.S.-led mission to the Venusian atmosphere since 1978. The other mission, called Veritas, will seek a geologic history by mapping the rocky planet's surface. 'Astounding' amount to learn "It is astounding how little we know about Venus," but the new missions will give fresh views of the planet's atmosphere, made up mostly of carbon dioxide, down to the core, NASA scientist Tom Wagner said in a statement. "It will be as if we have rediscovered the planet." NASA's top science official, Thomas Zurbuchen, calls it "a new decade of Venus." Each mission — launching sometime around 2028 to 2030 — will receive $500 million for development under NASA's Discovery program. NASA may prioritize Venus missions after recent discovery of possible life Venus slowdown puzzles planetary scientists The missions beat out two other proposed projects, to Jupiter's moon Io and Neptune's icy moon Triton. The U.S. and the former Soviet Union sent multiple spacecraft to Venus in the early days of space exploration. NASA's Mariner 2 performed the first successful flyby in 1962, and the Soviets' Venera 7 made the first successful landing in 1970. In 1989, NASA used a space shuttle to send its Magellan spacecraft into orbit around Venus. The European Space Agency put a spacecraft around Venus in 2006. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 California prepares for more West Coast space launches by Paul Brinkmann Washington DC (UPI) Jun 1, 2021 The state of California and Vandenberg Space Force Base are planning and building new infrastructure to capture more of the growing commercial space launch business. Vandenberg has never been as busy as the primary U.S. spaceports in Florida -- Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. But now SpaceX and several other launch companies plan to increase activity on the launch pads overlooking the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX will begin launching the company's Starlink satellites toward polar orbits from Vandenberg soon, Col. Anthony Mastalir, commander of Vandenberg's launch range and personnel, said in an interview. "Just within the last couple of months, we've seen SpaceX put half a dozen Falcon 9 launches on the manifest to complete their Starlink constellation and hit the higher orbits they need to hit," Mastalir said. New companies have joined the nation's two largest launchers, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance, in leasing dedicated launch pads at Vandenberg. And there are dozens of former launch pads that could still be renovated, Mastalir said. The recent reorganization of Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg under the new U.S. Space Force also means great coordination of launches nationally, he said. Texas-based Firefly Aerospace has renovated a pad where it plans to launch the new Firefly Alpha rocket for the first time this summer. Los Angeles-based Relativity Space also plans launches there, and just received $30 million in tax credits from the state, partly to create jobs and invest in launch infrastructure at Vandenberg. The polar orbit is a major attraction for the West Coast launch sites, as companies like OneWeb and SpaceX deploy thousands of new broadband communication satellites, Mastalir said. Satellites on a polar orbit, rather than equatorial, can be launched southward safely over the ocean from Vandenberg, which is why the U.S. government has launched missile tests and rockets from there historically. Polar launches are possible in Florida, but the geography isn't as well-suited. The military unit Mastalir commands, Space Launch Delta 30, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state of California, Santa Barbara County and several colleges to collaborate on growth in space business around Vandenberg. "Vandenberg is 100,000 acres, right, so I have a lot of property that can be used to kind of develop the space industry," Mastalir said. Vandenberg has started an environmental assessment to prepare for possible new growth that would help streamline state permitting in the future, he said. The base also plans to add new high-speed, fiber communications in the relatively undeveloped southern half of the base. Relativity and Firefly plan to hire dozens of people in the region soon, said Andrew Hackleman, chief operating officer at REACH Central Coast, a regional non-profit coalition that promotes higher-paying jobs near Vandenberg. "We're developing a master plan so we can seek state and federal funding for more infrastructure to expand the launch capability, like roads, propellant rocket fuel storage and power connections," Hackleman said. "We have detailed launch forecasts that show big increases in the next decade, and we are trying to get ready for that," he said. The group has studied how Space Florida, the state's development agency for space in Florida, organized new growth around Kennedy Space Center. Meanwhile, Firefly is seeking final permits and lease arrangements ahead of its first Alpha test-firing, said Robb Kulin, chief engineer on the Alpha rocket. "There's a lot of negative regulatory carryover from previous ways of doing things with launch permitting in general but also with environmental regulations," Kulin said in an interview. "A lot of those regulations were written with the procurement concept in mind, meaning when only the Air Force and NASA launched rockets," Kulin said. The COVID-19 pandemic and other delays resulted in a slow launch pace in 2020, but the base anticipates a dozen launches this year. Eventually, Mastalir said, he expects to see 50 launches per year, which is more like the pace of activity in Florida. "If we're not postured to do 50 launches a year over the next 10 years, then we've failed. So all of our efforts are designed to accommodate 50," Mastalir said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 Hmmm I wonder if we will ever see this happen? Link to Boom website: Boom - Supersonic Passenger Airplanes (boomsupersonic.com) Following is an article on "what if" Where Could United Airlines Fly Its Boom Supersonic Jets? byJames Pearson June 3, 2021 3 minute read United has announced plans to acquire 15 Boom Overture aircraft, with options for up to 35 more. This, United has made crystal clear, is absolutely subject to Overture meeting performance and environmental expectations – which is a very tall ask. If it does enter United’s fleet, Newark to Heathrow is likely to be the first route. United has ordered 15 aircraft, with options for up to 35 more. Photo: Boom Supersonic. Overture is built on speed, with the aircraft’s speed touted as being twice as fast as current commercial machines. This helps to dictate where it will and won’t be used, with the aircraft obviously to be deployed on routes that will command a strong premium price in exchange for the speed and convenience – and for having between just 65 and 88 seats. Despite the speed, Overture expects to have net-zero emissions from launch. Most of United’s hubs are unlikely to see the aircraft. Photo: Boom Supersonic. Where won’t Overture fly? The aircraft is expected to have a theoretical range of up to 4,250 nautical miles (nm), subject as always to seat configuration and where it is used. Allowing for a reduction in range for real-world operations, especially winter winds, the potential range might be somewhat closer to 3,800nm. This will very much limit where it can fly, ruling out transpacific routes from United’s San Francisco hub. ADVERTISEMENT Skip Ad Moreover, the FAA shows that civil supersonic aircraft are limited to Mach 1 or less, which will also determine where it can fly from, unless it is changed or if the sonic boom is somehow reduced. And continental Europe is likely to be problematic too. Unless flying at slower speeds – but what would be the point? The aircraft’s very purpose – reducing journey times and therefore increasing competitiveness – would be greatly diminished. This means that Chicago, Denver, and Houston are unlikely to see the aircraft. Not that it matters for Denver and Houston, which can be pretty much ruled out anyway because of range. Denver-Heathrow is 4,058m, while Houston-Heathrow is 4,200nm. If the aircraft is acquired by United, it’s most likely to be used from Newark and Dulles to Northern Europe. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying. Where is it likely to fly from? All of this suggests that the Overture is most likely to fly from Newark and Washington Dulles. More than this, targeted routes will be: ADVERTISEMENT High yielding (naturally!) With strong premium demand Very driven by point-to-point demand rather than transit demand Still, options will be limited, as shown in the following map. Even if Southern Europe was sufficiently high-yielding, which it isn’t as it is often driven by tourism and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) demand, a good number of places would be out of reach. In reality, Boom Overture is very likely to be used on United’s core routes to Northern Europe from Newark and Dulles, with Heathrow very likely to be an important destination. ADVERTISEMENT 3,800nm ranges from Newark and Dulles. Green= Newark; yellow = Dulles. Image: GCMap. Newark to Heathrow the first route? Heathrow to Newark is probably United’s largest premium market. You can tell this even without reference to airfares. United has six daily departures on it this winter, making it by far its most-served long-haul route. It has twice as many daily departures as both Dulles and O’Hare to Heathrow. While Newark-Heathrow used to be served by B757-200s – enabling such high frequency – it is now all B767-300ERs. And with just 167 seats, United’s 763s are also low-capacity, with 46 seats in Polaris, 22 in Premium Plus, and 43 in Economy Plus. Just 56 seats are bog-standard economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Hype or Reality? These days it is nigh impossible to differentiate. This info reads like a sales brochure and not a serious introduction for a new supersonic commercial airliner design. The problems that Concorde faced in terms of materials, weight and management/control of aerodynamic flow & forces for both the delta arrangement and engine intakes are the same and are not insignificant. I think the marketing department got hold of the graphics people before the engineers did - the windows on Concorde were tiny for a reason. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 1 hour ago, Kargokings said: Boeing’s Purchase Of Embraer Approved By Brazil – What Does This Mean? byNicholas Cummins January 28, 2020 137 shares Brazil has approved the Embraer and Boeing partnership, allowing Boeing to launch Embraer small jets as part of their own product line and take on Airbus & their small A220 head-on.Boeing os cleared to purchase an 80% share in Embraer’s commercial arm. Photo: Embraer What are the details? Brazil has given the green light for the final approval of Boeing’s take over of Embraer, starting a new era of small Boeing jets. Boeing has been in discussion with a partnership with the Brazilian planemaker, to help build and distribute their E-Jet family. In detail, Boeing will buy 80% of the Embraer commercial arm as well as a joint venture to help market Embraer’s military aircraft to the world. Embraer and Boeing both celebrated the news. “This latest clearance is yet another endorsement of our partnership, which will bring greater competition to the regional jet marketplace, better value for our customers and opportunities for our employees,” said Marc Allen, Boeing’s president of Embraer Partnership & Group Operations.Boeing will also bring plenty of expertise in building aircraft to Brazil. Photo: Getty “Brazil’s approval of the deal is a clear demonstration of the pro-competitive nature of our partnership,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, president, and CEO of Embraer. “It will not only benefit our customers but also allow the growth of Embraer and the Brazilian aeronautical industry as a whole.” So far the deal has been approved for all markets apart from Europe. Naturally, as the home of Airbus, Europe has been a bit slower to approve the deal. Nonetheless, if the takeover deal was approved everywhere else, likely it is only a short matter of time for Europe to follow suit. “We have been productively engaged with the Commission to demonstrate the pro-competitive nature of our planned partnership, and we look forward to a positive outcome,” Boeing’s Allen said. “Given the positive endorsement we’ve seen from customers across Europe and the unconditional clearance we’ve received from every other regulator who has considered the transaction, we look forward to securing final approval for the transaction as soon as possible.”European regulators have yet to approve the Boeing-Embraer deal. Photo: Embraer What does this mean for passengers? The Boeing-Embraer partnership means an exciting new age of aircraft for passengers. Whilst the E-Jet family is well known throughout the world and heavily used in the US airlines regional fleets, the new version of the aircraft (E-Jet E2) has not been incredibly popular with airlines (only 189 have been sold so far). With Boeing backing the aircraft, the airframe might become a lot more popular. Additionally, Boeing is looking at a new turboprop aircraft concept with the Brazilian planemaker. Embraer has been looking at launching a new propeller aircraft but has been hesitant due to the high costs involved with the design. Now that Boeing is onboard, likely the funding will be available. “It sits in our target market, which we have always been clear is below 150 seats, and will have natural adjacency to the E2 offering” – Embraer Commercial Aviation’s Chief Executive John Slattery spoke with Reuters. Some experts have suggested that Boeing might shift some production of their mainline fleets (Boeing 737 or perhaps Boeing 787) to save on labor costs, however, as Boeing is so involved with the US government (who likes to keep production within the United States) this is likely not to happen. I thought this deal was dead? Apparently not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 22 minutes ago, conehead said: I thought this deal was dead? Apparently not... You are correct, I quoted a dead item that just popped up on my feeds as being current. I have removed my post. Latest has China looking at the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 49 minutes ago, Kargokings said: You are correct, I quoted a dead item that just popped up on my feeds as being current. I have removed my post. Latest has China looking at the purchase. C'mon... that's twice in the past week you've posted a year-old story... You're gonna get fired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest1 Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 1 hour ago, conehead said: C'mon... that's twice in the past week you've posted a year-old story... You're gonna get fired! Not fired, likely elimination of my job (posting rights) .... due to posting after drinking too much coffee. Never happens when I am sipping on scotch though... hmmmmm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 The future is racing towards us. Every step is a proving ground... https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-refuels-us-navy-fighter-jet-midair-first-time/ Drone refuels U.S. Navy fighter jet in midair for the first time An unmanned aircraft successfully refueled a U.S. fighter jet in midair for the first time, officials said Monday. A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and a Boeing-made drone were briefly connected by a hose as the drone transferred jet fuel to the aircraft in the skies over the Midwest during Friday's test flight. During the flight, the Super Hornet approached the drone, known as a MQ-25 Stingray, from behind and were as close as 20 feet from each other, Boeing said. The hose extended from the drone, and the Super Hornet connected with the drogue at the end of the hose to receive the fuel. The Navy posted video of the test flight to Twitter. The test was conducted from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, and the Navy and Boeing said they plan to conduct tests on an aircraft carrier later this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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