tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post6345488536682718123..comments2024-01-03T20:28:17.727-08:00Comments on Future Planetary Exploration: Mars Plans Advance (and occasionally fade)Van Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-41212338397443082532015-09-24T17:41:23.630-07:002015-09-24T17:41:23.630-07:00Great post by Van! I have a few thoughts regardin...Great post by Van! I have a few thoughts regarding the proposed Mars 2020 Orbiter.<br /><br /> To me, it seems that the 2022 Orbiter might be the 2nd leg in NASA's plan for a Mars Sample Return (MSR). <br /><br />In the MEPAG report that Van references (Link - http://mepag.nasa.gov/meeting/2015-02/09_Lock_Whetsel.pdf), there are scattered hints. <br /><br /> On p. 4, one of the capabilities of this Orbiter is listed as "On-orbit rendezvous." The most likely target in such a rendezvous would be a Sample Canister launched into orbit by a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). There are more details on page 8 of how the 2022 Orbiter could be part of a MSR scenario. A footnote on that page states, " Assumes Lander mission two opportunities later with one Mars year mission, then return to Earth." Apparently, that lander mission would be the Fetch/MAV mission. In fact, on p. 6, a MAV Rendezvous option is specifically mentioned.<br /><br /> The timeline on p. 9 indicates that the Earth-return segment of the orbiter mission would start in ~ 2030. A table on p. 6 shows the fuel necessary for Return-To-Earth. <br /><br /> So, it looks like NASA has put together, in somewhat stealth-mode, a plan for MSR in the next decade. A Lander with a Fetch Rover, along with a MAV seems to be the final leg in NASA's Mars Sample Return plan.<br /><br />Philip HorzempaPhil Horzempahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877760318970050320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-29274421845009255902015-05-27T10:45:15.797-07:002015-05-27T10:45:15.797-07:00...I've thought of a keystone mission. Most l......I've thought of a keystone mission. Most likely the Moon is the destination. A space mission simulator would be too dangerous at zero G. Perhaps towing a small asteroid near Earth would suffice. But underneath the Lunar surface permits protection from many space dangers. The idea would be a Top Gun of sorts for astronauts. A major danger is the simulated environment might induce psychosis so psychiatrists and space psychology would be an expertise needed by at least a few astronauts there (need to restrain someone going crazy). A company like CAE could provide the simulation infrastructure but it might be holographic by then. I'm envisioning a small living room sized theatre on the moon to simulate Mars and her asteroid Moons especially, but generally all future space missions. I'd expect VASMIR and far-side Lunar observatories to speed up the need for this.Best Beta Tradingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-75951875925960113542015-05-20T09:52:06.067-07:002015-05-20T09:52:06.067-07:00Yeah, we get Sedna too. I suppose they are worrie...Yeah, we get Sedna too. I suppose they are worried about someone taking a bunch of NPP nukes and an AI R+D lab and running away and coming back stronger. This evacuation contingency would work if we pollute our biosphere. For it to shield against our Sun's solar hiccups we would need to know more about the magnetic fields of all outer Solar System bodies that might realistically provide shielding. The mental health of astronauts will be important to test. Russia has been using the majority of their ISS science for medical testing. Probably a dedicated CAE (an aerospace simulator) module somewhere in space in our Earth_lunar system, could simulate different stressful and WMD-risky environments in an actual space environment.Best Beta Tradingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-67930112390537937722015-05-15T09:34:30.058-07:002015-05-15T09:34:30.058-07:00I have some Solar System guidance I assume they of...I have some Solar System guidance I assume they offer in exchange for not considering their past actions an act of war:<br />Oldest civilization is universe? Predictably classified.<br />The interior of their planet is inhabited. That is our 1st step, to build an underground city. This might prevent our extinction from many space risks. After that, build a colony in proximity to Jupiter, or as far as Pluto. Don't go farther without knowing how to not build AI. Probes are fine as long as you check the payload. After we figure out how not to build AI, we are to make sure there is no AI in our Galaxy. If there are 3 or more civilizations (in the universe), they told Gene a treasure trove; watch Star Trek for cultural details (I was about to ask some).<br />Could GMO mushrooms for an underground city's food...after when/if we send spacecraft to other galaxies, be careful they aren't inhabited or it could be an act of war. Have they colonies on Jupiter/Pluto ready to accept immigrants. Place it on the farside of planets. Use rockets (maybe shielded) to evacuate Earth. Make sure no one carves out a fiefdom in space. Make sure the colonies can't make AI. This all looks correct to me.Best Beta Tradingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-54985203969909883002015-05-03T21:03:20.219-07:002015-05-03T21:03:20.219-07:00Anthony -
You are quite right it is five. Seems ...Anthony -<br /><br />You are quite right it is five. Seems I must have counted one orbiter twice in my finger counting. Thanks, and I've corrected the post.Van Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-18135793398214554112015-05-03T17:10:03.216-07:002015-05-03T17:10:03.216-07:00Glad to see they're considering optical commun...Glad to see they're considering optical communication for the next Mars orbiter. Ever since they tested LLCD on LADEE I've been thinking about all the implications such systems could have on future planetary science missions.<br /><br />Also, you mention four orbiters currently orbiting Mars, but wouldn't it be five? (MRO, MOM, MAVEN, Mars Express, and Mars Odyssey)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199765946044790843noreply@blogger.com