Recent comments in /f/space

Creepy_Toe2680 OP t1_j6hkn5m wrote

Reply to NASA tested new propulsion tech that could unlock new deep space travel possibilities by Creepy_Toe2680

The new tech is called a rotating detonation rocket engine, or RDRE. This propulsion system uses detonations to generate thrust. To do this, the tech relies on the accelerating of a supersonic exothermic front, which similarly creates thrust to the way a shockwave travels through the atmosphere after an explosion, which could make deep space travel easier to build for.

The point of the design is to use less fuel while also providing more thrust than the current propulsion systems that NASA and other rocket-building companies rely on. Using less fuel makes it easier to prepare these spacecraft for deep space travel, as you can mete out smaller amounts of fuel that won’t weigh down the rocket when it is lifting off.

With the success of this test, NASA is now looking at building a working, fully reusable 10,00-pound RDRE that it can then compare to the performance of traditional liquid rocket engines – like those used in the Space Launch System. If those tests prove successful, too, and the comparisons play out well, it could revolutionize how we think about deep space travel in the future.

This isn’t the only way that NASA is looking at revolutionizing deep space travel. The space agency is reportedly looking into nuclear-powered spacecraft, which would allow spacecraft to travel further distances without needing liquid fuel. It would also make the journey to Mars significantly shorter, from six months to just 45 days.

by Joshua Hawkins (not me)

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CamLwalk t1_j6hhf46 wrote

Reply to My Personal Story About Challenger by MoabEngineer

I was buying a pack of smokes at a pharmacy in albany. There was a tv behind the counter and i was looking at the launch as I waited in line then BOOM! I pointed at the screen and said "the space shuttle just exploded!" I could tell the guy didn't believe me or it didn't register what I said. He said "wow that's crazy!" dismissively and rang me up. Next day I saw him and he's like "HOLY SHIT! We're never gonna forget each other!" I guess he was right about that.

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Sumwan_In_Particular t1_j6hes89 wrote

Reply to comment by HIMP_Dahak_172291 in Asteroids sudden flyby shows blind spot in planetary threat detection by coinfanking

That’s an interesting idea about the robot. I’m wondering what others think about using:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_buster

There’s a section for nuclear, an adaptation of which, might be a realistic approach delivering a nuke deeper into an asteroid. Or a train of them, hitting the same point.

Edit: I love that you mentioned rubble asteroids btw, bc we might have a better chance at rendering those (relatively) safe. I’d be most concerned if the asteroid was a large chunk of iron perhaps. I doubt the bunker buster would have nearly the intended effect.

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