Are you suggesting we amputate all of our Cosmonauts Legs?
No... I am suggesting that people without legs... whether they lost them or never had them from birth, would make better crew for long periods in space or operating space stations. Even if you took them down to the surface you could give them mobility in small motorised vehicles... though the weight of the motorised vehicles would offset the weight saved by not taking their legs in the first place. Obviously it would be of no benefit to have people who have lost the use of their legs if they are still attached to their bodies. From the persons perspective they would have a huge advantage over people with the encumbrance of legs in space as they will be more compact and lighter. The only further improvement would be if you could replace some ones legs with arms with hands so you could manouver around the spacecraft while doing something like reading or holding things with two hands.
EVAs would be much easier if your body was tethered to the robot arm and you had 4 hands to hold stuff like tools and parts etc etc. I am just saying that for a crewman that operates in space only and not on Mars or the Moon legs are not much use so why not pick a crewman without legs.
On Flight Day 12 the STS-133 crew members undocked space shuttle Discovery from the International Space Station to begin their journey home to Earth. They're scheduled to land on Flight Day 14, Mar. 9, at 11:58 a.m. EST at the Kennedy Space Center
Dmitri Kondratiev: "Yesterday, for the crew of Discovery was the last day on ISS :: 07/03/2011 Yesterday, the crew of space shuttle Discovery astronauts said goodbye to the astronauts and the 26-second long-duration expedition to the International Space habitats. This was explained in its orbital blog on the website of the Federal Space Agency Russian Space Agency astronaut Dmitri Kondratiev.
"Yesterday, for the crew of Space Shuttle was the last day for the ISS. In the evening held a farewell for the two crews. The whole period of the crew «Discovery» ISS has been very busy. Shuttle crew members carried out two spacewalks, performed a large number of scientific experiments and a large amount of handling. Weekend the crew shuttles do not happen. U.S. ISS crew members also worked seven days a week 14 consecutive days, supporting the work of the crew of shuttle. I want to note a very good coordination with all work between the crews of the ISS, the shuttle and ground personnel. Undocking is scheduled for Monday, "- wrote Dimitri.
The Engines That Came In From The Cold told the amazing story behind the use of Russian-designed rocket engines in the next generation of US space launchers. The engines harness a technology that Americans thought to be beyond the capabilities of modern engineering - but which had in fact been mastered by the Russians 30 years ago. Russias lead in rocket technology came largely thanks to the work of one man - Sergei Korolev, Russias most senior rocket scientist. His approach to rocket design was to try it and see, using test flights to answer important design questions. Failures were common, but Korolevs team always learned something from them.
I can't embed video here its hosted on blip.tv so watch here http://defencedog.blogspot.com/2011/02/engines-that-came-in-from-cold.html
Bravo Comrade Nightcrawler!!! A legendary NK-33 rocket engine was originally developed to carry Soviet cosmonauts on their way to the Moon onboard a giant N1 rocket. After the ill-fated lunar effort was aborted in 1974, dozens of already manufactured NK-33s ended up in storage. For decades, engine developers searched for a new job for the capable powerplant. Finally, at the end of the first decade of the 21st century, NK-33 had a real chance to fly, this time powering both American and Russian rockets. By 2010, the Russian government came close to making a decision to jump-start mass production of the NK-33 engine. Around 80 already manufactured NK-33 engines have been left in storage since the 1970s. In the meantime, Orbital forecasted the need for as many as 100 engines for the Taurus II project until 2020. With the decision of the Russian Ministry of Defense to develop the Soyuz-1 rocket, which would also employ NK-33, the restart of production had to be considered. By the middle of 2010, Rosoboronprom, a government entity which oversaw the engine manufacturer, committed to restart NK-33 production by 2014-2015, Russian officials said. http://www.russianspaceweb.com/nk33.html
Two Soviet "Union": A Meeting in Orbit
40 years ago, launched from Baikonur, Soyuz-4 ". The next day, went into space, "Soyuz-5. A day later two Soviet of the Union met in orbit. TASS announced to the world for the first time in Earth's orbit an experimental space station.
Sorry for my being slightly off-topic but I feel that Russian space industry & more still is technical background can easily compete with any western platform however I had seen recently I video in which the education system of Russia is ridiculed & was appealed to be more westernised. Russians here might shed some light why Russian education is ridiculed if it had bore many historical milestones??
I love to read western stuff about how Russia is 10 years behind at this and 30 years behind at that... it seems that for their 2020 space craft the US wants a 40 year old Russian rocket engine...
BTW thanks for the vids and links guys... and Nightcrawler... that website that had the video you posted... do a search on Secret Russian aircraft of WWII and you will learn about early Russian work on jet engines and rockets and delta wings and that glass stealth aircraft I mentioned a while back... it wasn't just the Nazis that were advanced in certain areas back then...
nightcrawler wrote:Sorry for my being slightly off-topic
Not even slightly off topic Comrade The thread is for anything to do with spaceflight. And GerryB, it is indeed incredible how people in the west always think they simply must be ahead of the world in every single way. With the Shuttle being grounded, its a Russian Soyuz to orbit, or stay home. Perhaps the Chinese will sell us a few of their Shenzhou space craft. With the US program being handed over to the Corporatist, you can bet no US Man-rated spacecraft for 10 years.
that website that had the video you posted... do a search on Secret Russian aircraft of WWII and you will learn about early Russian work on jet engines and rockets and delta wings and that glass stealth aircraft I mentioned a while back... it wasn't just the Nazis that were advanced in certain areas back then...
Yes sir; I have got it. Perhaps I am just a student & information like these needed to be searched. I was naive about this but recently I got hold of a document [shrouded in secrecy]. It was translated by Tel Aviv university namely 50 years of Russian Design Bureau. Wait till I upload it.
Also it wasn't the west that ridiculed Russian education system rather it was a Russian talkshow hosted on RIA Novosti & the analysts there all were Russians. They quoted that 17% or such in Chinese higher officials are western educated & less than 2% in Russia & this attributed to Russian amateur long term planning
They quoted that 17% or such in Chinese higher officials are western educated & less than 2% in Russia & this attributed to Russian amateur long term planning...
You know... I keep hearing here in NZ about how smart the west is, yet there are so many points to contradict that. For instance NZs economy is not that great at the moment due to the economic downturn and the enormous cost of the earthquake in Christchurch and we are told that we don't save enough and we are spending money we don't have and that is creating the problems. Then I see an American program about China and it seems that the Chinese SAVE too much and that their problem is that they don't spend enough and that is what is wrong with their economy. The value of the NZ dollar goes up and the exporters moan that it is bad for the economy... the value of the NZ dollar goes down and the importers complain that the prices of imported goods will go up which means inflation which is bad for the economy...
Years ago our politicians all pointed at Ireland and said the solution is there... very low or no tax on companies and they will all come here and make lots of money which will be great for the economy. They seem to have forgotten saying that now that Ireland is in the Sh!t and all their foreign companies have left looking for other places with low tax levels... which must be basic common sense... a company that is mobile and can come to your country because of your favourable tax rates can leave just as fast... there is no loyalty when the focus is max profit.
We like to think we know what we are talking about in the west but human greed can make people take stupid decisions anywhere... it all started in the US with banks giving loans to everyone and anyone for buying houses... the house market was climbing so anyone who couldn't pay was not a problem... take possession of their house and sell it for more than they paid to buy it in the first place... they aren't making more land so the Bank couldn't lose. Till people started building lots more houses and all of a sudden people were paying enormous loans on houses that had suddenly dropped in value... they were trapped in a loan they couldn't pay off in a house that if they sold still wouldn't pay off their loan so they would be homeless and in debt!!!
Banks don't make money on ma and pa with their money in their bank... they make it off interest on home loans and investments...
What I am trying to say is that there are plenty of experts that pop up with solutions and they are all western educated and they all suggest different solutions... if your currency is high then it needs to go down... and any year where there is only small growth figures is a year you must jump out of a building and kill yourself! Continual significant growth cannot lead to a good thing.
Greetings Comrades Discovery is home safe, but the show must go on. I heard Nasa may keep 1 or more of the Shuttles more in storage rather than deactivated. Yet to be decided.
PAC Soyuz TMA-21. Work in the assembly building.
Preparations for the launch of Soyuz TMA-21 ". March 9 at the Baikonur cosmodrome after a successful vacuum test a manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-21 relocated to stand elektroispytany for further training. Launch manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-21 with a crew 27/28-y long-duration expedition to the ISS from Baikonur is scheduled for March 30, 2011 The spacecraft will receive its own name "Gagarin," and start it will focus on the 50 th anniversary of the first manned flight into space.
Not streamed you have to download this documentary; its a very informative & reflects the Russian achievements in Space Warfare when US had nothing equivalent. Interviews of the Russian Scientist make this a must watch http://defencedog.blogspot.com/2011/02/nova-astrospies.html
Hey Comrades, Whats up? Soyuz TMA-21: Countdown to Gagarin Launch
On April 2, at 5am MSK, Soyuz-FG rocket with Soyuz TMA-21 crew vehicle was rolled out from integration and test facility 112 and transported to site 1 (Gagarin's launch pad). The launch of the Soyuz with the crew of Expedition 27 is slated for April 5, at 2:18 a m. Expedition 27 Crew Prepares for Launch.
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko participated in a variety of activities between March 17 and 25 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan as they prepared for launch March 30, Baikonur time, intheir Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station. The footage includes the crew's arrival in Baikonur, their suited and unsuited fit checks in the Soyuz, the raising of flags outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters and other traditional activities.
"Let's go!" "Yuri Gagarin" was successfully launched from Baikonur. Hurrah!!! :: 04/05/2011
50 years after Yuri Gagarin's famous "Let's go!" Said the commander of the Soyuz TMA-21 Alexander Samokutyaev when the rocket Soyuz-FG launch pulled away from the table .
Today, in 02 hours 18 minutes 20 seconds Moscow time from pl. Baikonur launched a rocket Soyuz-FG with the manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-21. On board the ship is the crew 27/28 lengthy expeditions to the International Space Station. The ship got its own name "Yuri Gagarin" in honor of the first cosmonaut.
After about 9 minutes after launch vehicle was successfully launched into orbit.
For the first time in space the astronauts went to the Federal Space Agency Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrei Borisenko.For NASA astronaut Ronald Garan began the second space flight.
Successful further flight crew chief wished Federal Space Agency Anatoly Perminov, N., who all this time there was a direct connection with Samokutyaevym, Borisenko and Guarani.
Alexander, Andrew, Ronald wish you good luck! " - Said Anatoly.
Launch took place on the launch pad at Baikonur which is called "Gagarin's Start". It was here 50 years ago, April 12, 1961, began the world's first manned flight. "The fact that the Soyuz TMA-21 launched from the" Gagarin "complex, makes this launch even more festive," - said one of the honored guests, which are now at the Baikonur set. Among them - Jaures Ivanovich Alferov - physicist, Nobel Prize winner, Pavel Astakhov - authorized the Presidential Council for Child Rights, Sergei Ilgizovich Zagidullin - Chief Federal Inspector in the Moscow region the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in Central Federal District, Sergey Lukyanenko - famous writer Science fiction, Irina Rodnina - Soviet figure skater, three-time Olympic champion, deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on Education, Leonid Roshal - Doctors of the World, director of the Moscow Institute of Emergency Children's Surgery and Traumatology, member of Commission on Human Rights under President of Russian Federation Oxana Fedorova G. - television presenter, president of the "Hasten to do good!" and others.
With admiration for the start of watching a young artist from French Guiana, a 12-year-old Marcel Santos Kyle Riess. His name is already inscribed in the history of space, thanks to the emblem with a portrait of Yuri Gagarin, which drew Marseille for the crew of the Soyuz TMA-21. Won an international competition Roskosmos, the boy received a gift this trip. "The launch complex in Baikonur is very similar to the site launch of the Soyuz in Guiana. But as the rocket takes off, "Union" I have seen for the first time. It's awesome! "- Recognized Marcel Santos Kyle Riess.
Soyuz TMA-21 "must stop at the module MIM-2" Search "ISS on the night of April 7. As told in his blog on the site Roskosmos commander of ISS-27 Dmitri Kondratiev, the station got everything ready for the arrival of three crew members. "To meet the new crew we have prepared a cabin on the Russian and American segments differently positioned the table in the mess that all six men were able to easily accommodate around" - said Dmitry. On the day of Astronautics, April 12, all six cosmonauts and astronauts to the station to take part in a number of events dedicated to the 50 th anniversary of the flight of Yuri Gagarin. "We are, in principle, become thus the person who will embody the theme of this festival ... 12 April we will be on the ISS, we have it planned several conferences, held a teleconference with TsUPami partners in the ISS program. Something is planned to publicize the holiday with children from different countries. And we should understand that for us it will be very exciting ... "- told in a preflight interview to the press service of Russian Federal Space Agency commander of the Soyuz TMA-21 Alexander Samokutyaev.
Press Service of the Russian Space Agency http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=16189
I have read that Saturn are working on a pulse jet rocket engine... this will be very interesting... Have there been any videos floating around about these?
Some of you might be asking what a pulse jet rocket is, well, when you start up a rocket you have lots of sensors attached to it measuring temperature and pressure and thrust and it was found that when the fuel initially ignited in a rocket engine that the thrust was spiking to levels significantly higher than the thrust levels of the rocket engine even when the engine was at full throttle. A pulse jet rocket repeats that intial spike in thrust by pulsing the fuel and the rocket motor so that it is like flicking a lightbulb on an off very quickly, except instead of reducing the light levels it actually greatly increases the thrust levels of the engine.
In some ways it is similar to a pulse jet jet engine as used in the V1 doodlebug, though this type of engine is very simple and very cheap. Basically it is a long tube that is open at the rear and has a set of vanes over the intake. When the vanes are open air can enter the front, and when they are closed they seal the front so air can't come in or out. To propel the aircraft fuel is blown into the tube and ignited, and the explosion blows the vanes at the front shut so all the blast goes out the rear of the tube generating forward thrust. As the pressure from the explosion reduces the vanes flick open and allow air to flow through the tube to provide more oxygen for the next explosion. Like a ramjet it needs forward motion to overcome the inertia of a large aircraft, but its simplicity and low cost means it can be produced in enormous numbers cheaply and it generates enough thrust to be useful. The buzz bomb got its nick name because these explosions occur at something like 30 detonations a second which from the ground sounds like a buzzing noise.
The Russians use at least one UAV/drone with a pulse jet engine based on the DAN series of aerial targets used for air defence batteries.
The pulse rocket motor should allow much heavier cargoes into earth orbit and beyond.
I will see what I can find on that GarryB but for now Better Russian Footage of the Gagarin Launch. HURRAH!!!
April 5, 2011 in 02 hours 18 minutes 20 seconds Moscow time from pl.Baikonur launched a rocket Soyuz-FG with the manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-21. On board the ship is the crew 27/28 lengthy expeditions to the International Space Station. The ship got its own name "Yuri Gagarin" in honor of the first cosmonaut.
A little-known picture of Yuri Gagarin entered into a new section of the site Roscosmos
The first who responded to the appeal sent to the press service of Russian Federal Space Agency pictures or stories associated with the flight of Yuri Gagarin, became one of the chiefs of Russian Federal Space Agency. My full name, Sergei Petrovich asked not to be named, said that it supports that anniversary flight of the first man into space in the country said at a decent level. And he was glad that some contribution may be made in person at this important cause. By the way, who made this montage of the 4 shots, he does not know. Maybe the veterans will respond, including the author of this little-known photograph?
Dear readers, if you have documents, photos or stories related to A. Gagarin and his flight into space, you can send them to the press service of Russian Federal Space Agency by e-mail press@roscosmos.ru or mailing address 107996, GSP-6 , Moscow, st. Schepkin, 42. And we will publish your materials under the heading "12 April 2011 - 50 years of the first manned space flight."
I was watching a technology update TV programme on RT and about 5 minutes into the programme the guy who fronts the program has his camera set up in front of a rocket during the daytime. At about 5 minutes 40 seconds the rocket actually launches and when the blast wave from the rocket exhaust hits him he dives for cover and stuff starts hitting the camera lens.
He wasn't in real danger, but I found it interesting and amusing.
I would love to be standing there with him ENVY HURRAH Soyuz TMA 21 Gagarin!!!! "Gagarin" arrived at the International Space Station
07/04/2011 Today, April 7, at 3:00 09 minutes 17 seconds MSK (April 6 at 23:09:17 GMT) to the Research Module "Search" International Space Station in an automatic mode, successfully docked with manned spacecraft Soyuz TMA-21.
Russian ships to new crews arrive at the station four times a year. Operations are perfected to the smallest detail.In the Mission Control Center controlling motion of the ship every moment, dozens of specialists is not taking his eyes off the monitor screens, watching the telemetry of the Union. And yet here today - a special excitement. Arrived at the station is not just a "Union" with the next crew to the ISS flew "Yuri Gagarin".
The proper name of a manned spacecraft launched from Baikonur on April 5, was the first time. The Russian space industry is not a tradition to name ships, such as in Europe, USA or Japan. And no wonder - Russia launches to the ISS 4 "Union" and 5 "Progress vehicles a year. It's more than all the other partners combined.
But in the Year of the Russian space for the Soyuz TMA-21 ", the launch is timed to the anniversary of the first manned flight, made an exception. On the ship - a portrait of Yuri. Gagarin was back on the Earth's orbit. And he will stay in space, not 108 minutes, and more than 170 days.
Comparing these figures, we can see how far the development has stepped in 50 years, manned space exploration. Huge orbital complex, lengthy expeditions, large-scale scientific problems ... And most importantly - international cooperation, unattainable in the distant 60's.
When the open hatches between the Soyuz TMA-21 and ISS, to working on the station commander of the 27 th Expedition Dmitry Kondratyev, flight engineer Catherine Coleman and Paolo Nespoli will join two astronauts Space Agency - Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrei Borisenko - and NASA astronaut Ronald Garan. Earth's orbit will be working three Russians, two Americans and an Italian. Interestingly, all three Russian cosmonauts performed the first space flight. Kondratyev, Samokutyaev and Borysenko, 50 years after the landmark space mission of our compatriot represent their country in space.
" We will thus face, which will embody the theme of this festival 12 April we will be on the ISS, we have it planned several conferences, held a teleconference with TsUPami partners in the ISS program. Something is planned to publicize the holiday with children from different countries. And we should understand that for us it will be very exciting ... "- told in a preflight interview to the press service of Russian Federal Space Agency spacecraft commander "Gagarin" Alexander Samokutyaev.
The commander of the International Space Station Dmitri Kondratiev in conversation with the press service of Russian Federal Space Agency said that the astronauts are on the "front line" in this moment - a great honor and responsibility.
" It is important to level the bar, given the flight of Gagarin, the first exit into space Leonov, the creation of the first space station, support. We have always been a leader in space exploration, and this status should remain.
Gagarin's flight - this is the beginning not only of a large segment of manned space exploration in our country, but around the world. Big step for mankind as a whole. Gagarin is now not even an idol, a symbol of the beginning of a new era. This, I believe, correctly and fairly. Gagarin's name - the symbol of the conquest of space, a symbol of that dream of flying hundreds of generations to our planet, the excesses are real, achievable. And we see it now, it is very important "- said Dmitry Kondratyev.
At the same time, said Dmitri, the Day of Astronautics honor to not only astronauts but also the people that make human spaceflight implemented today." The astronaut in orbit is the tip of a very large pyramid. Russian space industry employs tens of thousands of people, a large number of factories, research institutions and other structures that are the foundation for ensuring the implementation of space flight and the astronaut is at the forefront of all processes ", - said the commander of the ISS.
Press Service of the Russian Space Agency http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=16241
ISS international crew receives newcomers with open arms
KOROLEV (Moscow region), April 7 (Itar-Tass) - Inhabitants of the International Space Station (ISS) - Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Nespoli and NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman, who have been working in orbit together for more than three weeks, with open arms greeted their colleagues of the next long-term expedition that arrived on the Soyuz spaceship.
After the hatches of the Soyuz TMA-21 (Gagarin) ship that docked to ISS opened, commander - Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyayev was the first to enter, Andrei Borisenko was the second NASA astronaut Ronald Garan was the last to leave the Soyuz.
Immediately after the reunion in orbit the ISS combined crew received congratulations on the successful docking from Earth - from the leadership of the Russian, American and European space programmes, as well as from relatives.
“The crew working at the station and the astronauts that have arrived feel well,” Director of the Institute of Medico-Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Igor Ushakov said. According to him, the crew of the arrived Soyuz spacecraft “has a very good psychological atmosphere.” More: http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=16127785&PageNum=0
April 12 officially named the International Day of Manned Space Flight.
The corresponding resolution was adopted April 7, 2011 the UN General Assembly. The draft resolution was proposed by the delegation of the Russian Federation, the drafting of the document was attended by more than 60 states.
The first manned space flight took place 50 years ago. 12 April 1961 Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made a 108-minute flight aboard the Vostok-1 ", opening space for future flights and research. From now on the International Day of manned space flight will be celebrated annually at the international level to mark the beginning of the space era for mankind. 50 Years of Humans in Space
ESA pays tribute to five decades of human spaceflight with a video from the European Astronaut Centre remembering the historic flight of 12 April 1961.
Yuri Gagarin was the first to see Earth from space and his legacy has motivated many young people to follow careers in science and engineering - and to become astronauts.
The Vostok 1 spacecraft was launched on April 12, 1961. The flight took Yuri Gagarin, a cosmonaut from the Soviet Union (Russia), into space. The flight marked the first time that a human entered outer space, as well as the first orbital flight of a manned vehicle. The entire mission was controlled by either automatic systems, or by ground control. The spaceflight consisted of a single orbit of the Earth. According to official records, the spaceflight took 108 minutes from launch to landing.
History was turned into a Heritage
Documentary film "The story was turned into a Heritage Museum tells the story of the Baikonur cosmodrome and the history of establishing the domestic space. Studio Roskosmos- TV Front Space Center in the South." Baikonur. (2011).
A real time recreation of Yuri Gagarin's pioneering first orbit, shot entirely in space from on board the International Space Station. The film combines this new footage with Gagarin's original mission audio and a new musical score by composer Philip Sheppard. For more information visit http://www.firstorbit.org/
The first man in outer space was the Soviet Union's very own Yury Gagarin. On April 12, 1961 he managed a successful flight, which lasted for 108 minutes. Gagarin and his famous charming smile became the symbol of the USSR. On March 27, 1968 the star of Gagarin disappeared from the sky... Photos of the day from the commander of the ISS Dmitri Kondratiev: "Officers of the Air Forces of the Russian Federation on the International Space Station http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=16499 Gagarin's Golden Anniversary Celebration at the Grand Kremlin Palace
The Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow was the scene of a concert and other activities paying tribute to Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. Gagarin's historic launch took place 50 years ago on April 12, 1961. Russian and American space officials and other dignitaries were on hand for the event.
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome continues intense preparations for the launch cargo transport ship Progress M-10M. " Today in the assembly and testing facility site 254 spaceport place setting ("knurling") on a cargo ship fairing. In the assembly and testing facility site 112 spaceport calculations Samara TsSKB-Progress and branch FGUP TsENKI - Space Center of the South "perform relaying a" package "of the launch vehicle (joined first and second stages) from the workplace on the transport-installation unit. Space rocket Soyuz-U "with a cargo transport ship Progress M-10M" is scheduled for 17.05 MSK April 27, 2011.
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