Cargo ships give International Space Station a push...
-
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/04/10/space.station.ap/index.html[^] I found this quote very interesting: The article stated: The station's orbit gradually decreases under the pull of the Earth's gravity and needs regular adjusting. I find it interesting that the thing has no native thrusters to control its alt above the earth. :wtf: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!?
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
Ray Cassick wrote: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!? You'd still need to refuel the station everynow and then. Guess what vessle comes with the fuel? Tada! The cargo ships. :) It's probably much cheaper that way because:
- They have to go up there anyhow to feed the crew
- When they go up there, they probably want to use the cargo bays for other things than fuel
That's my conclusion of it. :) -- In the land of the blind, be king! Some day, Dominion, some say prayers, now I say mine.
-
Ray Cassick wrote: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!? You'd still need to refuel the station everynow and then. Guess what vessle comes with the fuel? Tada! The cargo ships. :) It's probably much cheaper that way because:
- They have to go up there anyhow to feed the crew
- When they go up there, they probably want to use the cargo bays for other things than fuel
That's my conclusion of it. :) -- In the land of the blind, be king! Some day, Dominion, some say prayers, now I say mine.
This would make sense to me if they actually needed fule for engines to do this, but once you are in the vacume of space, incrimentle adjustments could be made with gas jets. This just makes very little sense to me (as does alot of what the govt tries). I still don't undersnd why we are not livinig on the moon either. Here we are trying to get to Mars but we have not mastered keeping people alive for sustained periods of time on our own moon for petes sake.
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
-
This would make sense to me if they actually needed fule for engines to do this, but once you are in the vacume of space, incrimentle adjustments could be made with gas jets. This just makes very little sense to me (as does alot of what the govt tries). I still don't undersnd why we are not livinig on the moon either. Here we are trying to get to Mars but we have not mastered keeping people alive for sustained periods of time on our own moon for petes sake.
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
Ray Cassick wrote: I still don't undersnd why we are not livinig on the moon either. Here we are trying to get to Mars but we have not mastered keeping people alive for sustained periods of time on our own moon for petes sake. Give us time, we haven't completely destroyed Earth yet. ;P Mike Mullikin :beer:
Capitalism - Coming to a Country Near You!!
-
This would make sense to me if they actually needed fule for engines to do this, but once you are in the vacume of space, incrimentle adjustments could be made with gas jets. This just makes very little sense to me (as does alot of what the govt tries). I still don't undersnd why we are not livinig on the moon either. Here we are trying to get to Mars but we have not mastered keeping people alive for sustained periods of time on our own moon for petes sake.
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
-
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/04/10/space.station.ap/index.html[^] I found this quote very interesting: The article stated: The station's orbit gradually decreases under the pull of the Earth's gravity and needs regular adjusting. I find it interesting that the thing has no native thrusters to control its alt above the earth. :wtf: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!?
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
I thought it was drag (not atmosphere, but whatever traces of gas are there) that did this. Same problem that limits the life of low earth orbit satellites. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D
-
I thought it was drag (not atmosphere, but whatever traces of gas are there) that did this. Same problem that limits the life of low earth orbit satellites. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D
Yes, drag that eventually over time slows the station down so it's orbit starts to decay. It would only take a lsight nudge to KEEP it in it's correct orbit rather than a shaip to pussh it two miles up to where it belonged. Seesm to me that the entire thing is a bit reactionary in design. Put some small jets to keep it where it belongs instead of having to dock and push it every once in a while.
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
-
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/04/10/space.station.ap/index.html[^] I found this quote very interesting: The article stated: The station's orbit gradually decreases under the pull of the Earth's gravity and needs regular adjusting. I find it interesting that the thing has no native thrusters to control its alt above the earth. :wtf: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!?
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
It might also have something to do with stress and fuel. Any time you transfer fuel, you are taking a risk. Use less fuel, take less long term risk. Also, the less you use the space station engines, the longer they will last. Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.
-
It might also have something to do with stress and fuel. Any time you transfer fuel, you are taking a risk. Use less fuel, take less long term risk. Also, the less you use the space station engines, the longer they will last. Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.
In Nasa's original plans for the station they did have a propulsion module which would achieve this function and would be attached to the station, I am not sure what was designed into the plan for refueling however. Since all the changes to the design of the station I think this module has been dropped and they are relying on the Space Shuttle and Proton Module to achieve this. This other issue with continually using Jets of the station is that whenever they do the reboost they have to lock the Solar Panel to stop any damage happening to them. Chris
-
It might also have something to do with stress and fuel. Any time you transfer fuel, you are taking a risk. Use less fuel, take less long term risk. Also, the less you use the space station engines, the longer they will last. Tim Smith I'm going to patent thought. I have yet to see any prior art.
Tim Smith wrote: Also, the less you use the space station engines, the longer they will last. :laugh: :laugh: Mc Kneejerk: Captain! We are plunging towards the Earth! I must insist we use the stations thrusters! Captain Rulebook: No Kneejerk! Steady there friend, we must save the thrusters. "The less you use the space station engines, the longer they will last." Mc Kneejerk: Aye Captain, at least we will die having following regulation, aye...
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaMacbeth muttered: I am in blood / Stepped in so far, that should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er Shog9: Paul "The human happy pill" Watson
-
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/04/10/space.station.ap/index.html[^] I found this quote very interesting: The article stated: The station's orbit gradually decreases under the pull of the Earth's gravity and needs regular adjusting. I find it interesting that the thing has no native thrusters to control its alt above the earth. :wtf: What's up (or down as the case may be) with that!?
Paul Watson wrote: "At the end of the day it is what you produce that counts, not how many doctorates you have on the wall." George Carlin wrote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: If the physicists find a universal theory describing the laws of universe, I'm sure the asshole constant will be an integral part of that theory.
Presumably there is some reserve fuel in the cargo ships to allow for manouvering, so might as well use it up. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D