OT - Artemis 1 Launch tomorrow

[38Packard]

As a kid, I was always interested in space and rockets. I was a big fan of Estes and Centuri mail order model rocket manufacturers which sold model rockets that I would build and launch with solid propellant engines. I would study their catalog and save my money for the rocket that I wanted to order, and my parents would either write me a check or take me to the store to purchase a money order to accompany my order. I’d mail in my order for the rocket kit(s) and engines and other accessories and days/weeks later, the package would arrive in our mailbox. I’ve never seen a real rocket lift off (I’d love to - some day!) but it must be an amazing experience. I have watched many rocket launches on TV and streaming in my life.

Tomorrow morning, NASA will be back in the quest to go to the Moon and Mars with the launch of Artemis 1. If you’re not familiar with the Artemis program, here’s a good overview of the entire program.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program

Here’s a link to the Artemis 1 mission which is scheduled to launch tomorrow and last for approximately 42 days.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_1

Being interested in the space industry, I’ve also been following SpaceX and BlueOrigin as well as NASA. So, I was interested in learning more about the Artemis program and did some snooping about the Launch Vehicles that will be used to launch the Orion capsule and cargo capsules over the next three years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program#Launch_vehicle…

During the first couple of years, the program has been required by Congress to use the Space Launch System that is a NASA Launch Vehicle that is fully expendable. → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System

The program will then use the Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 Launch vehicles which are partically reusable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9

Not until they get to the SpaceX Starship Launch vehicle will the entire launch rocket be reusable - 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship

I get that NASA needs LOTS of time to test, validate, test again, etc. But I was pretty disappointed(?) in that NASA is so far behind in launch technology. Not only that, but we taxpayers are footing the bill for this outdated technology that Congress is mandating NASA use. Too bad NASA and Congress can’t get the same momentum that SpaceX and other space companies have been able to achieve.

’38Packard

[Leap1]

There is no actual ability to in good condition send men and women to Mars. The radiation is far too much for the human body. The idea of a suspended animation leaves the body to fragile.

We are not leaving Earth.

There is no justification for the costs. Except a few scientific explorations. Those can be done on much lower budgets that we had already in place.

The rest of Mars etc is hype.

[wecoguy]

I/we have been watching launches from afar here on the West Coast for as long as they’ve been happening… As an added inspiration, DW was part of the team that did the thin film coatings for the Chandra Xray telescope, so we flew down to KSC to watch the launch when Columbia took it up into orbit…

It was delayed a bit, but we had time to wander the area, so it all worked out… No VIP access or anything, didn’t try for it, may have gotten lucky, but we watched with the masses a ways out, took the KSC bus, very, very impressive even at that distance…

It was the heaviest load the Columbia Shuttle had ever lifted, so there was a huge sigh of relief once it was up…

It will be very early out here at launch, so whether we wake in time, unknown… 5:33 AM Pacific time is really early for us night owls…

Will consider it…

Thanks for all the links…!

[DrBob2]

Artemis I launch scrubbed after engine issue
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/artemis-1-moon-rocket-launc…

DB2

[Goofyhoofy]

There is no actual ability to in good condition send men and women to Mars. The radiation is far too much for the human body. The idea of a suspended animation leaves the body to fragile.
We are not leaving Earth.
There is no justification for the costs. Except a few scientific explorations. Those can be done on much lower budgets that we had already in place.
The rest of Mars etc is hype.

This.

There is almost nothing that can’t be accomplished at lower cost, with less risk, in a shorter time with robotic endeavors than with human space travel. (The only thing I can think of is “How are humans ever going to exist in space?”)

At the beginning NASA served manny important purposes: it gave the country a national purpose. It aided in non-controversial/bi-partisan military rocketry research. It fostered scientific breakthroughs in chip design and bad tasting orange drink. It encouraged the education in STEM areas which has serviced to keep the US in the technological forefront of the world economy.

But I recall all too clearly how a single “fire in the capsule” set the program back by two (expensive) years and how the explosion of the Challenger did the same and created a national tragedy. We have lost plenty of rockets before, but because they are unmanned it’s barely a blip. There is so little to be gained by having a fragile human being aboard that it is an absurd waste of money, with the possible exception of the propaganda value of landing first on Mars. (Any country trying it with the moon will inevitable be in second place, always.)

There are better things to be done with the money and more to be learned utilizing the tools that technology gives us: the Hubble, the James Webb, the Ingenuity helicopter, Voyager I and II, and so on. The “surplus” funds could be better spent on emerging technologies rather than trying to refine old ones into new channels, in my view.

[DrBob2]

Artemis I launch scrubbed after engine issue

NASA scrubs second Artemis I launch attempt
www.nbcnews.com/science/space/artemis-nasa-2nd-shot-launchin…
NASA on Saturday called off another attempt to launch the agency’s new moon rocket on a key test flight after a hazardous leak was detected during the fueling process.

DB2

[HohumYNWA]

Quite frustrating.

I guess a busy weekend for some staff at NASA Mission Centers (Kennedy, Marshall and Johnson) and another wait for those with payloads on board