Yet again I'm bored and wanting to answer your reasonable questions about space.
Source: I work in the aerospace industry.
Jul 7, 2017 6:59 PM
Yet again I'm bored and wanting to answer your reasonable questions about space.
Source: I work in the aerospace industry.
imgonnaralph
That last gif is awesome.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Always a classic ;) ! Never leave without it.
snorkeldink
How many launches happen globally every year?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Nearing a hundred a year. It depends on what you officially call a rocket since there are 1000s of amateur launches that don't reach space.
DigitalFix
Is the EM Drive a serious concept discussed in the industry? If so, is it taken seriously?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
It's discussed yes, but in the same way we discuss FTL & warp drives. It'll happen one day, just not anytime soon.
michael7lover
from a technical accuracy point of view, who is the best sci-fi author of all time?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Oooh good question! Likely Asimov or Sagan as they both were actual scientists. They knew and understood the science and the challenges.
JohnLeePettimore
Are Martians bilingual and what gender do they identify as.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Some are, however most aren't. They identify as Assault UFOs.
michael7lover
Which is better for making emergency repairs in space: duck tape or 3D printers?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Emergencies? Gimme that duct tape!
KneelSaysTheDemonLightWithItsEyeOfCoal
If I threw a potato at the sun from mars and it ended up going to earth, what are the chances of it hitting Matt Damon? @OP
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
If your drive to throw potatos at him is what takes us to another world, then I'll make damn sure you hit him 100% of the time.
husaber
If locating unlimited Hydrogen how much water could be made from our capacity to carry Oxygen into space.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Theoretically infinite if the hydrogen supply was. Using oxygen as the reactant, it's how they powered the Apollo Command/Service module.
husaber
Not limited by the capacity to carry Oxygen?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Well you'd be limited by the hydrogen as well. So one would limit the other automatically.
DarthDragon7
What good would it do to Terraform Mars if there's no magnetic field to keep the atmosphere in place?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
You'd have a thick carbon layer (like what we're seeing with global warming here). The thicker the atmosphere, the more resistant.
DarthDragon7
So unbreathable?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Not necessarily; that would just keep the atmosphere in place. Beneath it can be an oxygen layer. Basically a habitable version of Venus.
Firefenix203
Realistically speaking do you think FTL is feasible in the near future?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Near future? Probably not. It's still in concept today. But I'd expect by 2200 that it should be commonplace.
Firefenix203
What about cryogenic sleep/ stasis pods in spacecraft's?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
Delayed although not impossible. Maybe in our great grandchildren's lifetimes. Right now there's little research; any headway changes that.
michael7lover
Do you prefer public organizations like NASA over private ones like SpaceX?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
It's a personal choice really. Private isn't limited or directed and can operate freely while NASA is able to work with less budget limits.
michael7lover
which do you think has a better chance of creating successful permanent colonies out there?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
NASA would likely start and then groups like SX would take over.
IronManButWithCaesium
How hard do you laugh when people claim that the earth is flat and space isn't real?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
I don't laugh. I cry a little on the inside. Considering it's these people who want to trap humanity on Earth forever.
IronManButWithCaesium
Weeping for the future of mankind eh? I see you're an optimist.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
I weep, but once the tears are gone, I return to work so that my children or my grandchildren can visit other worlds & be rid of these fools
NoLongerFoamingWolffo
Assuming it were possible, how long would it take for a pitbull to run to the moon?
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
950 days, or just short of 3 years.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
At let's say 10mph average speed, nonstop. No sleeping, no peeing, no pooping no eating. Let's see...
NoLongerFoamingWolffo
(before you do your math) "A pit bull can keep running at paces of around 25-30mph"
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
I'll redo my math then.
NationalAeronauticsAndSpaceAdministration
~331 days.
DollarBlues
Maybe he was thinking of Pitbull