|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
Disposal of piano-sized space station piece poses challenges http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/ By James Oberg, NBC News space analyst // Special to MSNBC This week, a spacewalking cosmonaut will tee up a golf ball just outside the international space station and let loose with a publicity-generating drive - a shot that has already generated a debate over the dangers posed by orbital debris. But if you think one foam-rubber "golf ball" is a cause for concern, how about a concert grand piano? That's roughly the size and weight of the piece of equipment NASA plans to throw over the space station's side next spring - if they can figure out which way it'll go once it's cast away. The 1,430-pound (650-kilogram) unit is called the EAS, or Early Ammonia Servicer. It was installed in mid-2001 as an emergency reserve for the station's coolant system. Once the mature thermal control system is activated next month during Discovery's STS-116 mission to the space station, the EAS becomes surplus space hardware. ...... photo: The Early Ammonia Servicer, a piece of equipment that weighs as much as a heavy grand piano, sits on a rack inside a shuttle cargo bay. The EAS was delivered to the international space station aboard the shuttle Discovery in 2001, and will soon be jettisoned into space. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
"Jim Oberg" wrote in message ... Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007] Disposal of piano-sized space station piece poses challenges http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/ By James Oberg, NBC News space analyst // Special to MSNBC This week, a spacewalking cosmonaut will tee up a golf ball just outside the international space station and let loose with a publicity-generating drive - a shot that has already generated a debate over the dangers posed by orbital debris. But if you think one foam-rubber "golf ball" is a cause for concern, how about a concert grand piano? That's roughly the size and weight of the piece of equipment NASA plans to throw over the space station's side next spring - if they can figure out which way it'll go once it's cast away. The 1,430-pound (650-kilogram) unit is called the EAS, or Early Ammonia Servicer. It was installed in mid-2001 as an emergency reserve for the station's coolant system. Once the mature thermal control system is activated next month during Discovery's STS-116 mission to the space station, the EAS becomes surplus space hardware. ..... photo: The Early Ammonia Servicer, a piece of equipment that weighs as much as a heavy grand piano, sits on a rack inside a shuttle cargo bay. The EAS was delivered to the international space station aboard the shuttle Discovery in 2001, and will soon be jettisoned into space. Why don't they just bring it back on the shuttle? Or is that idea too easy? George |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
"George" wrote in
: "Jim Oberg" wrote in message ... Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007] Disposal of piano-sized space station piece poses challenges http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/ Why don't they just bring it back on the shuttle? Or is that idea too easy? Why don't you just read Jim's article? Or is that idea too hard? -- JRF Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail, check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and think one step ahead of IBM. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/
Good article. Of course, an object this big is easy to track by radar, so in that sense it is an easier case than the golf ball. But I'm sure that working out the first few orbits (before the radar would give accurate orbital elements) is a bit tricky. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message ... "George" wrote in : "Jim Oberg" wrote in message ... Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007] Disposal of piano-sized space station piece poses challenges http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/ Why don't they just bring it back on the shuttle? Or is that idea too easy? Why don't you just read Jim's article? Or is that idea too hard? -- JRF Sorry. I did go back and read it, and, silly me, the article contained the answer I was seeking. My bad. It still seems to me that once they remove the cargo from the shuttle, they could mount that ammonia contraption into the bay. But then, I never claimed to be an expert on Shuttle project planning. George |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
Jim, you are exactly right. Getting early nav and reliable
relative motion for the first few hours will be the pucker phase. "Jim Kingdon" wrote in message news http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15817106/ Good article. Of course, an object this big is easy to track by radar, so in that sense it is an easier case than the golf ball. But I'm sure that working out the first few orbits (before the radar would give accurate orbital elements) is a bit tricky. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
"George" wrote:
Sorry. I did go back and read it, and, silly me, the article contained the answer I was seeking. My bad. It still seems to me that once they remove the cargo from the shuttle, they could mount that ammonia contraption into the bay. I would imagine the problem is mounting it to the cargo bay - it requires a unique handling fixture, which takes up volume and mass on the uphill run. Volume and mass to and from the ISS are at an *extreme* premium over the next few years. D. -- Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
Brian Gaff wrote:
Why jettison it? Why not either leave it there or take it home? I think they have to move it off P6 before it is relocated on STS-120. From pictures, it looks like it was launched on an ICC carrier. There is only one of those to fly before STS-120, on ISS-12A.1/STS-116. The EAS won't be ready for return on 12A.1, so there's no chance to return it intact. --Chris |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007]
"Derek Lyons" wrote in message ... "George" wrote: Sorry. I did go back and read it, and, silly me, the article contained the answer I was seeking. My bad. It still seems to me that once they remove the cargo from the shuttle, they could mount that ammonia contraption into the bay. I would imagine the problem is mounting it to the cargo bay - it requires a unique handling fixture, which takes up volume and mass on the uphill run. Volume and mass to and from the ISS are at an *extreme* premium over the next few years. D. -- Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL So what is more important, volume and mass issues, or concerns that throwing this object overboard will result in catastrophe? Apparently the former. George |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Space junk problem rising to new heights [EAS jettison, mid-2007] | Jim Oberg | Space Shuttle | 85 | December 15th 06 08:47 AM |
Jettisoned space junk -- how big? | Jim Oberg | Space Station | 48 | June 29th 06 06:56 PM |
Jettisoned space junk -- how big? | Jim Oberg | History | 59 | June 29th 06 06:56 PM |
Space Shuttle internet interest reaches new heights | Jacques van Oene | Space Shuttle | 0 | August 18th 05 04:12 AM |
Space Shuttle internet interest reaches new heights | Jacques van Oene | News | 0 | August 18th 05 04:12 AM |