Questions tagged [research]
Questions regarding scientific research, by means of the scientific method, into topics discussed. Investigative work based on empirical and measurable evidence that can be repeated, tried, and tested.
67 questions
4 votes
1 answer
268 views
What kinds of activities and research are seen as the most important to get done on the ISS in the next several years?
There are both concerns about maintaining a crewed ISS to 2030, (NASA safety panel warns of increasing risks to ISS operations) and optimism that it could be used beyond 2030 (Veteran NASA astronaut ...
user12102
8 votes
1 answer
4k views
Why do researchers wear white hats when handling lunar samples?
Credit: Nature, which in turn credits Xinhua / Shutterstock The caption says "Researchers retrieve lunar samples from the Chang’e-6 return capsule". Why are they wearing white hats? Only ...
- 391
22 votes
3 answers
9k views
Feynman famously criticized the Space Shuttle program for not delivering any value to science. Did things improve in that regard since the 1980s?
In his 1988 book “What Do You Care What Other People Think?” Feynman wrote the following: In the newspaper I used to read about shuttles going up and down all the time but it bothered me a little bit ...
- 1,411
9 votes
1 answer
357 views
Which experiments/research conducted by astronauts produced the largest economic value so far?
The space industry on has produced enormous economic value thanks to launching thousands of satellites, which helped us create GPS, satellite TV, Starlink, weather sensors, etc. But what about the ...
- 1,411
2 votes
3 answers
290 views
Which 6 spacecraft had the biggest effect on pushing the “Final Frontier?”
I am planning a 6-lecture course on Space Exploration for our local Elder College. It is aimed at a motivated audience with general knowledge in science. The objective is to generate interest in Space ...
- 36.6k
17 votes
6 answers
12k views
Why doesn’t NASA build its rockets using graphene?
Graphene would be a great material to build a rocket out of. Graphene is extremely thin. One single atom thin layer of graphene can withstand 15 000 000 pascal . A square meter of this material only ...
- 7,095
6 votes
1 answer
490 views
What is the smallest object our current technology is capable of launching into space?
Well, I'm quite ignorant about space exploration in general, but I hope I don't make too many misconceptions. So, from what I could find on the internet, there is a certain type of spacecraft ...
- 195
1 vote
0 answers
110 views
List of thorough Space Journals
I am trying to get a list of rounded and comprehensive journals related to Space and Aeronautics, not only covering the latest news and achievements in the field but also publishing interesting ...
user44137
3 votes
1 answer
216 views
Is there any significant difference between NASA and EU technology readiness levels?
The wikipedia article for technology readiness levels lists the NASA and European Union definitions. I've put these into a table: Level NASA EU 1 Basic principles observed and reported Basic ...
- 48.9k
1 vote
1 answer
98 views
What will 10X Genomics want to test on the upcoming Axiom Space AX-2 mission?
CNN's Former NASA Astronaut Plans Private Trip Back to Space begins Record-holding NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson1 has spent more time in outer space than almost any other human on the planet, but even ...
user12102
7 votes
5 answers
1k views
Has anyone seriously considered a space-based time capsule?
It seems likely to me that with climate change, pandemics, economic downturns, nuclear or biological warfare that our civilisation could quite easily lose the ability to get into orbit. We could even ...
- 4,768
4 votes
1 answer
386 views
Concerns/challenges with LOX as a regenerative coolant
What are the fundamental issues that make LOX as a regenerative coolant difficult to work with or less ideal than using fuels as a coolant instead in small scale engines (<7000lbs of thrust/ ...
- 703
1 vote
1 answer
142 views
Did any sounding rocket ever fly through a noctilucent cloud?
Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds forming above the Earth, up in the mesosphere. They form in late spring / early summer and above latitudes closer to the poles. Was a sounding rocket ever ...
- 515
1 vote
0 answers
96 views
What methods have been used to cool aerospikes on paper and in reality?
I am doing a research project and need to mention what methods have been used to cool aerospikes (toroidal is the brute of the paper but I suppose methods for cooking toroidal Aerospikes could apply ...
- 703
15 votes
1 answer
2k views
Starlink's autonomous collision avoidance
On their website, SpaceX claims that Starlink satellites are able to conduct autonomous collision avoidance manoeuvres using alerts from the US Department of Defence. This seems very reasonable, given ...
- 153