Posts by SpaceNut

SpaceNut · Not So Free Chat

Several major U.S. businesses either left or went out of business in the 1990s, often due to bankruptcy or acquisition. Examples include the major retailer Montgomery Ward and the electronics company Compaq Computers, which was bought by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. The decade also saw major shifts in retail, leading to the bankruptcy and closure of numerous smaller chains and the decline of large department stores like Montgomery Ward, according to this Quora post and this Facebook post.
Montgomery Ward: A major department store that struggled with competition from big-box retailers and filed for bankruptcy, eventually closing all stores in 2001.
Compaq: A computer company that was a dominant force in the 1990s but was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002, effectively ending its independent existence.
Edison Brothers Stores: A parent company to many 90s retailers like Coconuts and Sam Goody's, it went bankrupt in the 1990s and sold off its various brands.
Circuit City: The electronics retailer struggled with competition and filed for bankruptcy in 2008, closing all its stores.
Tower Records: The once-dominant music retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2006.
Radio Shack: The electronics chain filed for bankruptcy in 2015, marking the end of an era for the company.
Blockbuster: The video rental giant was unable to compete with the rise of streaming services and filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
Toys "R" Us: The toy retailer, once a symbol of childhood, filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed its stores, though the brand has since made a comeback.
Other businesses that left in the 90s
Pan Am: The airline ceased operations in 1991.
Kodak: The photography giant struggled to adapt to the digital age, filing for bankruptcy in 2012.
Enron: The energy company was involved in a massive accounting scandal that led to its collapse in 2001.
Polaroid: The instant photography company filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

Some of the most prominent U.S. businesses to leave or disappear during the 2000s were major brands in technology, retail, and manufacturing. The reasons they left varied, including failure to adapt to new technology, poor management, intense competition, and—in the case of companies that relocated overseas—corporate tax inversions.
Companies that went out of business
Blockbuster: The video rental giant failed to adapt to the rise of online DVD rentals (like Netflix) and streaming services. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
Compaq: Once the largest personal computer supplier, Compaq was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. Internal conflicts and poor strategy weakened the brand, which was phased out by HP.
Enron: The energy company collapsed in 2001 due to a massive accounting fraud scandal that hid billions in debt.
Lehman Brothers: The 150-year-old investment bank declared bankruptcy in 2008, holding over $600 billion in assets. Its collapse is considered a significant event that contributed to the global financial crisis.
Limewire: This popular peer-to-peer file-sharing software was shut down in 2010 after a U.S. federal court ruled that it had committed copyright infringement.
WorldCom: This telecommunications rival to AT&T was undone by a major accounting fraud scandal in the early 2000s. It filed for bankruptcy and was later acquired by Verizon.
Borders: The book and music retailer struggled to compete with online competitors and filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
Companies that moved overseas
Anheuser-Busch: The St. Louis-based beer maker was acquired by the Belgian company InBev for $52 billion in 2008. The new parent company, AB InBev, is headquartered in Belgium.
Seagate Technology: The hard-drive manufacturer moved its global headquarters to the Cayman Islands in 2000 and then to Ireland in 2010.
Tyco International: This diversified manufacturing conglomerate relocated its incorporation to Bermuda in 1997. It faced a major scandal in the early 2000s involving its top executives, who were convicted of looting the company.
Accenture: The consulting firm, spun off from the accounting firm Arthur Andersen, reincorporated in Bermuda in 2001.
IBM's Personal Computer division: In 2005, IBM sold its PC division to the Chinese company Lenovo. This move enabled IBM to focus on software and services.
Cooper Industries: This electrical products manufacturer reincorporated in Bermuda in 2002. It was acquired by Eaton in 2012.
Ingersoll-Rand: The industrial manufacturer moved its incorporation to Bermuda in 2002. It has since relocated its official domicile to Ireland.
Factors that drove companies to leave the US
Acquisitions and foreign ownership: Many American brands, such as Sunglass Hut, Ben & Jerry's, and Anheuser-Busch, were acquired by foreign companies during this era.
Corporate tax inversions: To lower their corporate tax burdens, some companies reincorporated their businesses overseas, often in countries with lower tax rates.
Failure to innovate: Companies like Blockbuster and Compaq were unable to adapt to new technologies and market shifts, leading to their demise.
Financial crisis and poor management: The 2008 financial crisis devastated many businesses, including Lehman Brothers. Other companies, like WorldCom and Enron, suffered from corporate misconduct and accounting scandals.
Shifting manufacturing overseas: The trend of outsourcing manufacturing accelerated in the 2000s. Companies seeking lower labor costs and less regulation moved production to countries like China and Mexico

Multiple U.S. businesses either left the country, went out of business, or moved significant operations overseas during the 2010s due to factors such as globalization, shifting consumer trends, and tax laws.
Iconic companies that went defunct
Blockbuster: The video rental giant declared bankruptcy in 2010. It had failed to compete with the rise of streaming services like Netflix and mail-order rentals.
Borders: The bookstore chain went out of business in 2011. Like Blockbuster, it was unable to adapt to the rapidly changing retail landscape dominated by online sellers like Amazon.
RadioShack: A decades-old electronics retailer, RadioShack began closing stores in 2010 and filed for bankruptcy in 2015.
Toys R Us: After years of competition from big-box retailers and e-commerce, the iconic toy store declared bankruptcy in 2017.
Barneys New York: The luxury department store closed its doors in 2019 after facing financial difficulties throughout the decade.
American Apparel: This apparel retailer, known for its "Made in the USA" manufacturing, lost its cultural relevance and was purchased out of bankruptcy by a Canadian company in the mid-2010s.
Companies that moved their headquarters (corporate inversions)
Corporate inversions were a major trend in the early 2010s, where U.S. companies would merge with smaller foreign firms to reincorporate abroad and reduce their tax burden. The U.S. government put the kibosh on such deals in 2014.
Burger King: In 2014, the fast-food chain merged with Canadian company Tim Hortons to form Restaurant Brands International, which was headquartered in Canada.
Seagate Technology: The hard-drive manufacturer officially moved its global headquarters to Ireland in 2010.
Valient: The pharmaceutical company merged with Canada's Biovail in 2010 and relocated its headquarters to Canada.
Companies that offshored operations
A large number of companies offshored manufacturing and other operations during the 2010s to reduce costs, leading to job losses in the U.S..
Cisco Systems: Between 2010 and 2014, the networking company saw its percentage of overseas workers rise from 25% to 46%, primarily in China and India.
Hewlett-Packard (HP): In 2010, the company laid off human resources employees in the U.S., transferring their functions to Panama.
Hilton Worldwide: Also in 2010, the hotelier moved a reservations center to the Philippines to save money.
Ford Motor Company: A significant portion of Ford's workforce was moved out of North America during the 2010s. By 2009, the North American workforce made up only 37% of its total payroll.
JPMorgan Chase: The bank moved its telephone banking operations to the Philippines in 2010

SpaceNut · Not So Free Chat

Business that have left the US

AI Overview
A variety of American businesses either left the U.S. or closed down entirely during the 1960s, a decade of significant shifts in the U.S. economy. This included the merger of prominent brands, the expansion of some companies into foreign markets, and the failure of many smaller businesses.
Acquisition and consolidation
The 1960s saw many companies become targets for acquisition, leading to the disappearance of once-familiar names.
Good Humor: The Ohio-based ice cream company, founded in the 1920s, was purchased in 1961 by the British-Dutch company Unilever.
Kinney Shoes: This shoe retailer, which started in 1894, was acquired by the F.W. Woolworth Corporation in 1963. It was later shut down completely in 1998, though its legacy remains part of Foot Locker.
Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV): In the 1960s, conglomerates like LTV expanded rapidly by acquiring other businesses. As the era ended, many of these highly leveraged companies saw their fortunes unravel.
American Motors Corporation (AMC): Formed by a merger in 1954, AMC struggled to compete with the "Big Three" U.S. automakers and was eventually acquired by Chrysler in 1979.
Expansion overseas
Many U.S. companies started moving production and expanding operations into other countries, spurred by foreign competition and changes in international trade laws.
Offshoring and nearshoring: U.S. manufacturing began moving to countries with lower labor costs. For example, some factories moved to Mexico, a process facilitated by customs laws that incentivized U.S. firms to conduct labor-intensive assembly operations there.
McDonald's: The fast-food chain expanded internationally in the 1960s, opening its first locations in Canada and Puerto Rico in 1967.
Business failures
For many small businesses and retailers, the 1960s were a time of increased competition from larger corporations.
Decline of small farms: Nearly a million small farms disappeared in the 1960s, consolidated into larger operations that benefited from new farming technologies and government subsidies.
End of an era for retailers: While some famous brands like Woolworth's, Montgomery Ward, and Gimbels wouldn't vanish until later decades, the 1960s marked a period of declining relevance as they struggled against newer competitors like discount chains.
Early signs of deindustrialization
While most major job losses happened later, the 1960s showed early signs of deindustrialization, particularly in the "Rust Belt."
Competition from Europe and Japan: By the mid-1960s, European and Japanese industries had recovered from WWII and began producing cars and other goods that competed directly with U.S. manufacturers.
Early manufacturing job shifts: The manufacturing sector began a longer-term decline in its share of total U.S. employment. The industry moved production to lower-cost domestic areas and, increasingly, overseas

Major US businesses did not "leave" the country in the 1970s, but many either declined, went bankrupt, or were acquired by international conglomerates due to significant economic turmoil. Key factors contributing to this trend included stagflation, increased foreign competition, and two severe oil crises.
Iconic brands that faded or were sold
Oldsmobile: At its peak, this General Motors brand produced America's best-selling car in 1976. However, it saw declining sales as flashier import models gained popularity in the following decades, and GM ultimately discontinued the marque in 2004.
Howard Johnson's: A roadside icon famous for its orange-roofed restaurants, Howard Johnson's was a popular fast-food chain that peaked in the 1970s. However, it struggled to adapt to new competition and evolving consumer tastes, with the brand's restaurant business eventually dissolving.
Woolworth's: The F.W. Woolworth Company, a beloved "five-and-dime" store chain, began facing financial difficulties in the latter half of the 20th century. While it survived into the 1990s, the company eventually closed its US stores.
Sunglass Hut: While the brand still exists, its American ownership ended in the 70s. Founded in Miami in 1971, optometrist Sanford Ziff grew the company to 100 stores by 1986. The Ziff family sold their interest, and Italian eyewear giant Luxottica acquired the chain in 2001.
Reasons for business decline in the 1970s
The era's economic upheaval created a challenging environment for many American businesses.
Stagflation: This unusual economic combination of stagnant growth and high inflation meant consumers had less purchasing power, which hurt sales. Companies could not simply raise wages to compensate, leading to worker dissatisfaction and pressure on profits.
Increased competition: After decades of American dominance, new overseas competition emerged from economies like Japan and Germany. This was particularly impactful on US manufacturing, as foreign companies offered more fuel-efficient cars and cheaper, higher-quality products.
Oil crises: Two major oil price shocks in 1973 and 1979 quadrupled oil prices and caused gas shortages. This sent production costs soaring and drastically shifted consumer demand away from large, gas-guzzling vehicles.
Deindustrialization: This trend began in the 1970s as companies sought cheaper labor, moving jobs and capital out of established industrial centers. This shift hit cities in the "Rust Belt" especially hard, weakening the tax base and local economy

Multiple well-known U.S. businesses and entire industries failed or underwent significant decline in the 1980s, primarily driven by a severe economic recession and the Savings and Loan crisis.
Notable businesses that left in the 1980s
Retail and entertainment
D'Lites: A fast-food chain that offered health-conscious options, D'Lites filed for bankruptcy in 1986, largely because larger competitors started offering healthier items and the public's interest in healthy eating waned.
E.J. Korvette: One of the original discount department stores, E.J. Korvette filed for bankruptcy in 1980 and liquidated its stores.
Toys "R" Us (pre-reorganization): While the brand continued, its financial troubles began in the 1980s amid increasing competition.
F.W. Woolworth Company: The five-and-dime store giant started its long decline in the 1980s, although it continued operating for years.
Babbage's: A software and video game retailer that is now part of GameStop.
Pizza Time Theatre: Founded by Atari creator Nolan Bushnell, this franchise with animatronics went bankrupt in 1984 and merged with competitor ShowBiz Pizza Place, which later rebranded as Chuck E. Cheese's.
Video rental stores: The home video rental business took off in the 1980s with the rise of VHS, but many local and smaller chains failed during this time.
Financial sector
The Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis of the 1980s led to the failure of over 1,000 S&L institutions.
Lincoln Savings and Loan Association: A California-based S&L that was central to the political scandal involving the Keating Five, failed in 1989.
Financial Corporation of America: The parent company of American Savings and Loan, this was the largest S&L at the time of its 1988 bankruptcy.
Industrial sector
Bethlehem Steel: Once the second-largest U.S. steel producer, the company was in decline by the late 1980s due to foreign competition and decreasing domestic demand for manufactured goods. Though the company did not file for bankruptcy until 2001, its shipbuilding business was gone by 1997.
Texaco: The American oil company filed for bankruptcy in 1987 in the middle of a legal dispute with Pennzoil. It emerged from bankruptcy in 1988 and was later acquired by Chevron.
Economic conditions driving 1980s business failures
The early 1980s recession: The U.S. suffered back-to-back recessions from 1980 to 1982. In an effort to combat high inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which led to a sharp increase in unemployment and a decline in manufacturing.
The Savings and Loan crisis: Deregulation in 1980 allowed S&Ls to pursue higher-risk investments. When interest rates rose, many became insolvent, and risky commercial real estate loans turned sour. The crisis ended up costing taxpayers an estimated $124 billion.
Global competition: U.S. industrial and manufacturing firms faced new pressure from lower-cost labor in other countries, leading to a decline in America's industrial base

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

In concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, thermal oil is used as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) and can also function as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium. There are no standardized, universally applicable charts for the volume of thermal oil, as the required volume is specific to the design of each individual plant and its storage capacity.
The volume of thermal oil in a CSP plant depends on the system's design and operating parameters, including:
Total system capacity:
The overall power output of the plant.Collection area:
The size of the solar field (e.g., parabolic troughs) that collects the solar energy.
Storage capacity:
The number of hours the plant can operate on stored thermal energy after the sun sets.
Type of CSP technology:
Parabolic trough systems are most commonly associated with thermal oil, while solar tower systems often use molten salt, which allows for higher operating temperatures.
Thermal oil properties:
The specific heat, density, and operating temperature range of the chosen thermal oil (e.g., Therminol 66). How thermal oil volume is calculated for a CSP plant While no generic chart exists, the total thermal oil volume is derived from several key calculations:
1. Thermal energy storage (TES) volume: This is the most significant part of the thermal oil volume. It is calculated based on the required storage capacity and the oil's thermal properties. Formula:$V_{\text{storage}}=\frac{E_{\text{storage}}}{\rho \cdot c_{p}\cdot \Delta T}$ $V_{\text{storage}}$ = Volume of thermal oil in the storage tanks (m${}^{3}$)$E_{\text{storage}}$ = Total thermal energy required for storage (in Joules or kWh)$\rho $ = Density of the thermal oil (kg/m${}^{3}$)$c_{p}$ = Specific heat capacity of the thermal oil (J/kg·K)$\Delta T$ = The temperature difference between the hot and cold oil in the two-tank storage system (K)
2. Heat transfer fluid (HTF) volume: This is the volume of oil circulating through the solar collector field, piping, and heat exchangers. Formula:$V_{\text{HTF}}=V_{\text{collectors}}+V_{\text{piping}}+V_{\text{exchangers}}$ $V_{\text{collectors}}$ = Volume of oil inside the receiver tubes of the parabolic troughs.$V_{\text{piping}}$ = Volume of oil in the network of pipes connecting the solar field to the storage and power block.$V_{\text{exchangers}}$ = Volume of oil within the heat exchangers that transfer heat to the power cycle (e.g., steam generator).
3. Expansion volume: Thermal oil, like any fluid, expands and contracts with temperature changes. An expansion vessel is required to accommodate this volume change and maintain system pressure.
Example:
Thermal storage volume calculation The following example illustrates the calculation for a 100 MW CSP plant with 6 hours of thermal oil storage.
Assumptions:
Storage capacity: 6 hoursHeat transfer fluid:
Therminol 66
Thermal power rating:
100 MWth (assuming a 100 MW electric power output, the thermal power is higher due to turbine efficiency)Temperature difference ($\Delta T$): 390°C (hot oil) - 290°C (cold oil) = 100 KOil density ($\rho $): ~780 kg/m³ at the average temperatureSpecific heat ($c_{p}$): ~2.3 kJ/kg·K Calculation: Total thermal energy ($E_{\text{storage}}$):$E_{\text{storage}}=\text{Power}\times \text{Time}=100\text{\ MWth}\times 6\text{\ h}=600\text{\ MWh}$Convert to Joules:$600\text{\ MWh}\times 3.6\times 10^{9}\text{\ J/MWh}=2.16\times 10^{12}\text{\ J}$Required storage volume ($V_{\text{storage}}$):$V_{\text{storage}}=\frac{E_{\text{storage}}}{\rho \cdot c_{p}\cdot \Delta T}=\frac{2.16\times 10^{12}\text{\ J}}{(780\text{\ kg/m}^{3})(2300\text{\ J/kg\cdotp K})(100\text{\ K})}\approx 12,000\text{\ m}^{3}$ This is the volume for the thermal energy storage tanks alone.
The total volume would also include the fluid in the collector field and piping, which could add another 10% to 20% to the total.
Factors that determine the quantity of solar oil include:
System scale:
The quantity of thermal oil is a function of the solar collector area and the thermal energy storage tank volume. Larger systems require significantly more oil.
Thermal energy storage (TES):
If the system uses thermal oil for energy storage, a large tank is required, which dramatically increases the oil quantity. Some studies use storage tanks ranging from 8 m³ to 30 m³ or more. Other designs use different storage media, like molten salt or ceramic rocks, which would eliminate or reduce the need for thermal oil.
Specific project design:
Research and project reports involving solar ORC systems often mention the specific quantities used for their particular setup. For example, a 2017 study mentions a 10 m³ thermal oil storage tank used with a 160 m² collector area.
AI Overview
In an experimental ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) solar car, the alternator or generator can run at very high speeds. In one specific study by ORC Orosz, a maximum generated power of 6.3 kW was produced at a speed of 20,000 RPM.
Factors that influence the alternator's RPM
The rotational speed is not fixed and depends on several factors:
System optimization:
The control system of the ORC balances the variable heat input from the solar field with the fixed characteristics of the expander and alternator. This dynamic control is used to maintain optimal operating parameters, which can influence the RPM.
Optimal operating point:
The alternator RPM can be controlled to maintain efficiency. In the ORC Orosz study, the isentropic efficiency of the expander peaked at 35.2% at 20,000 RPM and was 27% at 15,000 RPM.
Load and power output:
The speed will also vary based on the electrical load and the desired power output. In the example given, the peak power was generated at 20,000 RPM, but the system would run at different speeds to meet lower power demands.
This high-speed operation is a characteristic of some specialized generators used in ORC systems, which are very different from the standard alternators found in conventional combustion engine vehicles.

SpaceNut · Not So Free Chat

It is said that the federal collection plates for the tarrifs but its coming at the price of inflation to all americans. The purpose is to create american jobs but its not having that effect.

AI Overview
Trump's tariffs have raised federal revenue by approximately $174 billion in 2025, a figure that is increasing monthly, with the government collecting about $30 billion in customs duties in a single month (September 2025). The total estimated revenue increase over the fiscal year 2025 is projected at $174.9 billion, or 0.57% of GDP, making it the largest tax increase since 1993.
2025 Federal Revenue: The tariffs are expected to increase federal tax revenues by an estimated $174.9 billion in 2025.
Monthly Collections: The government collected about $30 billion in tariff revenue in September 2025 alone.
Year-to-Date Collections: As of early September 2025, the U.S. had collected over $158 billion in tariffs.
Cumulative Estimates: Some analyses estimate that tariffs announced by the Trump administration through April 2, 2025, could raise about $3.3 trillion for fiscal years 2026 through 2035.
AI Overview
During President Trump's first term, tariffs led to some job gains in protected industries like steel but caused a net loss of manufacturing and overall jobs. The negative impact on employment was due to higher material costs and retaliatory tariffs from other countries. This pattern has been repeated during his 2025 tariff actions, with recent reports confirming manufacturing job losses.
Job gains in protected industries
Steel and aluminum:
Tariffs in 2018 led to a brief uptick in employment within the metals sector, with some estimates suggesting a gain of about 1,000 steel jobs. Similarly, the 2025 tariffs led to praise from the steel industry, though it is unclear if this has translated to lasting job growth.
Wages:
Some evidence suggests that wages for steelworkers increased following the 2018 tariffs.
Job losses in other industries
Downstream manufacturing:
Industries that use steel and aluminum experienced significant job losses because tariffs increased their material costs. A 2020 study estimated that the 2018 metals tariffs led to a reduction of about 75,000 manufacturing jobs outside the protected sector.
Trade war and uncertainty:
The overall manufacturing sector saw a net loss of jobs during the first Trump administration's trade wars. In 2025, economic uncertainty caused by new tariffs contributed to job losses in the construction and manufacturing sectors and a broader slowdown in hiring across the economy.
Agriculture:
Farmers were significantly harmed by retaliatory tariffs from countries like China, which curtailed purchases of American products such as soybeans. Recent moves to increase beef imports from Argentina have also drawn bipartisan criticism for undercutting American cattle ranchers.
Overall economic impact
Macroeconomic effects:
Broader economic analyses found that the tariffs had a net negative effect on the U.S. economy, reducing GDP and overall employment. Higher import costs also resulted in higher prices for consumers.
Long-term trends:
The long-term decline of manufacturing employment in the U.S. is largely due to increasing automation and productivity, not trade deficits alone. Economists argue that tariffs are a costly and inefficient way to address these trends and are unlikely to reverse them

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

The red tank is the expansion tank and sizing is due to pressure after the fluid is warmed.

AI Overview
To size a solar thermal expansion tank, first calculate the total volume of the solar loop, including pipes, collectors, and heat exchanger. Next, determine the expected thermal expansion of the fluid, which is a percentage of the total volume based on the temperature difference. Finally, select a tank with an acceptance volume that is at least the calculated amount of expansion, and a total tank volume that is greater than the total system volume, using manufacturer's guidelines or a formula like the one provided by SunMaxx Solar to ensure proper pressure management.
This video explains how to size and select an expansion tank, including factors like system volume and pressure:
1. Calculate total system volume Add the volume of the fluid in the pipes to the volume of the solar collectors and the heat exchanger. Use manufacturer data sheets for the collectors and heat exchanger. Calculate pipe volume by multiplying the total length of the pipe runs by the fluid capacity per 100 feet (found in tables) based on pipe size and type. .CM8kHf text{fill:var(--m3c11)}.CM8kHf{font-size:1.15em}.j86kh{display:inline-block;max-width:100%} 2. Calculate the required acceptance volume This is the volume the tank needs to accommodate as the fluid expands. Fluid expansion is calculated based on the fluid type and the temperature change. For example, a common propylene glycol solution expands by slightly less than 5% between $35^{\circ }F$ and $200^{\circ }F$. You can use the following formula to estimate the acceptance volume: Acceptance Volume = System Volume: ($V$) x Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ($\Delta T$ between max and min temp) x Safety Factor 3. Select the expansion tank Acceptance Volume: Choose a tank whose "acceptance volume" is greater than the calculated acceptance volume from the previous step. Total Volume: The "total volume" of the selected tank must be greater than the total system volume you calculated in step 1. It is better to slightly oversize the tank than to undersize it. If you are unsure, consider selecting a tank one size larger than what the calculations suggest, especially in high-temperature systems.

Getting It Right – Part I

Expansion Tank Sizing Calculator (Potable)

SpaceNut · Home improvements

AI Overview
An all-purpose heat pump refrigerant pressure and temperature (PT) chart is not available because the pressure-temperature relationship varies dramatically by refrigerant type. Instead, specific PT charts must be used for common refrigerants like R-410A, R-22, and R-134a.
The purpose of a PT chart
HVAC technicians use a PT chart to diagnose and troubleshoot a system by comparing the measured pressure to the saturation temperature of the refrigerant.
The chart applies to the saturated state, where both liquid and vapor refrigerant coexist.
By reading a pressure gauge and cross-referencing it with the chart for the correct refrigerant, a technician can confirm the system's boiling (evaporator) and condensing (condenser) temperatures.
During a system check, the chart is used to determine the correct superheat and subcooling levels, which helps confirm proper system function.
Pressure and temperature charts for common heat pump refrigerants
R-410A (Most modern heat pumps)
R-410A, sold under trade names like Puron, is a modern, high-pressure refrigerant used in most new heat pumps.
[center]R-410A Refrigerant: Pressure-Temperature Chart[/center]
[table]
[tr]
[td]Temperature (°F)[/td]
[td]Pressure (PSIG)[/td]
[td]Temperature (°F)[/td]
[td]Pressure (PSIG)[/td]
[td]Temperature (°F)[/td]
[td]Pressure (PSIG)[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]-40[/td]
[td]11.6[/td]
[td]30[/td]
[td]96.8[/td]
[td]100[/td]
[td]317.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]-30[/td]
[td]22.5[/td]
[td]35[/td]
[td]107.0[/td]
[td]105[/td]
[td]340.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]-20[/td]
[td]36.8[/td]
[td]40[/td]
[td]118.0[/td]
[td]110[/td]
[td]365.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]-10[/td]
[td]55.2[/td]
[td]45[/td]
[td]130.0[/td]
[td]115[/td]
[td]391.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]0[/td]
[td]70.0[/td]
[td]50[/td]
[td]142.0[/td]
[td]120[/td]
[td]418.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]5[/td]
[td]78.3[/td]
[td]60[/td]
[td]170.0[/td]
[td]125[/td]
[td]446.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]10[/td]
[td]96.8[/td]
[td]70[/td]
[td]201.0[/td]
[td]130[/td]
[td]476.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]15[/td]
[td]96.8[/td]
[td]75[/td]
[td]217.0[/td]
[td]135[/td]
[td]507.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]20[/td]
[td]70.0[/td]
[td]80[/td]
[td]235.0[/td]
[td]140[/td]
[td]539.0[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]25[/td]
[td]87.3[/td]
[td]90[/td]
[td]274.0[/td]
[td]145[/td]
[td]573.0[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
How to use a P-T chart
Gather readings: With the heat pump running, use a manifold gauge set to measure the suction (low-side) and liquid (high-side) pressures.
Match pressure to temperature: Find the measured pressure on the chart and locate its corresponding temperature. This tells you the saturation temperature of the refrigerant in that part of the system.
Perform calculations: For instance, you can check the evaporator coil's saturation temperature against the air temperature entering it. The difference between these values indicates the superheat, which helps a technician assess the system's charge and cooling performance.

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

I figure that if it can be done over in Africa then I should be able to build something too that works. Sun-powered system developed by MIT students could provide electricity, heat and cooling to rural schools and clinics.

Bringing power to the people — and heat as well 20120803095441-0_0.JPG?itok=nLI8mpum

Affordable solar power using auto parts could make this electricity source far more available.

This system uses 4 troughs that are 3 m x 5m to collect the suns energy into oil that is heat exhanged for a Freon boiler to turbine and then heat exchanged to heat hot water and and then air cooled before recompressing the freon for the next cycle. The turbine produces 1 kw for the 24hr a day use from a 6 solar hrs of collection. The hot water side is 10 kw into 200 to 300 gallons of water as well.

From the facts that one more collector area gives more electrical and thermal energy greater than 3kw is enough for my use when it can be stored in batteries and a sine wave invertor to provide power when I need it.

Make inprovements to construction where possible.
SMALL SCALE SOLAR ORC SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER

SpaceNut · Home improvements

It is a misconception that a heat pump is gaining enrgy from the earth as heat rather its using the loop to when producing heat the ground loop is sinking cold. when the air condition is on a blowing cold into the home it is sinking heat to the colder earth.

In the winter, a ground loop heat pump cycle draws low-grade heat from the earth. A fluid circulates through underground pipes, absorbing the ground's natural heat. This warm fluid transfers its heat to a refrigerant in the heat pump, which then becomes a very hot gas after being pressurized. A reversing valve sends this hot gas to an indoor heat exchanger, where the heat is released into the home's air distribution system.
Step-by-step cycle
Heat absorption:
In winter, an antifreeze fluid is pumped through the underground loop, absorbing the low-grade heat from the earth, which is warmer than the outside air.
Heat transfer:
The warm fluid returns to the heat pump and transfers its heat to a refrigerant through a heat exchanger.
Compression: The refrigerant is then compressed, which significantly increases its temperature.
Heat distribution:
A reversing valve directs the superheated refrigerant to an indoor heat exchanger coil. Here, the heat is transferred to the air, which is then circulated throughout the home via ductwork.
Refrigerant expansion:
The refrigerant, now cooler, passes through an expansion device, drastically lowering its temperature and pressure.
Cycle repeat:
The now cold refrigerant returns to the ground loop heat exchanger, ready to absorb more heat from the ground and repeat the cycle.

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

Solar collector Using

To boil liquid Freon at atmospheric pressure, the required temperature depends on the specific type of refrigerant, as "Freon" refers to a family of different chemicals.
Common Freon refrigerants and their boiling points at atmospheric pressure:
[] Freon-12 (R-12): Boils at approximately -29.8°C (-21.6°F). This refrigerant is an ozone-depleting substance and has been largely phased out.
[] Freon-22 (R-22): Has a boiling point of around -40.8°C (-41.4°F). Like R-12, this refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and is being phased out.
Freon 410A (R-410A): A blend that boils at approximately -51.6°C (-60.8°F). It is an HFC refrigerant and a common replacement for R-22.
Key considerations
Boiling temperature is dependent on pressure. The boiling points listed above are specifically for atmospheric pressure. In a refrigeration system, the refrigerant's pressure is varied to control the boiling and condensing temperatures. For example, to raise Freon's boiling point, its pressure must be increased
The temperature required to boil liquid "freon" varies significantly based on the specific type of refrigerant and, most importantly, the system's pressure. For example, at atmospheric pressure, R-22 boils at approximately $-40^{\circ }F$ ($-40^{\circ }C$). However, in a typical HVAC system, pressure is much higher in the condenser, which raises the boiling point to a much higher temperature, allowing it to release heat. Pressure is the key factor: The temperature at which a refrigerant boils is called its saturation temperature, and it changes drastically with pressure. Higher pressure leads to a higher boiling point.Examples of boiling points:R-22: Boils at about $-40^{\circ }F$ ($-40^{\circ }C$) at atmospheric pressure, but can boil at a higher temperature of $+20^{\circ }C$ at a pressure of 6 atmospheres.R-410A: Boils at $-51^{\circ }C$ at atmospheric pressure.R-134a: Boils at $-26^{\circ }C$ at atmospheric pressure.Evaporator vs. condenser: A refrigerant enters the evaporator as a cold, low-pressure liquid and boils at a very low temperature to absorb heat. In the condenser, pressure is increased, which raises the boiling point to a higher temperature so the refrigerant can release heat to the surroundings.

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

Thanks, kbd512...

300-Liter-Duda-Solar-Water-Heater-Active-Split-System-Single-Coil-Tank-Evacuated-Vacuum-Tubes-Hot-SRCC-Certified_24aa6544-b2ac-4ef9-82b6-aaeb67e171f9.ed7cd93bef9f4d4489f76e40c1dca82e.jpeg?odnHeight=2000&odnWidth=2000&odnBg=FFFFFF

300 Liter Duda Solar Water Heater Active Split System Single Coil Tank Evacuated Vacuum Tubes Hot SRCC Certified

about $4,000 system

http://waterheatertimer.org/Pages/Famil … chart.html
A single tube

Concentrated solar evacuated tube lengths typically range from 1.5 to 2.1 meters for standard applications, with some specialized, high-temperature, or industrial models extending up to 3 meters. The length depends on the application, with typical lengths around 1.5 meters ($~5$ feet) for residential solar hot water, while larger and more efficient systems used for industrial processes may feature longer tubes. Standard solar thermal collectors: These tubes are commonly around 1.5 to 2.1 meters in length (approx. $~5$ to 7 feet).High-temperature and industrial applications: Some concentrated solar power (CSP) evacuated tubes designed for high temperatures can reach up to 3 meters (approx. $~10$ feet) long.Manufacturer variations: The exact length will vary between manufacturers and specific product lines, so it is always best to check the product specifications.

While no standardized "200 gallon hot water tank power consumption chart" exists, you can calculate the approximate power consumption and use a table to present the data in BBCode. The actual figures vary based on the wattage of the unit, the temperature difference, and your household's hot water usage habits.Calculating power consumptionHere is the formula to calculate the power consumed over time:$(Power\ Consumption)\ (kWh)=\frac{Power\ Rating\ (Watts)\times Usage\ Time\ (Hours)}{1000}$Key factorsWattage: A 200-gallon electric tank is not a typical residential size. It is a large, industrial-grade heater, and its wattage could be 10,000 watts (10 kW) or more. For comparison, large residential tanks (80 gallons) typically use about 4,500 watts.Usage time: This refers to the number of hours the heating elements are actively drawing power, not the full 24 hours in a day. It varies depending on how much hot water is used and the temperature setting.Example calculationFor the following chart, the calculation assumes a 10,000-watt (10 kW) unit with an average daily run time of 3 hours.Daily consumption: $(10\ kW\times 3\ hours)=30\ kWh$Monthly consumption: $(30\ kWh\times 30\ days)=900\ kWh$Yearly consumption: $(900\ kWh\times 12\ months)=10,800\ kWh$Power consumption table (BBCode)bbcode200 Gallon Hot Water Tank - Estimated Power Consumption
(Assumes 10,000 Watt unit, 3 hours of heating per day)
[table]
[tr]
[td]Time Period[/td]
[td]Approximate Power Consumption[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Per Hour[/td]
[td]10 kWh[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Per Day[/td]
[td]30 kWh[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Per Month[/td]
[td]900 kWh[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Per Year[/td]
[td]10,800 kWh[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
Note: This is an estimate. Actual power consumption depends on your unit's exact wattage, efficiency, and hot water usage
A 200-gallon electric water heater has a typical wattage of 4,000 to 6,000 watts and can consume an estimated 12 kWh per day, or 365 kWh per month, costing about $\$36.50$ to $\$438.00$ monthly depending on electricity rates and usage patterns. To find specific costs, use your local rate per kWh to calculate the daily, monthly, or yearly cost using the formula: $(\text{Wattage}\div 1000)\times \text{Hours\ Used}\times \text{Cost\ per\ kWh}=\text{Daily\ Cost}$. Consumption Level DailyMonthlyYearlyEstimated Wattage~4,000–6,000 watts~4,000–6,000 watts~4,000–6,000 wattsEstimated Energy Use~12 kWh~365 kWh~4,437 kWhEstimated Cost (at $\$0.10$/kWh)~$1.20~$36.50~$438.05Key factors affecting consumption Wattage: A larger tank generally uses more watts. Look for the specific wattage on the heater's label; a common range is 4,000 to 6,000 watts for large electric tanks.Usage hours: Water heaters are not running 24/7. A tank might cycle on for 3 to 5 hours per day.Electricity price: The cost per kilowatt-hour varies by location. Check your local utility bill for an accurate rate to get a precise cost estimate.Thermostat setting: Lowering the temperature can save energy, with a 5% to 10% reduction in energy use for every 10°F reduction in temperature.Efficiency: The model's age and insulation levels play a significant role. Newer, more energy-efficient models will consume less energy. How to calculate your specific cost Find your wattage: Check the data plate on your water heater. For a 5,000-watt heater: $(\frac{5000}{1000})=5\text{\ kW}$.Estimate daily usage: Multiply your wattage by the number of hours it runs per day, e.g., 3 hours: $5\text{\ kW}\times 3\text{\ hours}=15\text{\ kWh}$ per day.Calculate daily cost: Multiply daily usage by your local rate. If your rate is $\$0.15$ per kWh: $15\text{\ kWh}\times \$0.15=\$2.25$ per day.Calculate monthly cost: Multiply the daily cost by 30: $\$2.25\times 30=\$67.50$ per mont

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

AI Overview Based on your query, here is an explanation of solar thermal power for hot water, how "watts" and "watt-hours" apply, and how to represent this information using BBCode for a forum or web page. Solar thermal power for hot water Solar thermal systems heat water directly using sunlight, rather than converting it to electricity first. Because of this, the energy output is measured in heat units, not electrical units. How it works: Solar thermal collectors (flat-plate or evacuated-tube panels) on a roof absorb solar radiation to heat a fluid. This fluid then circulates through a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to a domestic hot water tank.High efficiency: Solar thermal collectors can convert up to 80% of the sun's energy into heat for water, which is a much higher conversion rate than typical photovoltaic (PV) panels. However, this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, as PV produces electricity, which can be used for a wider variety of purposes."Watts" in context: When discussing solar thermal systems, the term "watts" ($W$) is used to describe the instantaneous rate of heat transfer, typically expressed as thermal kilowatts ($kW_{th}$). A common conversion factor is $0.7$ $kW_{th}$ per square meter of collector area. Electrical watts ($W$) are only relevant for the small amount of power needed to run pumps and system controls. Calculating and expressing energy output For solar thermal, it is most accurate to measure the total energy output over time. Watt-hours ($Wh$): This is a unit of energy equal to the power in watts multiplied by the time in hours. For solar thermal, this would represent the total thermal energy ($Wh_{th}$) produced. For example, a system with a peak thermal output of 3.5 $kW_{th}$ that runs for 5 hours would produce $3,500$ $W_{th}$ * $5$ hours = $17,500$ $Wh_{th}$, or $17.5$ $kWh_{th}$ of thermal energy.Standard ratings: The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) provides standard ratings for collectors in both thermal kilowatt-hours per day and thousands of BTU per day. A typical system might produce 10–15 $kWh_{th}$ per panel per day. BBCode for formatting BBCode is a simple markup language used on many web forums. Here is how to format text related to solar thermal power calculations for a forum post. Bold: Thermal Power:Italic: Energy output can vary based on conditions.List:bbcode
Panel Type: Evacuated Tube
Peak Output: 3.5 kW[sub]th[/sub]
Total Daily Energy: 17.5 kWh[sub]th[/sub] (over 5 sun-hours)
Formatted example:bbcodeMy Solar Thermal System Performance
This is an example of the output from a solar thermal system used for hot water.
Collector Type: Evacuated Tube
Gross Area: 3.5 m[sup]2[/sup]
Rated Thermal Power: ~2.5 kW[sub]th[/sub] (Standard conditions)
Typical Daily Energy Output:
Summer (High Radiation): 15-20 kWh[sub]th[/sub]
Winter (Low Radiation): 5-10 kWh[sub]th[/sub]

AI Overview To calculate the energy output of a solar thermal hot water system, use the specific heat formula to find the thermal energy needed to heat the water. Then, account for the system's efficiency and BBCode units. Step 1: Calculate the thermal energy needed Use the specific heat formula to determine the energy required to heat a specific volume of water:Energy (in Joules) = mass (m) × specific heat of water (c) × change in temperature (ΔT) Variables: Mass (m): The mass of water you need to heat. A common conversion is 1 kilogram (kg) per liter (L) of water.Specific heat of water ($c$): A constant value of approximately 4.186 Joules per gram per degree Celsius ($4186\text{\ J/kg}\degree \text{C}$).Change in temperature ($\Delta T$): The desired hot water temperature minus the incoming cold water temperature, in degrees Celsius. Example calculation:To find the energy (in Joules) required to heat 100 liters of water from 10°C to 55°C: Mass (m): $100\text{\ L}\times 1\text{\ kg/L}=100\text{\ kg}$Specific heat ($c$): $4186\text{\ J/kg}\degree \text{C}$Change in temperature ($\Delta T$): $55\degree \text{C}-10\degree \text{C}=45\degree \text{C}$ Equation:Energy (J) = $100\text{\ kg}\times 4186\text{\ J/kg}\degree \text{C}\times 45\degree \text{C}$Energy (J) = $18,837,000\text{\ J}$ Step 2: Convert to Watt-hours (Wh) Energy is commonly measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or watt-hours (Wh). There are 3.6 million Joules in a kilowatt-hour. Convert from Joules to Watt-hours:1 Watt-hour = 3600 Joules Equation:Energy (Wh) = $18,837,000\text{\ J}\div 3600\text{\ J/Wh}$Energy (Wh) = $5232.5\text{\ Wh}$ Step 3: Estimate for BBCode formatting To represent this calculation in BBCode format, which is often used on forums and is a variation of HTML, you would structure the output with bolding for emphasis, and use code blocks if available for formulas. Example BBCode: Calculating Solar Thermal Power for Hot Water
1. Calculate Thermal Energy Needed
Energy (in Joules) = mass * specific heat * temperature change
- Mass: 100kg (for 100L of water)
- Specific Heat: 4186 J/kg°C
- Temperature Change: 45°C (from 10°C to 55°C)
Energy (J) = 100 * 4186 * 45 = 18,837,000 J
2. Convert to Watt-hours (Wh)
1 Wh = 3600 J
Energy (Wh) = 18,837,000 / 3600 = 5232.5 Wh
Additional factors affecting output The calculation above is for the thermal energy required, not the solar panel output. To get a more realistic estimate of the solar thermal system's performance, you must also consider: System efficiency: Real-world systems lose energy. A factor should be applied to account for these losses.Irradiation: The amount of available sunshine, which varies by location, time of day, and weather.Collector area: The size of the solar collector panels directly impacts the amount of heat absorbed.Solar fraction: The percentage of the total hot water load that the solar thermal system is expected to provide. For a more comprehensive analysis, you can use specialized software or online calculators, such as the one offered by the U.S. Department of Energ

BTU (British Thermal Unit) Calculations
1 BTU=1 DEGREE FARENHEIT INCREASE IN ONE POUND OF WATER.
8.34 POUNDS IN ONE GALLON
BTU EXAMPLE:
Incoming water 50F outgoing water 120F 120 - 50 = DELTA T 70F
BTU's for 1 gallon of water is 70 (delta T) * 8.34 (pounds per gallon) = 583.8 BTU's
Flow Rate 2 Gallons per Minute
2 Gallons * 60 minutes = 120 Gallons per hour
120 Gallons * 583.8 BTU's per Gallon = 70,056 BTU's per Hour
Solar Constant (measured outside the earth's atmosphere by satellite) is about 1.3 kilowatts (1,366 watts) per square meter (kW/m²)
The maximum value is about 1 Kw (1,000 watts) per sq meter, measured at the earth's exposed surface, when the sun is directly overhead.
Solar Insolation Maximum sun energy (irradiance) reaching the surface of the earth over a given time period.
kWh (kiloWatt hour) to BTU examples:
1 kWh = 3,412 btu's (per square meter when the sun is directly overhead)
90,000 btu's x 0.00029307108 = 26.37 kWh
Correct Flow Rates for Evacuated Tube Collector
0.026 to 0.066 Gallons per Minute per Tube
0.1 to 0.25 Liters per Minute per Tube
Volume Equivalents
231 CUBIC INCHES PER GALLON
7.481 GALLONS PER CUBIC FOOT
1.02 GALLONS PER 100' OF ½" PIPE
2.29 GALLONS PER 100' OF ¾" PIPE
4.08 GALLONS PER 100' OF 1" PIPE
Energy Conversions
1 kWh (kilo watt hours) = 3412.1415 BTU's
1 BTU = 0.00029307108 kWh
Btu Content of Common Energy Units
1 barrel (42 gallons) of crude oil = 5,800,000 Btu
1 gallon of gasoline = 124,000 Btu (based on U.S. consumption, 2008)
1 gallon of diesel fuel = 139,000 Btu
1 gallon of heating oil = 139,000 Btu
1 barrel of residual fuel oil = 6,287,000 Btu
1 cubic foot of natural gas = 1,028 Btu (based on U.S. consumption, 2008)
1 gallon of propane = 91,000 Btu
1 short ton of coal = 19,988,000 Btu (based on U.S. consumption, 2008)
1 kilowatthour of electricity = 3,412 Btu
Formulas
DELTA T = TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO VALUES (100F-90F = 10F DELTA T)
C TO F CONVERSION (C*1.8) + 32 = F
F TO C CONVERSION (F - 32.0) / 1.8 = C
LBS * 0.453592 = KILOGRAMS
KILOGRAMS * 2.204623 = POUNDS
GALLONS * 3.785412 = LITERS
LITERS * 0.264272 = GALLONS
QUARTS * 0.946353 = LITERS
LITERS * 1.056688 = QUARTS

SpaceNut · Human missions

Sticking a nail in the project.

Boeing abandones starliner after loses
Boeing has not abandoned the Starliner program after experiencing significant financial losses. The company continues to evaluate options to salvage the program, including potentially operating a cargo mission to test fixes to the propulsion system. Boeing is still considering how to address the propulsion issue and has not publicly announced plans to abandon the program. The company is working on resolving the issues and is exploring options to recover financially.

SpaceNut · Human missions

History of why we are here:

Following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, President George W. Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration in 2004, which started the transition away from the Space Shuttle and toward new deep-space exploration programs. However, the program announced in 2004 was the now-canceled Constellation program—not Artemis. The Space Shuttle did not fully retire until 2011, and the Artemis program was not established until 2017.
2004: Vision for Space Exploration and the Constellation program
The decision:
In January 2004, after the loss of Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew, President Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration. This initiative called for the Space Shuttle fleet to be retired after completing assembly of the International Space Station (ISS).
The goal:
The Vision set out a plan for developing a new crewed vehicle to return humans to the Moon and later travel to Mars and beyond.
The program:
The Constellation program was formed in 2005 to fulfill this vision. It involved the development of two new launch vehicles, the Ares I for crew and the Ares V for cargo, as well as the Orion crew capsule and the Altair lunar lander.
The path from Constellation to Artemis
Constellation's cancellation:
Following an independent review that found Constellation to be over budget and behind schedule, President Barack Obama formally canceled the program in 2010.
The start of Artemis:
In 2017, President Donald Trump established the Artemis program. The new program repurposed the Orion crew capsule from the Constellation program and adapted much of the launch hardware to create the Space Launch System (SLS).
The end of the Space Shuttle
Final flights:
The Space Shuttle program continued flying missions to assemble the ISS after the 2004 announcement.
Official retirement:
The program officially ended with the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 21, 2011. A six-year gap followed where American astronauts relied on Russian Soyuz vehicles to get to the ISS, before the Commercial Crew Program began.

SpaceNut · Human missions

The Artemis III mission in the meantime

Artemis II will be NASA's first crewed flight around the moon since Apollo 17 launched in 1972 (albeit one surrounded by questions, with some people wondering if humanity's return to the moon is doomed). It will carry four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a roughly 10-day journey. The selected crew consists of pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman, and mission specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch. Originally scheduled for 2024, the mission has been delayed to no earlier than February 2026 — possibly even April 2026. The engineers must work through several technical issues uncovered after the uncrewed Artemis I flight. During that 2022 mission, Orion's heat shield performed its job but experienced unexpected erosion, prompting a deep review of how its material responds to extreme re-entry temperatures. NASA isn't taking chances. The shield must survive 5,000-degree Fahrenheit re-entry conditions with human lives aboard.
Beyond the heat shield, Orion's life-support and power systems have faced additional scrutiny. Problems with the environmental control unit (responsible for maintaining cabin air and temperature) and internal batteries led NASA to extend testing cycles into 2025. Meanwhile, ground systems at Kennedy Space Center, including fueling and crew access platforms, underwent upgrades to improve reliability. Each fix demands new simulations, inspections, and certification before astronauts can climb aboard.
NASA officials emphasize that schedule discipline cannot outweigh crew safety. The space agency prefers to stack the Artemis III hardware while Artemis II engineers methodically clear the final test milestones. As Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman explained (via Space.com), "We're going to launch when this vehicle is ready, when the team is ready, and we're going to go execute this mission to the best of our abilities." His words reflect NASA's broader mindset: Progress will continue, but the countdown won't begin until every system, and every person, is fully prepared.
As Artemis II undergoes its final checks, NASA is forging ahead with Artemis III, marking a bold step towards humanity's return to the moon. The agency began processing the mission's Space Launch System (SLS) core stage and twin solid-fuel boosters at Kennedy in mid-2025. According to NASA, technicians are already inspecting and stacking hardware components while the Orion crew capsule and European-built service module are being outfitted at separate facilities. The mission aims to deliver the first woman and next man to the moon's south polar region, though the agency hasn't published which astronauts will fill these historic roles.
Artemis III will rely on technologies tested by Artemis I and II, including Orion's navigation system and deep-space communication links. It will also depend on new commercial hardware, notably SpaceX's Human Landing System (HLS) Starship, which will ferry the astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface. Coordination between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners is intense, as delays in one program cascade into another. For now, though, NASA's eyes remain fixed on Artemis II. Only when that crew returns safely can we really increase what we know about Artemis III and NASA's return to the moon.
According to NASA, the Artemis III journey will represent one of the most ambitious feats of engineering and human skill ever attempted in deep space, though NASA also emphasizes the knowledge gained from prior flights. The mission aims to take astronauts to the lunar South Pole, a region of high scientific interest due to its water ice and unique geology. The crew's work there, including gathering samples and various data, will not only deepen our understanding of the moon but also serve to inspire the next generation of explorers, which NASA has already named the "Artemis Generation."

SpaceNut · Human missions

NASA opens SpaceX's moon lander contract to rivals over Starship delays

Duffy's comments follow months of mounting pressure within NASA to speed up its Artemis lunar program and push SpaceX to make greater progress on its Starship lunar lander, while China progresses toward its own goal of sending humans to the moon by 2030.
It represents a major shift in NASA's lunar strategy, starting a new competitive juncture in the program for a crewed moon lander just two years before the scheduled landing date. Blue Origin is widely expected to compete for the mission, while Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab has indicated it would convene an industry team to heed NASA's call.
Starship, picked by NASA in 2021 under a contract now worth $4.4 billion, faces a 2027 moon landing deadline that agency advisers estimate could slip years behind schedule, citing competing priorities. Musk sees Starship as crucial to launching larger batches of Starlink satellites to space and eventually ferrying humans to Mars, among other missions.
"They do remarkable things, but they're behind schedule," Duffy said of SpaceX's lunar lander work, adding President Donald Trump wants to see the mission take place before his White House term ends in January 2029.
The move is a significant change under the agency's acting leadership, and as the White House and Duffy begin to reopen the nomination process for a permanent administrator. Billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX customer-astronaut Jared Isaacman, an ally of Musk's, is in talks to reclaim his nomination that had been yanked by Trump over the summer.
Musk shrugged off the specter of more competition in a social media post.
"SpaceX is moving like lightning compared to the rest of the space industry," the SpaceX CEO wrote on X, replying to a user on Monday. "Moreover, Starship will end up doing the whole Moon mission. Mark my words."
The mission involving SpaceX, Artemis 3, would be the first human lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Bezos' space company Blue Origin, with its Blue Moon lander in development, has a similar lunar landing contract awarded by NASA in 2023 but for later Artemis moon missions. The company had protested NASA's initial decision to only pick SpaceX in 2021 and fought for years to convince the agency and lawmakers to select another proposal as a redundancy.
Duffy's reference to Blue Origin on Monday suggests Bezos' space company could contend for Artemis 3.
Blue Origin has been developing its Blue Moon lander in Florida with relatively little public attention under a contract worth roughly $3 billion. SpaceX has been developing Starship in Texas in a whirlwind campaign of test-to-failure demonstration missions, but NASA has grown uneasy with a lack of progress on lunar lander-specific development milestones.
NASA's multibillion-dollar Artemis program is a series of missions involving multiple contractors aimed at returning humans to the moon for a long-term presence there. Artemis 3 has been planned for 2027 with SpaceX's Starship.
Artemis 2, opens new tab, a 10-day flight around the moon and back involving systems built by Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab, Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), opens new tab and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab, is on track for April and could get moved up to February, he added.
Bezos and Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp reportedly spoke with Trump over the summer when the Republican president was feuding with Musk, a supporter in the 2024 election who was tapped to lead efforts to cut the federal government known as DOGE.

The current approved annual Starship launch rate is 25, following an approval by the FAA in May 2025. This is a significant increase from the previous limit of five, and SpaceX's goal is to increase this further to a weekly launch cadence, which could be achieved in 2026. However, the actual launch rate has been much lower than the approved maximum, with a total of five orbital flights by mid-October 2025.
Approved rate:
The FAA has approved up to 25 annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches from the Boca Chica launch site.
Previous rate: Before the recent approval, the limit was five launches per year.
Actual rate:
By mid-October 2025, only five Starship orbital launch attempts had been made, and no further launches were planned for the remainder of 2025.
Future goal:
SpaceX aims for a launch rate of up to 48 per year (one launch per week), potentially starting in April 2026, contingent on resolving technical issues and achieving full reusability.

It will take more than 6 consecutive launches for refill and at least a flyby and ocen landing from a second that is to be the return taxi once showing it can land on the moon.

SpaceNut · Science, Technology, and Astronomy

Opening was about "Unlimited Fresh Water: Can Glass Domes Save Us?" where the water evaporates within a small space and is cooled once it reaches the top sort of like a still.

SpaceNut · Not So Free Chat

Fact check: Are illegal immigrants eligible for ACA subsidies under current US law?
Checked on October 20, 2025

Executive Summary
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally funded Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace coverage or premium tax credits under current U.S. law; this is consistently stated across official guidance and recent analyses dated October 2025 through January 2026. Mixed-status households can enroll eligible, lawfully present family members and apply for subsidies on their behalf, but that process does not extend ACA subsidies to undocumented individuals themselves

Undocumented immigrants can't get a REAL ID, but may still qualify for other state papers

Noncitizens are not illegals as they like refugees are also not illegals.
Noncitizens’ Access to Health Care

SpaceNut · Human missions

NASA's chosen lander, SpaceX's Starship, may lose Artemis III moon landing contract

Time is ‘running out’ for SpaceX as Artemis III mission deadline looms, despite successful launch

China race and lagging progress Nasa thoughts of space x needs 10 to 20 more launchses before NASA will feel that its safe.

SpaceNut · Life support systems

New Mars Forums

Announcement

#51 Re: Not So Free Chat » Politics » 2025-10-27 15:10:39

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#53 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » Trough Solar Collector- Design- Construction- Operation- Maintenance » 2025-10-26 16:47:06

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#57 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » Trough Solar Collector- Design- Construction- Operation- Maintenance » 2025-10-24 17:39:44

#58 Re: Home improvements » Heat Pump - Heat Pumps » 2025-10-24 17:21:02

#59 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » Trough Solar Collector- Design- Construction- Operation- Maintenance » 2025-10-23 15:02:58

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#62 Re: Human missions » Boeing Starliner OFT-2 » 2025-10-22 15:44:23

#63 Re: Human missions » Why Artemis is “better” than Apollo. » 2025-10-22 15:37:12

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#66 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » Desalination Technology » 2025-10-21 14:55:03

#67 Re: Not So Free Chat » Politics » 2025-10-20 17:00:39

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