Category Archives: Space Systems

Rockets, Science and Technology, Space Systems

FISO: MSNW LLC and “the first realistic approach to fusion-based propulsion”

The latest presentation to the Future In-Space Operations (FISO) study group is now posted in the FISO Working Group Presentations Archive. Both slides (pdf) and audio (mp3) are available for the talk, 90 Day Single Launch to Mars: A Case Study for The Fusion Driven Rocket, Anthony Pancotti, MSNW LLC. – September 25, 2013

This talk is about the fusion propulsion program at the company MSNW LLC, which is a spinoff of Prof. John Slough‘s research program at the Plasma Dynamics Lab at the University of Washington. In 2012 MSNW won a NASA NIAC 2012 Phase  II Award to develop this fusion propulsion concept:

Here are some slides from his FISO talk:

MSNW_Fusion_1

 

MSNW_Fusion_2

 

MSNW_Fusion_3

 

 

MSNW_Fusion_4

 

MSNW_Fusion_5

 

MSNW_Fusion_6

 

MSNW_Fusion_7

MSNW_Fusion_8

DIY space, Space participation, Space Systems

Objective Europa update

Here’s an article about the OBJECTIVE EUROPA project to use a crowd-sourcing approach to the design of a crewed mission to Jovian moon Europa: Why Wait for NASA? Let’s Start Planning a Manned Mission to Europa Now – Wired Science

http://www.objective-europa.com/featured/

Update Sept.23.13: Another article about the project: Move over, Mars: Manned Europa mission considered – Crave/CNET

In Space Infrastructure, Rockets, Space Systems

NASA Mighty Eagle and Masten Xombie rocket vehicles flown today

The Mighty Eagle vertical takeoff and landing rocket vehicle made another test flight at Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama today. The lander was developed by designed and developed by NASA and JHU/APL.

That had lots of posts and pictures at Mighty Eagle (NASAMightyEagle) on Twitter. For example:

Here is a video of the  test. The first four minutes of the video are just of the flight of the quadcopter with the camera. The ME flight starts around 4 minutes into the video:

===

Meanwhile, Masten Space flew their Xombie vehicle in Mojave today presumably for a project with NASA JPL and Draper Labs – Twitter / mastenspace:

Great day for flying. Just finished what may be Xombie’s farthest flight. ~800m Data review pending

 

Satellite Watching, Space Systems

Tracking the Cygnus cargo module as it heads for the ISS

The Orbital Sciences Cygnus cargo spacecraft, which launched on an Antares rocket on Wednesday from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at Wallops Island, Virginia, is gradually altering its orbit to match with the International Space Station. It will rendezvous and berth with the Station on Sunday morning. You can follow the vehicles with the Satellite Tracking Tool provided by BINARY SPACE. Here’s a recent screen capture:

CygnusISS_2DView_1381x839

I report on commercial launch activities like that of the Antares/Cygnus in my other gig as managing editor of NewSpace Watch. There’s a tremendous amount of exciting activity going on in entrepreneurial spaceflight and we report on it daily at NSW. Check it out and please consider subscribing.

Here is a video of Wednesday’s launch: