Fortified Rockets? Ask the Pentagon

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): China’s KZ-11 transport launch system, which may be a model for an anti-satellite system. (Chinaspaceflight.com)

Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal published an article, “Space Launches Should Withstand Chinese Challenge, Pentagon Mandate Says,” regarding new rocket requirements being developed by the US Department of Defense (DOD). It appears the Pentagon is worried about both the Russians and Chinese interfering with the launches of spy satellites. It doesn’t help to have an ongoing war in Ukraine where the Russians have already threatened US satellites. As a result, commercial rocket companies will need to meet some new specs on future missions.

DOD has already started the move to smaller satellites with dispersed missions to eliminate big space targets, which also allows for smaller companies to get into the game. More satellites launched from more locations (if not mobile locations) can assist the military with its missions whether it is facing errors or attacks. Even with some recent rocket mishaps, the story on the ground is positive as more companies join the industry while satellites get smaller and smaller.

This is not the space race the astronomy community wants to have, but the militarization of space is nothing new and is the primary reason we even started the space program. If the Blue Marble is not enough for us to understand the cost of war on the ground and in space, I am not sure what will work.

Video: More on ChatGPT and Astronomy

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: Dalle-2

If you have questions about the future of AI and astronomy, I recommend you visit Cool World Lab’s latest video titled “ChatGPT Takes A College Level Astrophysics Exam.” The video addresses concerns that ChatGPT can be used by students to cheat on tests and homework, and highlights how the program is far from perfect (as shown below in a clip from the video).

To test the abilities of ChatGPT, the host submitted questions from an astronomy final exam to see what would happen. The results were interesting, particularly when math was involved. I do not want to give away the final score (you should watch the video for yourself), but let’s just say a good student can do better than ChatGPT at the moment.

What happens in the future with this new technology is anyone’s guess, though in-class tests may be the best approach if a teacher truly want to know the capabilities of a student. Cheating happens all the time, and it will probably happen on the homework. We just need to ensure the final test is a real test of the student alone

Image (Credit): One of the questions asked in ChatGPT Takes A College Level Astrophysics Exam. (Cool World Labs)

Extra: The video also promotes Ground News so you can determine who is generating the “facts” you read in the news, human or otherwise. Check it out.

Update on Artemis III

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Arstist’s rendering of SpaceX Starship human landing system design. (SpaceX)

The other week, NASA revealed an update on the Artemis III mission to the Moon in 2025. Now that Artemis I was a success and Artemis II is being readied, Artemis III is becoming much clearer on the horizon. The plan focuses on the first crew to land on the surface, noting that future missions will be involved in building the Gateway lunar space station.

While the Space Launch System (SLS) will get the crew into orbit on Orion, SpaceX has been chosen to bring this first crew to the moon. However, SpaceX will first need to test this human landing system on the Moon without a crew.

The landing site is likely to be on the Moon’s South Pole involving two astronauts who will take the SpaceX human landing system to the surface. They will conduct their research work in Axiom space suits.

It all may have become routine back in the 1970s, but NASA is demoing everything all over again to ensure new systems and new parties are up to par for this return to the Moon. The world is watching again, particularly China. We need to be perfect in this overdue first step back into human space travel.

You can view all of the parts of the mission in the graphic below.

Image (Credit): Artemis III mission map. (NASA)

Space Mission: Ongoing Problems with Lucy’s Sails

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Artist’s rendering of Lucy near an asteroid. The two large discs are the solar arrays. (Southwest Research Institute)

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft continues to face some engineering issues as it travels away from Earth after the first of two flybys before it can reach the Trojan asteroids where it will begin its survey. While the earlier problems with deploying its solar array continue, the matter will most likely need to be resolved in 2024 when the spacecraft is closer to Earth again. Fortunately, the array is 98 percent deployed, so there is no risk to the 12-year mission at this time.

NASA will keep all of us posted. You can read more about the solar array issues here.

Image (Credit):  Lucy’s orbital path (shown in green). (NASA)

A Day in Astronomy: Birth of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Buzz Aldrin. (CNN)

On this day in 1930, Edwin Eugene (Buzz) Aldrin Jr. came into the world. Since that day, he has been busy with adventures in the sky (US Air Force fighter pilot), in orbit (Gemini 12), and on the Moon (Apollo 11). He will always be remembered as part of the first pair of humans (Neil Armstrong being the other half) to step on the lunar surface.

Here are a few other interesting facts about Mr. Aldrin:

  • “Buzz” came from his sister mispronouncing “brother” as “buzzer”;
  • his father wanted him to go to the Naval Academy, but Buzz’s seasickness steered hims towards West Point;
  • he flew 66 combat missions in Korea;
  • the was the first astronaut with a doctoral degree;
  • the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon;
  • following the Apollo 11 mission, Buzz, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins toured Michael Collins toured 22 countries over 38 days;
  • he was the oldest person to reach the South Pole at age 86;
  • he has written numerous books, including his autobiography Magnificent Desolation.
Credit: Bloomsbury Publishing