Author Topic: LIVE: Progress MS-2 - Soyuz-2-1A - Baikonur - March 31, 2016 (16:23 UTC) (Read 48370 times)

DaveS · « **Reply #80 on:** 04/01/2016 04:07 pm »

Quote from: asmi on 04/01/2016 03:00 pm

Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 04/01/2016 12:12 pm
I always thought that the honor of the 1st lunar orbital logistics supply vehicle should go to a Progress.
I wonder how to dispose of them though - there is no atmosphere so destructive reentry is off the table, and sending them to the Earth for reentry sounds like a waste of fuel (and thus cargo capacity).

How about just a intentional crash into the lunar surface? Would not be much different from how they are gotten rid of now sans the atmosphere.

asmi · « **Reply #81 on:** 04/01/2016 05:13 pm »

Quote from: DaveS on 04/01/2016 04:07 pm

How about just a intentional crash into the lunar surface? Would not be much different from how they are gotten rid of now sans the atmosphere.

Surface contamination? You can't be sure what does or doesn't survive such crash. This is obviously not a problem for the Earth, but it could be for the Moon.

Sam Ho · « **Reply #82 on:** 04/01/2016 09:51 pm »

Quote from: asmi on 04/01/2016 05:13 pm

Quote from: DaveS on 04/01/2016 04:07 pm
How about just a intentional crash into the lunar surface? Would not be much different from how they are gotten rid of now sans the atmosphere.
Surface contamination? You can't be sure what does or doesn't survive such crash. This is obviously not a problem for the Earth, but it could be for the Moon.

The Moon is Planetary Protection Category II. That basically means you have to have a plan to avoid hitting anything important, and document that plan and where the hardware ended up, but do not have to implement any particular planetary protection requirements.

rpapo · « **Reply #83 on:** 04/01/2016 10:00 pm »

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artificial_objects_on_the_Moon. What they need to do is designate a particular crater as the dumping ground, rather than scattering stuff all over the place as they currently do.

But isn't this off topic for the Progress going to the ISS?

Targeteer · « **Reply #84 on:** 04/02/2016 12:59 am »

Fascinating attempt at seeing the Progress... Just had a zenith pass of the ISS and trailing behind was a rapidly flashing object, off track at a slightly higher inclination or so it appeared, that caught up to and passed the ISS at a stunning rate. Could not believe it's crossing rate in the sky. The third stage?

Targeteer · « **Reply #85 on:** 04/02/2016 01:28 pm »

It appears the Russian crew has sleep shifted due to the arrival of the Progress late in their usual crew day. The morning DPC with Moscow just occurred with no update on the Progress.