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The Space Exploration Achievements Thread


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https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/775715783498428416

 

SpaceX hoping for November return to flight (dubious IMO).

 

Also, as far as I know, the September 27th reveal on MCT is still go.

 

In other news, Robert Zubrin has AOL pinned to his taskbar; https://twitter.com/robert_zubrin/status/775365975034114049

 

Just one more black mark on his record.

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http://spaceflight101.com/spacex-completes-first-test-firing-of-raptor-interplanetary-transport-engine/#.V-kGV_Fk6D4.facebook

 

SpaceX tested the Raptor engine.

I'll let the tech minded folks/KSP nerds do commentary. 

 

 

This one is different because it's more focused on efficiency than their previous designs.  The merlin engine is open cycle LOX/kerosene, which is a good choice for getting off the ground and into space.  Open cycle is simpler and lighter, but loses a bit of efficiency.  LOX/kerosene is a compromise between good efficiency and good thrust.  Getting off the ground requires excellent thrust to weight ratio because of that hateful gravity nonsense, so efficiency can come in second place.  LOX/kerosene is also a bit less of a PITA to deal with than LOX/hydrogen because only the oxidizer needs to be kept at cryogenic temperatures.  Liquid propellants that can be stored at room temperature, like the ones the Chinese just used on their recent launch, are horrifyingly toxic, while LOX/kerosene is pretty benign.  Obviously, things can still go wrong and explode.

 

This new stage uses staged combustion and LOX/CH4, which is AFAIK is a new propellant combination.  On paper it's less efficient than LOX/hydrogen, but more efficient than LOX/kerosene.  Liquid CH4 should be less of a PITA to store than liquid hydrogen.  Also, liquid CH4 is much denser than liquid hydrogen, which will reduce the size of the fuel tank and thus the drag when taking off through the atmosphere.  Their LOX/CH4 rocket will probably have an inferior thrust to weight ratio compared to their current LOX/kerosene, but that's OK; it's an upper stage for when the vehicle is already in orbit, so high thrust isn't needed as much and efficiency is paramount.

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Not sure if it belongs here as it's technically not in space but only looking for things in it, but China's "FAST" radio telescope, the largest of it's kind in the world just entered operational status as of 2 days ago. (confirmed now.)

 

Mostly testing now though.

 

http://phys.org/news/2016-09-china-world-largest-radio-telescope.html

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Am I the only person who thinks these Fermi paradox discussions are seriously missing something?

 



My inclination is to think that arguing that aliens don't exist because we haven't found any evidence of them yet is sort of like arguing that because you've been searching for two hours for your car keys that keys must have never been invented.
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