1)What is METOX?
2) why were two coverings taken off parts of pieces, then jettisoned into space? Where they dropped? I mean they could have been brought in and put with the other "space junk.
Why is an astronaut always on capcom, I mean they all speak english don't they?
Tests have shown hydrogen can give you a blast because it can mix then go off.
Quote from: oxford750 on 07/28/2009 08:16 amWhy is an astronaut always on capcom, I mean they all speak english don't they?Not sure who you mean by "they", but astronauts are uniquely qualified to serve as the communications liaison between the on-orbit crew and the flight control team. They're not just reading a script. During shuttle missions, they are often members of the back-up crew, so they will be familiar with all aspects of the mission.
Quote from: Danny Dot on 07/28/2009 05:10 pmTests have shown hydrogen can give you a blast because it can mix then go off. in about 90% of the jobs that we do one of the first steps we do before we open the system is to verify that the system is at less than 1% H2 and less than 1% O2. Then while the system is open it is purged with GN2/GHe to prevent air intrusion. The reason is to prevent what is called an "in-line detonation" which can, if severe enough, damage or destroy equipment. I've seen photos of one such detonation that occured in a vent line at Stennis. Every 90 degree turn in the line was split or blown out from the shockwave traveling through the line, since the shockwave resists sharp turns. Earlier this year we actually had a detonation for the first time that anyone could remember. We were between waves during tankers and got shut down for weather. It was an extremely windy day (at least 30 knot sustained winds) with a hot (H2 rich) vent line since we vent to the flare stack during tankers. We were in the shop and kept hearing this weird noise that sounded like something hitting the side of the shop, about every 15 mins or so, but couldn't figure out what it was. What was happening was that due to the low pressure in the line from no flow the wind was blowing out the flame and actually blowing air back into the line. It would mix, then the pressure would finally build enough to push the mixture out of the line, where it would ignite when it hit the propane igniters. We finally got the all clear to continue so we went back out and continued tanker offload. When tankers were done flow slowed again, but with an enriched line the wind blew it out again. This time when it lit it sounded like a bomb going off. It actually knocked all of the frost off the line all the way back to the storage area. Definately got our attention. There was alot of leak checking and inspections after that to make sure nothing was damaged.
Quote from: oxford750 on 07/27/2009 11:45 pm1)What is METOX?Metal Oxide == refers to the technology used for recyclable CO2 scrubbing canisters. The crew bakes them in a special oven to release the CO2 to the station's atmosphere, which is then removed by one of the central scrubbers. Quote2) why were two coverings taken off parts of pieces, then jettisoned into space? Where they dropped? I mean they could have been brought in and put with the other "space junk.This question came up in one of the briefings. Those that weren't needed were thrown overboard to save the time/hassle of trying to wiggle them into a storage bag. Because of their low mass, they will reenter in a matter of days, IIRC, rather than becoming a long-term debris risk.
Quote from: oxford750 on 07/28/2009 08:16 amWhy is an astronaut always on capcom, I mean they all speak english don't they?Not sure who you mean by "they", but astronauts are uniquely qualified to serve as the communications liaison between the on-orbit crew and the flight control team. They're not just reading a script. During shuttle missions, they are often members of the back-up crew, so they will be familiar with all aspects of the mission.It is my observation that capcoms during shuttle missions are always astronauts while ISS stage operations sometimes have non-astronaut capcoms. That's probably just a function of the large number of hours during stage operations.
Quote from: ginahoy on 07/29/2009 12:57 amQuote from: oxford750 on 07/28/2009 08:16 amWhy is an astronaut always on capcom, I mean they all speak english don't they?Not sure who you mean by "they", but astronauts are uniquely qualified to serve as the communications liaison between the on-orbit crew and the flight control team. They're not just reading a script. During shuttle missions, they are often members of the back-up crew, so they will be familiar with all aspects of the mission.It is my observation that capcoms during shuttle missions are always astronauts while ISS stage operations sometimes have non-astronaut capcoms. That's probably just a function of the large number of hours during stage operations.Thanks again ginahoy.I just thought that "anybody" at mission control in Houston that works on the specific mission (i.e. STS-127) can speak to the astronauts as most of MCC-H know the mission "like the back of tere hand",but you had good answer to things I never thought of.
snipFlight controllers are trained as specialists. Astronauts are generalists. A flight controller will not necessarily have any training in systems outside their particular console position. They know their systems like the backs of their hands, and they know how their system fits into the big picture of the mission, but that does not grant them particular insight into other systems nor to communicate those insights to the crew.
As for question 2: Am I to assume then that something that is bigger and has a higher mass will stay in orbit longer?
Quote from: oxford750 on 07/29/2009 02:53 amAs for question 2: Am I to assume then that something that is bigger and has a higher mass will stay in orbit longer?Lightweight objects loose energy quicker due to atmospheric drag. Remember, there's enough atmosphere still present at 220 miles to cause the space station to require periodic reboost.
Quote from: ginahoy on 07/29/2009 05:43 amQuote from: oxford750 on 07/29/2009 02:53 amAs for question 2: Am I to assume then that something that is bigger and has a higher mass will stay in orbit longer?Lightweight objects loose energy quicker due to atmospheric drag. Remember, there's enough atmosphere still present at 220 miles to cause the space station to require periodic reboost. So are you saying that two idenical cases in orbit, -one lighter than the other-, that the lighter one will fall faster.ORsomething that is round and flat (ie a cover or blanket) will fall faster because of its shape?Oxford750
Why is thr ISS "red".Oxford750
And some people think we will be putting this stuff in cars at gas stations someday. I think not. Danny Deger
A quick question on astronaut training:When using the Shuttle Mission Simulator, does the crew periodically wear their ACES suits?