How Engineers Designed The First Computer To Fly In Space
The Gemini spacecraft carried the first fully functional computer in space, it ran with a clock speed of about 7kHz, uses 26 bit data and 39bit memory words, with 4096 words of memory. It was one of the oddest computer architectures ever developed, for a tiny niche, only ever used on the Gemini. Some of […]
Why Blue Origin’s Lunar Lander Is A Radical Rethink
Blue Origin’s National Team won a $3.5 billion contract to develop and deploy a lunar lander for the Artemis program, this is for landings after Artemis III which is currently supposed to be handled by SpaceX’s Starship. Blue Origin’s lander won over 3 other options with only the Dynetics Alpaca lander coming close. Blue Origin […]
Vast Space Station from a Crypto Billionaire – Deep Space Updates May 17th
I hate writing descriptions so I asked an AI to do this: LOL Welcome to “Deep Space Updates,” your ultimate source for the most thrilling space news from the first half of May 2023. In this episode, we bring you an array of captivating updates and advancements from the cosmos that will leave you astounded. […]
How Could a 747 Fly Around Jupiter? – Deep Space Questions
More question from supporters over at Patreon, and I at least attempt to deliver answers, even if I end up getting side tracked on the jet engine question. If you really like what I do you can support me directly through Patreon https://www.patreon.com/scottmanley Follow me on Twitter for more updates: Tweets by DJSnM I have […]
The Titan Rocket – From War Machine to Space Giant to Obsolescence
Born from the tense geopolitical climate of the early 1960s, the Titan began its life as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It was an embodiment of American technological prowess and strategic might during the height of the Cold War. However, as time progressed, the Titan found its true calling, transforming into the most potent and […]
What Was The Fastest Space Shuttle? The Answer Surprised Me!
A question was asked, I had to answer. Spaceplanes are the fastest ‘aircraft’, but which one flew fastest? There were 5 shuttles which flew multiple missions to different orbits and different reentry trajectories, so the entry speed has some variation, is there one that stands out above all the others to take the crown of […]
How To Destroy Wayward Rockets – Flight Termination Systems Explained
Flight termination systems are a critical part of rockets which must operate with 100% reliability, but which you never want to actually use. Generally they’re designed to destroy a wayward rocket before they can pose a threat to bystanders, and there’s been a long history of their use, in some cases with great urgency. Follow […]
Is This Why Starship Wasn’t Destroyed The Moment It Lost Control?
I still have questions, this is one possible answer to the Flight Termination System question. source
SpaceX’s Massive Rocket Explodes Due to Rapid Unscheduled Digging
SpaceX performed the debut launch of their next Generation Starship-Superheavy launch vehicle, and it didn’t make it to orbit. But it was still very much a case of Excitment delivered as the vehicle destroyed its launchpad, had engines fail and parts explode as it ascenced, before finally spinning end over end until it was destroyed […]
Explosion During Vulcan Rocket Test – Weeks Before Maiden Flight!
A few weeks ago a test of the Vulcan Centaur at the Marshal Space Flight Center ended in a fiery explosion as leaking hydrogen gas found an ignition source. Meanwhile ULA are preparing a Vulcan rocket for flight with a debut 3 weeks from now, while this is not the outcome engineers would hope for […]