Quote from: Blackstar on 12/17/2009 03:42 pmThis is not a cheap flight, and the confusing thing about it is that there seem to be no good explanations that justify spending the money. So is there another explanation that we don't know about?Boondoggle ?
This is not a cheap flight, and the confusing thing about it is that there seem to be no good explanations that justify spending the money. So is there another explanation that we don't know about?
Quote from: agman25 on 02/26/2010 08:35 pmQuote from: Blackstar on 12/17/2009 03:42 pmThis is not a cheap flight, and the confusing thing about it is that there seem to be no good explanations that justify spending the money. So is there another explanation that we don't know about?Boondoggle ?Quite possibly. Just because it's secret does not mean that it's smart.
My wild guess about its payload: satellite refueling. From its own fuel tanks. Or perhaps reboosting, changing the orbit of other satellites without them using up their own fuel (okay, that one probably isn't it). Maybe on-orbit repair of satellites?
what about using the thing to go up close and personal to russian and chinese sats?
I don't know, I really like the theory it is someone's pet project that ignores all "Logic" and common sense.
As far as I know it's using hydrogen peroxide and JP8 far easier to handle stuff then the hypergolics in use today.
Quote from: Patchouli on 04/05/2010 03:59 amAs far as I know it's using hydrogen peroxide and JP8 far easier to handle stuff then the hypergolics in use today.no, it is using hypergols.
How large is a roll of 70mm film?
Quote from: Downix on 04/05/2010 05:30 pmHow large is a roll of 70mm film? Too small for reconn.
Quote from: Jim on 04/05/2010 05:48 pmQuote from: Downix on 04/05/2010 05:30 pmHow large is a roll of 70mm film? Too small for reconn.There are far better detectors available- no one would be packaging film for any reason whatsoever. (save maybe IMAX filming, but then again that isn't happening here)
And to date, there are no sensors yet able to match it for quality/speed. (you can get higher quality, but it's too slow for a fast moving shot, and vice-versa)
Or that its stupid. It is exactly what they want and what they need.After the fact when they get the results back, they'll find out if it was smart or stupid.It is always that way. You can't predetermine.
Quote from: Downix on 04/05/2010 06:19 pm And to date, there are no sensors yet able to match it for quality/speed. (you can get higher quality, but it's too slow for a fast moving shot, and vice-versa)Not commercially. spacecraft use motion compensation