Questions tagged [design]
Questions about how space vehicles and related hardware are designed. See also [structural-design] and [engine-design].
354 questions
6votes
2answers
389views
What caused fins to be omitted after Saturn 5 designs?
This question (Why did Saturn V have fins?) led me to ponder what changed in rocket design after the Saturn V rockets that led to the lack of fins on rockets (at least that I could find) post-Saturn V?...
- 2,988
44votes
2answers
5kviews
Why did Saturn V have fins?
Those things are tiny. Surely the attitude authority of the gimbaled F-1s was more than sufficient to control the vehicle. At a minimum, I can only imagine the fins being relevant around maybe max Q? ...
- 11.7k
2votes
0answers
58views
How many of JWST's single point failure issues were related to sunshield deployment?
JWST had 344 single point failure possibilities that could have killed the telescope, but I find no indication of how many SPF's had to do with sunshield deployment. Lots of moving parts going a long ...
- 3,688
1vote
2answers
196views
How to find the internal temperature of a satellite assuming the satellite is just a box in space with no working subsystems?
I am working on a school project for a 3U Cubesat, specifically the thermal control subsystem. First, I would like to calculate the internal temperature of a "satellite" (assuming the "...
11votes
1answer
2kviews
Why did the Apollo 13 tank #2 have a heater and a vacuum?
While reading the accident report of Apollo 13, I came across this diagram: Diagram by NASA The report was just explaining the SM oxygen tank, and I have two questions looking at his diagram. Why is ...
- 2,493
16votes
1answer
4kviews
Why Doesn't the cooling system on a rocket engine burn the fuel?
The cooling system on a specific rocket engine is usually a type of "pipe" that goes around the nozzle to not only keep the nozzle cool but also pre-heat the fuel. But the nozzle can reach ...
- 163
0votes
1answer
161views
Can we use other materials instead of gold foil? [duplicate]
I was looking at pictures of the lunar module (don't question why ;)) and looking at the landing leg's gold foil I googled why they're there. It is said that it's used to manage the extreme ...
- 2,493
6votes
2answers
6kviews
What if something goes wrong during the seven minutes of terror?
We all know that NASA has sent rovers to Mars for several years. And, during the last 7 minutes, each rover follows the EDL (Entry, Descent, Landing) maneuver. I believe this process is completely ...
- 2,493
0votes
0answers
44views
Is ESD coating is necessary for payload fairing?
As per my understanding,a composite payload fairing have a cork tiles as TPS and than a top white coat for moisture protection. But is there any requirement of electro-static discharge coating as well ...
2votes
1answer
95views
What is this device on the ISS? [duplicate]
I was viewing footage from a live external camera on the ISS when I came across this rotating instrument : Image from "ISS Live Now" Application. I was unable to identify the object/...
- 2,493
12votes
4answers
4kviews
How do satellites operate below their operating temperature?
As we all know, space is a vacuum and doesn't support "temperature" too well. However, when a probe is placed away from a star, the temperature is quite enough to damage electronic ...
- 2,493
1vote
1answer
362views
How have rocket propulsion system designs developed over the years in terms of effectiveness?
I am working on a research project about developing rocket propulsion designs for school. More specifically, I am researching how rocket propulsion designs have changed over the last century, in terms ...
- 11
0votes
0answers
82views
How to do Preliminary Analysis of Spacecraft Primary Structure?
I'm looking for specifics as to how preliminary analysis on spacecraft primary structure is performed (prior to CLA). I understand LV providers include CG load factors in their user manuals, but how ...
- 151
4votes
0answers
157views
Mass Breakdown of Apollo CSM by Subsystems? (also Cost Breakdown)
I am looking for a mass breakdown of the Apollo Command and Service Module by subsystems, like this Lunar Module's chart from the NASA publication After LM. I am particularly interested in how much of ...
- 415
3votes
3answers
775views
How do you design a spacecraft with a spinning section for "artificial gravity"?
Science fiction spacecraft sometimes have a section that spins to provide "artificial gravity" through centrifugal forces. I'm thinking in particular of the Discovery spacecraft from the ...
- 1,162
