How to turn an American spacecraft ferrying astronauts to ISS serve as a lifeboat as well.
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How to turn an American spacecraft ferrying astronauts to ISS serve as a lifeboat as well.
A very interesting read, as it outlines the specific technical problems faced by engineers that one wouldn’t normally consider. The capsule has to be able to remain functional and reliable after months in orbit, but it also has to become functional at a moment’s notice, should an emergency happen.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
How to turn an American spacecraft ferrying astronauts to ISS serve as a lifeboat as well.
A very interesting read, as it outlines the specific technical problems faced by engineers that one wouldn’t normally consider. The capsule has to be able to remain functional and reliable after months in orbit, but it also has to become functional at a moment’s notice, should an emergency happen.
Space X already brings its own power systems along on each flight. Solar panels and batteries.
Now all they need are collapsible seats for the passengers and an air scrubber system like Apollo had.
They do not need to have power on all the time to circulate air. Just for the time people are going to be using it as a lifeboat.
Hopefully the passengers are also in their own spacesuits with their own contained air system that can be used as a second back up.
As for an armor system.
Space X can lift their own cone shaped shield up with one flight and leave it bolted to the station for use with all of its other ships that dock.
It will or can be left behind on the station when the craft leaves.
Its not needed for landing or re-entry.
Its only shielding for when the ship is docked.
And bringing a new one up with every trip is stupid and a waste of payload.
It could even possibly be used to help guide the ships in and dock them. thus helping space X become a self docking ship.
All other ships will just have to adapt to the new docking system or use other docks.
I wonder how much more efficient that acre of solar panels is up in low earth orbit vs. being on terra firma, realizing that those panels don’t have to deal with an atmosphere and dust, and with a lot more sunlight actually available to it, probably a lot. What also in kilowatts are the requirements of ISS, minus the two soyuz capsuls?