Space News thread

[Edmond]

Nick all this technology off everyone

The US just nicked the rocket scientists, much better than only nicking their technology.

[harrybarracuda]

The US just nicked the rocket scientists, much better than only nicking their technology.

Nicked them? I think they went quite willingly rather than get hung.

[harrybarracuda]

How many of these Flat Earth, QAnon nutcases will think this is all a big cover up?

NASA accidentally broadcasts simulation of astronaut in distress | Science & Tech News | Sky News

[OhOh]

Boeing Starliner Stuck on Space Station as More Leaks Discovered

Victor Tangermann

Wed, June 12, 2024 at 9:15 PM GMT+7

"Boeing Leaks

After years of delays and technical problems, Boeing's Starliner finally made it to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board last week.

But when exactly it'll be able to undock and deliver its crew of two back to the surface remains to be seen.

Teams have discovered an astonishing five different helium leaks so far, each representing yet another thorn in the spacecraft's already cursed development. The gas is "used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire" while navigating through space, according to Boeing.

NASA is giving Boeing another four days, extending Wilmore and Williams' mission onboard the ISS from June 14 to no earlier than June 18, though it's unclear whether the leaks are to blame for the delay. Boeing is still "assessing what impacts, if any, five small leaks in the service module helium manifolds would have on the remainder of the mission," according to an update.

Boeing has been through hell and back in its attempts to get its first crewed test flight off the ground, including countless delays, scrubs, technical screwups, and an unsuccessful uncrewed test flight back in 2019.

Where that leaves Starliner's future viability for providing NASA with a reliable way to get astronauts to the space station remains to be seen. While it has managed to dock with the ISS, its mission isn't over until Wilmore and Williams are safely back on the ground.

Hole Story

Last month, officials discovered the first helium leak, which was later underplayed by officials and determined not to be severe enough to delay its journey to the ISS.

On its way up, the capsule sprang even more helium leaks. Even docking procedures didn't initially go as planned, with Boeing calling off its first attempt due to reaction-control thrusters malfunctioning.

There's a lot we still don't know about Starliner's current status. Fortunately, engineers have determined that the capsule will have plenty of helium for its return mission, roughly ten times as much as it needs to maneuver through the near vacuum of space.

"While Starliner is docked, all the manifolds are closed per normal mission operations preventing helium loss from the tanks," Boeing explained in its update.

Meanwhile, NASA is making the most out of the situation.

"The additional time in orbit will allow the crew to perform a spacewalk on Thursday, June 13, while engineers complete Starliner systems checkouts," ISS officials tweeted, referring to two different space station crew members."

Boeing Starliner Stuck on Space Station as More Leaks Discovered

[Takeovers]

I want to add an information on the Starliner flight. The service module, which is the propulsion module, is known to be defective. It has not been upgraded after the catastrophic failure of the first test flight. A new service module has been developed but will only be used on the next flight. Which means, assuming NASA certifies Starliner after this flight, the first regular crew flight with 4 astronauts will fly with a new, untested service module. Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it?

[Takeovers]

How many of these Flat Earth, QAnon nutcases will think this is all a big cover up?

NASA accidentally broadcasts simulation of astronaut in distress | Science & Tech News | Sky News

BTW, the EVA activity planned for today has been cancelled. Something like the astronaut felt "discomfort" with the spacesuit. No details so far. Things are getting weird on the ISS.

[DrWilly]

An incredible image taken on 7 June 2024 of the ISS, featuring Boeing’s Starliner among six vehicles docked to the orbiting outpost. Credit: MAXAR Technologies.

[OhOh]

Putin signs into law joint building of lunar base with China as Beijing expands circle of friends in Moon exploration

By Fan Anqi

Published: Jun 13, 2024 09:01 PM

"Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday officially signed into law his country's cooperation with China on the construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, as Beijing proactively advocates global participation in the joint exploration of the vast universe, with the latest effort being the inclusion of Egypt and Bahrain in China's next Chang'e mission.
The relevant document was published on a Russian official legal information portal on Wednesday, Sputnik reported. Earlier in March, the Russian government submitted to the parliament's lower house a bill to ratify the agreement with China.

Some 12 more countries and international organizations have signed on to the ambitious initiative, Sergey Savelyev, deputy general director for International Cooperation at Russian state space agency Roscosmos, said in May, according to media reports.

This will bring the total number of ILRS partners to more than 30 countries and organizations. The ILRS is already reported to have attracted over 20 signatories from various countries and organizations.

Chinese researchers said that basalt will be considered as a material to build the lunar base, the same material that was used to "knit" the Chinese national flag that was proudly unfurled on the far side of the moon on June 4.

Using local materials on the moon to build the base will save a large amount of costs compared to sourcing materials from the Earth, and the lunar surface is rich in basalt, which can be cut into sheet or tube forms for construction purposes, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

After China carried out a perfect landing of the Chang'e-6 probe on the far side of the moon and brought precious lunar soils back to the Earth, the country's national space administration announced on Tuesday that a payload co-developed by Egypt and Bahrain will board China's next lunar mission - the Chang'e-7, which is scheduled to launch around 2026 to survey the lunar south pole environment, China Central Television reported Tuesday.

The payload is a lunar surface material hyperspectral imaging instrument, the report said.

The international payloads that the Chang'e-7 mission is scheduled to bring include six from seven countries and organizations, namely Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and the US-based International Lunar Observatory Association.

With China's repeated success in deep space exploration, the prospects for its international cooperation will further expand, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times.

"For one thing, China has, through a series of successful space missions, demonstrated an exceptionally high capability and reliability. This serves as a prerequisite for a good partnership, where richer samples and more ideal scientific results can be better achieved," Wang noted.

Furthermore, China has always maintained an open and inclusive attitude toward international cooperation, which is rare in today's complex global landscape, experts said. While the US is busy chanting the "China threat" rhetoric in a so-called space race, China has been walking steadily step by step and produced rich, concrete results, they noted.

Commenting on China and Russia jointly building the ILRS, Wang said it will have a "whole is greater than the sum of the parts" effect.

Russia's advantage lies in its expertise in astrophysics and chemistry from its past experience with lunar exploration missions during the Soviet era. China can bridge Russia's gap in resources and talents with its abundant economic and engineering advantages.

China's rapid growth in aerospace technology has led to the development of reliable engineering resources, including a space station, various kinds of spacecraft and carrier rockets. With well-planned investments and a growing pool of young talent, China and Russia can complement each other well in the field, Wang said. "

Putin signs into law joint building of lunar base with China as Beijing expands circle of friends in Moon exploration - Global Times

[DrWilly]

You’ve got a China thread and a Russian thread, keep your global times c n p for them!

[OhOh]

^

A space topic, in the Space news thread.

[Edmond]

A space topic, in the Space news thread.

Yeah, it's surprising he's still allowed to post in here, to be honest.

[DrWilly]

^

A space topic, in the Space news thread.

Space news. Not propaganda.

[helge]

Space news. Not propaganda.

[harrybarracuda]

Putin signs into law joint building of lunar base with China as Beijing expands circle of friends in Moon exploration

That's fucking hilarious considering he's run Russia's space programme into the ground.

Is he going to dip into the money he's stolen to pay for it?