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Russia Close To Findings On Soyuz and Proton
First time accepted submitter neBelcnU writes "It's still early, but there are findings for the recent losses of a Proton and Soyuz rockets. There was a procedural error in the Proton's flight planning, and the 3rd stage gas-generator is the center of attention in the Soyuz. From the article: 'The Soyuz investigation has not formally issued its findings or recommended corrective actions. A launch schedule for the next manned flight to the International Space Station will not be decided until the commission completes its work.'"
In Soviet Russia rockets launch you!
It is good to see they at least have an idea for what has caused the issue.
I'll meet you at the intersection of "Should be" and "Reality"
As far as I know, the issue with the Proton was entirely software related and relatively simple to correct once it was found. Mostly because the software isn't destroyed during an accident.
The issue with the Soyuz is hardware related and doesn't have that benefit. There is something wrong with the gas generator of the turbo pumps, that pump oxygen and rocket fuel into the burning cambers. (Which is using hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate to drive them, just like the old German V2 rocket IIRC.) Without having any leftovers to inspect after the failure, it's going to be much harder to ascertain whether its origin has been found or not. But they should be able to find it.
They just had an ex-astronaut on NPR yesterday talking about how they'd have to evacuate the ISS by mid-November if Soyuz craft weren't flying again by that time.
The ex-astronaut said that was a REALLY short time-frame for an investigation to be conducted and corrections to be made, so he was quite fearful that we'd have to leave the ISS unmanned.
Maybe that won't be the case!
With the first link, the chain is forged.
All the recent news about the possibility of leaving ISS uninhabited got me to thinking....
Is there a lock on the door? I know it's far-fetched, but assuming someone had the capability - what would keep some 'rouge' entity (nation or otherwise) from launching themselves into orbit, occupying the thing and... well... at worst, de-orbiting it into a population center or at best causing a huge political embarrassment - say, by claiming the thing as their own?
Just think, if we still had the space shuttle, this would be a non-issue. Thanks US gov't!
So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
Does Nasa have any plan to have 1 more shuttle launch. There was some talk of having a backup shuttle lunch ready to fly but not a plan to have a mission.
Is there the parts out there to slap a mission together to get to the ISS.
The problem is that Soyuz vehicles parked at ISS are close to they designed life span (batteries, chemicals, etc...) and they cannot let astronauts stay up there without certified Soyuz to come back in. Sending a new crew with new Soyuz is too risky.
They still have rather expensive option to send a new unmanned Soyuz up without risking human life and let three (of the current six crew members) volunteer for another shift.
say, by claiming the thing as their own?
What are salvage rights in orbit? Space X could probably get people up there in an impressive amount of time if they were so motivated.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
There would be no upside
and it would create a great uproar.
Oh, hell yes.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
If Battlestar Galactica taught use anything, it is that museum-bound space ships can be brought back into service to defeat robotic overlords.