Main Engine Cut OffSaturated IMU Blamed for Schiaparelli Crash
After some investigation, a saturated IMU was blamed for causing the crash of Schiaparelli.
77 results for “ESA”
T+28: The Future of NASA and the Moon
NASA released an RFI for small scientific payloads bound for the lunar surface, meant to “address strategic knowledge gaps” associated with human missions to the Moon. I talk about how this could indicate a shift of the SLS/Orion roadmap, and how NASA may be focusing on lunar surface missions in order to build more political capital for the program of record.
Lunar Commercial Cargo Lite
A commercial cargo-style program for getting payloads to the Moon would be wonderfully interesting. It would be well-timed to be used as NASA participation in the Moon Village idea that is talked about within ESA (and pretty much everywhere but the US).
T+27: Financial vs. Political Capital and Mission Sustainability
In light of the recent Schiaparelli lander failure, I discuss the differences between missions supported by financial and political capital, and how those differences will play out in the next era of space exploration.
Arbitrary Spin and Damage Control
I know, Schiaparelli wasn’t the primary mission. I know, you have to work hard to inform the public and those who hold the purse strings that ExoMars 2016 as a whole is still a success (so far).
Blue Origin Naming—Past, Present, Future
In light of today’s announcement by Blue Origin, I’ve been thinking about their vehicle naming.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AF-M315E-Based Contract
I’ve talked about AF-M315E and other greener hydrazine alternatives fairly often over the past few months. This is an industry-wide push that shows no signs of slowing down—even water-based systems are in the works.
Meeting Between NASA’s Earth Science Director and Chinese Officials
China has recently been opening up to more collaboration with Russia, ESA, and others. I really want to see the United States open up to China before it’s too late and everyone moves on together, without us.
ExoMars Midcourse Correction Burn Successful
ExoMars completed a 52-minute burn this morning to put the Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli lander on track for an October arrival. Can’t wait to see this mission reach Mars.
Curiosity Can Choose Laser Targets on Its Own
This kind of autonomy is going to be hugely beneficial, especially when you consider the signal delay between Earth and Mars which is between 4 and 24 minutes.