· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Speciality Forums >> Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Centaur Vendor Reged: 07/12/04 Loc: Chicago SpaceX Dragon Impressive       #5707928 - 03/01/13 10:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The Dragon mission to the ISS launched today by private firm SpaceX seemed all the more impressive due to what the media at first saw as failures. The ability to quickly get three reluctant steering thrusters turned on through instructions from the ground is good reason to salute the engineers. I recall the early days of rocket launches when many resulted in complete failure due to one tiny glitch with no way to correct it from the ground. Post Extras:       llanitedave Humble Megalomaniac Reged: 09/26/05 Loc: Amargosa Valley, NV, USA Re: SpaceX Dragon Impressive [Re: Centaur]       #5708073 - 03/02/13 01:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That was a nail-biter, no doubt about it. I'm glad they'll be recovering the spacecraft, because it's going to be the subject of a thorough disassembly and inspection. On the other hand, the Merlin engines seemed flawless this time around. If the upcoming 1-D is as much an improvement as it's purported to be in thrust, reliability, and economy, then Space-X could have a real long-term winner on its hands. Post Extras:       Matthew Ota Hmmm Reged: 04/30/05 Loc: IngleHood, California Re: SpaceX Dragon Impressive [Re: llanitedave]       #5708535 - 03/02/13 10:50 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The modern use of computer software systems to manage the spacecraft systems makes it easy to switch to backup systems. This is a case where systems sophistication worked in their favor. Modern spacecraft engineering is truly a marvel. We in the USA build the world's best spaceships (Along with the world's best killing machines). Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 1 registered and 3 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  LivingNDixie, Jarad, WaterMaster  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 251 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info CN Forums Home

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