Space Exploration

Are NASA's future missions and budget justified?

  • It's worth the time and expenditures

    Votes: 223 66.0%

  • Complete waste of money

    Votes: 41 12.1%

  • We need to explore, but not at the current cost

    Votes: 74 21.9%
  • Total voters
    338
#1,265
#1,265
zeppelin128 said:
I know it is a huge deal to have the Crew Dragon in orbit on its way to ISS. But watching those folks land boosters is something else. I'm without words every time.
Click to expand...

SpaceX has done it faster, cheaper and with greater reusability than their commercial rivals. I know the contact was $2.4 billion to develop, but considering Boeing's contract was nearly double as well as having partially developed tech from the Orion Program.

If I was NASA, I'd think real hard about awarding Boeing/ULA contracts in the future if SpaceX is doing it just as reliably at half the cost.
 
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#1,266
#1,266
Grand Vol said:
SpaceX has done it faster, cheaper and with greater reusability than their commercial rivals. I know the contact was $2.4 billion to develop, but considering Boeing's contract was nearly double as well as having partially developed tech from the Orion Program.

If I was NASA, I'd think real hard about awarding Boeing/ULA contracts in the future if SpaceX is doing it just as reliably at half the cost.
Click to expand...
They are doing that anyway with Starliner or whatever it is called. Backup plan.
 
#1,271
#1,271
FYI, this is an interesting app to put on your phone. It lets you know when the ISS is going to be visible from your location. It tells the exact time and location where it hits the horizon, the path across the sky and the time and location and where it will set. It will always be early evening or early morning of course. You can also set an alarm to remind you. You can also track ISS anytime.

What is really cool is when ISS is preparing to dock with a supply ship. You can observe them both traveling together at a very close proximity.

‎ISS Spotter
 
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#1,272
#1,272
Hunerwadel said:
FYI, this is an interesting app to put on your phone. It lets you know when the ISS is going to be visible from your location. It tells the exact time and location where it hits the horizon, the path across the sky and the time and location and where it will set. It will always be early evening or early morning of course. You can also set an alarm to remind you. You can also track ISS anytime.

What is really cool is when ISS is preparing to dock with a supply ship. You can observe them both traveling together at a very close proximity.

‎ISS Spotter
Click to expand...
How powerful of a telescope does one need to get a decent view of the station?

Reason I ask, my wife for whatever reason has decided she wants a telescope. Mainly to view the stars/moon. She doesn't want to spend a ton but what's a decent entry level telescope?
 
#1,273
#1,273
InVOLuntary said:
How powerful of a telescope does one need to get a decent view of the station?

Reason I ask, my wife for whatever reason has decided she wants a telescope. Mainly to view the stars/moon. She doesn't want to spend a ton but what's a decent entry level telescope?
Click to expand...
Really all you need is a good set of binoculars. The ISS moves across the sky so fast that following with a telescope is really hard. I think the amount of time its visible the most is usually around two minutes.
 
#1,274
#1,274
CagleMtnVol said:
Really all you need is a good set of binoculars. The ISS moves across the sky so fast that following with a telescope is really hard. I think the amount of time its visible the most is usually around two minutes.
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Ok, good to know. I'll definetly download that app. We have a decent set of binoculars. Still wouldn't mind some recommendations on a telescope. Probably try to grab something off Amazon. She has a bunch of gift cards.
 
#1,275
#1,275
InVOLuntary said:
How powerful of a telescope does one need to get a decent view of the station?

Reason I ask, my wife for whatever reason has decided she wants a telescope. Mainly to view the stars/moon. She doesn't want to spend a ton but what's a decent entry level telescope?
Click to expand...
What inVoluntary said. It can be tracked with a telescope but it would have to be attached to a computerized drive. Way out of my price range.
 
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