Quote from: JamesH65 on 07/07/2016 09:22 amI think you missed the bit about 'precise Earth re-rentry', which AIUI was computer controlled.He wasn't talking about the landing - although the tech for that is solved for airliners, and therefore for shuttle, should it fly again!Hmm. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle#Re-entry_and_landing says:Quote from: WikipediaAlmost the entire Space Shuttle re-entry procedure, except for lowering the landing gear and deploying the air data probes, was normally performed under computer control. However, the re-entry could be flown entirely manually if an emergency arose. The approach and landing phase could be controlled by the autopilot, but was usually hand flown.
I think you missed the bit about 'precise Earth re-rentry', which AIUI was computer controlled.He wasn't talking about the landing - although the tech for that is solved for airliners, and therefore for shuttle, should it fly again!
Almost the entire Space Shuttle re-entry procedure, except for lowering the landing gear and deploying the air data probes, was normally performed under computer control. However, the re-entry could be flown entirely manually if an emergency arose. The approach and landing phase could be controlled by the autopilot, but was usually hand flown.
What crew would SpaceX send on the first manned mission?My guess: About 10 people* Commander/Pilot/Comms* Pilot/BFS Engineer/Comms* Doctor/Biologist/Cook* Vehicle Engineer/Driver* Chemist/ISRU Engineer* Geologist/Scout/Driver* Geologist/Scout/Driver* Hab Engineer/Builder/Driver* Biologist/Gardener/Cook* ??
From Human Needs: Sustaining Life During ExplorationQuote from: NASA Fact SheetA crew of four on a three-year martian mission eating only three meals each day would need to carry more than 24,000 pounds (10,886 kilograms) of food.With consumables pre-deployed by the unmanned precursor mission in 2022, a crew of 10 would be in range.
A crew of four on a three-year martian mission eating only three meals each day would need to carry more than 24,000 pounds (10,886 kilograms) of food.
460grams per day of Soylent would require just ONE FIFTH that amount, about 2000kg of food for 4 crew and 3 years.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 07/07/2016 04:59 pm460grams per day of Soylent would require just ONE FIFTH that amount, about 2000kg of food for 4 crew and 3 years.It is not necessary to go to such extremes. Dry goods like flour, rice, noodles, cooking oil, dried meat, legumes, milk powder, quark powder, egg powder, dried fruit, allows a varied diet with a good cook and some herbs and vegetables as local produce. That would not require that much more weight than soylent.
Just countering the idea that 3 years and 4 astronauts necessarily means 10 tons of food, as if it's some sort of law of nature.
Quote from: llanitedave on 07/07/2016 03:06 amThe crew would have little to no opportunity to review the quality of the landing site prior to the final approach. If any last-minute change to the landing site is required, it's will probably be initiated by the ground. There's just no need for crew control.I think you underestimate what can be determined by orbital surveillance around Mars. I was surprised how many things they evaluated for potential NASA landing sites and how much they know, that they need to know. They will come down on the exact location that was determined from such data sets. No last minute changes initiated by a pilot. Unlikely but not impossible that for some reason the landing site changes during flight due to new data. I think they did that with Opportunity. After they knew that Spirit was safely on the ground, they selected a landing site with slightly more risk. If memory serves me on this one. But that would be done from the ground on earth weeks or days before landing.
The crew would have little to no opportunity to review the quality of the landing site prior to the final approach. If any last-minute change to the landing site is required, it's will probably be initiated by the ground. There's just no need for crew control.
Soylent is good...
Quote from: Robotbeat on 07/07/2016 06:35 pmSoylent is good...I'm not sure 'good' is the word I would use to describe soylent... I think adequate is a closer description. I think the downside of relying solely on something like soylent would be the morale-draining nature of consuming nothing but gritty smoothies during the entire trip.Scene - Mars colony, sol 1045Mars colonist #1 - What's for breakfast?Mars colonist #2 - Chewy dirt-water flavoured with 'orange drink' powder... again...Mars colonist #1 - <sigh> Where's the nearest airlock?
Quote from: MajorBringdown on 07/07/2016 08:50 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 07/07/2016 06:35 pmSoylent is good...I'm not sure 'good' is the word I would use to describe soylent... I think adequate is a closer description. I think the downside of relying solely on something like soylent would be the morale-draining nature of consuming nothing but gritty smoothies during the entire trip.Scene - Mars colony, sol 1045Mars colonist #1 - What's for breakfast?Mars colonist #2 - Chewy dirt-water flavoured with 'orange drink' powder... again...Mars colonist #1 - <sigh> Where's the nearest airlock?Colonists will be growing their own food.Explorers will have to make do (or at least they would if I were in charge. ).
Explorers will have to make do (or at least they would if I were in charge. ).
1. Less people means less strain on ECLSS, remember 6 people is all we can support right now on ISS, a 12 person crew would double the current state of art in terms of long term ECLSS. I'm sure given enough time they can push the envelope, but if they want to make the 2024 window they need to pick their battles.
Inspiration Mars (Whatever happened to them??) planned to send an older couple beyond child bearing age to Mars. The rationale was threefold:1) They would not pass radiation damage to eventual kids.2) They would have less time left to develop cancer from radiation damage.3) Older = more mature = more psychological stable1) could be mitigated by freezing germ cells before the start of the mission, 3) is up for debate but 2) seems to be solid. So: Average age of the crew around 50?
SpaceX intent is to start the settlement of Mars and the default assumption is that many of the passengers will never return to earth but will live out their lives on Mars. There's not much reason to emphasize older people who would on balance contribute less and have more medical issues. I'd guess average age late 20's. About as young as people can be who are very educated and have proven ability.
Quote from: CuddlyRocket on 07/06/2016 11:19 pmScientific research will likely be limited to applied research in support of that goal or that carried out on behalf of organisations willing to pay for it.I think the Musk way of looking at it is that exploring Mars for scientific purposes, learning about the origin of planets, etc, is a good project for the settlers to undertake once they are there.
Scientific research will likely be limited to applied research in support of that goal or that carried out on behalf of organisations willing to pay for it.