Armadillo Aerospace flies again from Spaceport America, but not without problems
New Space Journal, 29 January 2012
http://www.newspacejournal.com/2012/01/29/armadillo-aerospace-flies-again-from-spaceport-america-but-not-without-problems/
On Saturday they were back at the Spaceport for another flight of the rocket. According to a press release issued by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) late Saturday, that flight was at least partially successful. The rocket lifted off as planned and again flew to nearly 42 kilometers, based on preliminary data.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Online: New Blue Marble
Blue Marble
NASA, 26 January 2012
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2159.html
A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. The NPP satellite was renamed 'Suomi NPP' on January 24, 2012 to honor the late Verner E. Suomi of the University of Wisconsin.
Suomi NPP is NASA's next Earth-observing research satellite. It is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth.
Suomi NPP is carrying five instruments on board. The biggest and most important instrument is The Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite or VIIRS.
NASA, 26 January 2012
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2159.html
A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. The NPP satellite was renamed 'Suomi NPP' on January 24, 2012 to honor the late Verner E. Suomi of the University of Wisconsin.
Suomi NPP is NASA's next Earth-observing research satellite. It is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth.
Suomi NPP is carrying five instruments on board. The biggest and most important instrument is The Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite or VIIRS.
Online: 8-Meter-Wide Asteroid Will Pass Close to Earth January 27
NEO's are potential targets for small missions...
8-Meter-Wide Asteroid Will Pass Close to Earth January 27
Universe Today, 26 January 2012
http://www.universetoday.com/93000/8-meter-wide-asteroid-will-pass-close-to-earth-on-january-27/
A small asteroid will pass extremely close to Earth tomorrow (January 27, 2012). Named 2012 BX34, this 11 meter- (36 feet-) wide 8 meter- (26-foot-) space rock (astronomers have updated their estimates of the size) will skim Earth less than 60,000 km (37,000 miles, .0004 AU)>, at around 15:30 UTC, (10:30 am EST) according to the Minor Planet Center. The latest estimates have this small bus-sized asteroid it traveling at about about 8,900 meters/second (about 20,000 miles per hour). 2012 BX34 has been observed by the Catalina Sky Survey and the Mt. Lemmon Survey in Arizona, and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory in New Mexico, so its orbit is well defined and there is no risk of impact to Earth.
8-Meter-Wide Asteroid Will Pass Close to Earth January 27
Universe Today, 26 January 2012
http://www.universetoday.com/93000/8-meter-wide-asteroid-will-pass-close-to-earth-on-january-27/
A small asteroid will pass extremely close to Earth tomorrow (January 27, 2012). Named 2012 BX34, this 11 meter- (36 feet-) wide 8 meter- (26-foot-) space rock (astronomers have updated their estimates of the size) will skim Earth less than 60,000 km (37,000 miles, .0004 AU)>, at around 15:30 UTC, (10:30 am EST) according to the Minor Planet Center. The latest estimates have this small bus-sized asteroid it traveling at about about 8,900 meters/second (about 20,000 miles per hour). 2012 BX34 has been observed by the Catalina Sky Survey and the Mt. Lemmon Survey in Arizona, and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory in New Mexico, so its orbit is well defined and there is no risk of impact to Earth.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Online: Planetary Landing Demo Capability on Earth with Draper’s GENIE
NASA Moves Closer to Planetary Landing Demo Capability on Earth with Draper’s GENIE
PR Web, 23 January 2012
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9125392.htm
Using the GENIE (Guidance Embedded Navigator Integration Environment) System, Draper recently fully controlled the Xombie suborbital rocket built by Masten Space Systems during a closed loop tethered flight at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. This successful first step brings the NASA Dryden Flight Opportunities Program closer to a new testbed capability that could be used to validate future planetary technology payloads.
PR Web, 23 January 2012
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9125392.htm
Using the GENIE (Guidance Embedded Navigator Integration Environment) System, Draper recently fully controlled the Xombie suborbital rocket built by Masten Space Systems during a closed loop tethered flight at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. This successful first step brings the NASA Dryden Flight Opportunities Program closer to a new testbed capability that could be used to validate future planetary technology payloads.
Online: A satellite defense system based on quantum dot technology
This shows how small satellites are becoming more important to military applications.
A satellite defense system based on quantum dot technology
Nanowerk.com, 23 January 2012
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=24041.php
[The] Raytheon Company has developed a counter measure system using quantum dots to protect space assets such as satellites from missile attacks. They have developed a decoy consisting of quantum dots of different sizes and shapes that are engineered to emit radiation having a radiation profile similar to that of the asset.
A satellite defense system based on quantum dot technology
Nanowerk.com, 23 January 2012
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=24041.php
[The] Raytheon Company has developed a counter measure system using quantum dots to protect space assets such as satellites from missile attacks. They have developed a decoy consisting of quantum dots of different sizes and shapes that are engineered to emit radiation having a radiation profile similar to that of the asset.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Online: Development of a Prototype Rocket Engine for a Nanosat Launch Vehicle First Stage
Development of a Prototype Rocket Engine for a Nanosat Launch Vehicle First Stage
DTIC, 22 January 2012
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA484386
Abstract : The paper discusses the development of a 4,500 lbf thrust liquid oxygen (LOX)/ethanol rocket engine designed to power a family of suborbital Reusable Nanosat Launch Vehicles (RNLV). In order to meet the range of missions required under the project, the engine is designed to be able to operate over a large performance envelope corresponding to thrust level from 3,000 lbf to 5,000 lbf. Propellants are Introduced and mixed in the combustion chamber utilizing a combination of triplet and unlike doublet injector elements. In addition, film cooling is provided in order to extend the life of the ablative chamber. Ignition is accomplished with solid propellant ports mounted on the side of the chamber. Ten (10) static fire tests have been completed to validate the design and to characterize the engine's performance. Initial testing was conducted to validate the ignition algorithm and verify the engine basic integrity at startup. Further testing was conducted to verify engine performance before flight testing. Data shows that the engine can operate at thrust levels between 2500 and 5074 lbf. This successful engine development serves as a precursor to a future NLV first stage engine which will utilize LOX-propylene for added performance.
DTIC, 22 January 2012
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA484386
Abstract : The paper discusses the development of a 4,500 lbf thrust liquid oxygen (LOX)/ethanol rocket engine designed to power a family of suborbital Reusable Nanosat Launch Vehicles (RNLV). In order to meet the range of missions required under the project, the engine is designed to be able to operate over a large performance envelope corresponding to thrust level from 3,000 lbf to 5,000 lbf. Propellants are Introduced and mixed in the combustion chamber utilizing a combination of triplet and unlike doublet injector elements. In addition, film cooling is provided in order to extend the life of the ablative chamber. Ignition is accomplished with solid propellant ports mounted on the side of the chamber. Ten (10) static fire tests have been completed to validate the design and to characterize the engine's performance. Initial testing was conducted to validate the ignition algorithm and verify the engine basic integrity at startup. Further testing was conducted to verify engine performance before flight testing. Data shows that the engine can operate at thrust levels between 2500 and 5074 lbf. This successful engine development serves as a precursor to a future NLV first stage engine which will utilize LOX-propylene for added performance.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Online: Nanosat Launch Vehicle
Initial Results from the Demonstration and Analysis of Reusable Nanosat Launch Vehicle Operations
DTIC, 17 January 2012
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA469944
Abstract : Flight testing of prototype reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) has declined significantly since a period in the mid-1990s that was marked by ambitious projects but uneven results. Consequently, a new program has been established with the objective of investigating RLV-type fast turn-around flight operations. Major distinctions from these earlier efforts include the use of a smaller class of vehicles and payloads, along with an initial emphasis on operations as opposed to advanced technologies. This focus on a hybrid-type (reusable first stage and expendable second stage) "nanosat launch vehicle" (NLV) that ultimately could deliver 10 kg to low Earth orbit has already produced tangible results. These include initial operational capability of a new prototype vehicle just six months after project start, two flights of this vehicle within 3.5 hours, a total of four flights within an eleven month period, pathfinding operations from a new launch site and the manifesting of numerous technology and academic experiments. Lessons learned from this first round of demonstration and analysis are now guiding the development of several next-generation prototype reusable NLVs that will enter flight testing later this year.
DTIC, 17 January 2012
http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA469944
Abstract : Flight testing of prototype reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) has declined significantly since a period in the mid-1990s that was marked by ambitious projects but uneven results. Consequently, a new program has been established with the objective of investigating RLV-type fast turn-around flight operations. Major distinctions from these earlier efforts include the use of a smaller class of vehicles and payloads, along with an initial emphasis on operations as opposed to advanced technologies. This focus on a hybrid-type (reusable first stage and expendable second stage) "nanosat launch vehicle" (NLV) that ultimately could deliver 10 kg to low Earth orbit has already produced tangible results. These include initial operational capability of a new prototype vehicle just six months after project start, two flights of this vehicle within 3.5 hours, a total of four flights within an eleven month period, pathfinding operations from a new launch site and the manifesting of numerous technology and academic experiments. Lessons learned from this first round of demonstration and analysis are now guiding the development of several next-generation prototype reusable NLVs that will enter flight testing later this year.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Online: A systems study of very small launch vehicles
A systems study of very small launch vehicles
MIT DSpace, 12 January 2012
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/9383
"Motivated by the continuing miniaturization of small satellites and ballistic payloads, this thesis studies the performance and feasilibity of very small launch vehicles (15kg - 2000kg liftoff mass)...Following the performance study, a 77kg vehicle (w/o gross payload) was carried through a preliminary design.
MIT DSpace, 12 January 2012
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/9383
"Motivated by the continuing miniaturization of small satellites and ballistic payloads, this thesis studies the performance and feasilibity of very small launch vehicles (15kg - 2000kg liftoff mass)...Following the performance study, a 77kg vehicle (w/o gross payload) was carried through a preliminary design.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Online: Cubesats and low cost launchers open space to many more users
Cubesats and low cost launchers open space to many more users
New Electronics, 10 January 2012
http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-technology/cubesats-and-low-cost-launchers-open-space-to-many-more-users/39400/
Speaking at the 2011 Summer CubeSat Workshop earlier in the year, Clyde Space CEO Craig Clark said the rationale behind UKube-1 is to demonstrate the UK's space capability, as well as to encourage students at schools and universities to take part in experiments aboard the probe. The five payloads represent a mix of commercial and academic projects.
New Electronics, 10 January 2012
http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-technology/cubesats-and-low-cost-launchers-open-space-to-many-more-users/39400/
Speaking at the 2011 Summer CubeSat Workshop earlier in the year, Clyde Space CEO Craig Clark said the rationale behind UKube-1 is to demonstrate the UK's space capability, as well as to encourage students at schools and universities to take part in experiments aboard the probe. The five payloads represent a mix of commercial and academic projects.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Online: Nasa Rocket Equation Training
Beginner's Guide to Rockets
NASA, 8 January 2012
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/shortr.html
The Beginner's Guide to Rockets will help you learn the basic math and physics that govern the design and flight of rockets. We'll look at many different kinds of rockets, from stomp rockets, which are a special kind of artillery shell, to bottle rockets, to model rockets, to full scale boosters. We'll look at the similarities and the differences in these rockets and include some instructions for making and flying your own rockets.
Here's the first page of the site:
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/bgmr.html
Here's the Index:
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/shortr.html
NASA, 8 January 2012
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/shortr.html
The Beginner's Guide to Rockets will help you learn the basic math and physics that govern the design and flight of rockets. We'll look at many different kinds of rockets, from stomp rockets, which are a special kind of artillery shell, to bottle rockets, to model rockets, to full scale boosters. We'll look at the similarities and the differences in these rockets and include some instructions for making and flying your own rockets.
Here's the first page of the site:
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/bgmr.html
Here's the Index:
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/shortr.html
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Online: Project Bellerophon
Project Bellerophon
Purdue, 5 January 2012
https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/Academics/Courses/aae450/2008/spring
This site has a tremendous amount of detail on a university senior project to develop a small launch vehicle. The stated goal was to "...find the most economical method to launch very small payloads (200 grams to 5 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit." This tremendous resource looks at various aspects of launch vehicle design in very detailed ways.
One can find the final reports as PDFs, the various programs used to perform the analyses and instructions on using the software.
Purdue, 5 January 2012
https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/Academics/Courses/aae450/2008/spring
This site has a tremendous amount of detail on a university senior project to develop a small launch vehicle. The stated goal was to "...find the most economical method to launch very small payloads (200 grams to 5 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit." This tremendous resource looks at various aspects of launch vehicle design in very detailed ways.
One can find the final reports as PDFs, the various programs used to perform the analyses and instructions on using the software.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Online: Upper Stage Rocket Motor Reports
Kai L. Gemba's Upper Stage Rocket Motor Reports
Gemba.org, 3 January 2012
http://kai.gemba.org/index.php?page=2
As a student at California State University Long Beach, Kai Gemba was part of a team designing a liquid propellant upper stage motor for the NLV, a joint project between Garvey Spacecraft and CSULB. Several of the development reports are available at his site.
Gemba.org, 3 January 2012
http://kai.gemba.org/index.php?page=2
As a student at California State University Long Beach, Kai Gemba was part of a team designing a liquid propellant upper stage motor for the NLV, a joint project between Garvey Spacecraft and CSULB. Several of the development reports are available at his site.
Monday, January 2, 2012
News: Space 2012: What's Blasting Off This Year
Space 2012: What’s Blasting Off This Year
Popular Mechanics, 2 January 2012
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/space-2012-whats-blasting-off-this-year?src=rss
"After a promising end to 2010, private spaceflight hit a rough patch in 2011. What's on deck for 2012? SpaceX travels to the ISS, and maybe—finally—the private space race hits full stride."
Popular Mechanics, 2 January 2012
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/space-2012-whats-blasting-off-this-year?src=rss
"After a promising end to 2010, private spaceflight hit a rough patch in 2011. What's on deck for 2012? SpaceX travels to the ISS, and maybe—finally—the private space race hits full stride."
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