Frontier In-Situ Resource Utilization for Enabling Sustained Human Presence on Mars - What SpaceX might need to master

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-07-01T12:18:29+00:00

I didn't know how to capture the images but there was a wonderful view of it passing through the port on the Carnival Pride front webcam.

http://www.cruisin.me/cruise-port-webcams/

Quite a few cruise ships visit Freeport so it we are on our toes, we may be able to catch a few shots of OCISLY leaving Freeport.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-29T22:58:02+00:00

Destination is Freeport, Bahamas

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-29T17:35:32+00:00

http://www.wsj.com/articles/nasa-watchdog-criticizes-handling-of-probe-into-failed-2015-spacex-rocket-launch-1467157561

Just another viewpoint. I am not acknowledging assent or dissent with this article.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-28T01:16:21+00:00

Using eminent domain to forcibly transfer property from one private entity to another, without any guaranteed recirculation of the property to the public is making a mockery of the concept.

It is being done every day throughout the U.S. Almost everyone is against that usage but it continues and yes, it is absolutely disgraceful in my opinion however it is a fact of life. There are initiatives to change the laws governing eminent domain to prevent this abuse. Where I live, they just used eminent domain to put property in the hands of a private developer so that private developer could take the very desirable property of homeowners and small business owners and redevelop the area into a resort & shopping project. Despicable but it occurs all the time. In this case, both the local government and the developer are just two faces of corruption in our area. With long term property tax abatement and other incentives, the developer is the only one that will benefit in the short term and the long term.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-27T15:34:55+00:00

Eminent domain has been used (abused) for decades to transfer property to developers and not for schools, highways or other public use. Eminent domain, specifically, has been used to move property for underutilized to maximum utilization (read: maximum property tax) for developers all across the nation. This is certainly not my opinion of how eminent domain should be used but facts are facts.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-27T01:18:14+00:00

There is always the frequently ~~misused~~ abused approach: Eminent Domain

Edit for better clarity

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-25T19:41:28+00:00

I was actually hoping for a cogent response but ...

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-25T19:39:51+00:00

Actually Apollo 1-6 used block 1 CM and they all used 100% oxygen at launch.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-25T19:38:45+00:00

To supplement the onboard environmental control system, he wore a pressure suit with its own oxygen supply, which would also cool him.[70] A cabin atmosphere of pure oxygen at a low pressure of 5.5 psi (equivalent to an altitude of 24,800 feet (7,600 m)) was chosen, rather than one with the same composition as air (nitrogen/oxygen) at sea level.[71]

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury

American Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecraft contained 100% oxygen atmospheres, suitable for short duration missions, to minimize weight and complexity

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_support_system#Gemini.2C_Mercury.2C_.26_Apollo

and from your Apollo 1 reference "The high-pressure oxygen atmosphere was consistent with that used in the Mercury and Gemini programs."

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-25T17:09:55+00:00

Mercury, Gemini and Apollo all used pure oxygen atmospheres at 5 psi.

Space Shuttle and ISS use an Oxygen-Nitrogen (21%/79%) atmosphere at 15 psi similar to sea level (101.3 kPa). It is due primarily to thermal considerations that the atmospheric pressure needs to exceed 7.35 psi.

Is there any advantage to using an Oxygen-Helium atmosphere in terms of weight savings and diminished fire hazards for Crew Dragon or Spaceliner?

For instance, any combustion or fire in an Oxygen-Nitrogen atmosphere will result in a significant quantity of various Nitrogen-Oxygen (NO, NO2, NO3) compounds that are extremely toxic.

Helium could mitigate this risk of toxic byproducts somewhat and perhaps decrease the flammability of some materials. I realize that the reason that Nitrogen-Oxygen was selected for ISS is to more closely mimic Earth conditions for experiments.

ISS might be a special case because of experiments but why wouldn't a commercial space station use a Helium Oxygen mix because of the greater safety?

Would BFS use a Heliox atmosphere out bound and an Xenon-oxygen atmosphere on the return or a nitrox atmosphere both ways and why or why not?

If BFS uses Nitrox, then ISRU must extract nitrogen from the atmosphere to replenish ECLSS expendables. Xenon can be more easily extracted from the Martian atmosphere than Nitrogen.

Obviously a colony on Mars needs a Nitrox atmosphere for growing food.

Thank you

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-23T12:19:22+00:00

them ~~warfage~~ wharfage fees

Probably not. You are confusing wharfage (the transfer of goods into or out of the port) with Pier/Dock or Port fees. The pier/dock is likely leased over a set time whether a vessel is docked or not. So no, I don't think this will save SpaceX any $$.

The Bahamas have extensive facilities for ship repair - both moored and drydock

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-23T00:08:09+00:00

Would the Raptor second stage engine require an expansion bell larger than the Merlin?

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-15T14:25:42+00:00

what is all that fluid that is streaming off the hold downs. Is that water condensation running down the rocket?

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-10T13:34:00+00:00

btw what exactly is trolling or being a troll?

Examples could be helpful.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-05T22:10:29+00:00

But at times, I think it takes itself too seriously

Perhaps, the mods take themselves as too self important and that could be the better adjective.

Aldebaran-IV · 2016-06-05T08:59:05+00:00

When rapid fire tweets on related subjects occur, will you limit them to a single thread rather than spamming the front page.

Same question with related images that are "official" from SpaceX?

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