The strongest rocket scheme in history was released.
After Atlantis completed its swan song tour in the summer of 20 12, all American space planes have been retired and can only rely on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to travel to and from the International Space Station.
NASA plans to hand over the operation of R&D and new spacecraft to and from the International Space Station to the private sector, but it will take about 20 15 years for these commercial rockets and spacecraft to be put into use, and they can only send astronauts to the near-earth orbit where the International Space Station is located, not further.
In order to explore the wider universe, NASA needs to develop a new rocket launch system. Accompanied by several U.S. federal lawmakers, NASA Director Charles Bolden officially released the design of SLS launch vehicle at NASA headquarters on 201214. Together with the new Orion manned spacecraft being developed, it will become a weapon for human beings to explore Mars and beyond.
SLS launch vehicle will be the most powerful launcher in human history, even more powerful than Saturn V rocket which sent astronauts to the moon with Apollo spacecraft about 40 years ago. On the basis of the three-stage rocket, the SLS rocket with the highest configuration will have a five-stage system. NASA said in a statement that the power of SLS rocket has been greatly improved, and it is the most powerful launch vehicle after Saturn V, "which can send astronauts to the depths of the universe where no one has ever been."
The carrying capacity of SLS rocket is a highlight of its design. Originally designed to carry 70 tons of heavy objects, this number will increase to 130 tons in the future, which is equivalent to 75 standard SUVs. Ariane 5 and Delta 4, the world's largest commercial rockets, can only send more than 20 tons of objects into low earth orbit.
NASA plans to put the Orion manned spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket, which can send four to six astronauts into the sky at a time.
In addition to manned spacecraft, the top of SLS rocket may also be equipped with a living module specially designed for astronauts and a landing module specially designed for use on the target planet.
Time to go to Mars after 2030.
SLS rocket is expected to carry out unmanned launch test in 20 17, complete manned launch before the end of 20021,try to land on near-earth asteroids in 2025, and try to fly to Mars or even beyond the universe in the future.
There is no specific timetable for exploring asteroids and Mars. Obama said that he would send astronauts to asteroids by 2025, but did not mention the time to send them to Mars. Experts say it will take at least 2030 years to launch a manned spacecraft to Mars.
SLS rockets may also be used to travel to and from the International Space Station, or send astronauts to a synchronous orbit 36,000 kilometers above the ground to repair damaged communication satellites. Bill Gerstenmaier, a senior official in charge of NASA's manned exploration program, revealed that NASA scientists have begun to discuss the future versatility of SLS rockets, "but it is still in the conceptual stage, and more details need to be discussed according to the real performance of the rockets at that time".
Burning money America is ambitious
The development of this rocket fully demonstrates the ambition of the United States in space exploration. Charles Bolden, director of NASA, said that SLS marks that "a new chapter in American space exploration is being written". "President Obama asked us to think what others dare not think, and this project is exactly what we want to do."
In addition to its powerful performance, SLS rockets have two characteristics: flexibility and economy. It took NASA scientists a long time to complete the design of the new rocket. While making full use of the latest technology, it has also achieved the goal of easily modifying the rocket to meet the needs of different launch missions. John Logsdon, an aerospace expert at George Washington University, also said that in order to reduce the research and development costs, SLS rockets borrowed a lot from the mature technologies of retired space shuttles, such as using cryogenic liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen propulsion devices and solid propulsion devices as propellers. "This is a more affordable way to realize President Obama's request to explore the deeper universe."
It is reported that the whole project will cost at least $654.38+08 billion, and some people estimate that the total budget will reach $35 billion. Senator Bill Nelson from Florida believes that this may be the "biggest project" in the field of space exploration in the United States for decades. Due to the tight financial situation of the US government, it is very important to get enough funds from the government. At the news conference on June 5438+04, NASA Director Bolden emphasized the economic benefits of implementing this project, which "can create a large number of jobs and ensure the leading position of the United States".
After the Soviet Mars-1 probe went into space to explore Mars in 1962, humans have sent satellites such as Mariner and Viking, as well as detection instruments such as Phoenix and Endeavour to our familiar red planet. SLS rocket will be NASA's first multi-purpose long-range launcher and a key tool for human landing on Mars.
Perhaps in the near future, we will be able to extend the actual scope of human activities to a wider solar system, and help mankind solve the mysteries of the formation of the solar system, the origin of water and organic matter on earth, and so on. These discoveries are bound to change our understanding of ourselves, the earth and the universe. China Daily
Russia plans to close 30 air carriers.
On February 4, 20 12, the Russian Federal Air Transport Bureau said that it planned to close 30 small air operators in the near future to rectify the civil aviation industry and improve flight safety.
Alexander NieRadko, head of the Federal Air Transport Administration, said that the agency is preparing relevant documents to prepare for the closure of some air carriers. According to him, these 30 airlines that are about to shut down have not passed the routine safety inspection and there are serious safety hazards.
Russian Transport Minister Igor levitin said that there are 130 air operators in Russia, among which 10 large operators account for 85% of the market. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced last week that unqualified airlines would be closed.
There have been many air crashes and flight accidents in Russia recently. 12 In August, an An-12 transport plane crashed and1/people were killed. 20 12 On September 7th, a Jacques -42 passenger plane crashed, killing 44 people.