Comments on: Dragon freighter docks with ISS

By: Andi

Andi — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 21:00:32 +0000

Hi Ray,

The article linked to by the linked article reveals that “Instead of a rigid solar panel, ROSA was crafted from a composite carbon fiber containing an array of solar cells that can be deployed and retracted similar to a tape measure, using stored strain energy of the material.”

So it is potential energy after all, stored in the spring tension of the “tape measure”

By: Ray Van Dune

Ray Van Dune — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:45:28 +0000

Interesting question, Andi. I have always heard of potential energy as being related to a position with respect to a gravitational field, but it could be with respect to a position, say of the free end of a coiled spring with respect to the end of the uncoiled spring. So you may be correct, if some form of a spring is the deployment mechanism.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:05:35 +0000

Its kind of ironic that our ports are even backed up in space.

By: Andi

Andi — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:03:13 +0000

“Stored kinetic energy”? Unless that’s something mechanical like a spinning flywheel, wouldn’t that be “potential energy”?

By: Ray Van Dune

Ray Van Dune — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:53:08 +0000

Possible line of business evolution for SpaceX.
For $100 million you get:
(1) SSLS (Single Launch Space Station) based on Starship, with no heat shield or fins, but front air lock, solar cells and radiators allowing barbecue roll operation. Delivered to LEO. Minimal interior.
(2) Dragon capsules
(2) F9 boosters
(4) F9 second stages, with options for more

Knock yerself out!

By: pzatchok

pzatchok — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:44:40 +0000

I would give it a final boost into a higher orbit and use it for parts.

By: Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:58:42 +0000

In reply to Steve White. Steve White: You should do a search on this website for "Axiom." Axiom's module will be attached to ISS only temporarily. Their plan is to add to it until it can function independently, and then detach it to create their own independent station. ISS than can go the way of all buggy whips as private enterprise takes over.

By: Steve White

Steve White — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:51:42 +0000

Apparently the ISS will be deorbited in ~2030 (https://www.nasa.gov/feature/faq-the-international-space-station-2022-transition-plan). Apparently it needs to be reboosted frequently due to atmospheric drag; it’s way too much mass to move to a significantly higher orbit, and if you did that anyway missions to the ISS would become much more expensive. Why would Axiom (or anyone else) design and launch a module for ISS when the station has a remaining lifespan of 7 years?