"Nasa Names New Spacecraft 'Orion'" BBC. 23 Aug. 2006. 23 Jan. 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5277736.stm.
This article talks about the new name for the CEV the Orion. This new name was slipped from an astronaut aboard the ISS. The article also states the plans for the Orion.
“It is hoped the name Orion could eventually mean as much for manned space exploration as Apollo did in the 1960s and 1970s."
The article states that the spacecraft was named after the Orion constellation. One of the most recognizable constellations in our galaxy. It is a fitting name for a spacecraft which people have such high expectations for.
Question:
1. Who came up with the name?
2. What other names where considered.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Orion
Monday, January 22, 2007
Going to the moon
"Nasa Plans Return to Moon by 2020." BBC NEWS. 19 Sept. 2005. 22 Jan. 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4261522.stm.
This artifact talks about NASA's plans to return to the moon by 2020. They plan on using the CEV as the cornerstone to this operation.
'"We will return to the Moon no later than 2020 and extend human presence across the Solar System and beyond," Dr Griffin said on Monday.'
The CEV was briefly discussed in that it was like the Apollo era spacecraft but a lot more advanced. They later went on about using the moon as a base for future expeditions. Using it like a launch platform away from earth, the first stop would be Mars. NASA has huge plans for the CEV and we will see if they become a reality.
Question:
1. Will the CEV need modifications to go to mars?
2. How will fueling work on the moon?
Testing the heat shield
Fletcher, Seth. "Tech Watch: NASA's Heat Ray, Rocket Defense, Martian Spacesuit and More." Popular Mechanics. Aug. 2006. 22 Jan. 2007 http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/3281776.html?page=1.
This artifact is about testing the new heat shields for the CEV. When a spacecraft reenters our atmosphere friction causes immense amounts of heat. These shields are supposed to protect the CEV and the astronauts from the heat. The CEV will reenter the atmosphere faster than the space shuttle. Therefore, it will require better heat shields.
To test and develop this new material they use an arc jet to heat the material to 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is supposed to replicate the reentry conditions. The previous shuttle shields are described as the "shuttle's notorious tiles." Hopefully this testing will lead to NASA choosing a better and safer material for the CEV
Questions:
1. has NASA chosen a material?
2. How is it better than the space shuttles tiles?
Shuttle goals to high
"NASA: Shuttle Goals Might Be Tough to Achieve." CNN. 10 Jan. 2007. 22 Jan. 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/01/10/space.shuttle.ap/index.html.
This article is about the five planned space shuttle missions for this year. The article states that this launch schedule may be too ambiguous and that they may not be able to follow this plan. This launch schedule has the highest launches per year since 2002. In 2002 there where also five launches of the space shuttle. The reason for the concern is the prep time for the space shuttle.
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The launches are planed so the ISS can come closer to completion. Although there is much doubt we will see if the five launches will go according to plan in 2007.
Questions:
1. How long is the prep time for a space shuttle?
2. Is the CEV prep time shorter?
3. What do they do during this prep time?
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Discovery returns
"Discovery Home for the Holidays." CNN. 22 Dec. 2006. 3 Jan. 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/12/22/space.shuttle/index.html.
This artifact is about the successful return of the discovery space shuttle. The Discovery landed at 5:32pm eastern time at Kennedy space center on the 22nd of December. This was the first night launch of a space shuttle since the Columbia disaster.
"During the mission, Discovery docked with the space station, and its crew continued construction of the outpost during the first of four spacewalks. The other two spacewalks rewired the station's power system for a permanent setup. The fourth spacewalk was added to allow Discovery crew members to retract the solar arrays."
The mission went without any major problems. To make sure there were no issues with the shuttle cameras where installed and radar was used during the launch. They where used to make sure that the disaster of Columbia tragedy were not repeated. The launch went without any problems, and the astronauts returned in time for the holidays.
This is a successful launch and return for a space shuttle. Which will help boast people confidence in the space shuttle. The new radar and camera system worked to prevent any failures. I believe that the space shuttle will continue to provide our space exploration needs until the CEV will replace it.
Questions:
1. With a successful return will NASA continue to use the space shuttle regularly?
2. Where there any small issues?
This artifact is about the successful return of the discovery space shuttle. The Discovery landed at 5:32pm eastern time at Kennedy space center on the 22nd of December. This was the first night launch of a space shuttle since the Columbia disaster.
"During the mission, Discovery docked with the space station, and its crew continued construction of the outpost during the first of four spacewalks. The other two spacewalks rewired the station's power system for a permanent setup. The fourth spacewalk was added to allow Discovery crew members to retract the solar arrays."
The mission went without any major problems. To make sure there were no issues with the shuttle cameras where installed and radar was used during the launch. They where used to make sure that the disaster of Columbia tragedy were not repeated. The launch went without any problems, and the astronauts returned in time for the holidays.
This is a successful launch and return for a space shuttle. Which will help boast people confidence in the space shuttle. The new radar and camera system worked to prevent any failures. I believe that the space shuttle will continue to provide our space exploration needs until the CEV will replace it.
Questions:
1. With a successful return will NASA continue to use the space shuttle regularly?
2. Where there any small issues?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
CEV or Apollo
Stover, Dawn. "CEV Vs. Apollo." CNN. 3 Mar. 2006. 10 Dec. 2006 http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/03/03/cev.vs.apollo/index.html.
This artifact is comparing the CEV v. the Apollo the article starts out with talking about when Michael Griffin unveiled the CEV. Many people say the CEV is an "Apollo on steroids." The shows that the CEV although similar in looks it is different from the Apollo spacecraft. They compare 5 things between the CEV and the Apollo. They are size, launch, range, controls and landing. In all of these categories the article sates that The CEV is better then the Apollo.
The article goes into detail about the difference in size. It states that the CEV will be bigger in diameter, 18ft versus the 13ft of the Apollo. Yet the spacecraft will only be 10 to 15 percent heavier. The CEV will also be able to hold more people and be less cramped. This will lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for our astronauts. The article also talks about the launch. The Apollo lunched on the largest rockets ever made. The CEV will launch with smaller rockets then in earth orbit it will meet up with the rest of the rockets to reach the moon.
The next point was the range. The article states that since the CEV will hold more fuel than the Apollo it can land anywhere on the moon unlike the Apollo. Then the article talks about the controls, it states that the computers on the CEV are much more advance than the Apollo. This will lead to The CEV being able to fly on autopilot around the moon while the astronauts can be on the surface of the moon. The next point is about the CEV's capsule landing on land and not the ocean. This would mean no costly recovery mission/efforts.
The CEV seems more advance then The Apollo. The CEV has the advantage over the Apollo in all of these five fields.
Questions:
1. Are there any disadvantages to the CEV?
2. Can it hold as much as the Apollo?
This artifact is comparing the CEV v. the Apollo the article starts out with talking about when Michael Griffin unveiled the CEV. Many people say the CEV is an "Apollo on steroids." The shows that the CEV although similar in looks it is different from the Apollo spacecraft. They compare 5 things between the CEV and the Apollo. They are size, launch, range, controls and landing. In all of these categories the article sates that The CEV is better then the Apollo.
The article goes into detail about the difference in size. It states that the CEV will be bigger in diameter, 18ft versus the 13ft of the Apollo. Yet the spacecraft will only be 10 to 15 percent heavier. The CEV will also be able to hold more people and be less cramped. This will lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for our astronauts. The article also talks about the launch. The Apollo lunched on the largest rockets ever made. The CEV will launch with smaller rockets then in earth orbit it will meet up with the rest of the rockets to reach the moon.
The next point was the range. The article states that since the CEV will hold more fuel than the Apollo it can land anywhere on the moon unlike the Apollo. Then the article talks about the controls, it states that the computers on the CEV are much more advance than the Apollo. This will lead to The CEV being able to fly on autopilot around the moon while the astronauts can be on the surface of the moon. The next point is about the CEV's capsule landing on land and not the ocean. This would mean no costly recovery mission/efforts.
The CEV seems more advance then The Apollo. The CEV has the advantage over the Apollo in all of these five fields.
Questions:
1. Are there any disadvantages to the CEV?
2. Can it hold as much as the Apollo?
CEV
Wilson, Jim, ed. "Frequently Asked Questions." NASA. 25 Feb. 2006. 10 Dec. 2006 http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/cev_faq.html.
This artifact is all about the CEV and other NASA projects. The CEV is supposed to be operational in 2011. The CEV will be used for space exploration. It can carry between three and six members on it. It can take trips to the international space station (ISS), and later is slatted to go to mars.
Another point of the article is about why we are going to the moon. The article states that going to the moon will help us develop new and better technologies so we can explore the space frontier. Also, missions on the moon will help us learn how to survive in space for extended periods. Also, we will ultimately do more tests on the moon and will use it to send vehicles to other planets like mars.
Another point of the article is about why we need the CEV over the space shuttle to go to the moon.
“ The space shuttle is not designed for use beyond low-Earth orbit. Wings are not necessary. There are several issues that prevent the use of the space shuttle for lunar exploration. To escape the Earth's gravity, any spacecraft must attain a speed of more than 17,500 mph. The shuttle is designed for re-entry from an Earth orbital speed of 17,500 mph, not the 25,000 mph speed of a moon mission. Entering the Earth's atmosphere at this high speed would destroy the shuttle because it would exceed the wing and fuselage load limits. Currently, there is no thermal protection system that would protect the wings from such a high heat load."(1).
The article later states that even though the CEV looks like the Apollo era space craft it is actually much more advance and reliable. In addition, they expect the CEV to lead the future in space travel.
Questions:
1. What are the advances over the Apollo?
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