Video: Squirrel with a Proton Launch Front Row Seat

Video: Squirrel with a Proton Launch Front Row Seat
LiveLeak, 27 May 2014
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=346_1401236397

A closeup video of a Russian Proton Launch with a nosy little squirrel friend

Book Review: The New Rocket Science

The New Rocket Science
by Richard L Keith
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/edward-keith/the-new-rocket-science/paperback/product-11266613.html

I just finished reading the book “The New Rocket Science” by Edward L Keith. There’s a lot wrong with it but there are a few things that I think are really good.

Of the things that are wrong with it are: the price, the artwork quality is poor, the sentence structure is repetitive and some of his points seem trite by merely saying “we need to develop better cost models.”

That said, there is a lot of good in the book.

First, the book is a good basic introduction to aerospace cost models. I haven’t had any formal introduction to cost models before and this book was almost completely about cost models. In fact, if one were to ask what is “the new rocket science?”, the answer might be “cost models” according to this book. As a general introduction to cost models in launch vehicle design, I found it entertaining and informative. I now know that I need to learn more about cost models.

Second, the author advocates an integrated design approach that considers manufacturing and operations as well as design costs. Although he doesn’t really state it explicitly, I think that he’s basically advocating for what is now MDO, multidisciplinary design optimization. Actually, he does use the term “multi disciplined optimization” at least once and maybe twice, but overall, he suggests the need to integrate all design, development, manufacturing and operations costs in considering launch system designs. I personally will put more emphasis on MDO in the future.

The one thing that I think he did well was to consider the “incentives problem” as to why the Soviet Union might have produced the closest thing to “low cost access to space” whereas the US didn’t. I liked his answer to that question.

The book suggests that those of us who want to develop low cost access to space should consider developing our own cost models to help guide our efforts. In fact, if we are to advance rocket science according to the author, we must expand the economics of launch systems as a whole as part of that science.

Anyway, I recommend this book if you haven’t had an introduction to cost models before and if you’re looking for a plausible explanation for why we still don’t have low cost access to space.

Rocket Science Tools on the Web

Analysis tools for Tomorrow's Rocket Engineer
Rocket Science andEngineering Technologies, 29 March 2014
http://www.rsandt.com/

This person has placed a number of interesting tools and reports on the web. He states:

This is the web site for Rocket Science and Technology, operated by Charles Hoult. RST provides free analysis tools for the serious amateur rocket designer and university rocket engineering student.

Study on Impact of small satellites to space sciences

Findings of the KECK Institute for Space Studies Program on Small Satellites: A Revolution in Space Science
Smallsat 2013/Digital Commons, 13 February 2014
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2949&context=smallsat

Presentation Slides
Smallsat 2013/Digital Commons, 13 February 2014
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=2949&context=smallsat&type=additional

In July and October of 2012 a study program, with 30 participants from 14 institutions throughout academia, government, and industry, was held on the unique role small satellites can play to revolutionize scientific observations in space science from LEO to deep space. The first workshop identified novel mission concepts where stand-alone, constellation, and fractionated small satellite systems can enable new targeted space science discoveries in heliophysics, astrophysics, and planetary science including NEOs and small bodies.

Spaceworks Releases Market Assessment

2014 Nano/Microsatellite Market Assessment Now Available
SpaceWorks Enterprises, 10 February 2014
http://www.sei.aero/news/newsindex.php?id=529

SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) released the annual update to its nanosatellite and microsatellite market assessment. The study presents the latest observations, trends, and projections for the nano/microsatellite market. Projections indicate more than 400 nano/microsatellites will need launches annually in the year 2020 and beyond.

NASA, Saylor Foundation Offer Free Space Systems Engineering Course

NASA, Saylor Foundation Collaborate to Offer New Free Space Systems Engineering Course
NASA, 5 February 2014
http://www.nasa.gov/press/goddard/2014/february/nasa-saylor-foundation-collaborate-to-offer-new-free-space-systems-engineering/#.Uveve4WarF2

Space Systems Engineering, a new massive open online course or MOOC from NASA and the Saylor Foundation, launches on Monday, March 3, 2014. The six-week, general-audience course is available to the public at no cost and provides a unique opportunity to learn from and alongside NASA's engineers. Students who participate can earn a free certificate.

PocketQube Shop Open for Nanosat Business

PocketQube Shop Open for Nanosat Business
PocketQube Shop, 10 January 2014
http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/

A startup based in Glasgow, Scotland, PocketQube shop wants to get more people building and launching their own satellites. We want to provide a hub for the fledgling class of PocketQube satellites by offering a one stop shop with the largest selection of parts available anywhere. PocketQubes are 5cm cubed spacecraft, proposed by Prof Bob Twiggs of Morehead State University (formerly Stanford). The first 4 PocketQubes made orbit on the 21st of November 2013.

PocketQube Standard
PocketQube.org, 10 January 2014
http://pocketqub.org/standard/

The 1U CubeSat was originally conceived as a cube, 100mm on each side with a mass of 1000g.

The 1Q PocketQub is one eighth of a CubeSat - a cube 50mm / 2 inches on each side with a mass of 125g.

Within the limitations of the format, it is recommended that PocketQubs are designed to meet as many of the CubeSat Design Specifications as is practical.