Sometimes You Have to Pull the Pin and Throw

To quote another very different artist:

[We] used to be the kid[s] that nobody cared about/That's why you have to keep screaming until they hear you out.

This is a lungful.

There will be more coming.

And actions to back it up.

We will be placing rovers on the Moon. We're not waiting for someone else to do it any longer. And after that?

Steam Assisted Rocket Project continued

Steam Assisted Rocket Project continued: "

Rick reports:

The new design I was trying is partly based on the Sugar Shot dual pulse motor design. The motor is filled half full of propellant with a cylindrical core to the top. I then packed paper into the tube on top as a 'delay' grain. I then poured more propellant on top of that again with a cylindrical core. I idea is that the lower propellant is ignited propelling the rocket upwards and then coasts as the paper burns through. Then the second pulse (the propellant first poured) fires.

How this 'should' increase the steam assisted portion of the flight is this: the first pulse launches the rocket and clears an 'open blast tube' in the lower portion of the motor. A small portion of the heat from this process goes into the motor casing (water jacket) since the unburned propellant had been acting as an insulator and the heat didn't get to the motor casing in any large amount until it was burning near the casing and some conduction from the nozzle. When the second pulse fires, the heat from this combustion is always in contact with the motor casing, with the water acting as a heat sink protecting the motor casing and becoming superheated. When the propellant completely burns away it releases the steam through the motor casing picking up more heat, blasting out the residual byproducts of the sugar combustion. Yesterday was a test of just the sugar dual thrust idea without the water jacket.

After successfully testing this idea, while making a drawing of this sequence, I came to the realization that a pure regressive motor would transfer the greatest amount of heat to the motor casing and into the cooling water converting it into super heated water to flash into steam at the conclusion of the propellant burn. See drawing and video.

Since the entire motor casing would be exposed to the propellant burning for the total burning time, the regressive should offer the greatest heat absorption from the combustion. In addition, the greatest thrust would be at the beginning of the burn to lift the rocket off the test stand. A water-cooling jacket protecting the motor casing could absorb enough heat to then flash to steam to assist the motor in propelling the rocket higher. (Water-cooling jacket surrounding motor casing not shown.)

(Drawings and video courtesy Rick Maschek)

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"

Hallo Test 072005

Die Part-Time Scientists |&| TU Wien Space Team

Die Part-Time Scientists unterstützen das TU Wien Space Team
– PRESSEMITTEILUNG –

Team FREDNET: XPF is Real!

Hello world. Fred's extended travel blog is still in the works, and another one with some thoughts on ITAR. That acronym always gums up the works, doesn't it? This is just a quick entry to let the world know that the X PRIZE Foundation is real! Yes, that's right, we've verified that it really exists, when Fred stopped by for the tour and 'talked space' with Amanda.


Copyright © 2011 tf(x) - Team FREDNET, The Open Space Society Inc. [Team FREDNET, TFX, tf(x)]. All Rights Reserved.

FREDNET ® is a Registered Service Mark, used under an exclusive licensing agreement. The 'Open Space Society', 'X Marks the Spot' and 'Revolution Through Open Collaboration' are marks or registered marks of Team FREDNET. Team FREDNET is an official competitor for the Google Lunar X Prize. Team FREDNET is a Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation. Check with your financial advisor, as your donations may be tax deductible.

Lander Assembly Time Lapse

Lander Assembly Time Lapse: "

Over the course of the lander assembly, several time lapse sequences were taken. Here is a compilation of some of the work that went into putting the lander together. Some of the processes featured include buffing bulkheads, installing bulkheads, cleaning the lander deck, and installing bulkheads.

"

thx -ice-

Lander Fabrication: Deck Arrives at CMU

Today, the machined aluminum lander deck plate arrived at Carnegie Mellon's

Planetary Robotics High Bay. The frustrum and rover adapter cones also arrived
today. The team will begin assembling the the lander structure. Check back for
frequent updates.

The lander deck being hoisted off the truck with the
gantry crane.



The lander deck is set down in the lander assembly area.



Astrobotic engineer Jason Calaiaro inspects the bolt
patterns on the deck.



The frustrum and rover adapter are set down in
the lander assembly area.

via googlelunarxprize

Barcelona Moon Team |Rover

Rover Prototypes summary:

This video is a summary of the completed rover prototypes of the BMT.

It gathers models and CGI of the BCNRV-04 (a six wheeled rover), the

BCNRV-05a and BCNRV-05b (four wheeled rovers with different solar

panels strategy arrangement), and the BCNRV-06
(a six wheeled rover with its front and rear wheels folding, to reduce its

size when embarked).

Say hello to my friends |JURBAN

Say hello to Isha, Blaze, Corrie, and Ami. They are sending
a robot to the Moon, want to join us?

Master Plan |Team SpaceMETA

SpaceMETA LUMEM - Master Plan of the Lunar Micro Explore Mission: "

The Mission

GENERAL VIEW OF THE MISSION

MISSION NAME: LUMEM – Lunar Micro Explore Mission

Revision 1.0

Intro

LUMEM , The Lunar Micro Explorer Mission , is a venture challenge designated to develop rupture innovation ideas on how to accomplish the main Challenges and Objective motivated by the Google Lunar XPrize , GLXP.

The vision of SPACEMETA about the LUMEM ( GLXP Challenge ), is divided is organized in key phases, where some of that phases are financial/engineering/administration challenges and others innovation challenges.

SpaceMETA Team has concentrated their initial efforts in innovation challenges motivations and the main aspecto of the mission is organized as 3 Basica Pillars and 5 aproachs with new-new-things specially designed for the LUMEM event. The basic pillars are: Launching , Injecting and Landing, and the 5 new-new-things are: INFIMO – Infinit Motion, COSMOA – Collaborative Space Modules Archicture, SLICOM – Sun Light Communication System, UTRAS – Universsal Trajectory System and BIA – Build it After

In a complementary way, SPACEMETA will use for the LUMEM Mission conventional e state-of-the-art technologies available when it will be justified by the Missions premisses , like security and environmental-friendly alternatives available.

As we will see during the detailment in this document, SPACEMETA new-new-things will consider ruptive visions like consider the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON ( in fact, the dynamically border zone ), a potential region to be used.

We would like to introduce in the following sections some one our basic ideas on how to accomplish the GLXP Challenge , and we hope to have better opportunities to better detail it furthermore.

THE NEW NEW THING

The SPACEMETA THING ( Codename SOLITAIRE ). A Innovative with very simple technology design-thinked to be reliable for surviver on the space with very low energy consumption.

INFIMO

Development of a new way to produce dynamic motion systems capable of long movements without conventional fuel restrictions on the arrival surface called INFIMO that means Infinity Motion. INFIMO is a vision that will inspire future projectists to try to work with very limited resources in space, AND, obtain the maximum of the results in movement in Space. INFIMO premises consider that we don’t need to have only one way to develop movment on the destination, but several mechanisms to long movement, short movement, and emergency movements. INFIMO is actually executing very well on the Earth conditions and starting outer-space environment simulation tests. The first product generated from the INFIMO Design concept is NITILEGS ( Coil-Legs NiTiNOL Based, described later on Mission Summary ).

SOLITAIRE

SOLITAIRE is a technology related with the same thermal gradient usage used on INFIMO apparatus for movement, and is also a concept to be applied for movement. Basically it is constituted by a inflatable structure when the internal gas combinations expand during the high temperature of the direct light radiation, it will promote CHAOTIC movements for the CRAFT, once the structure expansion will be constructed to expand randomically. The resultant movement will not came from flotation ( of course it need some atmosphere ) , but from strucutral deformations promoted by the expansion os the cover that will looks like a blob, melting and ummestilng on the surface. For more long movements, SOLITAIRE will have a complementary more strong movement system will be used also, based on memory shaped metal more described later.

This illustration shows The SPACEMETA Solitaire Module in a illustration near Apollo 12 Craft. You can observe a metallic semi-transparent blue sphere surface, flooded with SOLAR CELLs , and some pipes edge around it. This pipes edges are pipes that will hold the NiTiNOL legs and activate them on appropriate time promoting movement by impulse, and sensing the surface resonance on the impact

This is a Ilustration of NITILEGS by SPACEMETA, wich is a internal pipe with a compressed NiTiNOL Coil wich objective is to release locked mechanical energy and recover it again from the memory shaped metal design coil, to work on the gradient temperature on the Moon surface and releasing potencial-to-kinetic energy stored from earth or other events like impact on Moon surface. This coils are also used as probe to sense the terrain resistance, capacitance and density, helping to create a map of the touchable surface.

BIA

Development of initial researchs about BIA, i.e. Build It After. BIA Concept is related on how to build new objects usable by the mission after the beginning of the Jorney. The objective of this Theme, is to setup-mind for the future generations to think in how to construct space systems that will learn and build objects required to deal with real exo-world situations that was not provided before, or build some resource that will use much space after done.

COSMOA

Development of The COSMOA-Colaborative Space Modules Architecture. This architecture will motivate Teams to think in an Colaborative Modular way, where the concept of success in SPACE means not only accomplish Primary Mission Target, but also, leave building blocks for future missions.

SLICOM

Development of new way of communication without using conventional methods of radio-wave propagation from Space to Earth called SLICOM ( Sun Light Communication ). The SLICOM will use a very old technique inspiread by the local Indians communications and is known by Smoke Signals. Instead of generate conventional wave signals, we will modulate the SUN Light and reflect the modulated light directly to Earth, like it occurs day-by-day. In a very simple way, we can think like a smoke signal communication system, or a Morse-code directly into the powerfull channel of sun-light.

UTRAS

Development of a new way of trajectory system compensator , without use of fuel or jet systems, called UTRAS , Universsal Trajectory System, based on a innovation called MMM-Momentum-Mass-Movement Drive Systems. UTRAS is extremely theoretical designed systems, and will better described later on this document. Basically the theoretical concept of it is related to Conservation of Angular Momentum, and its applied to liquid metals onboard the carrier craft nd should be used when conventional fuel will be an restrict issue but electrical energy is available.

INFLATABLE

Inflatable is a conceptual vision of the redesign process for big structures like long diameters antennas, that should be build in a compact way on the Earth, and it will be inflatable by several process like gaze expansion of crystal growing on the destination, reducing the complex factor involved during the transportation and landing.

White Label Space |GLX-PRIZE

This video taken during the Rio Tinto field trials shows some of the
difficulties of doing outdoor testing and includes interviews with the
two team members who were responsible for the White Label Space
activities, Carmen Felix and Andrea Gini.

Rover Development Update #02

Rover Development Update #02: "
Power & Power Management




The power budget for the Rover is expected to be < 50W:

• Primary DC motors - 4 numbers, 5W each


• Secondary DC motors - 2 numbers, 3W each


• Other mechanical control systems < 5W


• Electronics and "local" Comm infra < 5W


• Spare power ~ 12W

The entire power assembly will work at 6V DC.

Solar photovoltaic power is the primary power generation system for rover operations and re-charging secondary power systems - lithium ion batteries. A MPPT charge controller will be incorporated to maximize battery charging. More on batteries in a separate Blog post.

Assumed solar influx on the moon is ~ 1400W/sq.m. we are making provision for 100W peak power generation, it is further assumed that the 'landing' will happen closer to the 'evening', therefore average influx is expected to be lower - expected area of solar panel @25% efficiency ~ 0.4 sq.m., these panels will also work as 'solar shields' for the electronic box and other moving parts.

Other notes

Procurement - ITAR and related paperwork will probably set us back several months, therefore procurement is local, incidentally its cheaper here and we get to 'work' with the testing team when they are putting the equipment through the 'griller' - I guess works better for us this way!

Prototyping - Ver0.1, will use off-the-shelf components, non-space grade material - we are looking for a dev name for the rover, ideas anyone?

-- Indranil Chakraborty

Founding Member & Mission Crew




Team Indus - Development Log #03: 12th May 2011
"

Barcelona Moon Team joins NASA meeting for preservation of American historical hardware on the Moon

Last Thursday, Barcelona Moon Team together with other dozen teams joined NASA Ames by telecon, to learn about NASA’s recommendations on the preservations of the lunar historical sites, including the Apollo sites. In a long but very interesting day, NASA presented the legal frame, the pictures of the existing hardware left in the lunar surface, the effects of the rocket engines in a too close existing hardware (based on the real experience of Apollo 12 which landed within walking distance of the Surveyor 3), and some actual approach at the Planetary Protection issues, which the Barcelona Moon Team also has in its objectives.

A set of reccomendations on the distances and trajectories for the landings, as well as the roaming procedures around the American hardware were and will be discussed in the next months. Although the main interest obviously remains to the Apollo missions hardware left on the Moon, the Barcelona Moon Team would like to see a similar initiative from the Russian Federation on the Soviet hardware on the Moon.





Album: NASA MEETING

Final rover design - part 3

Motor with wheel hub:


Motor with wheel hub and 16 inch diameter wheel legs:



The following video demonstrates the maneuverability of wheel legs:

Organization, Vision & Objectives of our team

TEAM Angelicum:

Interesting Space Terms

While searching the web for information - getting side tracked is part of the adventure.

Here are a few interesting space terms.

Space Archaeology:
In archaeology, space archaeology refers to the study of various human-made items found in space, their interpretation as clues to the adventures mankind has experienced in space, and their preservation as cultural heritage.

Graveyard Orbit:
A graveyard orbit, also called a supersynchronous orbit, junk orbit or disposal orbit,is an orbit significantly above synchronous orbit, where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life.

Spacecraft Cemetery:
The so-called Spacecraft Cemetery is an area in the southern Pacific Ocean 3900 km southeast of Wellington, New Zealand, where spacecraft, notably the defunct Mir space station and waste-filled Progress cargo ships are and have been routinely deposited. It has been chosen for its remoteness, as not to endanger or harm human life.

Landing the Lunar X PRIZE |Seminar

Red Whittaker delivered 'Landing the Lunar X PRIZE'

as part of the Field Robotics Center Seminar Series on January 25th.

This seminar discusses competing in the Google Lunar X PRIZE and

the many technical challenges that comes with it.

quell:astrobotic

Google Lunar X PRIZE |Roundup #38

The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million competition challenging private space enterprises to land a rover on the Moon. Each week, I round up all the latest developments as the teams rocket forwards and upwards…

This site is Apture-enabled, so highlight any phrase to find out more about it :)

Now that we’ve all recovered from the feasting and shopping, it’s time for a Thanksgiving-sized GLXP roundup.
So, here goes with three weeks (Nov 8th-29th) of goodness, including a flurry of activity from SELENE and a number of new partnerships all around:

• Team SELENE announced the winner of their spin stabilized rocket contest (and posted outtakes from the competition)! They also became sponsors of a Sugar Shot to Space team, and blogged about starting design on a four-wheel-drive rover; on design of a land-rover-rocket; on testing of a rocketed mini-DV camera; and about a design that comes full circle :)
• Team Part Time Scientists revealed their lander design! They also blogged about software failures.
• Team Rocket City Space Pioneers announced a partnership with the Hunstville Center for Technology! They also blogged about a satellite launch party at Dynetics :)
• Team FREDNET announced a new COO!
• Team SYNERGY MOON added a new partner: AU Vidulini!
• Team Astrobotic featured their rover’s mission control user interface design, as well as motor control for its camera and head!
• Team ARCA video blogged about propulsion installation!
• The official GLXP blog posted a video (complete with 80′s music) reminding that the deadline for team registration is near :)
• Evadot posted an update to their unofficial GLXP Scorecard!
• Team White Label Space’s Australian partner Lunar Numbat gave a TED talk on returning to the moon! The team also announced their new chief blog-o-naut :)
• Aspiring team Puli featured Hungarian scientist Zoltan Bay and his Moon radar experiment :)

quell: http://luna-ci.com

Lunar Rover's Systems |Astrobotic

Lunar Rover's Systems:
Extended duration lunar missions require survival of lunar night,
which approaches temperatures of -180C. The utility of night survival
means another 14 earth days of mission. Critical to operation upon
revival is the battery. Common batteries use an aqueous electrolyte
which ruptures cell chemistry when subjected to cryogenic temperatures.
Development of a lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack enables revival
after cryogenic freeze.

The prototype in this video shows a micro-controller to initiate wakeup
of a flight computer upon temperature trigger, which is sensed by the
micro-controller. This function is critical for boot-up of systems that endure
lunar night. This system is more fully described in the video.

Google Lunar X-PRIZE |News

•  Video tour of the Astrobotic-CMU lunar expo:
• X PRIZE Foundation and LEGO Group Announce Winners in "Moonbots" Educational Contest
• Moonbots Competition Enters Final Week
• Applauding NASA's Efforts to Benefit from the Commercial Lunar Exploration Industry
  
  
  quelle: Google Lunar X-PRIZE

Mission 4B |ARCA

Mission 4B scheduled for October 2010:

ARCA completed the construction of a new helium-filled carrier balloon.

Starting with September 8, the team will start the launch preparations

and training onboard NSSL 281 Constanta Navy ship. Mission 4B is

scheduled for the end of October 2010 from the Black Sea.

quelle: ARCA