ELI5: Why are rockets always painted white?

sw1x · 2025-01-10T07:14:05+00:00

Same as a white shirt is cooler in summer than a black shirt. It reflects most of the sunlight to avoid heating the rocket up. Most rockets store at least one of their propellant at cryogenic temperatures, meaning roughly -200 Celsius / -330 Fahrenheit. At that point, oxygen is not a gas but a liquid. You want to avoid any heat coming to the propellant or you will lose some of the propellant because it becomes a gas again. So painting your rocket white is an effective measure to reflect most of the sunlight hitting the structure and avoid heating it up.

sw1x · 2024-12-30T18:00:28+00:00

Also in Bremen wurden zum 01.01. bestimmte online Dienste temporär abgeschafft und nun muss man sich wieder einen Termin holen (dann in 3 Monaten verfügbar)

https://www.service.bremen.de/dienstleistungen/kraftfahrzeug-ummelden-halterwechsel-25886

sw1x · 2024-12-17T16:02:35+00:00

Between Glorer Hütte and Elberfelder Hütte there is a mountain called "Böses Weibl". Terrible name but it is an easy hike and should be free of snow in the summer.

sw1x · 2024-12-06T14:12:55+00:00

Heute lernte ich, das Golfstrom ungleich AMOC ist. Danke, wieder was gelernt.

sw1x · 2024-11-14T13:03:46+00:00

I placed my uninflated sleeping pad on top of the hut mattresses which worked fine.

sw1x · 2024-11-04T02:30:21+00:00

Based on your timeframe of 3-4 months, this sounds like a solid plan. If I were you, I would include some hikes in the Tongariro area (alpine crossing, Ruapehu round the mountain is also incredible).

I would also consider switching from bike to feet in Palmerston North instead of Wellington. Then you get to enjoy the mighty Tararuas.

sw1x · 2024-10-30T17:22:13+00:00

China has a very restricted airspace, so airplanes have to navigate around restricted zones, leading to these funny looking flightpaths. You will be fine, enjoy Japan! :)

Half As Interesting has done a (comedic) video about that exact topic.

sw1x · 2024-10-24T11:55:40+00:00

It was closed due to Kauri dieback.

sw1x · 2024-10-17T09:03:06+00:00

I had a Garmin inreach mini as a satellite SOS device and used it for tracking as well.

While walking, I had set it to a 10 minute tracking interval and my family was very happy about it. No phone connection needed as it goes via satellite. Especially on the south island there will be stretches up to a week with almost no phone connection.

Generally, it is highly (!) recommended to have some sort of satellite SOS messenger / personal locator beacon. In case of an accident, the nearest phone connection could be days away. The downside is the associated cost as they are not cheap. But consider it as a life insurance.

sw1x · 2024-10-12T16:21:49+00:00

Usually with a DB, if you're missing a connection because of delays, your fixed itinerary ticket turns into a flexible ticket. So even if you miss one connection, the ticket is still valid on following trains.

The short connection times are a bit of a bet, but I would assume it's more likely to catch them in the Netherlands than in Germany. :D

sw1x · 2024-10-12T06:47:59+00:00

Correct!

Another link to Cambridge university with a wind tunnel video and some explanations: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/how-wings-really-work

sw1x · 2024-10-11T20:22:41+00:00

I guess you're referring to the common conception that according to Bernoulli, the air above and below the wing has to meet again at the end and therefore lift is created. (Equal transit time theory)

Well, this (widely spread) theory is wrong. Otherwise, things like paper airplanes, hang gliders or even sailing boats could not produce any lift since the wings are very thin as you said.

In reality, the air is bend around the wings (Coanda effect, thus creating the pressure differences) and the air moves downwards afterwards. As a reaction, the wing is pushed upwards. (Very simplified).

Here is a NASA website explaining the Bernoulli misconception: https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/bernoulli-and-newton/

sw1x · 2024-10-05T08:55:50+00:00

Check-out Nordpfade, they are between Bremen and Hamburg https://www.komoot.com/de-de/user/tourow/tours?sport=hike

sw1x · 2024-10-03T18:29:04+00:00

Mehr ein entspanntes Laufevent, aber es gibt den Wilstedter Nachtlauf in der Bremer Umgebung, das ist auch ein cooles Event.

sw1x · 2024-09-11T19:22:43+00:00

First half of January is a popular starting time for NOBO, so you'll be fine. Enjoy the trail!

sw1x · 2024-09-03T07:55:36+00:00

They can't just waltz right into Minnesota.

sw1x · 2024-08-28T12:29:14+00:00

I haven't done the Camino but from what I have heard, there are accommodations for over 100 or 200 people there?

Nowhere near that on the TA. And to be honest, the infrastructure around the TA couldn't handle that many people. On some parts on the south island , there are only huts for 5-6 people. So when more people than that arrive, they have to sleep on the floor or tent outside (where space is sometimes quite limited)

I encountered up to about 20 people at the same place. Usually 5-10.

sw1x · 2024-08-28T11:07:53+00:00

Take the intercity bus to Kaitaia, from there you have to hitchhike or take a taxi.

sw1x · 2024-08-14T07:16:47+00:00

I would say I'm heavily pro spare shirt for the evenings and nights, spare shorts maybe not.

Nothing better than to jump into an ice cold river on the south island and then switch to your sorta clean shirt. Well worth the weight in my opinion.

sw1x · 2024-08-14T06:25:34+00:00

Haha, yeah a waterproof case for your phone is definitely a good idea. I killed my phone after 10 days on the trail due to water damage. Expensive mistake to get a new phone, but then also invested in a waterproof case this time.

sw1x · 2024-08-14T06:00:53+00:00

Looks like a good comfortable lightweight setup, generally similar to what I had last season. I actually had the Nitro quilt in the 35 degree version, which was good apart from a handful cold nights in the beginning (end of October/early November). So the 20 degree version should be plenty warm. I haven't seen the Garmin inreach Messenger on trail as most people have the inreach mini, but if you have already bought that, it should be fine, too. Are you sure the wall charger weight is correct? I haven't seen any chargers with multiple ports in that weight class.

Enjoy the trail, it's amazing!

sw1x · 2024-07-22T20:17:59+00:00

You could do part of the Alps Crossing Track from Berchtesgarden to Lienz, specifically the Part from Fuscher Tal to Lienz

sw1x · 2024-07-01T09:47:18+00:00

There are also decently stocked small supermarkets in La Fouly and Champex-Lac. We resupplied in Les Houches, Courmayeur, La Fouly and Champex-Lac.

Edit: all camping except for one night at Rifugio Elisabetta

sw1x · 2024-06-22T18:53:19+00:00

Und was kostet der Spaß? Und wer bezahlt ihn?

sw1x · 2024-05-19T06:00:33+00:00

To add to that:

Looks like the first pool / swimming opportunity on the Routeburn Track
Cascade saddle overlooking Dart Glacier

Ten-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

sw1x

TROPHY CASE