Getting things back from orbit
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:29 pm
It's been an interesting and encouraging week in space technology. (Although not encouraging for Japan, whose Venus orbiter failed to go into orbit around Venus, and Russia, who lost three GPS satellites in a launch failure.) Two successful missions have gone a long way toward replacing the Space Shuttle's unique ability to bring cargo back from orbit.
SpaceX completed a highly successful first test of their Dragon capsule, which has an improved heat shield that should make it possible to re-use the capsule many times without much refurbishment. The capsule has a cargo capacity of 6 metric tons upload and 3 tons return. And they hope to configure it to carry up to 7 astronauts.
The Air Force conducted the first test of the X-37B "mini-shuttle" or "space pickup truck" which landed autonomously on a runway. This was the first ever automated landing from orbit for the U.S. and was preceded only by a single Buran flight by the Soviet Union. I can't see much civilian use for this type of craft. It's not a practical way to launch satellites. It's too small to carry astronauts (although larger "lifting body" vehicles for astronauts have been proposed). A capsule and parachute would be simpler. But for top-secret payloads (probably spy equipment), I suppose a precision runway landing is preferable to a parachute that could blow off course. The orbiter changed orbits several times so it is probably designed to evade attacks and spy on targets of opportunity. A second orbiter is being built so the Air Force probably intends to make regular operational use of it, not just experiment with it. Whatever the purpose, it's an interesting new capability.
It seems to me that the post-Shuttle, post-Constellation era is starting to come into focus. The decision makers seem to be coming to a consensus that the launch of astronauts into low Earth orbit should be turned over to private companies. Both SpaceX and Boeing think they can build a profitable business launching astronauts to orbit if there is a combination of government and private passengers. There is strong international support for space stations. Manned missions beyond low Earth orbit are still a big question mark. With the discovery of water on the Moon, I think that a lunar base should be the next step. A decision on a design for a heavy lift launcher should be completed by next April.
The next year will be interesting for anyone who follows human spaceflight.
SpaceX completed a highly successful first test of their Dragon capsule, which has an improved heat shield that should make it possible to re-use the capsule many times without much refurbishment. The capsule has a cargo capacity of 6 metric tons upload and 3 tons return. And they hope to configure it to carry up to 7 astronauts.
The Air Force conducted the first test of the X-37B "mini-shuttle" or "space pickup truck" which landed autonomously on a runway. This was the first ever automated landing from orbit for the U.S. and was preceded only by a single Buran flight by the Soviet Union. I can't see much civilian use for this type of craft. It's not a practical way to launch satellites. It's too small to carry astronauts (although larger "lifting body" vehicles for astronauts have been proposed). A capsule and parachute would be simpler. But for top-secret payloads (probably spy equipment), I suppose a precision runway landing is preferable to a parachute that could blow off course. The orbiter changed orbits several times so it is probably designed to evade attacks and spy on targets of opportunity. A second orbiter is being built so the Air Force probably intends to make regular operational use of it, not just experiment with it. Whatever the purpose, it's an interesting new capability.
It seems to me that the post-Shuttle, post-Constellation era is starting to come into focus. The decision makers seem to be coming to a consensus that the launch of astronauts into low Earth orbit should be turned over to private companies. Both SpaceX and Boeing think they can build a profitable business launching astronauts to orbit if there is a combination of government and private passengers. There is strong international support for space stations. Manned missions beyond low Earth orbit are still a big question mark. With the discovery of water on the Moon, I think that a lunar base should be the next step. A decision on a design for a heavy lift launcher should be completed by next April.
The next year will be interesting for anyone who follows human spaceflight.