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#951 Re: Human missions » Who? - Who gets to go to Mars? » 2004-10-03 21:21:50
For base maintainence and stuff like food production your going to need 2-3.
For any kind of science survey your going to going to need another 2-3.
For any serious base construction your going to want at least 10.
#952 Re: Human missions » Long duration Human space missions - Can we survive them? » 2004-10-03 21:02:37
To make a wheel or similar sized device, a certain size is needed so that the required apparent gravity can be created without there being too much rotations which cause other problems. It has been assertained that having a speed of four rotations a minute is the maximum perferable for humans as this what the majority of people can stand. This means that for a vessel to have an apparent gravity of about 1g then it reguires to be about 40 metres in diameter.
Frankly 40 metres is a bit on the small side and if we would want to go the way of making artificial gravity using centrifugal forces we should use a much slower rotation and as such a larger diameter in the wheel. It also allows a better comfort zone where an astronaut will not feel as if his legs are going faster than his head and that the difference in speeds causes dizzyness. And for reference we do not need to use a wheel shape a nice H shape would do just as good and probably easier to put into space in the first place.
40m isn't all that bad for a full g. A compromise could even be made somewhere along the line. In theory 3/4s g's, or 4/5s g's would go a long way to limit the damage of long duration zero g exposure, and not give anyone an upset stomach.
My consern for a huge complex is the cost of launching all the truss segements required, and that providing even trust for whole complex would require a lot of individual thrusters, lest we stress to many many differnt pieces during repeated burns. If were going to spend all this money on an interplanetary vessal, we'd surely want to get many trips out of it.
#953 Re: Human missions » Long duration Human space missions - Can we survive them? » 2004-10-03 18:08:16
So if we were to build a pair of ridgid wheels, and attach 6-8 modules to the outside, and spin it at whatever speed we deem appropreate for the mission, how big would the whole thing have to be so people wouldn't fall on there heads.
#954 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » America's Space Prize! $50mil... - Funded by Bigelow. » 2004-10-03 15:35:24
Full speed ahead with developement and Nasa will buy because it is cheaper than all others that have said they could do it as well.
I bet thats how it will go. NASA could even throw in an extra billion or so and make it really profitable.
I'll bet they end up buying Bigelow inflatables as a reusable transit craft, or "service module" as well. I got to admit that the idea of an inflatable brings to mind the thought of the thing poping like a ballon, but everything I've read seems to indicate there stronger than anything we got up there now.
The only problem I can forsee with the inflatables is getting larger stuff in it. There doesn't seem to be a good way put a hatch on it.
#955 Re: Human missions » New Funding Source - Nascar/Nextel Track pass » 2004-10-03 14:08:23
I would imagine that a bidding war among the major networks, foriegn and domestic, would net NASA several billion dollars for a long term lunar or Mars mission. The revenu for ad space in an hour-long once a week show would be quite high.
As for telemetry, or a webcam style service, I bet they could make money on that too. Esspecially if they have like a daily mission agenda sort of thing. I'd certainly pay for it.
#956 Re: Planetary transportation » Running on Compressed Air? » 2004-10-02 13:11:55
Interesting.
Would it be practical it compress air while moving? Say put an air dam in the hood (real sporty ), and compress the air in real time?
Where would you get the power for that? The sun?
Ah... the alternator?
Thats why I'm asking if its pratical for a car to produce enough power while in motion to run an air compressor. It can run a radio, AC, and countless other gizmos.
After all 50 miles might get you from one end of Luxemburg to the other 3 times, but anywere else requires more range.
#957 Re: Planetary transportation » Running on Compressed Air? » 2004-10-02 12:58:13
Interesting.
Would it be practical it compress air while moving? Say put an air dam in the hood (real sporty :laugh:), and compress the air in real time?
#958 Re: Planetary transportation » Nuclear Transportation? » 2004-10-01 21:15:19
So we'd need special facilites near, but not too near, to base camp to house the stuff.
#959 Re: Not So Free Chat » 1st Presidential debate - who won? » 2004-09-30 21:13:00
I agree. Kerry wasn't able to make anything stick, and Bush wasn't very agressive.
#960 Re: Human missions » Long duration Human space missions - Can we survive them? » 2004-09-30 14:53:56
Take a Soyuz and a Progress. After they have been to ISS so their accounting value is ZERO.
Tether together nose to nose.
Spin up to 3/8th gee and practice tethered flight in LEO.
Like, duh!
Yeah, untill the tether breaks, and the Soyuz smacks into the DirectTV satillite, and the Progess dives into the atmosphere, taking out a herd of South American goats. 
I wouldn't try it without a ridged structure.
#961 Re: Human missions » Long duration Human space missions - Can we survive them? » 2004-09-30 14:26:25
Or we can just make a ship large enough to have artificial gravity via centrifical force.
The trickiest part is launching curved pieces from earth.
#962 Re: Human missions » Documentary on Mars Direct Trailer. - Based on Zubrin's case for Mars. » 2004-09-29 19:13:29
Quicktime and dial-up don't mix.
Is there any chance of a downloadable version being mirrored somewhere.
#963 Re: Life support systems » Eat Like a Martian » 2004-09-28 17:14:40
Why are they using soil?
Hydroponically grown plants grow faster and with less waste.
Where does the hydroponic solution come from?
Water, found at least in some quanity on both the Moon and Mars, and numerous minerals that can probably be found in large quanities. Such as...
Macronutrients are required in large amounts
Carbon-Component of all organic compounds
Oxygen-supplied by air & water
Hydrogen
Nitrogen-Part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins
Phosphorus-Used in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth
Potassium-Activates enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch
Calcium-Used in cell growth and division, part of cell wall
Magnesium-Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes
Sulfur-Part of amino acids and proteins
Micronutrients are required in trace amounts
Boron-Affects reproduction
Chlorine-Aids in root growth
Copper-Used in clorophyll, activates enzymes
Iron-Used in Photosynthesis
Manganese-Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes
Sodium-Used for water movement
Zinc-Part of enzymes, used in auxins
Molybdenum-Used in nitrogen fixation
Nickel-Liberates Nitrogen
Cobalt-Fixates Nitrogen
Silicon-Makes tougher cell walls, enhances heat and drought tolerance
Whatever can't be found, can be brought along. And a lot of it can probably be recovered when the planets eventually die off, and from other... ahem... sources of waste. :;):
#964 Re: Life support systems » Eat Like a Martian » 2004-09-28 16:14:23
Why are they using soil?
Hydroponically grown plants grow faster and with less waste.
#965 Re: Human missions » China The Dominant Superpower In 20 Years..... - What does this mean for US? » 2004-09-27 21:00:49
I would be very surprised if the Chinese communist leaders at some point forced our hand. Most likely over Tiawan, which could boil over in Korea, or even Japan. The bubble Chinas riding now can't last forever, and a nice patirotic war to finish off the last of the capitalist rebels might take the publics mind off of it.
Either way, don't believe the stuff about rouge states as the reason for the ABM system. Its for China. And while the space interseptors might be shaky, but the tactical missile defense is much stronger. All these are intended to take the big stick out of Chinas hand.
#966 Re: Not So Free Chat » Scientist: Ireland is Atlantis? » 2004-09-27 18:11:07
Well, thats dissapointing.
I kid
#967 Re: Human missions » China The Dominant Superpower In 20 Years..... - What does this mean for US? » 2004-09-27 17:55:15
China can not defeat the US militarly. Were long passed the days were human swarms can take and hold territory.
#968 Re: Human missions » Russian Klipper or US CEV - why can we not get it done sooner » 2004-09-16 21:41:09
It will be a horse race to see who can get funded first.
The Russians can sell a lot more tourist seats on these. Is there any idea how much the Kilper cost per unit?
#969 Re: Human missions » Kerry's position on space *2* - ...continue discussion here (for now) » 2004-09-15 20:08:59
Bush, Kerry Go Head to Head on Science
I have not had a chance to read it yet but it looks like an interview with both.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/afp/20040 … kerry.html
Its a bunch of prepared statments from there campaigns offices.
Kerry has no vision to compete with what Bush has offered. Without a goal, and with the terminal nature of the shuttle, US manned space flight would probably die under Kerry.
#970 Re: Human missions » More ISS hardball - How does this affect US vision? » 2004-09-15 07:00:37
Why are we waiting the hydrogen? This is equally as valuable when looking at say an ION drive engine to keep the ISS orbit from decaying.
I suggested such a thing in a different context. Apparently it produces static electricity.
#971 Re: Human missions » NDSS National Department of Space Settlement - We've explored, now let's occupy! » 2004-09-10 19:34:47
But with the UN as the seat of power I feel that we will have the same problems as we do today with America for the most part becoming the police force of the world with resistance from the UN when it comes to enforcement for crimes committed by other nation. I May be wrong but that is how it seems.
Thats part of it.
But the UN as a whole is not governing body. It was designed as debate forum to solve disputes.
#972 Re: Human missions » NDSS National Department of Space Settlement - We've explored, now let's occupy! » 2004-09-10 18:26:07
If any one was going to build a Department of Space Settlement it should be United Nations and do it for the whole world, thus expand the outer space treaty and build a united front into space or everyone will got there own ways, and it will be fun to participate in.
The UN? In its current form?
Over my dead body.
#973 Re: Not So Free Chat » Your Inner Squirrel » 2004-09-09 18:50:42
Furry Nuttykins
#974 Re: Human missions » NDSS National Department of Space Settlement - We've explored, now let's occupy! » 2004-09-09 07:42:19
As much as it needs to be done, it should be done as a multi-national effort. It will be much better and prevent a lot of problems int he future.
Of course to do that theres alot of work to do politically on Earth.
#975 Re: Human missions » China The Dominant Superpower In 20 Years..... - What does this mean for US? » 2004-09-07 21:47:08
I never understood the anti-Yucca crowd, except for the folks living in Nevada of course. But even then, do people know were the waste is stored now?
Its stored right in the plant were its produced, often right in residential areas. I live in upstate NY, were theres a Navy base that works on submarine reactors. Now thats about 40 miles from were I live. But I'll bet even the people living closest to Yucca will be safer than I am now.
And the whole fear that the containment won't last the ten thousand years or what ever is complete rubbish. As if the stuff is actually going to stay untouched for 10,000 years.
I'll bet within 50 years well have vastly improved containment technology.
I'll bet within 100 years we'll have a rocket reliable enough to send it to some distance astroid millions of miles from anyone.
I'll bet within 1000 years well have a FTL drive to send it into the void between galaxies, literally light years from anyone.
So I really don't see what the problem is.