Space engineering – Page 2

28Dec

By LeonardoTimesNo Comments

Advanced Propulsion Systems in Space

In May 2015, the Planetary Society launched a CubeSat into orbit. Normally this is not very exciting, since CubeSats are launched on a regular basis. However, this satellite, called LightSail (see visual), uses a solar sail as its propulsion system. While this is only a flight to prove the concept, missions that are more ambitious are already being planned; all in order to make interplanetary travel more efficient. Solar Sail One of new propulsion systems is very similar to something being used every day on Earth: a sail. Sailboats use the concept of wind hitting a large surface area to create a propulsive force, thereby moving the craft. Scientists are now testing that concept on spacecraft as well. Instead of using the normal wind present in the atmosphere, they use photo...

ATV-5: The Last of its Kind

A trail of fire in the night sky marked the end of ESA’s ATV program. On February 15, 2015 the last ATV, ATV-5 undocked from the International Space Station and started deorbiting. Loaded with waste from the ISS it made its way back towards the atmosphere, where it burned out over the Pacific Ocean. This was the last ATV made by ESA. It marks the end of a space program, which was already conceived in 1987 to serve for an international Space Station, when UssR’s MIR station was shut down. Five successful ATV missions (originally Ariane Transfer Vehicle) have made its way to space since the first launch in 2008. Its legacy however remains as the experience and technology will be used for further space missions such as NASA’s Orion capsules.

IXV Test: Success!

The Americans did it with the space shuttle. Now we did it with the IXV. On February 11, 2015 a Vega rocket brought the first IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) to space, where it deorbited and reentered the atmosphere. Starting at hypersonic speeds the IXV slowed down to supersonic speeds, after which it glided through the atmosphere. It was controlled by a pair of flaperon-like tails. Later it deployed parachutes, to slow down further, for a safe landing in the Pacific Ocean. Currently the used IXV module is being transferred to ESTEC in the Netherlands to be analyzed. This first success was only the start of potentially a new generation space shuttle.