SpaceX and other space stuff

[ahc]

Intelligent Machines reports that Odysseus didn't land upright.

Private US spacecraft is on its side on the moon with some antennas covered up, the company says

 

[Winslow]

Intelligent Machines reports that Odysseus didn't land upright.

D'oh!dysseus...


Oh well. Space is hard.

 

[bholder]

What do you do with a drunken Sailor, earl-eye in the Mornin'?

 

[Winslow]

What do you do with a drunken Sailor, earl-eye in the Mornin'?

Shoot 'im at the moon and watch him stagger,
Earl-ay in the mornin'!

 

[Captain Chaos]

Any of you guys care to recommend me an affordable telescope?

 

[Winslow]

Any of you guys care to recommend me an affordable telescope?

A TB thread that might be useful:
Looking to buy an astronomical telescope - please advise.

And the "How To" section of Sky & Telescope has several useful posts:
Looking to buy an astronomical telescope - please advise.

For people just starting out, "affordable" is one factor, but I also advise folks to keep things simple to begin with. A big, heavy, cumbersome telescope with finicky optics can be more of an annoyance for some folks than a help.

I usually advise people to start out with a basic refractor-type telescope, both for low cost, and ease of operation. Celestron makes some decent beginner refractors, and even some compact "Travel Scopes" that come in backpack kits (I've got one of Invalid Link Removed models for when I'm feeling lazy). You're not going to see things the way the Hubble and Webb space telescopes see them, but for quick, garb-and-go backyard viewing of our Moon and the local planets, they do just fine.

Here's the refractor section at B&H Photo/Video (an excellent vendor, where we've shopped for 20+ years, and recommend most highly):
Invalid Link Removed

Good luck & clear skies!

 

[Winslow]

Any of you guys care to recommend me an affordable telescope?

...and we're back.

Sorry, I was in a rush this morning, and didn't have much time to type out any more than the above.

Another very good option when considering what kind of telescope you'd like is to find a local astronomy club near you. Most of these clubs have public stargazing events, where those with an interest in astronomy are often welcomed and encouraged to have a look at (and through) the 'scopes of the club members there. Some clubs even have "loaner" 'scopes available for members who are just starting out, or want to try something different.

Since you list your location in Florida, I did a quick search for "Florida astronomy clubs." Here are some links you can parse through at your leisure:

Astronomy Clubs in FL | 2024 List | GO ASTRONOMY

NEFAS | Northeast Florida Astronomical Society

Clubs

Astronomy Clubs in Florida • Love the Night Sky

About — KSCAA


Again, good luck!

 

[Winslow]

Get your D'oh!dysseus news... while you still can!

Odysseus has less than a day left on the Moon before it freezes to death


Surprisingly accurate smiley depiction of D'oh!dysseus:

 

[ahc]

Because Odysseus's antennae aren't pointed in the right direction, radio transmissions have been slow and weak. This one just came in loud and clear:

 

[Winslow]

"...failed energetically..."



SpaceX discloses cause of Starship anomalies as it clears an FAA hurdle




Also:

It turns out that Odysseus landed on the Moon without any altimetry data

 

[Winslow]

WOW! Images are now back from the Odysseus landing, and even if it wasn't perfect, this is still amazing to see:

That moment when you land on the Moon, break a leg, and are about to topple over

The whole writeup is well worth reading, but for those who just want the pics...


Crunch / ouchie:

Engine still burning briefly after touchdown / tip-over:






To note what someone in the Ars commentariat said, it's worth remembering that before humans made it to the Moon, the US and Russia sent lots of lander probes, and most of them failed before there was any kind of regular success.

Space is really hard, even in our own neighborhood. Mishap aside, the fact that this thing made it intact, and remained functional even as it is, is still very much a worthwhile accomplishment.

 

[markwrob]

*Pounds on desk*: "It's not rocket science!!!"

*Looks up with an "Oh..." and slinks out...*

ETA: once had an engineering director at a tape drive company do that. Lotta staff left not long after.

 

[SBassman]

While I respect the complexity of all this, I still have to be disappointed.

For me, this is about - not enough reuse of previous learning, lack of proper funding, etc. - not, complexity of some new endeavor. We landed people on the moon safely on the first try - and then repeated that 5 more times - 55 years ago.

We are basically spending bazillions on the wrong program - SLS - while investing very little at this time in returning to the moon Now. Yeah, we have big plans, but we should be there Now.

 

[Winslow]

We landed people on the moon safely on the first try

It's easy to forget that it was hardly the "first try" that got people on the Moon; The Surveyor series was the test program for navigation, course correction, and soft landing ability that allowed NASA to work out the technology before putting human crews at risk (two of the Surveyors crashed, too). The Apollo program never ran on completely untested principles. That would have been foolhardy more than heroic.

We are basically spending bazillions on the wrong program - SLS

Now that is correct. The SLS is a bloated pork program that was obsolete before it ever took off.

 

[Winslow]

Meanwhile, in other Moon lander news:

Japan's toppled-over probe surprised everyone by waking back up!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And the two smaller probes it dropped onto the Moon as it descended are up and running:
JAXA compact robots pull off world’s first feats on moon mission | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[ahc]

There's a very slight chance that Odysseus might wake up after it's lunar winter. It'd be cool if it did but it's not expected.

 

[fig]

Great updates on the IM and JAXA landers! Ya gotta love a good 'down, but not out' story. Way cool.

 

[StereoPlayer]

March 14th scheduled forvthe next Starship launch.

 

[StereoPlayer]

NASA Concerned as Voyager 1 Sending Back Incomprehensible Code

 

[Winslow]

NASA Concerned as Voyager 1 Sending Back Incomprehensible Code

No problem... just give her my number, and tell her "the creator" is happy to get together any time.