Rockets, Space Systems

Alternative fuel to hydrazine to be tested with NASA’s GPIM spacecraft

A US Air Force sponsored program has developed a non-toxic alternative propellant to the commonly used, but highly toxic and flammable, monopropellant hydrazine: New research key to revolutionary ‘green’ spacecraft propellant – US Air Force

The new fuel, labeled AF-M315E,  is an “energetic ionic liquid, or EIL”. It was developed by Dr. Tom Hawkins of the Air Force Research Lab with funding from the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) Program.  AF-M315E  offers nearly twice the energy density of hydrazine, has very low vapor flammability and is non-toxic.

The fuel will be tested in space by NASA in 2015 using an engine developed for the fuel by Aerojet in the project called the  Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM)

The Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) project will demonstrate the practical capabilities of AF-M315E, a high-performance green alternative to hydrazine. This innovative, low-toxicity propellant is expected to improve overall vehicle performance. It boasts a higher density than hydrazine, meaning more of it can be stored in containers of the same volume; it delivers a higher specific impulse, or thrust delivered per given quantity of fuel; and it has a lower freezing point, requiring less spacecraft power to maintain its temperature.

 

Activism, DIY space, Space participation

Mars One receives 78,000 applications in 2 weeks for Mars settlement

The Mars One organization released this announcement on Tuesday:

78,000 sign up for one-way mission to Mars
Amersfoort, 7th May 2013 –  Just two weeks into the nineteen week application period, more than seventy-eight thousand people have applied to the Mars One astronaut selection program in the hope of becoming a Mars settler in 2023.

Mars One has received applications from over 120 countries. Most applications come from USA (17324), followed by China (10241), United Kingdom (3581), Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina and India.

Bas Lansdorp, Mars One Co-Founder and CEO said: “With seventy-eight thousand applications in two weeks, this is turning out to be the most desired job in history. These numbers put us right on track for our goal of half a million applicants.”

“Mars One is a mission representing all humanity and its true spirit will be justified only if people from the entire world are represented. I’m proud that this is exactly what we see happening,” he said.

As part of the application every applicant is required to explain his/her motivation behind their decision go to Mars in an one minute video. Many applicants are choosing to publish this video on the Mars One website. These are openly accessible on applicants.mars-one.com.

“Applicants we have received come from a very wide range of personalities, professions and ages. This is significant because what we are looking for is not restricted to a particular background. From Round 1 we will take forward the most committed, creative, resilient and motivated applicants,” said Dr. Norbert Kraft, Mars One Chief Medical Officer.

Mars One will continue to receive online applications until August 31st 2013. From all the applicants in Round 1, regional reviewers will select around 50-100 candidates for Round 2 in each of the 300 geographic regions in the world that Mars One has identified.

Four rounds make the selection process, which will come to an end in 2015; Mars One will then employ 28-40 candidates, who will train for around 7 years. Finally an audience vote will elect one of groups in training to be the envoys of humanity to Mars.

MarsOne_Base

About Mars One:
The Mars One Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that will send humans to Mars in 2023 to establish the first permanent settlement outside Earth. Before the first settlers land on Mars a self-sustaining habitat will be set up with help of rovers and more settlers will follow every two years. We have designed a realistic plan by using only existing technology available through the private space industry. The first footprint on Mars will fascinate and inspire generations; it is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars. Mars One is supported by space exploration experts from all over the world.

Space Music, Space participation

Canadians sing along with Chris Hadfield on Music Monday

The organization Music Monday arranges for a simultaneous music celebration across Canada on the first Monday of May. This year they arranged for everyone to sing the “I.S.S.” song along with a Canadian astronaut in space:

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 35 Commander and musician Chris Hadfield picked up his Larrivée guitar and joined a national Canadian music celebration called “Music Monday”. This year, Hadfield was chosen to play the song “I.S.S.” co-written with Ed Robertson, the lead singer from the group “Barenaked Ladies.”The song is expected to be included on an album Hadfield recorded on orbit in his spare time.

Here is the debut of the song “I.S.S.” back in February with Chris Hadfield on the station and the Barenaked Ladies plus a children’s choir on earth:

Everyone can participate in space