Quote from: alk3997 on 11/15/2011 01:51 pmLet's go back to a standard satellite launch. Usually just before launch, the spacecraft goes to internal power (batteries) and then the satelitte becomes passive. Most transmit telemetry through the launcher but some do not. Actually, the other way around, most don't transmit any telemetry during ascent
Let's go back to a standard satellite launch. Usually just before launch, the spacecraft goes to internal power (batteries) and then the satelitte becomes passive. Most transmit telemetry through the launcher but some do not.
Quote from: Jim on 11/15/2011 02:13 pmQuote from: alk3997 on 11/15/2011 01:51 pmLet's go back to a standard satellite launch. Usually just before launch, the spacecraft goes to internal power (batteries) and then the satelitte becomes passive. Most transmit telemetry through the launcher but some do not. Actually, the other way around, most don't transmit any telemetry during ascentThanks. On Shuttle the payload had limited capability to transmit during ascent through the payload bus using BFS downlink, if the TFL was setup correct. But, as you said, most of the time the payload didn't downlink anything during ascent.Are any payload health measurements available during ascent on U.S. ELVs? Or should I say can there be any health measurements made available?Andy
Russia's manned space launch system and experience in EVAs CAN be put to work here to save Phobos-Grunt! Send a Soyuz up to check it out and attempt repairs. Bold, sure, but why just abandon P-G by doing nothing, and thus risk ending Russia's planetary program for yet another decade?Russia's reputation would be enhanced by a rescue mission even if it didn't succeed. NASA has offered any possible help, and can offer much advice from shuttle satellite repairs, etc. "Just do it!"
...Centaur would have been a mess.
Let say Russia has oodles of money and can aford to waste a Soyuz on a Phobos-Grunt repair mission. So, I have a few questions.Where does the repair equipment come from? How do you fly enough hardware so that you can replace the right component once you finally find out what the problem is? How do you protect the cosmonauts from an accidental firing of the main engine once it is repaired? How do you protect the cosmonauts and the hardware from the potentially leaking hydrazine (something is venting)? Remember the Soyuz even with only two cosmonauts has very little excess lift capability (on the order of 250-300 lbs with two cosmonauts to ISS).Sure seems reckless to me. Wouldn't you rather spend that oodles of money on a second Phobos-Grunt?Andy
Wouldn't it be cheaper just to build a new one? Plus the potential risk to the astros is just about worth it for Hubble, but - as much as we're all growing found of PB - this is no HST.
A rescue mission can be put together by re-assigning Soyuz TMA-03M which is scheduled to launch astronauts to ISS in mid-December. That provides a rocket which could be launchable now. Then it's a matter of training and launching--send them to NASA's water tank for such training. A race to be sure, but no technical barriers to attempting it if they roll fast with it. Perhaps there's a shuttle astronaut from the Hubble or other satellite repairs who is also trained on Soyuz missions who can provide experience as a crew member. Russia, you CAN save Phobos-Grunt!Art Harman, Director, The Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration http://SaveMannedSpace.com
Any guesses as to why P-G is slowly ascending? Off the top of my head, it's either propellent outgassing or possibly excess RCS activity caused by the IAU trying to square the circle of LEO as opposed to a deep space cruise.
