Space elevator may be a reality in the near future

Some 30 years ago when Arthur C. Clarke mentioned the space elevator in his book Fountains of Paradise most of the people thought of it as science fantasy. Well, yes it was a fiction then but with so much new in the space technology and other related fields, the space elevator after all would be a thing that you can see in the coming future. This idea could open a land of possibilities including easier and cheaper transport of goods as well as people to space.

A number of researches are going on regarding the theory of space elevators. As with everything new a few hurdles need to be crossed is the view that David Smitherman who is space architect shares with the world. NASA is working hard in this regard including organizing competition for a team of engineers at Mojave Desert. Prizes are kept for anyone who can get near to building a prototype of an elevator capable of climbing a km high tether which is also hauling a weighty payload. In support of the space elevator, scientists’ believes that the inertia would play an important role in keeping the cable tight and allowing the elevator to climb on it. Though the basic idea may have evolved from a science fiction but so has been the case with the space restaurants and 24 hour spinning wind turbines. These may become a reality in few years so why not the space elevator.

Teams in countries like Russia and Japan are toiling hard to turn this idea onto reality, though they know it a long journey.

But there are few obstacles to be overcome first before the space elevators become a part of space expedition. Scientist has still to look for some viable material from which the cables can be constructed. The cables need to be strong to carry cargo or passengers into orbit. The cable according to the NASA scientists needs to be 22000 miles in length. A super light material has to be devised for this purpose. Other issues are the cost which is estimated to be $20 billion and the need to keep the cable safe from the space debris.

The very first efforts in this respect are made from a team at York University in Canada. They are planning to build a 20km long tower which will be able to escape the earth’s atmosphere and provide for tourists a view of blackness of the space.

If all the theories go well then the space elevator may take few years to come into existence but if it does it would be unique way for all to witness the wonders of space.

KSLV-1, Korea’s First Satellite

South Korea (SK) is ready to launch its initial carrier rocket from its Naro Space Centre on August 25. Earlier, for a technical problem SK postponed the launch of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) on August 19. Officials said the KSLV-1 would carry a satellite on board.

The KSLV-1 was made in association with Russia. It is designed to send small satellites through low orbit and could bear a payload of around 100 kg. The country will build one more rocket named KSLV-2. It can be launched in 2018.

The structure of SK’s Naro Space Centre was finished in June on the Naro Island. It was the first space center in the country, located 500 km south of Seoul. The country began its space programme in the year of 1996. However, SK has so far sent into orbit 11 satellites which launched from other countries.

Your Dream Satellite now only $8,000 USD

Have you ever dreamt to launch a personal satellite into space? Your dream can be now just it takes only $8,000 USD. Rocket and spacecraft manufacturing company, Interorbital Services (IOS) has introduced “TubeSat Personal Satellite Kit” for $8,000 USD. The satellite is designed to be orbit-friendly, and not put in orbital debris by being in a self-decaying orbit. It satellite will be in the orbit for some weeks before it enters earth’s atmosphere and burns up. Launches are projected to start in the 4th quarter of 2010.

Features of TubeSat:

• Designed wisely to function as a basic satellite bus
• Includes satellite’s structural components
• 13.5cm long
• 8.7cm wide
• Private orbital HAM radio relay station
• Simple individual satellite
• Based on the multiplying facto
• Can carry 0.75-kg into orbit

TubeSat Includes:

• Power management hardware
• Safety hardware
• Solar panels
• Batteries
• Essential software
• Power switch
• Power Management Control System (PMCS)
• Transceiver
• Microcomputer
• Casing, Endplates, and Mounting Hardware
• Antennas
• Programming tools

Advantages: You can use it for following purposes.

• Biological experiments
• Tracking migratory animals from orbit
• Earth magnetic field measurement
• On-orbit advertising
• Private e-mail
• Space burials
• Satellite orientation detection like horizon sensor, accelerometers, gyros etc.
• Space art
• Earth-from-space video imaging
• Orbital environment measurements such as temperature, radiation, pressure, etc.
• On-orbit software and hardware component testing like microprocessors, etc.
• Testing some satellite stabilization methods

How you get TubeSat Personal Satellite?

• Download Order Form
• Fill out the form according to requirement
• Order a TubeSat kit ( must include the order form)
• If want to get through PayPal; e-mail separately the order form to IOS
• Vibration harden your hardware
• Sort out for transceiver frequency with FCC
• Obtain a radio operators license
• Build & test your basic components
• Add function or experiment (if required)
• Test the systems
• Finally, send the completed TubeSat to IOS for incorporation into the Neptune 30

Note:

• If the TubeSat function does not require communications, then radio operator’s license is not essential.
• If the satellite developer fortuitously damages the kit or any kit component throughout development, then full replacement are available at fixed cost.

Payment:

The company accept Paypal and payment can also be made by bank transfer or cashiers check or personal check. California orders have to include 8.25% sales tax. PayPal payment will be made through Astro Expeditions LLC. However, PayPal is only for US orders.

Include e-mail address. Get receipt of your order, you will be e-mailed the shipping information and position on the current launch manifest. They offer two types payment option.

Option 1
Full-Payment: If you pay the total price of the TubeSat kit upfront, you are instantly send on a launch patent as the order in which the charged was received.

Option 2
Half Payment: You have also an option of making half of the price upfront, and paying the rest half of the price at another later date or after the satellite is prepared and ready to assimilation into the launch vehicle.

Can Professionals Buy TubeSats?

Professionals will not be allowed to buy the satellite: “The listed price is not valid for military, governmental, or large corporate entities. Members of these organizations should contact Interorbital Systems if interested in purchasing a TubeSat”.

Contact IOS:
E-mail ios@interorbital.com
Telephone:  661.965.0771
Interorbital Systems, P.O. Box 662, Mojave, CA 93502-0662

100 Requirements for Chinese Astronauts

Are you Chinese? Do you want to be an astronaut? If the answer for both questions is ‘Yes’; then you have to fulfill only 100 health requirements for would be an astronaut vying to be part of Chinese future space team.
Among the requirements there are

• No scars
• No tooth cavities
• No runny nose
• No drug allergies
• No ringworm
• No bad breath
• No banning body odors
• No  family history of serious illness in the last three generations

The selection process for the second batch of Chinese astronauts will disqualify those who don’t meet the all requirements reported by the Yangtse Evening Paper on Saturday. An official with the 454th hospital of People’s Liberation Army air force, Shi Bing Bing said “The bad smell would affect their fellow colleagues in a narrow space.”  Nanjing-based the hospital is an astronaut health screening hospital among the country’s six.

The authority said besides the physical requirements of the job, the applicant must have a pleasant and adaptable disposition. Shi told “These astronauts could be regarded as super human beings.”

China made success to its first spacewalk in September 2008. A snack- seller son Zhai Zhigang exposed a small Chinese flag in space, helped by associate Liu Boming. Liu also popped his head out of the capsule for a short time. China now involves constructing a larger space station and a space lab as part of its future goals.