Boeing Starliner Capsule "Trapped in Space"?

[julianthegypsy]

Washing. So that’s why there was a woman on the crew. But can she do ironing in zero gravity? Seriously, on these long term flights to Mars, if there was a pregnancy would childbirth be a problem in space?

Only for the catcher!

 

[addjunkie]

What you need is the phase diagram for water - it shows what state it will be in at different temperatures and pressures. Only at very high pressures is it still a liquid below (roughly) 0°C - the red bit on the diagram.

View attachment 460319
So when they hang the washing out on the ISS, they start with liquid water at 25°C / 1 atmosphere (in the green bit).

Reduce the pressure (i.e. move vertically down the chart) until you hit the dividing line between liquid and vapour - this is where it will boil.

As the liquid turns to vapour (boils) it will lose energy (latent heat of vapourisation) so its temperature will drop. If you keep reducing the pressure the conditions in the remaining water will track along the border of the vapour phase (the brown bit) until below the Triple Point when the remaining liquid water will freeze. (It will freeze at +0.01°C, so a slightly warmer than at atmospheric pressure.)

Keep reducing the pressure, and the conditions will keep tracking the border of the vapour phase for as long as there is some ice left. At really low pressures, you will have solid ice at about -60°C which, in the absence of external energy, will just sit there. If there is external energy (sun shining on it, etc.) the ice will sublime straight to vapour.

Thank you, for reminding me I studied all that a long time ago…..its amazing what the brain holds on to or shelves.

All part of the training

View attachment 460324

I tried that with the ironing board on my feet once, once was enough!

 

[Screwdriver]

There is a very high probability they will have to use SpaceX. They knew about the leaks way before this (delayed) launch. Part of the delay was due to leaky valves.

Company's like this used to be run by highly skilled, engineering trained professionals, now it's just bean counters and corporates.

TBH, I was surprised they even had a successful launch. I am not expecting a successful landing.

...and finally NASA come to the same conclusion.

Starliner capsule will return uncrewed, crew hitch a lift back on SpaceX Dragon - in February. Not so much an 8 day flight, more like eight months!

So what's the betting this uncrewed Boeing bodged up capsule burns up on the way back down?

 

[Greeves246]

As they were only supposed to 8 days, do you think they are on double time overtime rates?

Starliner: Astronauts stuck in space will return with SpaceX

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were supposed to be on an eight-day mission, but will not return to Earth until 2025.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I couldn't understand why they couldn't just send the Boeing capsule back to earth....figure out the cause of the issue here on earth...send up a new capsule!

Wasn't there an issue with the space suits being incompatible too?

 

[ukracer]

I concur, but think the posts would be better on metal feet. As for how clever are some of these big boss types….most are obsessive, well they need to be to get that far. Suspect some are on the spectrum. Of the ones Ive met, and Ive met a few….you can tell they are very clever….really sharp, think quicker than most and also know who to learn from, listen too….

Many are promoted one level further than their ability as every one wants to move them on out of their way....

 

[Ross365]

I watched a good part of the news conference. Nothing at all was said about the technical problem or what progress had been made over recent weeks. They did confirm that the overall propulsion system was provided by the Aerojet company. Aerojet has been around since the 1940's and been deeply involved with many space and missile propulsion systems - definitely a Premier League outfit. They did mention (for the first time) that the valves are made by Moog - again, another company front and centre in their field. I've failed to find anything on Google that spells out why these two companies have got in to such a mess.

Sod's Law demands, that without the crew, the capsule will make it back safely!

 

[GRW]

The Sun's rays would bake you to a crisp and give you the ultimate suntan. We are incredibly well protected on Earth with the magnetosphere (causing the Van Allen) belt diverting the extremes of radiation and the atmosphere also absorbing much of the high energy particles and radiation being fired at us. While the ISS is protected by the magnetosphere, there is no atmosphere to prevent hard radiation from bombarding anything in its direct path.

A layperson question....
If the magnetosphere is protecting us, and these 2 poor souls marooned in orbit - wouldn't any human venturing beyond the magnetosphere die from radiation very, very fast?
How can manned missions to the moon (or beyond) survive?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

How can manned missions to the moon (or beyond) survive?

For the moon trip didn't they have a protected shelter or something...basically hide if there was too much solar activity.

 

[Ross365]

For the moon trip didn't they have a protected shelter or something...basically hide if there was too much solar activity.

No protection at all; the Lunar Module which descended to the Moon was made out of thick Ali foil over a spaceframe construction. For sure, if there had been a solar flare during the period of any of the missions, that would probably have been fatal.

Lots of people ask about the film they took with them, arguing that it should have been badly affected by radiation, thermal extremes and the vacuum... but seems that it wasn't.

 

[GRW]

For the moon trip didn't they have a protected shelter or something...basically hide if there was too much solar activity.

 

[8ob]

They would get back down a lot quicker if they promised to vote for the Trumpster.

Bob

 

[Morris]

No protection at all; the Lunar Module which descended to the Moon was made out of thick Ali foil over a spaceframe construction. For sure, if there had been a solar flare during the period of any of the missions, that would probably have been fatal.

Lots of people ask about the film they took with them, arguing that it should have been badly affected by radiation, thermal extremes and the vacuum... but seems that it wasn't.

The missions were also planned to minimise the time in the Van Allen outer belt. The transit time was 68 minutes which kept exposure to safe limits. Time is factor with radiation, not just OMG radiation!!!!

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

For sure, if there had been a solar flare during the period of any of the missions, that would probably have been fatal.

It sounds like they were just very fortunate. I imagine the starship will have better protection...maybe that will have a shelter of some description. Basically an area with either thicker walls or some lead lining.

It was interesting that the Van Allen belts weren't really a big issue as the hull blocked most of it (according to Google!)

 

[Kram]

I assume they still want to keep starliner up there, in case of an4 emergency. Does this mean we have to wait until next year to see the starliner do its unmanned crash landing/burn up?

 

[Ross365]

I assume they still want to keep starliner up there, in case of an4 emergency. Does this mean we have to wait until next year to see the starliner do its unmanned crash landing/burn up?

No, I think its batteries have a finite life and they need to bring it back down within a few weeks. On a previous un-manned mission, it did sucessfully return, landing in one of the American deserts.

 

[Erie Fred]

No, I think its batteries have a finite life and they need to bring it back down within a few weeks. On a previous un-manned mission, it did sucessfully return, landing in one of the American deserts.

Nothing closes a case faster than lack of evidence.....my vote is for burn up.

"OOopsie, now how did that happen ?"

 

[Ross365]

Nothing closes a case faster than lack of evidence.....my vote is for burn up.

"OOopsie, now how did that happen ?"

Surely, Boeing desperately need it back in one piece?? They just told NASA that it could have brought the crew home so they will look pretty bad if that proves to be wrong. Also, sorting out the thruster problems, which they will do eventually, will be much easier if they can get it back and study it.

 

[500e]

Boeing have a few other problems to worry about as well

 

[Erie Fred]

Surely, Boeing desperately need it back in one piece?? They just told NASA that it could have brought the crew home so they will look pretty bad if that proves to be wrong. Also, sorting out the thruster problems, which they will do eventually, will be much easier if they can get it back and study it.

NASA will pay them to build another if this one burns up.