Questions tagged [deep-space]
Questions about deep space travel and observations that are related to the distance between the object in question and the Earth. For example, questions about communications delay, radial resolution, means of propulsion through the interstellar medium, e.t.c. Deep space does not exclude space near or around other celestial bodies past our Solar system's heliosphere, and should not be confused with the term "interstellar".
173 questions
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Using asteroids as piggyback rides for scientific stations
Would it be possible to land and anchor scientific station on (or inside for additional protection) a larger asteroid that have elliptical orbit around the Sun? The purpose of an asteroid would be ...
10votes
2answers
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What prevents solar sails from being used?
Solar sails appear to be a very promising propulsion technology that seems to be able to meet the needs of deep space exploration in most cases. However, the reality is that there are very few solar ...
6votes
1answer
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I saw this article online that mentioned animal testing for immersion in water for applications in astronauts. What plans might require this?
What missions that any reputable space organization(agency or company) has planned might require this? Even if those kind of Gs aren't maintained for the duration of the transit time? Or is this all ...
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11votes
3answers
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Is the danger of space radiation overstated?
I've heard from some people that the danger of space radiation is overrated and it can be mitigated by mass and/or magnetic shielding. Magnetic shields could be powered by any spacecraft that used any ...
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Are there any CubeSat telescopes? What are the requirements?
Are there any CubeSats that perform as telescopes for deep-space photography? If I have a CubeSat of let's say 6U, designed for Earth Observation (meaning it could be restricted in terms of the camera ...
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9votes
1answer
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How long could the Deep Space Network remain in contact with Voyager if the antenna was double the size?
According to NASA: The two Voyager spacecraft could remain in the range of the Deep Space Network through about 2036 Currently, the DSN (Deep Space Network)'s largest antenna is 70 meters in ...
5votes
3answers
397views
Why radiation hardened processors are designed to withstand so large total ionizing doses?
I took a look at the Preliminary Radiation Analysis of the Total Ionizing Dose for the Resource Prospector Mission paper and was quite surprised to find how "low" total radiation doses ...
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1vote
2answers
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Deep space mission propellant
For an interplanetary mission that has a duration of 40 years cam we use hydrogen peroxide monopropellants? Can we use arcjets?
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2votes
1answer
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Propellant choices for a Mars landing; tradeoffs between LOX/CH4 and H2O2/RP-1?
What are the tradeoffs between LOX/methane and peroxide/kerosene for a Mars landing mission? In which ways are each better or worse than the other? I think the second one would more attractive for ...
5votes
1answer
452views
At some point far from the Sun does the output of solar panels start dropping much faster than inverse square? If so, how fast?
I recall reading somewhere that solar power - already marginal at Jupiter - will cease to produce any power whatsoever at distances much further out than Saturn. Unfortunately I can not now find the ...
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6votes
1answer
224views
How does the Orion communicate with Earth?
Early renders of the Orion spacecraft show a deployed high-gain antenna dish like on the Apollo CSM. The Orion that actually materialised has no such thing. What does it use instead?
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1answer
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Rotation and orientation of James Webb's mirror from ground stations
There are definitely pre-determined plans in the agenda of the James Webb telescope to take images from the universe, but if there is a need for any reason (intentional or emergency) to change the ...
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5votes
1answer
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How is the maximum data rate of the Psyche mission's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) system expected to scale with distance?
NASA's Mission Page Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) includes the following: Key DSOC technologies developed for the project include: a low-mass spacecraft disturbance isolation and pointing ...
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2votes
1answer
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Is it true that 18SPCS is "not really concerned with tracking deep-space debris like" the Chang’e 5-T1 rocket body that hit the Moon?
The Verge's After mistaken identity and confusion, a piece of space junk slams into the Moon goes through the identification saga of the thing that hit the Moon March 4 and includes the following: ...
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2votes
1answer
319views
Are direct conversion optical receivers being looked at for future deep-space communication?
In this answer to Receiver and transmitter in RF/optic satellite communication: distance vs data rate v2 I explain that since the currently used photodiode-based photodetectors for optical ...
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