What’s difference between this ….. and this …. Well apart from the size and several million dollars, surprisingly there is not a lot. When we think of iconic space programmes like Apollo and the latest generation of SpaceX reusable vehicles, we’re seeing liquid fueled rockets using cryogenic propellants and oxidizers, …
Apollos Most Critical Rocket Engine
During all of the manned Apollo moon missions just one engine was classed as so critical even the most insignificant or minor alterations had to be signed off by the very highest management in NASA. That engine was the lunar ascent engine that lifted the ascent module from the lunar …
Why Does SpaceX Use 33 Engines While NASA Used Just 5?
If you have seen any of the Apollo launch videos or even the new Artemis launch videos you will no doubt be familiar with the shot of the massive five F1 engine’s at launch on the Saturn 5 or the four RS-25 engines and boosters on the SLS rocket as …
Could NASA 3D Print a New F-1 Rocket Engine?
When NASA was looking to go back to the moon, it did look at resurrecting the Saturn V rocket, after all, it had delivered men to the moon from 1969 to 1972 with no failures of the rocket itself, barring apollo 13 which was a failure of an oxygen tank …
What are the odds of a safe rocket launch?
After watching the SpaceX Starship explode, the space industry could be seen as high risk but which are you more likely to be killed in, a car journey or a rocket going into orbit? Well, if you are in the UK which is ranked 7th in the world for the …
NASA Film Footage Update & Artemis Launch
Well, I was wrong about that. In the last video I was looking at why although we now have modern sophisticated digital video cameras, we don’t see close-up launch footage from the likes of Artemis and SpaceX that matched the quality of the old Apollo and Shuttle film footage and …
Why is Older NASA Launch Film Footage Still the Best?
Even as a non American, the close up shot of the massive U..S..A.. on the side of the Saturn as it lifted slowly from the pad is, to me still one of the most impressive and iconic pieces of space-related footage ever shot and even now still fills me with …
Why SpaceX Needs New Launch Pads for Starship, and Soon
The first launch of the Starship super heavy was both a success and a failure, the success was the rocket itself which did much more than Elon wanted and cleared the tower easily without blowing up but in the process, it virtually destroyed the launch pad, which maybe was what …
Why is NASA Throwing Away Reusable Engines?
Artimis 1 finally took off for the moon on 16th November 2022 but this new rocket which is the most powerful to make it into space is not as new as you would think. The four main engines that power the core stage with the help of two massive solid …
How do you Escape from an Exploding rocket? – Launch Escape Systems
Strapping your self into a tiny capsule on top of what essentially controlled a large controlled explosion is one of the hazards of being an astronaut but if things go really wrong then is nice to know there is an escape system of some sort to get you out of …