So ... what is going to happen to the washing machine sized mock satellite when this is all over??
Quote from: Danderman on 03/13/2012 04:33 amSo ... what is going to happen to the washing machine sized mock satellite when this is all over??Likely Jetison or burnup in VV would be my thought
Quote from: robertross on 03/13/2012 10:11 amQuote from: Danderman on 03/13/2012 04:33 amSo ... what is going to happen to the washing machine sized mock satellite when this is all over??Likely Jetison or burnup in VV would be my thoughtI'd have thought they'd be more interested in long duration exposure effects of function and seals on the valves with accelerated thermal cycling in LEO. Comsats are up there for a really long time before they need refueling.
Quote from: synchrotron on 03/13/2012 12:30 pmI'd have thought they'd be more interested in long duration exposure effects of function and seals on the valves with accelerated thermal cycling in LEO. Comsats are up there for a really long time before they need refueling.It's only using a susbtitute fluid for fuel, rather than hydrazine, so the seals are not likely the same.Besides, likely those same seals are on the vehicles presently on orbit, and they are holding up fine (that we know of). The critical ones will be in the ammonia loop (for ISS), especially the rotary coupler in the SARJ.
I'd have thought they'd be more interested in long duration exposure effects of function and seals on the valves with accelerated thermal cycling in LEO. Comsats are up there for a really long time before they need refueling.
Quote from: robertross on 03/13/2012 12:53 pmQuote from: synchrotron on 03/13/2012 12:30 pmI'd have thought they'd be more interested in long duration exposure effects of function and seals on the valves with accelerated thermal cycling in LEO. Comsats are up there for a really long time before they need refueling.It's only using a susbtitute fluid for fuel, rather than hydrazine, so the seals are not likely the same.Besides, likely those same seals are on the vehicles presently on orbit, and they are holding up fine (that we know of). The critical ones will be in the ammonia loop (for ISS), especially the rotary coupler in the SARJ.No-one has ever opened an FDV in GEO. The harshest environment would be seal exposure to MON3, not hydrazine. Benign fluid notwithstanding, the mechanical sealing after long durations is a major technological risk.