Anyone remember the X-15? It was a big thing in my younger days. Still cool.
X-15: The fastest manned rocket plane ever
X-15: The fastest manned rocket plane ever
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SpaceX and other space stuff
- Thread starter bholder
- Start date
I touched the one in the Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio. Also put my grubby fingers on an SR-71, D-21 and the remaining XB-70. I'm a baaaaad boy. I had to do it. They severely infected me when I was young.
Edit: If you can, go to the AF museum. It's way cool and worth it.
I just did. July 2026 departure, arrival at Jezero crater.
Off they go.
SpaceX launches are more fun and informative to watch, but wow this ULA rocket can get up and go.
Now we wait till the end of February for another big moment.
Back to bed I go.
-Mike
SpaceX launches are more fun and informative to watch, but wow this ULA rocket can get up and go.
Now we wait till the end of February for another big moment.
Back to bed I go.
-Mike
Was looking for a map of the mars mission to follow its location.
I found this.
NASA/JPL Eyes
Post another if you all find a better/different one.
I found this.
NASA/JPL Eyes
Post another if you all find a better/different one.
How does it work, shooting a spaceship to Mars instead of Earth? I only know enough physics to be curious.
I imagine if it goes in one shot it would be hell difficult to time it to exit our system and be heading in the right direction to intercept Mars. But speed would be high!
On the other hand hand if they shot it into orbit and then fired off another stage at leisure it would be a lot easier. But liftoff would be nothing unusual.
Yes, indeed. It's those solids! My den window rattled for almost a full minute and I live WEST of Orlando.
That's basically what they do. It lifts off with the first stage and boosters. Then the second stage does it's first burn to put it into the correct orbit and speed (27,000 mph +/-) so it's aligned with where Mars will be when they get there. The second burn of the second stage fires when that alignment is correct to propell the craft towards that point. After that burn the second stage detaches and the craft "coasts" to Mars. When it gets there it's captured by Mars's gravity and there is (I think) a series of thruster fires to normalize the orbit. At the correct time and place the lander detaches and makes it's way to the surface. Then there is much rejoicing. Note: I did all of that with my slide rule.
This is what it looks like when they stick the landing (the Moon is used for illustrative purposes):
I wonder how much time they have to get it zeroed in on the right direction once they hit the go to Mars button. Unless it was in geostationary orbit the firing would have to be calculated for each orbit window where it was 'more or less' headed in the right direction.
There's other satellites orbiting Mars now that will assist with the traffic control.
Hit that link @StereoPlayer posted, then search for Mars and you'll see more details. I spent 90 minutes there without even noticing the time go by.
-Mike
Hit that link @StereoPlayer posted, then search for Mars and you'll see more details. I spent 90 minutes there without even noticing the time go by.
-Mike
Heard at NASA today: you'll need to boot into safe mode. 
NASA: Mars rover Perseverance in 'safe mode' after launch, but should recover | Space.
-Mike
NASA: Mars rover Perseverance in 'safe mode' after launch, but should recover | Space.
-Mike
