Description:
Technical and general issues related to space flight. (Moderated)
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rocket engine efficiency
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why are rockets burning most of their fuel outside the engine
============================== ========= MODERATOR'S COMMENT: Not sure the evidence for this, but it's technical, so will permit so the question can get answered.
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Suggestions needed: Condensing steam in space
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I need something that s completely automated and can extract 100 tonnes of water per day from steam (does 100 tonnes of steam 100 tonnes of water?). This condenser, heat exchanger or whatever has to function realiably despite lots of dissolved solids in the steam, so it has to be highly resistant to fouling.... more »
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SpaceX fully reusable launcher
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I would love to hear opinions about Elon Musk's announcement re: a fully reusable, two-stage launcher. In this SpaceX animated video -- [link] -- the launcher reminds me of the Falcon 9; it looks like the first stage has nine engines. I would think SpaceX would need a much more capable launcher, perhaps... more »
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HELP NASA CEA CODE
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Vaibhav wrote... ...If you overexpand a convergent-divergent nozzle beyond ideal conditions (i.e., when Pexit < Patm), the exit velocity will indeed be greater than the ideal exit velocity. However, you need to account for the "base pressure" thrust loss, Aexit * (Patm - Pexit). This drag term grows with... more »
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HELP NASA CEA CODE
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I am using Nasa CEA code for calculating Isp for different Ae/At ratios with chamber pressure of 1000 psi. Problem is Isp should have a peak at optimum expansion condition i.e. when Pexit= Patm but with increasing Ae/At ratios Isp's are increasing although the Pexit<Patm. Can anybody who has used the code help me ?... more »
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producing metal in space
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What equipment, materials and amount of electricity are needed to produce steel (in space) from ores found on NEOs? Would there be a need to add carbon (as a reducing agent) during the refining process, or something with characteristics similar to limestone (I believe calcium oxide is the "active ingredient" in... more »
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Electromagnetic caterpillar drive.
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Robert Zubrin researched the idea of using large electro-magnetic fields to produce drag against the sparse interstellar medium. Found it would be a feasible way of slowing down an interstellar spacecraft. I'm wondering if a series of electromagetic fields switched on and off in a caterpillar like fashion could utilise this same drag to cause... more »
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freezing water in space
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A friend of mine who's a physicist says water in a container (a tank or bladder) takes a long time to freeze in space because convection and conduction of heat can't occur in a vacuum. But surely water in a tank or bladder will eventually freeze in space if shaded from the sun, right? Can anyone tell me how long it would take? The water is distilled, so... more »
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Question about Apollo Lunar Module
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My friend's friend is one of those people who think that we never landed on moon and his reasoning is that the ascent stage of Apollo Lunar Module did not have enough fuel and/or power to lift-off from moon. I found these specs on wiki: [link] APS propellant mass: 5,187 lb (2,353 kg)... more »
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