Author Topic: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost  (Read 4193 times)

AJ Dual

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2012, 03:04:58 PM »
I still think Neil Armstrong died of a broken heart, seeing a President that took the USA out of space, forcing us to go, hat in hand, to the Russians for manned lift capability.

BHO probably thought programs like the Shuttle made us look arrogant to the rest of the world, so he decided to take the USA down a peg or two.

(He really doesn't like this country, you know . . . )

I won't hold my breath, but there could be a silver lining to all of this. SpaceX is making a second flight to the ISS on October 7th. And it will be returning cargo from the ISS as well.

Considering they were there just last May, assuming this flight goes well, that's a pretty good turnaround for a private launch company. Vs. the more private/public model NASA uses with it's other contractors.

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Ben

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2012, 03:11:21 PM »
I won't hold my breath, but there could be a silver lining to all of this. SpaceX is making a second flight to the ISS on October 7th. And it will be returning cargo from the ISS as well.

I understand they will likely go public in 2013. I'm keeping my eye on that.
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Phyphor

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2012, 03:18:22 PM »
AJ, that was my thought as well.... a C-fractional KKV would be *just* the thing for that.......

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Tallpine

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #28 on: September 25, 2012, 03:20:59 PM »
You're thinking of Lagrange points 4 and 5. Far side of the moon would be #2, and if I'm remembering right, is a far bit more stable. Besides, just put a relay satellite in a polar lunar orbit with a slight progression that way it's always visible to both Earth and LP2.


ETA: Figures, post an answer, scroll down, see bigger and better answer that was posted earlier.

IIRC there are several natural objects at the ~60 degree Lagrange offset - an asteroid or planetoid in Jupiter's orbit for instance.
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AJ Dual

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #29 on: September 25, 2012, 04:16:43 PM »
IIRC there are several natural objects at the ~60 degree Lagrange offset - an asteroid or planetoid in Jupiter's orbit for instance.

Yes the Trojans, (named after the camped armies of the war of the same name...) there's concerns there might be lots of Junk in Earth's L4 and L5 points too. Although it might make it a good candidate for a short haul asteroid/space materials collection mission, or sweep some aerogell collectors through there like the Stardust mission did with comets.

Another thing that's important I just realized, L2 is just outside the moon's and Earth's umbra (shadow) and it has a fair amount, but not complete protection from Solar storm radiation. This would be an ideal spot to get a "toe in the water" and test out different shielding schemes, like a water-tank "storm cellar", magnetic shields (might be energy prohibitive without a big nuke plant), or high proton density polymers. This will be critical for any long duration Lunar presence that's not below the Lunar surface, or for longer duration asteroid or Mars missions. However, without full exposure, a shielding scheme that at least works somewhat, but not "as advertised" wouldn't be deadly.

Also, it will be a good way to simulate Lunar farside operations without actually being "Stuck on the ground". And there are multiple places in Earth orbit visible from L2 that other relays could be established as backups to test relay strategies, Earth is obviously visible all the time, save maybe when the moon passes in front of L2 once a month. Whereas on the Lunar surface, only some of the dedicated relays for that purpose could be viewable to call for help or suggestions should something go wrong.

And it is actually a minimum energy "sweet spot" to pre-deploy extra fuel, or landers etc. or a low energy point for other missions to actually depart from.

It's not particularly sexy mission, but it would be a serious commitment to some infrastructure and laying groundwork to going further out.

« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 04:22:32 PM by AJ Dual »
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Tallpine

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #30 on: September 25, 2012, 06:02:57 PM »
Yes the Trojans, (named after the camped armies of the war of the same name...) there's concerns there might be lots of Junk in Earth's L4 and L5 points too. ...

"Trojans" :facepalm:

So we might need some protection  ;)
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

kgbsquirrel

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #31 on: September 25, 2012, 07:35:28 PM »
Another thing that's important I just realized, L2 is just outside the moon's and Earth's umbra (shadow) ...

I thought we were talking about the Earth-Moon L2, not the Sun-Earth L2?

TommyGunn

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Re: NASA Considering Deep Space Outpost
« Reply #32 on: September 25, 2012, 07:38:38 PM »
"Trojans" :facepalm:

So we might need some protection  ;)

Just send them some Greeks bearing gifts.  [popcorn] ;/
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