2001: A Space-Time Odyssey

[Michel Van]

61- ARES vs ALITA: Three - Getting Home

Aeltia-1 needed 255 days, Ares 1&2 around 240 days return to Earth.
The Long return time was chosen wisely, it was also the quarantine time for the crew, if were dangerous Mars microbe on board, it had plenty of time to do some thing.
but either on three Spaceships crews show no symptom.

October 7 ,1989. Ares 1&2 enter Earth orbit with there Nerva engines ,
while Aelita-1 crew used there Zarya capsule to return to Earth and landed in Soviet union on December 9, 1989.
it took to April 1990 for Aelita-1 to enter Earth orbit and powere there reactors down

in mean time the Politburo started investigation into „failure“ of Alita-1 mission, led by Valery Alekseyvich Legasov of Academy of Sciences of Soviet Union.
The main guilty were the institute YaERDU that build Ion engines of Mission, they failed to build engines to TsNIIMASH specifications, resulting far lower thrust as needed.
Also that Mars Landing craft was build for specifications to descend from Mars orbit, not hyperbolic speed on arrival, made impossible to land before the Americans.
The issue was know by Ministry of space, who continue with program in hope to beat the Americans by earlier launch in march 1988.
Also USSR financial problem and budget cut in 1980s, let to suboptimal components were used, also that last Mission revision was made in 1970s
This ruled out a modification of MKP for a hyperbolic speed landing on Mars.
But Lagasov report point out that Soviets lost Mars race already in 1971, with decision to take Ion engine because Semipalatinsk Nuclear disaster.
Were Engineer Anatoly Stepanovich Dyatiov do „Criminal mismanagement of potentially dangerous device“ let to meltdown of RD-0410 Thermal Nuclear engine.
Lagasov recommendation were that USSR develop new better Nuclear Engines to power manned Spacecraft faster to Mars and beyond, and use for moment Ion engines.
For moment Aelta-1 remain in Orbit until further notice, either for new Mars mission in early 1990s or to move heavy equipment to Moon orbit…

NASA refurbish the two Ares spacecraft for future mission to Mars in 1990s.
all three Crew were in good condition after over 400 day mission, despite some ticks like George W. Bush who show phase of hyperactivity,
or like he say, „i was for 460 days in a tin can, need some run out…“


The Results of Aelita and Ares mission show unusual results, Mars had far higher concentration of Methane in atmosphere
They found Water ice under surface of Mars and also Carbon but far lower concentration as expected.
One of biggest sensation was in one samples of Rover Moritz. in 1992 NASA discovery what they called „structure that resembling fossile of bacterial-like lifeforms“
This finding was controversial discuss by scientist world wide, special that Soviets not found in their samples any trace of those „Biomorphs“ or how they call them.


Bonus:
A exhausted President Bush dealing with his hyperactive Son during visit to white house

 

[publiusr]

Ugh…

 

[martinbayer]

That Clorox rinse really did a number on my eyes..

 

[cattalonX]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

yes indeed········

 

[archipeppe]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

View attachment 689536

Interesting, where did you get such diagram? What is its reference?

 

[cattalonX]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

View attachment 689536

Interesting, where did you get such diagram? What is its reference?

印度载人航天高歌猛进，超越欧空局！新飞船设计优于神舟号

全方位解析印度载人航天工程。

mp.weixin.qq.com

A paid article, but the topic is India's manned spacecraft，It mentioned some early Chinese manned spacecraft
The manned spacecraft is similar to the FSW

 

[archipeppe]

Diana program

In 1981 the program started literal with Lunar Orbital Space Station on a Saturn VC,
It’s was not the glorious white Saturn from Apollo program, but a dirty orange rocket covered in cheap isolation foam.
This was the industrial workhorse of NASA bringing heavy payloads into low earth orbit.
Here this MoonLab was welcome by a Space tug that prepared docking with fuelled Reusable Nuclear Shuttle-1 (RNS-1).
4 day later it brought LOSS into 80 km high polar lunar orbit and deploy it.
A month later return RNS-1 with Space Tug a Crew & Cargo Logistic Modul with 6 astronauts and Scientific Instrument Module (SIM).
The crew took over MoonLab and dock SIM at Station and start scientific mission to scann Lunar surface.

One of astonishing discovery was hydroxide on Lunar surface, confirming the findings of Apollo 21 mission !
Later they found Ice on both Lunar poles with help of new radar experiment on SIM

On return RNS-1 to earth orbit, was inspected by it service Tugs, who found a troublesome discovery, cracks in reactor core.
While Media hyped this „New Apollo 13“, NASA look into problem: the NERVA original design for 20 operation failed after 12.
The Crew was not in danger, a manned Space Tug (chemical) with additional propellant tanks could return them to a Space Shuttle.
NASA decided to launch RNS-2 into low orbit in hope it would perform better, while the service Tugs prepared the RNS-1 disposal.

The next Mission bought two Lunar tug, their docking system for MoonLab and two reserve propellant tanks.
Those tugs were docked on LOSS side ports by it robotic arms. follow arrival of its crew that increased
temporal the station crew to 12 astronauts.
One of first landing crew was eager to return to Moon is: Harrison Schmitt the first geologist who walk on Moon.
The other is John Young, Pilot of Gemini, Apollo CSM, Lunar module, Space Shuttle and now Lunar Tug
both and rookie astronaut Tom Hanks were first Americans to land on Moon since Apollo 21.

Hanks: Man this great, really great man !
Schmitt: I’m back Moon…
Young: can we get serious now?

MoonLab operated for nearly 15 years in Lunar Orbit with 30 lunar landings making many discovery,
With allot problems and near disasters, Like Solar Flairs, micro meteoroid impact on Station,
Abort landing attempts, issue with Lunar dust and Accidents during Lunar EVA.
In 1996 the Station was de-orbit and crash into Lunar crater, its replacement was the US Base Robert Peary on Lunar South Pole.

Back In 1981 in Los Alamos AEC checkt their NERVA engines, if there were any constructions errors in Design.
There was dispute because AEC demanded that RNS-1 engine is return to Earth with Shuttle for evaluation,
what NASA right out refused !
But it was clear for NASA that somehow that engine must be evaluated and that on ground by AEC.
At Marshal Space Flight Center had someone the Solution, using a Boilerplate article from Mars Exploration Module.
Equip with Lead container and parachutes, so started one of the most expensive salvage operation in History.

in 1982 a Saturn VC launched Salvage One into Rendezvous Orbit towards RNS-1
At RNS-1 the two inspection Tugs began complex task to disconnect Nerva Engine and insert into Salvage One
Biggest problem was to cut off the nozzle from engine so it fit into container and seal it.
Then Salvage One began its return to Earth, it landing target was the Johnson Atoll in middle of Pacific.
It splash down save, surrounded by US Navy Taskforce and brought to Johnson „Plutonium Yard“

The disappointing Result: it was not engine design errors, it was the material the reactor was build.
That Graphite UC-ZrC Alloy in space, suffer more of hydrogen corrosion and radioactive isotope contamination as expected.
The Reactor In Flight Test 1&2 had only 3 and 4 Ignitions, What NASA and AEC consider as qualification and declare RIFT-2 to RNS-1
But after 12 ignitions the Reactor core was so weaken by hydrogen corrosion and crack under thermal stress during cool down.
While NASA and ACE blame each other for the fiasco, the Scientist in Los Alamos start working on Problem.
For moment the current generation of NERVA engine are limited to 12 ignitions, then disposed in space.
Under current situation it was consider the engines were unsafe for Manned Mars Mission…

Illustration
Original sketch for MoonLab

It reminds me the orbital outpost seen in the first episode of Space 1999, it would be nice to have into the same scenario Meteor, 2001 and Space 1999 (apart of irrealistic Moon's breakaway....).

 

[Justo Miranda]

First weapon

 

[Michel Van]

It reminds me the orbital outpost seen in the first episode of Space 1999, it would be nice to have into the same scenario Meteor, 2001 and Space 1999 (apart of irrealistic Moon's breakaway....).

i working on that for 1990s part of TL, A very certain spacecraft play role here
Since Bush senior want grater vision of space
Contrary to OTL 1989 has he NASA with Saturn VC, Saturn Shuttle, Nuclear Shuttle, Space Tugs.

 

[Justo Miranda]

An idea from a 1967 movie into a 1968 novel... convergent evolution?



2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 science fiction novel by British writer Arthur C. Clarke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quatermass_and_the_Pit_(film)

Quatermass and the Pit (US title: Five Million Years to Earth) is a 1967 British science fiction horror film from Hammer Film Productions

 

[Michel Van]

Post 62 The begin of 1990s

President Bush face allot challenge during his Presidency.
Next rivalry with Bob Dole about conservative and Progressive matter, happen The Gulf War, The shift in the Cold War,
the creation of European Union, the expanded Space Race.

The 1991 Gulf War started as Saddam Hussein gave order to Invade Kuwait, was he consider as renegade Province from Iraq.
Do rising Oil prise and threat Iraq formed for Middle East, soon a coalitions was form, its member:
USA, Great Britain, France, West Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran
This was last war were the B-52 was used for carpet bombing.
The US military were surprised about effectiveness of there weapon systems, like AH-56 combat helicopter and it Anti Tank-missiles.
For Soviets military it was harsh wake up call, there military doctrine failed miserably with Iraq army, the coalition just annihilating them,
More painful was that Iran getting the upper hand and marching into Iraq to settle old scores with Iraq Government and Hussein clan.
In end Iraq simply collapsed, in north the Kurds declare their own Free state, in the east occupied by Iranians and the South by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait annexed the Iran province of Basrah as compensation for Invasion, While Iran junta expanded west and annexed Iraq Territory with Shia Arab majority.
The US first opposed the division of Iraq, but not wanted dispute with Iran, needed Allie against China in Afghanistan.
Very bad surprise was discovery of Atomic bombs prototype, a U.N. investigation show the bombs were simple implosion devices, unable to produce nuclear fission.
had Iraqis had more time they could have build functional Atomic bomb.

Sweden introduce Saab Supersonic Bomber increasing their deterrence.
North Korea successful tested there own Atom-bomb, after Yugoslavia successful nuclear test.
France became a Neutral state under Mitterand with close Economic ties with European Nations and USSR

1992 happen the Germans Union, after three years negotiations the west German Federal Government and East Communist Government,
Sign a Treaty were both states form a Confederation, that respect both Government and constitution, form Economic union and Aid.
The USA, USSR, Great Britain and France look very critical on this development,
While smaller European states look at their big brothers (USA or USSR) as Allies, in case Germany become a Warmonger again.

1992 was also creation of European Union, a coalition of European States that forme Economic and Finance Union and join infrastructure.
What makes the EU so remarkable was joining of East Europeans States !
The USSR allow this to have additional boost for their own economy that fully recover from 1980s crisis, thanks Gorbachev economic Reform.
Under General Sectary Gorbachev happen radical changes for USSR, in fact the Soviet economy was catching up with US economy !
Also a end of Cold war between USA and USSR, much to chagrin of the Hardliners on both sides,
Both side used the chance to reduce there costly Nuclear arsenal
But does’t mean a friendly relations between USA and USSR, both protected their interest in sphere of Influence,
They just not longer aim they’re ICBM on each other !
in 1992 Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova became the first Woman as Central Sectary of Politburo.
But Communist Party face new problem, the Oligarchs a new group of ultra rich Soviets, what was contradictory to every Communist manifest.

In China the leader Ye Qun health start to decline
While powers struggle happen between Her son Lin Liguo and her daughter Lin Liheng, He a high rang Air Force Marshall, She a high rang Politburo Member in Communist party.
This dispute was not only leadership, but also was way to go: pure Communism or water down Communism of Soviets ?
The Cold War shifted now towards USA & USSR vs China

Henry Kissinger on current Political situation:
That China became International Problem was obvious.
We have Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand Canal issue, Nord Korea, Nicaragua, Angola, Burma, Afghanistan and now Pakistan.
it was matter of time that Iran and India look for Allies and choose the USA, after China installed Nuclear Weapons in Pakistan.
Lucky for us were the Soviets, intelligent to realised that Cold War was contra productive and Gorbachev proposed to normalised the Relations between USA and USSR.
So we could focus more on the Chinese problem…

Notes:
Taiwan, China People Republic lay claim on this Island.
Hong Kong is territory and Macau a Portuguese territory on main land China claimed by Communist Party.
Thailand Canal issue, China use nuclear bombs to build this channel, so their battle fleet can access faster the India ocean.
Nord Korea, it seems China help them in Nuclear program, unclear how and on what.
Nicaragua, Angola here support Cuba & China, the local communist.
Burma is puppet state were their generals junta follow order from Beijing.
Afghanistan here Communist leader ask China for help and support in their civil war, what follow was Occupation Afghanistan by China People Army.
with a brutal crack down of opposition in Afghanistan by ethnic cleansing on level of genocide !
The government of Pakistan helps the Chinese, in exchange for nuclear Weapons against India and Iran.
This let to Iran nuclear weapon Program.

 

[Michel Van]

Post 63 Greater vision of Space

The President Bush wanted a more lasting US Space Program, Nixon Odyssey Program show clearly that long term programs work.
He appointed a new NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin
But Bush had to face also the USAF and General Adlon, they had launch and teste Hercules 2 and installed USAF Station in GEO,

Space Station Bold-Eagle
in 1990 ended Era, USA third Space Station Skybase original planned for 15 years ended after 11.
The 1989 Fire in laboratory seal its faith, in autumn 1990, the Station was vacated and de-orbited into the Pacific with the aid of Space Tugs.
An obsolete (unmanned) Earth Survey Platform was also brought down with the station, Follow by Skylab-5 station.
At Capitol Hill came question how successor, since Soviets still operate MIR and put two Space Factory in space.

Now was moment of USAF and General Adlon, on Launch Pad 39 stand Saturn VC with first module of Space Station IV „Bold-Eagle“
But it had quite different destination, instead low orbit Eagle was deployed in Geostationary orbit by Nuclear Ferry !
Official a USAF operated Space Station in GEO to support and maintain USA satellite there, had additional secrets purpose:
One to defend US Satellite in GEO, also serve as Emergency Commando Center in case of Nuclear War.

ESRO was not happy with this development, since Eagle had sectors were civilians access was forbidden,
and number of ESRO astronauts was reduce to one Person on board.
Formal Protest let to threat by General Adlon, not to allow any civilians on Eagle, were USAF had all the rights.
The Moonlab (Space Station IIIb) was not alternative, since it crew is limited and focus on Moon Exploration.
also that NASA put experiment from Skybase to Moonlab reduceing available space for ESRO.
ESRO admitted tooth-cracking to the situation and look into option for Europan Manned Space Station.

Bold-Eagle consist out three Module:
1. Main Mission Module for Military purpose
2. Lab and Habitat Module with access for civilian (NASA and ESRO)
3. Hangar module to maintain Satellites with docks for Space Tugs (Modified hangar for Manned Exploration Module of ARES program)
Various Application and Science Modules (ASM) so the official story
Half of them were Weapon container with Anti Satellite system, the rest special Communication system in case of War.
Only at Habitat Module were real ASM docked.
Powert by six solar array with total 75 kWe

Crew was 12 persons with option for 6 additional persons for short period.
For radiation issue the Modules are shielded, special the central Tunnel (based on the ARES mission Module)
Bold-Eagle operated until 2005 as the Emergency Commando Center was move to new location beyond Earth.

US Space Program Next Steps
The Space Task Group (STG) under President Bush worked on proposals and grand design emerge:
New Space Station 5 „Olympus“ (space base) installed at 28° low earth orbit and serve a new Space Architecture:
The „Olympus“ serve the traffic hub to Moon and a Surface Base, what has to replace ageing Moonlab from Diana Program after 1996.
Also „Olympus“ serve the stored Ares spaceships for upcoming Mars Missions and potential Mars Base.

Another thing was Ageing Space Shuttle fleet, the Orbiters and boosters will reach there end of lifespan in end 1990s
At NASA was dispute how to replace the Shuttle with advance system like Single Stage To Orbit ?
In the end, successor was modernised version of Saturn Shuttle were the first stage was compete automated, with engines modified for lower maintaining cost.
incorporating new materials like composite materials or new Aluminum alloy and super cooled propellants would increase the Payloads.
Also replace the improved Shuttle, the Saturn Vc, by launching also S-IID stages for heavy cargo on winged Booster.
Launch complex 39 would be extended to four pad ( Pad C was build for Ares missions begin 1980s)

One proposal by STG got Presidents attention: Commercialisation of US Space Flight.
With success of European ELGO GmbH, British MUSTARD and US Space Shuttle,
STG was convince that USA should allow private companies access to Space, either by NASA or own hardware !
Even NASA and DoD show interest to replace smaller launcher like Scout or Delta by reusable US launcher.
Special with current Soviets Space activity (see below) and option of private US companies producing products in Space.
Capitol Hill voted for Commercialisation of US Space Flight bill, not knowing what it unleash…

But in the next Big Step in space flight the STG proposed a bolt Move:

Temporal Mars Base were crew would stay for 600 days and manned flights to Jupiter and Saturn !
It was logical step after Mars, but Jupiter was twice and Saturn four times further as Mars, also has Jupiter a dangerous and deadly radiation belt,
While Saturn radiation belt was less Deadly but also dangerous.
STG look for manned Jupiter Fly-by in 2010, follow Saturn orbit and visit to moon Titan on end 2010 decade.
but this needed high energy rocket engine, more powerful as upcoming Timberwind nuclear Engine.

Capitol Hill was not happy with those plans, but since Soviet union still operate the biggest Space station ever launch and put two Industrial Complex in low Orbit.
The US politicians voted for Program for „Olympus“ and small Moon Base, additional 3 Mars Mission. mostly in self-interest, more money for there States !
However on Temporal Mars Base, manned Jupiter and Saturn Mission was Capitol Hill very hostile.
While other in Capitol Hill went in other extrem, like Newt Gingrich who proposed USA colonising Moon and Mars…

President Bush establish the National Council for Astronautics, out the National Space Council and Space Task Group.
A office for policy development and handling of Civilian, Military and Commercial space policy matters,
Composed of cabinet member (like secretary of Defence, commerce, treasury, economics, Transport and others) and Advisors (formerly from STG)

Meanwhile In Moscow.

Things had change in Soviet Space Industry
The Ministry of Space got new Name: SOVCOSMOS
Valentin Petrovich Gluschko died age 80 in 1989, he was pioneer in design of rocket engines.
His OKB 456 was taken over by NPO Kuznetsov the main rocket engines manufacture.
While certain Vladimir Nikolayevich Chelomey died in car accident in Ukraine, he was head of former OKB-52,

Sergei Khrushchev became Minister of Space and head off SOVCOSMOS
His OKB-1 renamed TsKBEM, became now NPO Korolev under chief designer Yuriy Semenov.

But there were problems: the Oligarchs.
This contradictory rise of superrich in communist state,
Several meddle in Space Program, like hostile take over of NPOs
some of them were finance and build own launch system outside Ministry of Space program.
Offering this for commercial use like Space-tourist or access to Soviet Space Stations, some of project are reusable launcher.

Minister Khrushchev was in dilemma, forbid those Oligarch endeavours or integrate them into Soviet Space Program ?
One proposal is direct competitor to N1 N2 launcher, The Energia modular launcher by RRK Kurdin, and Angara medium launch vehicles by NPO Electropribor,
Khrushchev made a judgment of Solomon, he integrate the smaller launchers into Soviet program covering smaller payload.
But he left the bigger launcher programs work on their own finance, only give place to build launch pad at cosmodromes.
This was in self interest, since Angara and Energia were competitor for NPO Korolev,
Khrushchev hope the Oligarchs behind those projects, would run out money or lost interest in it.
Sadly the Politbüro and Military had other ideas, since NPO Korolev and RRK Kurdin would together provide double payload capacity into space !

In Moscow the next phase of Galactika was Discuss.
After they launch two Orbital factory, one for semiconductor crystals and one for metal alloys, (both maintain from Mir Space Station)
Minister of Space Sergei Khrushchev presented proposals to Politburo,
On Top of list is Moon base, favour by Red Army, for needed Military applications.
Additional manned Mars missions in 1990s, the option for manned Jupiter mission were study.

General Sectary Gorbachev was not so fun about the manned Jupiter mission,
That changes radical in 1992, as Tereshkova became his successor, She was first woman in Space and she favour the manned Jupiter mission !
And SOVCOSMOS got direct order from her, to create a female Cosmonaut group…

 

[Michel Van]

Post 64 The next manned Marsmissions.

With Successful Missions of Ares 1&2, NASA was no resting on their merits.
The USS Valley Forge and USS Lexington were completely overhauled in orbit. during 1990
There empty MEM hangar were equipped with New MEM’s and new Experiment and Probes
Needed Hydrogen and new Nerva engines were launch into orbit

The crew for Ares 3 are: John Oliver Creighton, Kenneth S. Reightler Jr., Charles D. Gemar, James Buchli, Mark N. Brown and Sonny Carter.
For Ares 4 were: Frederick D. Gregory, Ternece T Henderiks, James S. Voss, Story Musgrave, Mario Runco Jr., Thomas J Hemmen and Michael Foale.

On 12 September 1991. Ares 3&4 were launch to Mars for 600 days mission with Venus Swing-by.
Target was Kasei Vallis with two landing sites each 16 km distance.
Both orbiter were equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar to scann Mars and Venus surface

The Soviets launch Aelita-2 spacecraft to Mars, with new generation of Ion engine that used Hall Effect.
Crew: Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Volkov, Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev, Musa Manarov and geophysicist Sergey Aphanasievich Zimov.
There landing site was Meridiani Planum close as possible to Marshochod 1 rover,
Main goal was geological samples and part of Marshochod 1 rover, to study how hardware is affected after 15 years expose to Mars environment.
Therefore Aelita-2 had also automatic cargo lander with rover and drill-rig on board.

After arrival in Mars Orbit the cargo landed as planned near Marshochd 5
MPK Pilot Volkov manage to land 123 meter from cargo lander, before Americans touch down on their targets.
Over coming days, the two cosmonauts deploying the rover, erect the drill-rig and installed surface science package.
Zimov and Volkov manage to get ground samples from 3 meter under surface, until drill stuck.
Follow by several drives in Rover up to 20 km from the lander, Including visit to Marshochod 1 rover.
Also recovery Samples from Marshochd 5 and 6, who broke record long distance exploration of 50 km over 2 years.
In mean time Manarov and Krikalev scanned the Mars Surface from Aeltia-2

Both US MEM manage get down safe despite the rough terrain of Kasei Vallis
Also were they visit by Unmanned rover that collected samples up to 20 km away from landing sites.
The second rover failed to reach them as it got stuck in rough terrain, too far for Ares 4 crew to reach it.

On return trip made Ares 3&4 used Venus gravity to shorten return trip,
Before Venus fly by they release series of probes and scan parts of surface with Synthetic Aperture Radar.
the Crews arrive safe on Earth after 600 days in space.

The Soviet mission brought intriguing geological results from Meridiani Planum
The landing site was long time ago a seafloor of shallow ocean, the soil is full hematite and unusual high content of sulphates and phosphates.
The crew found layers sediments and burns cliff of former water erosion,
Final confirmation that Meridiani Planum was seafloor, was Zimov discovery of Phyllosilicats a mineral that needed liquid water to form !
Zimov wrote a book over his findings, today the standard work on Mars geology.

Ares 3&4 finding confirm that Kassel Valles are outflow channels, created by liquid water some 1.5 billions years ago.
Next hematite they found also sulphates but lower level as what Cosmonauts found

The seismic experiments package from Ares 1 to 4 and Aeltia 1 to 2. gave now better in-view of Mars interior.
The Mars crust with 24 to 72 km is thinner as expected by geologist.
Mars core is 1840 km or half the sizes of Earth core, consisting of lighter elements.
This could explain why magnetic field of the planet is so weak.
Not only they measure hundreds of „Marsquakes“, but also meteorite impacts on the planet !

Biggest Discovery was by Synthetic Aperture Radar Ares 3&4 found water ice under surface of Mars !
Not only was Mars once wet World, the water was still there in frozen form.

On Venus, the Ares probes made strange discovery, they detected in upper Atmosphere Phosphine.
This is quite unusual since, there is no know chemical process in Venus atmosphere, that explain the presents of Phosphine.
On Earth its part of global phosphorus biochemical cycle, but on Venus are no biochemical cycle, or is here some form of life in Atmosphere ?

 

[Michel Van]

Post 65 The Wind is changing

The Saturn Shuttle proofed it can lower Launch cost drastic compare to throwaway rockets.
with new Shuttle fleet would operate even Cheaper, dropping launch cost under current $2700/Kg
Also ELGO-A rocket, a cheap reusable Launcher, thanks its robust construction, but ELGO GmbH looking into reuse ob new rocket under ELGO-X.
While British BAE MUSTARD start Service promising cheaper space flight. and India and Japan look into reuse of their Launch rocket.

This put pressure on Competition, who build expensive throwaway rockets: Martin Marietta Titan, McDonnell Douglas Delta and General Dynamic Atlas.
Since the Shuttle launch, those companies loosing clients and Payload, special USAF what use intensive the Shuttle.
McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamic contract with NASA program compensate their losses.
But worst was for Martin Marietta with Titan III rockets during 1980s and start looking for Solution to their problem.

Several options were study, extrem low cost pressure fed Rocket, reusable with parachutes and Airbags, like ELGO A rocket only Bigger.
Other is reusable winged first stage based on Titan III hardware, but it engine burn Kerolox instead toxic fuel.
not new, the original engines of Titan used Kerolox under Titan I ICBM.
Another idea was todo ballistic reuse first stage and land rocket on Ship or platform on sea or near Launch site.
UA proposed clustered Solid booster as first stage who return on parachute, land in ocean and be reused.

But question raise how to reach GEO without raising cost ? Martin look into option and found easy solution: NASA SpaceTugs !
Their low cost launcher would bring payload in Low orbit, were Space Tug take it and bring to Geostationary Orbit.
But there was catch the Tugs belong to NASA, but Grumman was willing to do Join Venture with Martin for reusable rocket, what let later to Grumman-Martin corp.
and build Tug special for this Task, resupply by Martin rocket launching Hydrolox tanks into Low orbit for refuel.

Martin took the wing booster with Kerolox engines, they went also new way, by piloting the Booster return and landing by Remote control.
also winged second stage take this approach, making this full reusable Rocket,

Bush Commercialisation of US Space Flight bill, help Martin allot.
But this let to wild west situation were start up-companies began to build cheap rockets for access to low orbit,
They came to same conclusion like Martin and start to develop various Launch systems.
Allot failed like Conestoga (cluster Solid rockets) or Kistler Aerospace and Phoenix Corp. (Single Stage to Orbit).
Other like Beal Aerospace (BA rocket family), Scaled Composites (Pegasus), Turax Engineering (Excalibur) and United Technologies Corp. (reusable UA1205 cluster)
We’re successful with launching their rockets, but gain profit was another matter, it was the little details overlook, what’s make the difference.
First went bankrupt was Pegasus do higher cost launching from Aircraft, compare to far cheaper ELGO-A rocket.
Beal Aerospace ran in serious issue, due to the lack of high percentage hydrogen peroxide on the market, needed for BA rocket engines.
This limited their plans for large BA rockets and forcing to look for alternative propellants and Engines.
While Excalibur became favour for NASA and DoD as Scout and Delta replacement
The FAA and NTSB had there hands full with this new market, who soon demand for more Launch Sites, next Kennedy and Vandenberg or Wallops,
Federal states like Texas offers coast sides for those new companies, even land lock like New Mexico wanted a share of this new Market.
Their Congressmen and Senators made allot pressure in Capitol Hill toward changes in FAA and NTSB regulations in Space Flight.
The National Council for Astronautics, took action and handling the issue

From complete unexpected industry came also interest in space: Airliners !
PanAm look into option of commercial spaceflights, either Suborbital or orbital to reach their destination in 90 minute on other side of Earth or to Orbit.
They began cooperation with Aerospace companies for Suborbital tourist flights later on option for Launcher for ballistic transport.

In mean time NASA administrator Goodwin face large task, the reform NASA under goal „faster ! better ! cheaper !“
to make ready for new Commercial Market and demands form National Council for Astronautics.
special on the wild growing bureaucracy in NASA, what became serious problem.

Saturn Shuttle Phase II
In 1995 the first of new Generation Shuttles were deliver to NASA.
They look like old ones, but build from new materials like carbon-fibre composite, Aluminium-lithium.
Using subcool liquid oxygen for upgraded F-1c and J-2Sb engines.
Equip with state-of-art electronics, enable to make first stage operate full autonom, this allow Saturn Shuttle to launch unmanned Nuclear ferries.
Making the Saturn Vc obsolete, also lower program cost, do reuse of first stage, but still for Cargo flights the second stage is expendable.
NASA made studies on this and came to conclusion, that reuse of this second stage bring too much disadvantage to justification it.

ENERGIA & ALBATROS
In USSR the authorities consider mass production of N rockets as better cheaper solution, in fact they drop launch cost over years with mass production.
Special in N3 Soyuz and N2 Proton version became cheap and reliable rockets, China though in similar lines and never build reusable Rocket,
But Soviet private industry thought differently and oligarchs finance some projects, even in direct competition of N1 Luna rocket !
The biggest is modular Energia launcher by RRK Kurdin, it’s components could put together for various mission profile,
and Timofey Yakovlev Kurdin explain in media event, that Energia will be reusable and also offering a Orbiter like US Shuttle !
in record time of 5 years RRK Kurdin build and teste the Energia system.

View: https://youtu.be/tvNALouyQaI

(Energia first launch in may 1995)

Or the Sukhoi Albatros a 1974 concept, scale down and now using engines from N1 rocket, launch from modified freighter with hydrofoil,
Despite the insanity of the concept, they build Albatros, it first flight happen in 1995, preparing regular service for State and Private clients next year.
The first launch of Albatros was the media event of year, a testimony of resilient Russian and there sledgehammer approach on technical problems…

View: https://youtu.be/iGKezOhZoUY

 

[Michel Van]

Post 66 The State of the World in 1990s


Looking back on 75 Years of Revolution.
…The Communist Revolution was necessary, it replace the oppressive Tsar system.
What enslaves the Workers, until Lenin start the glorious Revolution and liberated the workers.
Yes, mistakes were made, like raise of Josep Stalin to power, the political purges, the Holodomor.
But then came the great patriotic war, as Nazis try to exterminate us Soviets.
Yes it was Stalin who save us, but with grate sacrifices in Blood, he made of USSR a superpower !
After his dead, we needed to rebuild the communist order from ruins of war and Stalin bloodshed.

it was the Great Nikita Khrushchev, who on Stalin ruins build, a new better communist World.
Khrushchev open gates of heaven and send Soviets into cosmos,
We Soviets were first in Space, first on Moon, We show the world what Communism is capable !
under former Secretary Gorbachev the USSR started a new exciting era towards Utopia for Workers…

Part of Speech held by new General Secretary of Communist Party, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova
on 75th anniversary of USSR in 1992.

The USSR became in 1990s one of fast growing economies in World, fast they became the number two behind the USA.
But Communism with capitalist economy brought problems: the rise of the Supersrich.
Not only was this contradictory to Marxist-Leninist doctrine, they make trouble in the workers paradise.
Bragging about wealth and living a decadent lifestyle was one thing, the other was criminal activity, or worse, taking action against the Soviet state!
The KGB had a handful of dealings with oligarchs, who belonged to the Russian mafia or wanted to become the ruler of USSR, like Neo-tsarists or democrats.
One of those Oligarch is the eccentric Timofey Yakovlev Kurdin, owner of RRK Kurdin, better know as Kurdin Heavy Industry in West.
A Spaceflight fanatic, rejected as Cosmonaut, became aerospace engineer, used Gorbachev reforms to gain his first Company and became very rich.
notorious known for his contradictory attitude, were he condemn capitalism and praise communism, while being one of the riches men in USSR !
Also he obsess by Spaceflight, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic and Chess. What he single handily push to new levels in USSR.
He became very good friend of General Secretary Tereshkova and enjoys a certain freedom of doing, under KGB.
Kurdin manage in record time of five years, to develop and build the modular Energia launch system.

Another issue KGB has end of Project Ideological Subversion, on direct order of General Secretary Tereshkova.
This was Long term 1970s program to infiltrate wester nations, demoralising & destabilising them with leftist Ideology until the states collapse, then rebuild them as Soviets states in 2020s.
The need of Ideological intact USA and Western Nations als Allies, against hostile China, was vital for survival of USSR.
But Tereshkova allow the KGB to experiment on other nations, mostly potential clients for China nuclear help.


Cold War is over, …Right?, …RIGHT ? ?
It took a while for both enemies, to realised the Harsch Realty, what to expect with Nuclear War.
As American and Soviet scientist discover independently the concept of Nuclear Winter end of 1980s.
The large scale destruction of cities with nuclear weapons would release so much smoke, slug and ash.
That Sky is block by dark clouds, cooling down Earth for months, starving and killing the survivors.
But the results were harsh criticised, but there were historical evidence like Volcanic winter of 1815 and 1830
Also the archaeological evidence that Dinosaur were wipe out by Asteroid, that provoke also deadly Winter.
Allot effort went into computer simulation to prove or disprove the Nuclear Winter, only to find their worst fear confirmed.

General Sectary Gorbachev pulled the plug out arms race of both superpower, Is better not play this game he stated.
President Bush and General Sectary Gorbachev sign the SALT III Treaty on nuclear disarmament in 1990, (both got Nobel Peace Price in 1991)
Follow by SALT IV under General Sectary Tereshkova and President Bush in 1995.
But would normalised this relations between the Superpowers ?, actually no.
There were still rivalry and quarrels of various kind and there was China, under new rule,
Shifted into orthodox Stalinism and expand aggressively into World.
Under Doktrin of „Glorious new age for China“

The NATO, Warsaw-Union and there Asia Allies look nervously on this development
President Bush push for production of stealth B-2 Bomber and more Hercules Platforms
The B-2 was revolutionarily because it could not be detected by Radar

While the USSR push their program for stealth Bomber,
Armed either four KH-45 hypersonic missiles or conventional Cruise Missiles or bombs up to 45 tons
Also began US-Soviet talks about orbital platform to defend them self and what weapons were allowed under SALT IV.
Were the outer space treaty was modified for instalment of Nuclear weapons on Orbital Platforms for defence only.

Also started the Soviet leadership a cleanup in Red Army, after fiasco of Gulf War were soviet tactics failed under Iraq Army.
Under Gorbachev, continue under Tereshkova, start to send old Marshals and Generals into retirement and new generation of military came to power.
ones with new ideas…


The Chinese Looming Collapse
For the People Republic of China, things were not looking good in 1990s,
The Nation was now ruled under orthodox ideological Communism, this hamper the Economic and agriculture deeply, just like in People Republic of Korea.
in harsh Contrast to USSR and East block, who had Economic Boom, actually China was depending on Imports of USSR !
Also let uncontrolled population rise to 1.3 Billion Chinese to serious problems.
The Foot shortage let to „Meat less Day“ initiative were Chinese were force one day in week to eat only vegetarian dish.
The current orthodox Communist leaders of China blaming late chairman Lin Biao 1960s reforms as cause of all today problems.
With return to Stalinism a la Mao Zedong, they try to get total control over their problems.
And introduce new and brutal population control of „One Child Policy“ and death penalty for minor violating of the laws,
The Chinese Politburo hope to get population problems this way under control.

Next to that had China expensive military intervention in Afghanistan, a brutal intervention on edge of genocide.
and in Cold war with India, one expensive program to dam several rivers in Tibet, to hamper the water supply to India.
Another issue of China launching their own Orbital weapon platforms and there nuclear export
Also developed China, a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System similar to one the USSR hat tested in 1970s

In order to get Food and certain raw material or political strategic position, China offers Nuclear weapons !
First of those clients was Pakistan, the Enemy of India, China made package deal with government Pakistan in end of 1980s.
In Exchange for Chinese nuclear Weapons, Pakistan abandon the Mujahideen in Afghanistan and deliver food to China.
with success of Pakistan deal, China look for other Nation that offers needed good in exchange for Chinese Nukes.
But the Chinese were not stupid, there Weapon system were manned by Chinese personal and there officers had there orders,
In case there Clients „get litte bit funny in there heads“…

But this lead to Iran nuclear weapon program, joining the club of nations with weapon of mass-destruction.


National Crisis
Yugoslavia economic profit under Khrushchev 1960s reforms in East block, but Swiss nuclear test change that in 1976.
Marshal Tito order nuclear program for bombs and it delivery systems, the program got high priority, after Warsaw Union invaded Rumania to end their program on weapons of mass destruction.
Yugoslavia endure political turmoil after dead of Marshal Tito, End 1980s Yugoslavia conduct there first nuclear test, leading to International protest and UN Boycott,

But their Atom-bombs needed delivery systems in form of rocket and bomber, here thing went wrong,
Do UN Boycott and the 1980s economic crisis in USSR, Yugoslavia start economic decline. ignored by fast succession of leaders of Yugoslavia.
The following economic crisis let cancelation of multi combat aircraft Novi Avion and ballistic missile veliki vulkan and only few warhead were build,

The socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia start to crumble, in wake of crisis Nationalism rise, soon follow by racism ugly face !
While Serbian studies claims they were discriminate in Yugoslavia, began in other member states develop a „Serbophobia“.
in this two fractions crystallised:
Slovenian and Croatian fraction that wanted confederation of Yugoslavia, while the Serbs fraction wanted total dominance over Yugoslavia under Serb rule !
This accumulated in 14th congress of union of Yugoslavia communist in1990, were the members states issue there complaints and demands,
The head of the Presidency Milan Pancvski close the congress do turmoil and dispute, announcing he would work on matter, this never happen,
Several days later it was Public announce President Pancvski retire do health issue and National Security Council would temporarily replace the Government!
At first was confusion in Yugoslavia about this National Security Council and who their member were ?

It was Yugoslavia Military, here some one had brains to realised, the political situation would end in bloody civil war.
They not only acted in self-interest, but also on Marshal Tito behalf, who left continuity plan behind: „Apsolutno Jedinstvo“
He knew that after his death, Yugoslavia would face this kind of problems, and wanted his political legacy namely Yugoslavia, survive the test of time.

On emergency congress of union of Yugoslavia, the Military declare the situation:
There will be no dissolution of Yugoslavia, either domination by one of it member states,
If necessary will Yugoslavia People’s Army will use force and every available weapons, even their small nuclear Arsenal.
The Military start arrested extremist and Nationalist on all side of conflict like Franjo Tuđman or Slobodan Milošević
That multinational State result to Nuclear black mail to keep nation together was Unique in history…
…but it worked !

The U.N. NATO and Warsaw-Union watch careful on this development in Yugoslavia.

Republic of South Africa
In end of 1980s the Apartheid system was crumbling, the African National Congress (ANC) fight with growing success against the racist system.
The Government in 1990 released Nelson Mandela from Prison, in hope for peaceful solution,
But once free, Mandela announced he would take ANC leadership and continue his Communist doctrine, since the Soviets were successful.
This made allot in the ruling party nervous, on the other side was power struggles between ethnic groups, about who will represented the Black africans.
Also their force Communist agenda supported by Moscow frighten allot people.

Like the „Konserwatiewe Party“ under Clive Derby-Lewis, advocate for Apartheid and Anti-Communist.
He united allot Far right bystanders and former special Police C1 members, wanted for crimes against humanity.
Also the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging Far Right Paramilitary organisation join them,
They conspired the murder of Anti-Apartheid supporters and Black political leaders.

10 April 1991, became know as Black Saturday
As several men commit murder attempt on several South African Politicians with success,
Chis Hani, Nelson Mandela died, bishop Tutu badly wounded, after that the situation escalated.

The hope the multinational state transform to free and liberal Society, ended in bloody Civil war.
for next six years South Africa became a Hellhole
The Nation got divided into, west the Cape Republic with mostly white and color Population around Capital Cape Town
and in East a nation with only native Africans, called IRiphabuliki with capital Egoli (former Johannesburg)
The first victims were the Boers under Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging they were exterminated by sheer mass of africans,
who could escape this flew, west wards to Cape region.
The victorious Zulus were unable to keep living standards in IRiphabuliki , what descent fast into poverty and chaos,
This let to increase of Pirates on East South Africa shore, were Africans attack cargo ships and Ocean liners!
This let the biggest disaster in marine shipping as group Zulus pirates highjacked a nuclear power Container ship,
Not understanding the technology, there action let to massive reactor meltdown in there Harbor !

A fragile Peace agreement were sight in 1997,
What Zulu rulers sign willingly because their had internal problems, they face with poverty and rival ethnic groups of the Batswana, Swazi or Basotho.
The IRiphabuliki Government try to get a deal with China for help, but they had little to offer for the Chinese demands…

But biggest worry the World had was: What happen to rest ABC weapons, South Africa had developed ?
CIA Analyst had indication that Cape Republic sold some of their Mass destruction Weapons to finance their Civi war effort !
But to who ?

 

[Michel Van]

Post 67 European Space Program in 1990s With creation of of European Union (EU) change allot for European Space Research Organisation in 1992 By majority vote by the politicians, ESRO became Europan Ministry with stable budget, with the British Jason Webb as new Director. They gain allot of Money and additional research program and finally they would do serious programs with their allies ELGO GmbH and BAE. ELGO GmbH with there successful Modular rockets ELGO A/B Series, prepare the C series, a modular Hydrolox stages With High performance Engine HDTW They would drastic double the Payload compare to ELGO B series, who use storable propellant. But ELGO conduct series of test of ELGO-X Concept in 1993. on reuse C series and if ballistic Reuse is commercial viable, use this technology. View: https://youtu.be/S-5rzzOZW1E BAE on other hand, build reusable MUSTARD and successful tested it in Australia and British Government were in negotiations with French for launch site in French Guiana, For Equator orbit Mission, while Australia served for Polar military mission, who government were in negotiations with British Government to build launch site in Darwin north Australia. ESRO director Jason Webb With MUSTARD had ESRO finally a Spacecraft that could bring Europeans into Space independently from USA and USSR. Jason Webb not hesitate to create European Astronaut Corps, ignoring NASA Group E of Europeans. He also intervene in British French negotiations to get Launch pads for MUSTARD in French Guiana, Here Webb was ruthless, he not care about British-Australian relations. ESRO wanted also own Space Station, idea the French and Germans favour, Building a European Station make sense, since NASA de-orbit Starlab and USAF restricted access to Bold-Eagle Station in GEO. (In this time Space Base Olympus was only proposal at Space Task Group at White House) Alternative flights to USSR Space stations, again problematic, since Soviets insist that Europan Personen are train in USSR and Launch on Soviet Spacecraft. Also had Mir restricted areas for Military purpose, what limited the Europeans on board operation, this also infuriated Webb. So ESRO launch SpaceLab in 1995, it based on french SOLARIS concept, modified for manned operation, first temporary, later Permanent occupation of 3 astronauts. Another goal were a Base on South pole of Moon, here ESRO found a Partners in USA and Japan. In Mean time Earth orbit filled with manned Space Stations Next US Bold Eagle station in GEO, the Soviet Mir complex, the Chinese Tianhe, Europa SpaceLab, came Japan JASDA with Kibō station serve with Fuji space capsule. JASDA or Japan Space Development Agency, made long way from 1970s, with first copy of the US Delta Rocket now build own rockets the H-II and H-IIB in 1990s the Fuji capsule was compromise since Development of Spaceplane HOPE and Kibō project was too expensive for their Budget. India conducted Manned space flight with there Gaganyaan capsule, planning also small space station mostly for military applications. While Private aerospace companies look into option to launch their own commercial space station. Interview with Walter Kleinau Head of ELGO-X project Interviewer: You are part of MBB Team that work for ELGO GmbH ? Kleinau: yes ! we are responsible for ELGO Reusable study or how we call it ELGO-X. ELGO-C with it HORA modular upper stage is unique launcher but, ELGO want to reuse it, so MBB got Order for study options for Reuse. Interviewer: There allot study by US companies like Titan V by Grumman-Martin corp. Dit this influence you work ? Kleinau: No, we started in 1982, far ahead of those studies, we came to conclusions that ballistic reuse would better options, Dropping everything unnecessary stuff, like Wings, jet engines etc. We not even needed a heat shield for first stage, just aerodynamic cover, and a barge were first stage landing on. Interviewer: Why landing on Barge on ocean ? ELGO-A splash in ocean and is recover. Kleinau: Those are robust build pressure fed rocket, impact into ocean and swimming in seawater dosen’t matter for them. But the ELGO-C series is to sensitive for that. Interviewer: Is that reason why the ELGO-B are not recovered ? Kleinau: Yes and No, unlike ELGO-A, is mainly that ELGO-B stages return unstable, preventing secure deployment of parachute, Do heavy engine block of stage, We tried to recover them in 1970s but failed, what let to ELGO-X project. Interviewer: So you solved the stability problem ? Kleinau: yes by putting the Frist stage inside Aerodynamic container, that allow stable return to Earth. The biggest problems were the mass of this container and also restart and throttling the HDTW engines for landing. The colleague of the „Raketentriebwerks Abteilung“ allot problems during testing to achieve the needed demands. Interviewer: Why ? Kleinau: The HDTW is unique rocket engine, it use the combustion chamber to power, direct the Turbopumps, eliminating the massive preburner such engine need. Interviewer: One moment, how power the combustion chamber the Turbopumps ?! Kleinau: The turbine that power both Turbopumps is installed in the combustion chamber itself, connected by vertical drive shaft with the pumps. This allow a compact vertical engine construction, special since it run on 150 bar pressure ! But give also advantage of stepless throttleable Thrust, ideal for needs to land the first stage on barge ! Interviewer: This gave some problems ? Kleinau: Yes, problems were restart of HDTW for slow down and landing burn, the colleagues lost allot engines during restart testing, but finally got it work. Interviewer: What is future for ELGO-X now ? Kleinau: It will enter service as ELGO-D For moment it will reuse the first stage, what is adapted for it mission, while second stage HORA is expendable. But we will in future build a reusable second stage from HORA for ELGO-D with option to bring payload from space ! Interviewer: What Payload ? Kleinau: Various types mostly Satellites or cargo containers from Spacelab and material not suited for manned MUSTARD shuttle to return. What are no problem for unmanned ELGO-D! Interviewer: Thanks for interview mr Kleinau Kleinau: your welcome, Goodbye