Combine the para-shield with a reentry ballute to rob the spacecraft of some of its reentry velocity and you have a winner.
Thanks for the links Randy, makes me wonder if even spaceplanes shouldn't reenter tail first using parashields instead of heatshields.
Quote from: Andrew_WThanks for the links Randy, makes me wonder if even spaceplanes shouldn't reenter tail first using parashields instead of heatshields.Well they PROBABLY could since one concept of the para-shield has it held away from the "main" vehicle to allow CG direction control during reentry, but if you're going that way why put wings on the "vehicle" at all? I think spaceplanes will probably keep their wings Randy
Quote from: RanulfC on 07/28/2011 05:13 pmQuote from: Andrew_WThanks for the links Randy, makes me wonder if even spaceplanes shouldn't reenter tail first using parashields instead of heatshields.Well they PROBABLY could since one concept of the para-shield has it held away from the "main" vehicle to allow CG direction control during reentry, but if you're going that way why put wings on the "vehicle" at all? I think spaceplanes will probably keep their wings RandyThere seems to be the potential to decrease the weight of the heat shield by increasing the area, so it's a question of which is heavier, an all aluminium bird carrying an umbrella, or a bird with no umbrella but with a thick ceramic bottom? Another option would be to have a skirt that increases the shield area while retaining thinner insulation on the birds bottom.
Ahh, those heady days when even model-companies knew what lay ahead for Space Exploration:Pilgrim Observerhttp://ninfinger.org/models/kitplans/mpc9001.htmlI especially like the Book-2 Mission overview (suplemental booklet)Randy
In fact the only real difference between a space ship and a space station would be a space ship would be smaller, carry much more fuel and rocket power.
I'll argue that the first consideration for interplanetary exploration craft is: are you using aerocapture? I think you have to given the change in velocity available by using it, and that, if you're going to Mars, you can use it going there and coming back.Not using aerocapture makes as much sense as deorbiting from LEO using only rocket power. Once you accept you're using aerocapture, everything else is going to come back to what is the optimum heat-shield, and how to hide everything on your ship behind it when doing aerocapture (you're going to have bits sticking out; radiators, solar panels, and observation and communication systems while you're in interplanetary space).Of course there is the possibility of using an inflatable heat-shield, http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/aug/HQ_09-188_IRVE_launch.htmlWhich might make things easier.
Quote from: RanulfC on 08/04/2011 09:07 pmAhh, those heady days when even model-companies knew what lay ahead for Space Exploration:Pilgrim Observerhttp://ninfinger.org/models/kitplans/mpc9001.htmlI especially like the Book-2 Mission overview (suplemental booklet)RandyI love it. As a point of discussion and speculation, how far off would this be with current tech Mick.
If its a Mars space ship, it would have a life support system that absolutely positively would not fail.