Russia Close To Findings On Soyuz and Proton

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Russia Close To Findings On Soyuz and Proton

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday August 31, 2011 @07:09AM from the who's-to-blame dept.

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.'"

9 of 62 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Obligatory? by Lifyre · 2011-08-31 07:28 · Score: 2, Funny

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"
1. Re:Obligatory? by ThatsMyNick · 2011-08-31 07:54 · Score: 2
  
  After considerable research and development, the Astronaut Pen was developed at a cost of $1 million.
  
  You seem to imply NASA spend money on R&D and developed it. A guy called Paul Fisher spend money, developed it and gave it away to NASA. The Graphite Pencils were a hazard (would burn in 100% oxygen env, broken tips can fly into your eyes, electronics and cause a short etc) and this guy, simply had the desire and passion to invent a better solution.
2. Re:Obligatory? by Beorytis · 2011-08-31 08:00 · Score: 2
  
  Not totally fake. Just partially fake, and tp1024 got one important part right, i.e. that pencils aren't the perfect solution in space because of the lead bits (and combustibility). Another important fact is that Fisher used their own R&D funds to make the pen, so even though it was $1 million, it wasn't NASA's (though I'm sure they bought pens at a significant markup so Fisher could recoup).
3. Re:Obligatory? by wiedzmin · 2011-08-31 08:17 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Oh, I have a good one too.
  
  and the 3rd stage gas-generator is the center of attention in the Soyuz
  Above quote must be referring to Dmitri Medvedev, 3rd president of Russia since Soviet Union ("Soyuz" in Russian)... hehe, "gas generator", hehe.
  
  --
  Bow before me, for I am root.
Unfortunately, the Soyuz issue is a bit harder by tp1024 · 2011-08-31 07:37 · Score: 3, Informative

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.
1. Re:Unfortunately, the Soyuz issue is a bit harder by sitharus · 2011-08-31 08:17 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Which is using hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate to drive them, just like the old German V2 rocket IIRC..
  No it isn't! While that's true of the RD-117/RD-118 engines on the first stage and boosters the upper stage's RD-0110 uses its Kerosene and LOX to produce the hot gasses.
  
  --
  --sitharus
Well this is good! by LanMan04 · 2011-08-31 07:39 · Score: 3

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.
Re:Leaving ISS Uninhabited by Talderas · 2011-08-31 08:00 · Score: 2

what would keep some 'rouge' entity (nation or otherwise) from launching themselves into orbit
Damn communists. Always trying to steal our shit.

--
"Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
Re:Leaving ISS Uninhabited by n5vb · 2011-08-31 08:14 · Score: 2

De-orbiting it would require a spacecraft docked to it. As far as I know it has no maneuvering capability of its own, and the only delta-V available to modify its orbit (including de-orbiting it) is in the Progress or Soyuz thrust stage (and previously was sometimes assisted by the Shuttle OMS engines).

The worst-case rogue scenario would be a rogue nation with a secret launch capability to put something with a compatible docking system into the ISS' orbit. The only country I know of that's close would be China (maybe) and I don't know if the Shenzhou uses a docking system that's compatible with the NASA APAS system.

And you can rest assured that if anyone were making preparations to fly a mission like that, a number of major intel organizations would be asking a lot of questions and making a lot of briefings, so it wouldn't stay secret for long once an actual spacecraft stack starts coming together at a launch facility ..