Posts: 1851 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 11-28-2022 03:26 PM
quote:Originally posted by SpaceDust: Thing were much better in the Hugh Harris and George Diller days, so why can't the same be done today?
And get off my grass!
quote:Originally posted by alanh_7: Just curious, is the spacecraft in a barbecue roll like Apollo spacecraft?
No, because it isn't the Apollo spacecraft. Orion is solar powered and hence basically needs to pointed at the sun (nose or tail first). BBQ roll was unique to Apollo. Most, if not all, spacecraft don't do it.
Michael Davis Member
Posts: 564 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Aug 2002
posted 11-28-2022 03:33 PM
A minor point of annoyance has been the continuous pointing out of records set by a "spacecraft designed for humans" in press releases. A crewed spacecraft's mission is very different from one without that crew.
Apollo 13, as well as the other eight lunar flights, had three men onboard and Orion has zero. Not sure it is appropriate to compare these. Difficult to see Orion as anything other than another unmanned mission and assigning "records" seems disingenuous.
SpaceX launched a dummy to the orbit of Mars. Granted that the Tesla onboard was not designed to support life, but until a crew makes the trip, it is challenging to accept the setting of new records based upon the “designed for humans” distinction. This is not to take away anything from an important test mission of a new spacecraft. Just not sure that records are being set.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-28-2022 04:44 PM
The Apollo 13 crew still holds the Guinness World Record for the "farthest distance from Earth reached by humans."
The Apollo 13 spacecraft also set a distance record and that is the one that the Artemis I Orion surpassed. Whether or not it is a valid record, using it as a news hook was an effective way of engaging the public in the mission, if only based on the reach and readership for our own article about the distance being surpassed.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1253 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 11-29-2022 12:44 PM
quote:Originally posted by davidcwagner: Looking for views similar to NASA Apollo Era translunar/transearth trajectory plotting charts.
I agree that a trajectory plot (in the form of what was done for the Apollo missions) would certainly be more useful than many of the diagrams that we have seen up to this point. In that vein, I created this diagram from a screenshot taken from NASA's AROW website.
The positions of the moon are approximations. Also, the entire plot might need to be rotated somewhat, as I am not certain what convention was used for the Apollo trajectory plots. I oriented this diagram merely to fit into a nice rectangle. None-the-less, I found that this diagram helped me understand the Artemis I flight a bit better.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 365 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 11-30-2022 04:19 AM
As Robert indicates, "news hooks" are very important to keep the interest of the general public. In its own way, Apollo 13 became a "news hook."
Space Cadet Carl Member
Posts: 305 From: Lake Orion, MI Registered: Feb 2006
posted 11-30-2022 09:02 AM
quote:Originally posted by David C: I think for future missions, they need to put out a press kit that's less glossy and gee whiz, and more hard tech.
Agree. At the risk of sounding like an old fuss-bucket, I also don't care for today's fluffy and bubbly PAO and launch commentary that we're getting from both SpaceX and NASA one bit. It almost sounds like I'm listening to the celebrity hosts of a Disney World parade at times... instead of good technical launch commentary. I suppose that's the only way networks can get a viewing audience now.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1428 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 11-30-2022 09:41 AM
Ironically, you have to go to the CCTV Chinese state media launch coverage of Long March rockets for clear, non-'fluff' commentary (in English). Watched the liftoff of the Shenzhou 15 mission to the Tiangong station yesterday and it was no-frills but incisive, with a sole announcer/host and a technical expert on hand (they didn't appear on-air).
Nice onboard views and shots of the strap-on booster separations (which resulted in a 'cross' in the sky made up of the boosters and the core stage).
NukeGuy Member
Posts: 109 From: Irvine, CA USA Registered: May 2014
posted 11-30-2022 02:24 PM
I miss Jack King. Couldn’t they synthesize his voice from past recordings and use an AI algorithm to assess the flight telemetry and provide commentary?
Or use the mission control voice from 2001.
oly Member
Posts: 1462 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 11-30-2022 04:00 PM
I would be happy with the option to mute the commentary and just hear the sounds from the launchpad.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-30-2022 05:18 PM
There was a clean (no commentary) feed during the countdown available on NASA's media channel, which was streamed live on YouTube. The only (periodic) narration was by NASA commentator Derrol Nail, who I think did an admirable job providing technical data in a Jack King-like manner.
There should be more audio and video options for the Artemis II launch after NASA resolves some ITAR concerns that were unique to Artemis I and the way its LCC and MCC audio loops were configured.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-01-2022 09:55 AM
NASA video
Cameras on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft give us amazing views of our adventure around the Moon. See up close views of the Moon from external cameras as well as the view from inside the capsule.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-02-2022 11:44 AM
NASA video
Get a 360 degree view of the inside of Orion's crew module, showcasing some of the payloads flying as part of the Artemis I mission.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2022 07:57 AM
NASA video
On Dec. 5, NASA will air the lunar flyby of the Orion spacecraft on its return trek toward Earth.
The return powered flyby burn, in which the spacecraft will harness the Moon’s gravity and accelerate back toward Earth, is expected at 11:43 a.m. (1643 UTC) The spacecraft is expected to fly about 79 miles above the lunar surface at 11:42 a.m. (16:42 UTC) just before the burn.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2022 11:24 AM
Orion is on its way back to Earth for a Dec. 11 splashdown.
After emerging from behind the moon, Orion shared its view of Earthrise:
Headshot Member
Posts: 1253 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-05-2022 11:28 AM
Do we know if this Orion capsule will be re-used for a subsequent Artemis mission?
David C Member
Posts: 1417 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 12-05-2022 05:40 PM
I watched the entire broadcast and the press briefing later. What I got were three things:
The Apollo landing sites "fly-over" was, as expected, a bit of nonsense since Orion was far too high up to really call it a "fly-over."
The Earthrise at AOS was spectacular.
Apollo 10's speed record looks like it's going to be safe for a few more years.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2022 06:29 PM
quote:Originally posted by Headshot: ...if this Orion capsule will be re-used
The spacecraft will not be reused, but components from inside it will by re-flown on Artemis II, including the crew seat supporting the manikin "Commander Moonikin Campos" and eight avionics boxes.
lunardreamer Member
Posts: 99 From: Royal Oak, Michigan USA Registered: Nov 2013
posted 12-06-2022 08:52 AM
The Earth rise picture is stunning. Thanks for posting it Robert. I see a new postage stamp in the near future.
So the pinkish ball is the sun correct? This photograph must be taken through a filter?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-06-2022 09:03 AM
The pink ball is a lens flare. The Sun is out of frame.
Here is a full resolution photo (the above was a still from the video).
Headshot Member
Posts: 1253 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-06-2022 12:21 PM
I cleaned and cropped the picture, then identified some of the lunar features. ID-ing features on the Moon's near side is easy, but the far side ... not so much. These are far side features.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 453 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-07-2022 02:40 PM
How's the weather looking for Sunday's splashdown?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2022 07:32 PM
There will be a press briefing at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday (Dec. 8) to preview Orion's return, including likely the weather outlook for splashdown.
Cameras mounted on the crew module of the Orion spacecraft captured these views of the moon's surface on Dec. 5, 2022.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1253 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-07-2022 08:11 PM
For what its is worth:
The first image in Robert's post shows shows (lower right of center) the partially filled Prinz Crater with associated rilles. In mid-1969 this was one of the site candidates for the Apollo 19, or 20 mission. It was eventually replaced by Hadley-Apennine (Apollo 15).
The second image is of the Aristarchus Plateau, which includes Schroter's Valley, an early site candidate for Apollo 19.
The third image shows the Copernicus crater (lower center). Copernicus (either the north wall, or central peak) was considered (in 1969) as a candidate for the Apollo 16, 17, 18, and 20 missions. Even as late as mid-1971 it was in the running for the Apollo 16 and 17 mission landing site.
The fourth image shows part of Mare Imbrium. The filled crater Plato is in the upper left part of the image.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3639 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 12-07-2022 08:43 PM
I know we've seen all those craters and rilles before, but it's like meeting old friends after a long absence. It's good to see them again, and they haven't changed a bit!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-08-2022 05:34 PM
From today's briefing, a look at the Apollo 14 and Apollo 15 landing regions as seen from Orion on Dec. 5:
quote:Originally posted by SpaceAngel: How's the weather looking for Sunday's splashdown?
A cold front projected to move into the vicinity of the San Diego landing site has resulted in NASA replanning the splashdown for off the coast of Baja, California, where the weather conditions are expected to be better.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1432 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 12-09-2022 01:19 PM
Those points are various splashdown points based on different contingencies, no? Is there information about the projected re-entry path for each of those (including the current planned one)? I live in Hawaii, and so if there's a chance of seeing the re-entry I would obviously certainly be interested.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-09-2022 02:00 PM
All are along the same approach and begin with the same entry interface point. The other points are where the capsule is expected to land if it enters a ballistic entry, a direct entry (Apollo style), where the capsule will be in flight when it reaches its apogee, where it will fall if the skip is cut short and then its targeted landing site.
With regards to seeing the reentry, the panel at yesterday's press conference felt that it was unlikely anyone would see it because of the location but also because it is during the day. They said, if anything, someone might hear the sonic booms (but there was no mention of Hawaii).
davidcwagner Member
Posts: 1012 From: Albuquerque, New Mexico Registered: Jan 2003
posted 12-09-2022 03:55 PM
Any Artemis 1 photos of Mars passing near or behind the moon on December 7?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
It can now be revealed that NASA's Orion spacecraft, which now is just a day away from returning to Earth, carried secret messages to the moon.
What's more, the hidden notes were in plain sight the entire time.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-11-2022 12:00 AM
NASA video
On Dec. 11, the Artemis I mission will conclude with the entry, descent, and splashdown of the Orion spacecraft. Live coverage for this event begins at 11 a.m. EST (16:00 UTC).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-11-2022 12:16 PM
Unofficial mission elapsed time, from launch to splashdown: 25 days, 10 hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3639 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 12-11-2022 12:21 PM
Well done, NASA! It certainly looked like a text-book entry and splashdown - very impressive.
I realise they now have to analyse a ton of data to make sure everything worked as intended, but is it really necessary to wait two more years before launching a crew on Artemis 2? What factors (if any) dictate a "not earlier than late 2024" timeframe (which would almost inevitably slip into 2025 at best)? Would it be hardware construction; software integration; crew training; funding?
Put it another way: is there any fundamental barrier to NASA announcing shortly that everything went so well on Artemis 1 that Artemis 2 will launch in, say, early 2024?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-11-2022 01:01 PM
A cost-saving decision was made several years ago to reuse the avionics boxes from Artemis I on Artemis II when it was thought that the latter would launch using the Exploration Upper Stage, allowing for more time to recertify the electronics. That plan changed (Artemis II will again use the ICPS upper stage as used on Artemis I).
Lockheed Martin needs about two years to test and recertify the avionics. They are now trying to reduce that time by moving forward new boxes that are being built for the Artemis III mission, but it is going to be tight to make late 2024.
Jurg Bolli Member
Posts: 1204 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
posted 12-11-2022 02:22 PM
Congratulations to NASA!
Gordon Eliot Reade Member
Posts: 261 From: California Registered: Jun 2015
posted 12-12-2022 07:21 AM
I watched the coverage of the spacecraft recovery aboard the USS Portland. Taking the Artemis 1 onto the well deck as opposed to hoisting it out of the water onto an aircraft carrier just made so much more sense. Why didn't the Navy do that during Apollo?
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1428 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 12-12-2022 09:13 AM
Basically, there was no type of Navy ship at the time of Apollo that had the flooded well deck necessary to support spacecraft recovery operations.
The two existing amphibious assault ships, the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) and the USS New Orleans (LPH-11) did recover astronauts — Iwo Jima Apollo 13; New Orleans SL-3, SL-4 and ASTP — but in the traditional way (hoisting them aboard by crane to the hangar deck with the crew still inside).
When Orion begins to carry a crew, the astronauts will exit after the ammonia coolant bleed off is complete and will be airlifted by helicopter to the recovery ship as in Apollo.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 453 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-13-2022 02:10 PM
The Orion spacecraft isn't meant to be reusable, unlike the Dragon and Starliner; is that correct?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-13-2022 02:42 PM
Lockheed Martin designed Orion to be partially reusable. Its pressure vessel can be reused, as can most of its systems. The heat shield is single use only.
NASA has opted to only use new spacecraft for Artemis. The only reuse will be internal components.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 453 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-23-2022 02:35 PM
Has the Orion returned to KSC? it's been almost two weeks since it splashdown...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51365 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-23-2022 04:09 PM
The spacecraft left Naval Base San Diego on Wednesday (Dec. 21) and, according to NASA, "is scheduled to arrive to Kennedy's Multi Payload Processing Facility by the end of the year."
The exact schedule and route are not being released for security reasons.
Update: Orion arrived back at Kennedy Space Center on Friday (Dec. 30).
posted 11-28-2022 03:26 PM
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