Space News thread

[Luigi]

Thanks for posting that Luigi.
And you are right, there must be a lot out there.

It's wonderful and nobody knows, yet.

I am sure too. There must be many. I doubt though that we will ever meet one. But just the thougt is comforting.

I think it will come sooner than expected.

Though not in a way familiar to us now.

I believe in the Technical Singularity. Computer’s speed and ability have doubled in ever shortening times. Doubling computing ability faster and faster. The Technological Singularity is estimated to arrive at around 2040.

They key to exploring these places lies not in conventional physical space travel, but through the mastery of space-time and creating safe wormholes. I am pretty sure that around the time of the Technological Singularity, the computers and technology of the age will begin to master such.

[harrybarracuda]

Mystery ‘alien’ radio signal picked up in space
Radio waves in space could be evaporating black holes, alien communication or merging neutron stars

A mysterious radio signal which may have come from a black hole, a neutron star or even an alien civilisation, has been picked up by astronomers.
Fast radio bursts, which last only milliseconds, are quick, bright flashes of radio waves from unknown sources in the universe, which emit as much energy as the Sun does in an entire day.
The first one was discovered in 2007 by sifting through old data, and only seven more have been spotted since then.
Now, for the first time, the mysterious phenomenon has been observed happening live.
Exactly what may be causing the signal is hotly debated by scientists. Possibilities range from evaporating black holes to alien communication and merging neutron stars.

Mystery ?alien? radio signal picked up in space - Telegraph

[Takeovers]

I think it will come sooner than expected.

Though not in a way familiar to us now.

I believe in the Technical Singularity. Computer’s speed and ability have doubled in ever shortening times. Doubling computing ability faster and faster. The Technological Singularity is estimated to arrive at around 2040.

This is more of a philosophical or even religious concept than a scientific one. There will be a point where computational power increase will level off. Singularities are to be approached, never reached in the real world.

They key to exploring these places lies not in conventional physical space travel, but through the mastery of space-time and creating safe wormholes. I am pretty sure that around the time of the Technological Singularity, the computers and technology of the age will begin to master such.

There is your misconception in the open. No amount of increase in knowledge or calculating power gets rid of the limits of what physics allows. If time travel and faster than light travel are possible the aliens are out there everywhere. Be very afraid as people like Steven Hawking suggest. But they have not come so they are likely not there, wielding that power. Fortunately for humanity.

[Luigi]

They key to exploring these places lies not in conventional physical space travel, but through the mastery of space-time and creating safe wormholes. I am pretty sure that around the time of the Technological Singularity, the computers and technology of the age will begin to master such.

There is your misconception in the open. No amount of increase in knowledge or calculating power gets rid of the limits of what physics allows. If time travel and faster than light travel are possible the aliens are out there everywhere. Be very afraid as people like Steven Hawking suggest. But they have not come so they are likely not there, wielding that power. Fortunately for humanity.

Not exactly.

For one, perhaps they are. or perhaps they haven't got round to us yet. I don't believe that they are here, but one has to be open that wherever we explore, things are not as steadfast as we are certain they certainly are. Micro physics is completely different to anything expected - the reality would have been labeled as impossible and 'past the limits of what physics allows'. Chemosythesis, thought of as impossible (besides from a few scientists) until nearly 1980 when Alvin went swimming with beings that had never received sunlight. Ruling steadfastly on what we only think we know hasn't proved too well for us in the past. An open mind is likely to be less wrong. There is your misconception in the open. Don't be so pigeonholed when it comes to future physics and technology. Nothing we know today is absolute.

[Luigi]

Wonderful news! Asteroid 2004 BL86, which passed closest to Earth today at a distance of 750,000 miles (1.2 million km), has a companion moon. Scientists working with NASA’s 230-foot-wide (70-meter) Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, California, have released the first radar images of the asteroid which show the tiny object in orbit about the main body.



Huge asteroid hurtling past Earth has its own moon - CSMonitor.com

I have the info on the calendar at home, I think we get to see it in Thailand on the 31st at just after 7pm. Don't quote me on that though.

[Luigi]

I have the info on the calendar at home, I think we get to see it in Thailand on the 31st at just after 7pm. Don't quote me on that though.

Got that a bit wrong.


BANGKOK, Jan 24 -- The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) is inviting the public to observe the comet Lovejoy with its glowing green tail on January 30 before it leaves on its 8,000 year journey

NARIT Deputy Director Dr Saran Poshyachinda revealed that the public would be able to witness another astronomical phenomenon at the end of this month, as the comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, would make its closest approach to our Sun on January 30 for the last leg of its journey near the earth.

He said the comet had already sailed past its closest to the earth, at around 70 million kilometres away, on January 7.

Dr Saran said the comet with its magnificent green tail would appear on the right of the Taurus constellation near the Pleiades star cluster on the evening of January 30.

He said the public would be able to see the comet passing through the sky with naked eyes in a dark location with clear sky.

A telescope would help to provide better vision and the interested public should start to look for the comet in the sky towards the East, starting at 7 pm, Thailand's time.

The comet Lovejoy was discovered by an Australian amateur astronomer, Terry Lovejoy in August of 2014 and was the fifth comet that he has detected since 2011. (MCOT online news)

Thais invited to watch comet Lovejoy next week | MCOT.net

Comet Lovejoy.
Friday Jan 30th.
7pm.
Look East.

[Takeovers]

From Vesta to Ceres, mission Dawn closing in on its final destination.

The Dawn probe into the asteroid belt has been in orbit of planetoid Vesta for a while. We had this on this thread I am sure.

Just a reminder, this wonderful detailed photo of Vesta.



After orbiting and investigating Vesta for a while it took off for an encounter with another Asteroid, Ceres and will now reach its final destination and go into orbit of Ceres. We can look forward to more pictures. Ceres is a very large asteroid, qualifying for Dwarf Planet status like Pluto. Ceres is big enough to get into a round shape instead of being irregular in shape like smaller asteroids. Vesta is not big enough.



An early series of photos during approach shows Ceres turning and shows a big white spot. It is believed but not yet certain that it is water ice exposed after some smaller object hit Ceres. For comparison it is often said Ceres is Texas sized. But that is not really true. The surface aerea of Ceres is a lot bigger than even Texas and California combined.

This is just an early low resolution series. But already a lot better than even the best telescopes from earth can deliver. A photo made by the Hubble space telescope for comparison.



Dawn will arrive in Ceres Orbit on March 6, if everything goes well.

Dawn has a solar electric drive. Even out there it gets enough energy from solar panels for its ion thrusters.

[Takeovers]

Today a new launch by SpaceX. Their first payload to leave earth orbit. It is DISCOVR, a sun observing satellite.

Launch time a few minutes after 6:00 PM US Eastern time.

Live on NASA TV starting soon.
and on YouTube by SpaceX starting only a few minutes before launch



But more important in the long run for space: This is the second try to land the first stage on a barge.

The name of the barge is now out. It is

Just Read the Manual.

They are also building another barge for the West Coast. That will be named

Of Course I Still Love You

I am sure unlike me most of you will know where the names come from.

Nice photos of the rocket on the launchpad here:

Photos: SpaceX rocket standing on launch pad | Spaceflight Now

One of the photos showing the landing legs large and clear.

[Markus]

SpaceX is a shady company that just relies on massive government subsidies and tax credits and funding credits. The founder also used this business model on Tesla. It too is just a company set up to milk the subsidies.

SpaceX won't stand a chance to compete with the Russians.

[BaitongBoy]

^Hmm...

[Takeovers]

SpaceX won't stand a chance to compete with the Russians.

Both the Russians and the Chinese already declared that they cannot compete with SpaceX prices. And those prices will only go down.

And no, they are not about subsidies. Though they take them when they can get them.

[Markus]

Russia's Vostochny cosmodrome to make first launches late 2015

The first launch from the Vostochny space center is planned for late 2015, according to schedule, Russian Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin told TASS.

During a meeting with Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and other vice-premiers, Rogozin said a rocket with space satellites would be delivered to the launch site in mid-2015.

“The carrier rocket Soyuz is ready, as well as the Lomonosov and Aist space vehicles, which are planned to be launched in December next year. They will be delivered to the cosmodrome in the middle of next year to make preparations for the flight,” Rogozin said.


Vostochny cosmodrome is being built in three stages:

◾2011-2015 - the construction of Soyuz-2 launch complex;
◾2016-2020 - the construction of the launch complex for Angara heavy-class launch vehicle;
◾2021-2030 – the construction of facilities for launching the super heavy carrier rockets.

[BaitongBoy]

^Looks like an apple bin factory...

[Markus]

SpaceX won't stand a chance to compete with the Russians.

Both the Russians and the Chinese already declared that they cannot compete with SpaceX prices. And those prices will only go down.

And no, they are not about subsidies. Though they take them when they can get them.

Source ? (prices)

Roscosmos: Russia, China considering space cooperation
- Roscosmos: Russia, China considering space cooperation | Russia Beyond The Headlines)

China is interested in building Russian rocket engines and joining manned space exploration, navigation satellite and remote sensing projects, Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) chief Oleg Ostapenko said.

"During our visit to China, we discussed various cooperation areas with our partners: navigation satellites, remote sensing, production of electronic component parts, materials science, construction of spacecraft and rocket engines, and manned programs. I will inform the government about results of our working trip to China and we will think about areas in which we will actively cooperate," Ostapenko told reporters on Tuesday.

The Roscosmos head did not rule out an exchange of manned spacecraft visits to Russian and Chinese orbiting stations and joint expeditions to explore deep space.

"We are open to cooperation but want to do so on equal terms," Ostapenko emphasized.

- Roscosmos: Russia, China considering space cooperation | Russia Beyond The Headlines)

[Markus]

^Looks like an apple bin factory...

[Takeovers]

◾2016-2020 - the construction of the launch complex for Angara heavy-class launch vehicle;

As you mention Angara.

The head of Roskosmos, the russian counterpart of NASA, a former General and head of of the russian missile system has said that Angara is no match for the SpaceX Falcon rocket family and that they need to copy SpaceX both in development and manufacture if they want to compete.

Of course he lost his job shortly after that. A decision by Vladimir Putin.

[BaitongBoy]

^^Wow...How about "them" apples?...Impressive...

[Markus]

The USA manages to keep Russian space progress out of the news well. Everyone thinks SpaceX is the only game in town. Think again.

[BaitongBoy]

Everyone thinks SpaceX is the only game in town.

Well, no...I didn't think that, at all...

But, they are different towns...

[Markus]

◾2016-2020 - the construction of the launch complex for Angara heavy-class launch vehicle;

As you mention Angara.

The head of Roskosmos, the russian counterpart of NASA, a former General and head of of the russian missile system has said that Angara is no match for the SpaceX Falcon rocket family and that they need to copy SpaceX both in development and manufacture if they want to compete.

Of course he lost his job shortly after that. A decision by Vladimir Putin.

Source ?

The Angara is already in service.

And the US military is still using Russian rocket engines in their rockets. Not spaceX rockets

[Takeovers]

Maybe they are not much in the general press. But space fans and space related news facilities are much aware of that and report regularly. Right down to methods how they cast concrete in the dead of winter. Their methods are impressive.

But also how they have major problems to keep up quality now that the old guard of scientists and technicians reach pension age and they cannot recruit top people as private industry pays much better wages and offers better working conditions.

They still mostly rely on the old systems from Soviet times and have major problems getting new systems operating. Angara the exception. It had its first launch this year. But they say they will need another 5 years until they can operate it regularly.

They want to launch another space station module. However after it was finished many years behind schedule it was found that it was deeply flawed and needs major refurbishment and upgrades before they can consider flying it.

All these are information right out of russia, not western media fabrications, just in case you ask.

[Takeovers]

And the US military is still using Russian rocket engines in their rockets. Not spaceX rockets

Correct. They are very good at producing engines. The US engine manufacturers did take a wrong turn when they chose LH engines instead of kerosene engines for their first stages. I have mentioned that fact on this forum already. Probably in this thread. It will take years before the RD-180 will be phased out. This engine was built for the US space program in the time after the Soviet Union broke down. The US did want to keep the russian space industry going, mainly to avoid that their best staff would go to countries like Iran and North Korea. Mostly it worked.

It was kept longer than it should have been, mainly due to pork barrel politics. Certain companies like Boeing, ATK and Lockheed Martin are still favored over SpaceX because of their lobbying power. But this is changing.

[Takeovers]

Looking forward to both the launch and the landing. The landing may fail again. They have fixed the problem, that caused failure last time. However they keep pushing the envelope. They fly a much more demanding trajectory this time.

I certainly do hope they are successful though. But if not they will try again soon. It does not cost them too much. This is a regular flight for a customer so they are getting paid for the launch and the rocket would be lost anyway if they would not try.

[Markus]

Maybe they are not much in the general press. But space fans and space related news facilities are much aware of that and report regularly. Right down to methods how they cast concrete in the dead of winter. Their methods are impressive.

But also how they have major problems to keep up quality now that the old guard of scientists and technicians reach pension age and they cannot recruit top people as private industry pays much better wages and offers better working conditions.

They still mostly rely on the old systems from Soviet times and have major problems getting new systems operating. Angara the exception. It had its first launch this year. But they say they will need another 5 years until they can operate it regularly.

They want to launch another space station module. However after it was finished many years behind schedule it was found that it was deeply flawed and needs major refurbishment and upgrades before they can consider flying it.

All these are information right out of russia, not western media fabrications, just in case you ask.

Again, no sources. Your assessment of the condition of the Roscosmos is greatly overstated.

Roscosmos exported for profit and installed a turn key rocket system for the European space program in French Guiana. In October 2010, 18 launch contracts were signed. For this reason, Roscosmos is on a whole other level then SpaceX.

Until SpaceX can do something like that, it remains inferior. Its a pretender in comparison.

[Takeovers]

Again, no sources. Your assessment of the condition of the Roscosmos is greatly overstated.

No it is not.

Roscosmos exported for profit and installed a turn key rocket system for the European space program in French Guiana. In October 2010, 18 launch contracts were signed. For this reason, Roscosmos is on a whole other level then SpaceX.

They are losing in the commercial market because of increasing prices and several launch failures recently.

Their launch rate will remain high. Mostly due to russian military satellites. Those will not go to SpaceX.

The launch is scrubbed for today. Due to a radar failure of the Airforce Range. That equipment is from the Vietnam War era and needs replacement.

But there was an issue with a rocket telemetry transmitter too that might have stopped the launch.

Edit: Actually there was a problem with the video downlink only. That is for providing pictures, not necessary for launch. So the Falcon 9 was good to go.