tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6558976014927370632024-03-28T03:34:09.782-06:00NMSTARGNew Mexico Space Technology Applications Research GroupJoe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-63189358370255346922013-08-10T11:40:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.370-06:00The New Mexico STAR Group<b>Re-</b><b>NewSpace</b><b> Mission Statement</b><br />
<i>To develop and implement a robust, comprehensive, and sustainable New Space commercialization program that utilizes reuse and commonality to achieve affordable and profitable spaceflight operations</i><br />
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<b>Re-NewSpace Equation</b><br />
Remarkable = [Remove + Replace + Reentry + Rebate + Reject + Retire + Recall + Reuse + Repack + Refurbish + Realign + Replenish + Refresh + Recharge + Reload + Recite + Relaunch + Return + Redo + Recycle + Redux + Rely + Respect + Reflect + Relax + Rejoice] ^ [∞ + Beyond]
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're not just <i>New</i>Space; we're <i>Re-New</i>Space.</span></div>
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<b>NMSTARG Journey</b><br />
When we started this project, we had in mind where we were going with our ideas; and like any endeavor, projects become a process, and that means constantly tinkering with the results. We have reached our goals some time ago and think it warrants saying, though without boasting, that we believe we have built a <i>complete</i> and innovative aerospace model from the ground up, at least on paper as it were, and our modality for missions amounts to basically having a better mouse trap (without killing the mouse!).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPJNwAyERqo/UTJARyVasDI/AAAAAAAABM8/6Xz6dLCj1vw/s1600/Skylon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPJNwAyERqo/UTJARyVasDI/AAAAAAAABM8/6Xz6dLCj1vw/s1600/Skylon.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The REL "Skylon"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/space_skylon.html" target="_blank">Skylon</a> spacecraft from <a href="http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/" target="_blank">Reaction Engines, Ltd.</a>, denotes that better mouse trap. Using this mode of transportation that may be radical in nature, but with a realistic chance of success, we can deliver more payload for less money, less hassle, less implementation (i.e., no need for launch gantries and the like). More importantly, we envision a 100% reusable resource built on a sustainable rocketry program in all its facets.<br />
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Hence, no waste.<br />
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We also believe that we have an innovative way to attract investors. They will not only be able to purchase a ticket to stay a week in space, but will also get their investment fully refunded once they have returned from space!<br />
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More over, our space tourism concept, which delineates one facet of our multifaceted aerospace program, has a potential for creating thousands of jobs. The delivery package for our passengers also costs far less than any industry currently considering space tourism as an option or its main product.<br />
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We deal with how we clean up our own mess (i. e., space debris), we discuss ways of recovering spent satellites, we talk about the problems associated with generating in-situ propellant, etc. etc. We've even created S.T.E.M. projects for high school students! We can truly claim to have designed an all-encompassing, complete, robust, and reusable space program.<br />
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What proof have we that such a program is cost effective? Well, they do say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So how about two thousand words?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNzxqGRZka0/UTIz5qJgsEI/AAAAAAAABMs/_Bz84r91-5Q/s1600/STS+v+RVTHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNzxqGRZka0/UTIz5qJgsEI/AAAAAAAABMs/_Bz84r91-5Q/s1600/STS+v+RVTHL.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Space Shuttle vs The Dream Shuttle</i></td></tr>
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The image on the right is a <a href="http://www.pmview.com/spaceodysseytwo/spacelvs/sld037.htm" target="_blank">cost comparison chart</a> between the Space Shuttle and the shuttle that NASA had salivated over in 1970. It was actually a Space Shuttle-Space Tug combination (image below), where the Shuttle would, for example, lift a satellite attached to a Space Tug up to Low Earth Orbit in its Payload Bay. The Tug would then separate from the Shuttle and place the satellite into Geosynchronous Earth Orbit. The Tug would then return empty, where the Shuttle would recover it, and bring it back to Earth for refurbishing, refueling, and reuse.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcmksMsk1X8/UTJEMePKNkI/AAAAAAAABNM/WVXxCWfu59A/s1600/stsotv3m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcmksMsk1X8/UTJEMePKNkI/AAAAAAAABNM/WVXxCWfu59A/s1600/stsotv3m.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What could have been...</i></td></tr>
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What an excellent idea. So this became our business model.<br />
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True, we can continue limping along the way the space program has been since the start, thereby shelling out hundreds of millions of dollars to launch and recover vehicles which, of course, adds up to, ultimately, billions of dollars.<br />
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We believe that there is a smarter way to go about it. Namely, we can spend the money <i>now</i>, all at once (so to speak), and perfect an epic space program given all the touted features outlined above. Get it right and stay right, and always look for innovations that make space flight even more perfect in the future.<br />
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The alternative is limited space payload delivery, that is, missions flown per year, verses a year-round launch and recovery program that pays for itself in any number of ways, and embraces the once far-reaching ideals of the likes of Arthur C. Clarke's space wheel, lunar bases, and beyond.<br />
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Of course, this all begins by having a much easier way to get into outer space and back down on the ground. Once <i>that</i> problem has been solved, the rest of the problems can be solved relatively quickly and cheaply.<br />
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<b>NMSTARG Query</b><br />
Neil Armstrong's famous step and giant leap for mankind was a great inspiration for a generation of potential future space travelers. For us, it was the end of a beginning. Others viewed the Apollo lunar landings as wasteful government spending on what was essentially nothing more than a publicity stunt. For them, instead, it was the beginning of the end. In the tug-of-war that typically defines national politics, the space program was decimated. Valuable science and engineering talent rotted on the vine. In many respects, it was a shameful period in US history.<br />
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Throughout this inglorious period of time, however, some visionaries tried to revive the ailing space program. These individualists seemed to settle on the same themes of earth orbit and lunar surface colonization, with the one unifying and recurring motif being the re-usability of space vehicles. But sometimes dreams fall in mid-flight; theirs certainly did. However, we, of the New Mexico STAR Group, have picked up the challenge. We can finish what these dreamers started!<br />
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What we discovered was a shocking truth: every one of these well-intentioned ideas for a space program consistently ignored one of the most important equations in all of rocketry: funding. Funding is what makes rockets fly; it is as important an equation as any Hohmann Transfer Orbit equation. To ignore this fundamental truth is to doom any space endeavor to never leaving the ground. <i>No bucks, no Buck Rogers!</i> It’s as true today as it was back then.<br />
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So what makes us different in this business? What is our solution to the funding equation? The answer can be summed up in one sobering sentence:<br />
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<i>“We know how to make a 11-figure profit in space.”</i></div>
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Let us show you how. Everything in our proposal is substantiated and corroborated; it is all laid out step-by-step and in a logical manner. You do not have to be a rocket scientist anymore to get into the space business. And if you do happen to be a rocket scientist, then you will appreciate what we have done.<br />
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This is an exciting opportunity to do it right this time in space. It’s also a win-win scenario for everyone. We get to inspire the next generation of potential future space travelers, all while making history. Wouldn’t it be nice to (finally) make some money while we’re doing all that inspiring and history making?<br />
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-32439811432343817792013-08-10T11:38:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.346-06:00Access to Space for the Common PersonHave you ever dreamed of flying in space, floating weightless about the spacecraft? Of course you have. We all have. But just like you, we lack the “Right Stuff” or the “Right Amount of Money” to get there. So what’s a common person to do?<br />
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Well, I'm glad you asked.<br />
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Here’s the key: “Reach low orbit and you’re halfway to anywhere in the Solar System.”, as the great Robert A. Heinlein famously said. There’s only one problem with that assertion, and that is it take an enormous amount of money to pull it off.<br />
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But before we can go courting the hard earned cash of the most affluent among us, we must first set up shop, which is to say, we must get our non-profit business license, and an animation showing what we have in mind, and so forth.<br />
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NMSTARG needs to crowdfund about $200,000 (USD), which in turn gets us the following:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkVCIgaqHndsdDM1Y3BOZ2ljdGVVMHpaYU54cUN2b3c&single=true&gid=24&output=html&widget=true" width="550"></iframe></div>
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To raise the needed cash, we will sell 2,000 tickets to ride on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo into space. Each ticket will cost $100.<br />
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No that is not a typo. We want to allow the people funding our endeavours to part of NewSpace history.<br />
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We believe that this price will also generate a LOT of publicity for what we wish to accomplish. And the more people find out about our plan, the more they like it.<br />
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-82996803628426601822013-07-25T20:39:00.001-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.377-06:00NMSTARG Re-NewSpace AppThe NMSTARG/Re-NewSpace startup plan can be summarized by the following app:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkVCIgaqHndsdDM1Y3BOZ2ljdGVVMHpaYU54cUN2b3c&output=html&widget=true" width="550"></iframe></div>
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These numbers show the viability of the NMSTARG plan.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nmstarg.com/2013/07/nmstarg-renew-space-calculator.html">TOP OF PAGE</a></div>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-22553396234138561142013-07-24T19:15:00.004-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.332-06:00Evan Davis, Ph.D.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3FhJ5AT1Ww8/UfB9a7WsqKI/AAAAAAAAB9w/BtydzicsLF8/s1600/Blank+Face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3FhJ5AT1Ww8/UfB9a7WsqKI/AAAAAAAAB9w/BtydzicsLF8/s1600/Blank+Face.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Professor Evan Davis </b><br />
<i>S.T.E.M. for the Classroom</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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<b>Education</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Ph.D., English</li>
</ul>
<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
<ul>
<li>N/A</li>
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<b>Life Experience</b><br />
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<li>Coming Soon</li>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-69475929893669568002013-07-24T18:55:00.001-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.375-06:00Harry E. Cross, Ph.D.<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
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<b>Dr. Harry Cross, International Health Policy Programs Director</b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Education</b></div>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Ph.D., Latin American Economic History</li>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Flight Experience</b></div>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">N/A</li>
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<b>Life Experience</b></div>
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<li>Director, Center for Development Policy</li>
<li>Senior Policy Advisor, USAID, Office of Health, India</li>
<li>Director, International Health and Population Program</li>
<li>Economist and Project Manager, Health and Population</li>
<li>Research Scientist</li>
<li>Many publications, presentations, and reports</li>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-17603147227829129612013-07-12T12:45:00.004-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.324-06:00Lonnie Juarez, Ph.D.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iQENtI4nys/UeBN_osVI7I/AAAAAAAAB1M/ULwmZ5sXS9M/s1600/Blank+Face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iQENtI4nys/UeBN_osVI7I/AAAAAAAAB1M/ULwmZ5sXS9M/s1600/Blank+Face.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Dr. Lonnie G. Juarez</b><br />
New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group<br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0B_wK3OzxW0/UeBMveCsiVI/AAAAAAAAB1A/4bhbDGpiKRY/s1600/lonnie-email.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0B_wK3OzxW0/UeBMveCsiVI/AAAAAAAAB1A/4bhbDGpiKRY/s1600/lonnie-email.png" /></a></div>
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<b>Education</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Ph.D., Administration, Organizational Development and Evaluation</li>
</ul>
<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
<ul>
<li>N/A</li>
</ul>
<b>Life Experiences</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Twenty-eight years as a director and manager and owner in business and governmental agencies</li>
<li>Planned and implemented state and national conferences</li>
<li>Funded proposals for universities and public school districts</li>
<li>Began working with websites and social media before they became popular</li>
<li>Written manuals, developed training programs for computerization</li>
<li>Taught classes for institutions of higher education</li>
<li>Written numerous technical papers presented at national, regional and state conferences</li>
<li>Co-authored two books.</li>
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Education<br />
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-18431925343732038052013-07-07T10:52:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.328-06:00Where No One Has Gone BeforeComing soon...<br />
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<b>A Well-Rounded Education</b><br />
Having said all of that, we at NMSTARG have to acknowledge that there may be legitimate arguments that we as a nation are focused too much on S.T.E.M. and not enough on the Humanities, or Social Studies, or ... well, you get the point. We agree that those subjects are an important and integral part of a well-rounded education. The old adage "one cannot learn or do mathematics if one cannot read first" is certainly true.<br />
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And so we have to admit that we do not have an answer to this important question, except to say that we are an astronautics organization, and so in our defense it is natural for us to focus on S.T.E.M. But look again at that graphic above. That right there is as good enough reason as any for us to press on with this.<br />
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To those that say that our society focuses too much on education as a way to get a high paying job, instead of as an intrinsic reward onto itself, we would say: we agree. The focus on money in our society has led to shameful behavior on the part of the few that effect the many. We believe in the "Star Trek Scenario", where you do a job because you <i>like</i> your job, and because you can grow as a human being, not because of how much it <i>pays</i>. This is why we try to make our S.T.E.M. projects fun, even if we do have a warped sense of what's fun (all Star Trek puns intended).<br />
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One final note: we are not trying to encourage every student to go into a S.T.E.M. related field; on the contrary, we feel that exposing students to S.T.E.M. gives them a well rounded education, regardless of what direction they go after High School. We instead want to help the teacher push the students to look beyond the textbook and to achieve something real-world that often lies outside their comfort zone. We feel that students will always bring their particular talent to the projects, whether it involves art, or writing, or history, or ... well, we're sure you get the point again.<br />
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So without further ado, we present our four NMSTARG space-based S.T.E.M. projects!<br />
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<b>Material List</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Computers connected to the Internet</li>
</ul>
<b>Total Cost</b><br />
<ul>
<li>$0.00 (USD)</li>
</ul>
<b>Science Topics</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Physics, Astronautics</li>
</ul>
<b>Grade</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>12th (Pre-Calculus)</li>
</ul>
<b>Essential Questions</b><br />
<ul>
<li>What is the relationship between the change in velocity and the spacecraft weight?</li>
<li>Why do I need to raise or lower my orbital altitude?</li>
<li>Who are are some of the pioneers in space exploration?</li>
<li>What previous learning needs to be activated to design a mission to land on the moon?</li>
<li>Where is the Environmental Control/Life Support System (EC/LSS) of a spacecraft located?</li>
<li>When are my S.T.E.M. projects due?</li>
<li>Why is the exact amount of propellant used in a space mission so critical?</li>
<li>How is the weight of a spacecraft related to the duration of a space mission?</li>
<li>How can I pay for a space mission and still make a profit?</li>
<li>Wait. I have to do science <i><u>and</u></i> technology <i><u>and</u></i> engineering <i><u>and</u></i> mathematics, all at the same time? Woah.</li>
</ul>
<b>Lesson Overview</b><br />
<i>Note: This website incorporates spreadsheets and slide-show presentations that are provided to teachers for use in the classroom.</i><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Students first learn the basics of astronautics using pencil, paper, and calculator.</li>
<li>Students then use what they have learned to create a space mission calculator, designed according to the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/reference/Eng_Design_5-12.html" target="_blank">Engineering Design Process</a>, that will be used for real-world spacecraft. They will use spreadsheet software to create the calculator.</li>
<li>The spreadsheet will be developed over the course of four (4) S.T.E.M. projects, with each project dealing with different aspects of space mission design.</li>
<li>The assigned space mission will include four (4) space vehicles or satellites that that are named after famous astronauts. Students will research and write a very short biography (one slide) about these heroic individuals, one for each of the 4 projects.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Learning Objectives</b><br />
<i>Evaluation</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Interpret data related to astronautics and rocketry.</li>
<li>Select an optimum design from many design options to solve technological problems.</li>
</ul>
<i>Synthesis</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Explain the principles of spaceflight in mathematical and physical terms.</li>
<li>Integrate mathematics and astronautics in the engineering design process.</li>
</ul>
<i>Analysis</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Analyze the physical principles of a change in orbital velocity (delta v) and the amount of propellant used, and relate these to a space mission design.</li>
<li>Use mathematics to calculate the change in orbital velocity, the spacecraft weight, and the amount of propellant used for a space mission.</li>
<li>Use financial analysis to determine if it is possible to make a profit from a space venture.</li>
</ul>
<i>Application</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Use the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/reference/Eng_Design_5-12.html" target="_blank">Engineering Design Process</a> to construct a real-world space mission calculator that is constrained by certain astronautics factors.</li>
</ul>
<i>Comprehension</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Define constraints to the real-world model.</li>
<li>Explain how solutions to the problem address the specific requirement.</li>
</ul>
<i>Knowledge</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Explain the relationships of the principles of astronautics to the concept of delta v, weight, and propellant.</li>
<li>Demonstrate how their space mission design calculator addresses the requirements of the delta v, weight, and propellant.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Science As Inquiry</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.</li>
<li>Design and conduct scientific investigations.</li>
<li>Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.</li>
<li>Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence.</li>
<li>Communicate and defend a scientific argument.</li>
</ul>
<b>Physical Science</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Use mathematics and logic to explain scientific principles.</li>
<li>Look up and use astronomical and astronautical constants.</li>
</ul>
<b>Science and Technology</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Identify a problem or design an opportunity.</li>
<li>Propose designs and choose between alternative solutions.</li>
<li>Implement a proposed solution.</li>
<li>Evaluate a solution and its consequences.</li>
<li>Communicate the problem, process, and solution.</li>
</ul>
::<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Time Frame</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Each project is to be completed at or near the end of each quarter, (or half-semester).</li>
<li>This means Project 1 is due around Midterm Fall Semester, Project 2 around the end of the Fall Semester, Project 3 around Midterm Spring Semester, and Project 4 around the end of the school year.</li>
<li>This gives the students about 6 weeks to research, complete, and present each project. If students work 2 hours a week, that comes to a total of 12 hours devoted to the project every quarter. This should give them plenty of time to complete the calculations, update the spreadsheet, finish the website, finish the slide-show presentation, and practice.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Vocabulary</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Begin Spaceflight:</i> The moment a spacecraft crosses into space. Until this moment the spacecraft has been travelling in the atmosphere.</li>
<li><i>Begin Weightlessness:</i> The moment after Rocket Burnout, when forces due to acceleration cease.</li>
<li><i>Drop:</i> Releasing SpaceShip 2 from the mother ship. SpaceShip 2 then falls away to a safe distance before igniting its rocket engine.</li>
<li><i>End Spaceflight:</i> The moment a spacecraft exits from space. The spacecraft returns to the atmospheric environment.</li>
<li><i>End Weightlessness:</i> The moment at Reentry Interface, where the spacecraft begins to slow down and gravity returns.</li>
<li><i>Maximum Altitude:</i> The highest point that a spacecraft reaches during a parabolic spaceflight.</li>
<li><i>Mission Elapsed Time (MET):</i> Time since the beginning of the spaceflight.</li>
<li><i>Parabolic Spaceflight: </i>A spacecraft that coasts into space after rocket burnout that has a flight profile in the shape of a parabola.</li>
<li><i>Reentry Interface:</i> The moment a spacecraft encounters Earth's atmosphere, which is used to slow the spacecraft down for a safe landing.</li>
<li><i>Rocket Burnout:</i> The moment a rocket engine shuts itself off, where the spacecraft continues upward on its own momentum.</li>
<li><i>Space Interface:</i> The height where space "officially" begins, which is set at the internationally agreed upon altitude of 100,000 m, or 62 mi MSL.</li>
<li><i>SpaceShipTwo:</i> The spacecraft that is dropped from SpaceShip 1. After rocket burnout, the spacecraft coasts up to space and back.</li>
<li><i>White Knight 2:</i> The mother ship that carries SpaceShip 2 to launch altitude.</li>
</ul>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-36631456365232077082013-06-30T12:24:00.001-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.352-06:00Steve Rokicki, Ph.D.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Dr. Steve Rokicki, Spaceflight Human Factors</b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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<b>Education</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Ph.D., Psychology</li>
</ul>
<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
<ul>
<li>USAF Backseat F-101</li>
<li>GA Pilot</li>
<li>Experimental Aircraft Pilot</li>
<li>Member, EAA</li>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-89173375778653273472013-06-27T19:28:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.380-06:00Executive Summary<div style="text-align: center;">
(DRAFT)</div>
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<b>NMSTARG - New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>MISSION</b></div>
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To develop a comprehensive and viable space commercialization program blueprint that utilizes reuse and commonality to achieve affordable and profitable spaceflight.<br />
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<b>BUSINESS DESCRIPTION</b><br />
Our group will be tasked with taking ideas we have developed and complete a business plan that can be used to make a substantial amount of money in space. Our plan has brought us to the brink. We will then take our innovative concepts to the next level by answering important questions that just one person working alone cannot answer.<br />
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For example, we need a steady and copious amount of liquid hydrogen. Which companies can handle the needed supplies? Is it possible to ship this large amount of cryogenic fuel to Spaceport America? Our plan calls for Reaction Engines, Ltd to build the space plane. However, since they are having difficulty attracting investors, who can build this complicated spacecraft for us? These are the types of questions that our group will answer in the coming year.<br />
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Once complete, the business plan will act as a blueprint for who to spend money on and how much gets allocated. We can hit the ground running and gain valuable time on development, with this proviso in mind: instead of taking four or five years to develop and fight test needed vehicles, it should take us no more than three years. Our projected timeline will make efficient use of both time and money and get to the selling stage that much quicker.<br />
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<b>COMPANY BACKGROUND</b><br />
Although the owner of NMSTARG conceived his aerospace mission many years ago, the decision to market the company was made public in 2012. In view of the timely announcements of other and slightly similar endeavors, NMSTARG decided against a niche market scheme. Instead, the plan was to formulate a complete aerospace ideal, a Gestalt approach, covering every aspect of space exploration, with the immediate goal of mining on the moon. The operation, when funded, is currently estimated in an approximate three-year envelope, and not the eight to ten-year speculation figures of those operations desiring to mine asteroids.<br />
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<b>PRODUCTS/SERVICES</b><br />
To date, there has been nothing offered in space exploration that remotely comes close to NMSTARG’s conception. While NASA has thus far proven itself in the aerospace industry, its missions have been costly, both in the loss of human life and materials, also utterly time consuming. Mostly, its operation relied on expendable rocketry entailing all facets of launch and recovery.<br />
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Where NMSTARG’s planned operation greatly differs from NASA, as well as recent newcomers (i.e., Virgin Airways, Space X, Planetary Resources, and some few others), is its non expendable use of materials. In other words, rocketry that launches and returns to Earth. Ergo, there is no need to jettison and lose any equipment. What’s built here returns here. It’s as simple as that!<br />
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Although start-up costs are high, the return on the investment is as expedient as it is an overall savings of billions of dollars. The bonus is how our investors will repeat an estimated 500% on their initial investment––at least that much!<br />
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<b>TECHNOLOGIES</b><br />
NMSTARG’s entire mission to and from the moon is precise as it is methodical in every detail. For instance, our planned mining operation that includes building a complete processing station on the lunar surface using available resources (i.e., hydrogen and water). Amazingly, the rocketry used in NMSTARG’s operation is off-the-shelf technology from the 1970s! The difference is using technology and innovative techniques that were never used in that era.<br />
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The fact that all aspects of NMSTARG’s operation is not hampered by government controls, such as the political and budgetary hurdles NASA constantly faced, implies a smoother, quicker and less expensive operation from start to finish.<br />
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<b>MARKETS</b><br />
Another salient proposal of NMSTARG’s operation are plans to launch sixteen missions a month! This means four missions a week using a fleet of vehicles. In short, why build just one or two space craft, when it’s much cheaper to build many at the same time? Some of the space craft are used for earth orbits, others to the moon. NMSTARG’s estimated cost to fully implement the operation is approximately $60 billion.<br />
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<b>DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS</b><br />
Because NMSTARG operation is an admitted far-reaching enterprise, scores of industries and suppliers are required. Namely, those companies specializing in building rockets, tracking operations, fuel, rovers and similar robotic vehicles, space suits, and myriad others in the lengthy process. America has the technology. America has the manpower. America has all the key players already in place to take a truly giant step forward and create an entire new paradigm that is thus far unprecedented in the aerospace industry.<br />
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NMSTARG not only conceived and built a better mousetrap, but does not intend killing the mouse! We are a complete sustainable industry from start to finish in any phase. Although there is an admitted huge outlay of cost to fund this project, the savings is extraordinary over a much shorter window of time compared to conventional aerospace industries. NMSTARG did its homework: we know the math, we know the engineering, and we can back up our proposed idealism.<br />
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<b>COMPETITION</b><br />
Currently, the aforementioned projects offer missions to outer space that is in various facets of their specialties. Some operations offer passenger service, though, again, very limited in scope and costly in the final analysis. Others are geared for mining operations, both lunar and asteroids. In every respect, these specialized mining operations may appear timely as far as scheduled launches go, even a boost to America’s sagging economy. The fact is these ideas are years out from completing their proposed missions.<br />
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While the operational costs are certainly lower than NMSTARG’s, specifically planned start-up costs, in the long run there is too much waste of materials. Therefore, it becomes a costly investment by thinking and planning in the usual business sense. Namely, expendability costs for the sake of seeming quick profits today, and of course primarily geared to investors. In the long run, there are really no-cost savings with such outmoded ideas.<br />
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NMSTARG’s paradigm proposes a new mindset regarding space exploration in any phase. Namely, creating a comprehensive operation that saves on material costs. In short, the non expendable factor that launches rockets in all phases of its operation and returns the equipment. This philosophy guarantees huge savings in capital investment. By building the rockets and all equipment with this ideal in mind, and<br />
going beyond the conventional and frugal approach, what’s past is essentially not prologue. What helped get us to space in the past is no longer viable in any respect.<br />
Our ideal comes down to this pivotal point: NMSTARG can design better rocketry that promotes safe launches and safe returns, including safeguarding the most valuable benefit to space exploration: human life.<br />
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<b>FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS</b><br />
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Recurring Revenue:<br />
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Recurring Payments:<br />
Coming Soon...<br />
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More coming soon...</div>
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<b>SOLUTION MANAGEMENT</b></div>
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Coming soon...<br />
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<b>INDUSTRY</b><br />
Aerospace and Astronautics<br />
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More coming soon...</div>
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<b>NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES</b></div>
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Coming soon...<br />
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<b>FINANCING SOUGHT</b></div>
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Coming soon...<br />
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<b>USE OF FUNDS</b></div>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-55375364244477399422013-06-27T18:37:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.364-06:00Mike Maness<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></b>
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<b>Mike Maness, Electronics and Space Structures</b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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::<br />
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<b>Education</b><br />
<ul>
<li>A.A.S. Electronics Technology</li>
</ul>
<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Powered Paragliding Pilot</li>
<li>Unpowered (P-2) Paragliding Pilot</li>
<li>Ultralight Pilot</li>
<li>Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic</li>
<li>Member USHPA</li>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-25090673975037537022013-06-27T18:32:00.005-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.338-06:00Administrator<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFY3FjxQoFk/UdbkNxucZgI/AAAAAAAABv8/H_8oaIhWWNM/s1600/MILLIE+THE+KID+(THE+EYES).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFY3FjxQoFk/UdbkNxucZgI/AAAAAAAABv8/H_8oaIhWWNM/s320/MILLIE+THE+KID+(THE+EYES).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I can has administrator privileges?</span></div>
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<b>Administrator, SaaS Cloud Engineer</b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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::<br />
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<b>Education</b><br />
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<li>Computer Programming</li>
<li>Website development</li>
<li>Cloud Applications</li>
<li>Multimedia applications</li>
</ul>
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<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
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<li>Microsoft Flight Simulator for the PC</li>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-24745029940157463822013-06-27T18:08:00.001-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.335-06:00Consultants<div>
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<b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Name:</b><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Steve Rokicki</span></div>
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<b>Education:</b> Ph.D., Psychology</div>
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<b>Position:</b> Human Factors Research Consultant</div>
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<b>Flight Experience:</b> USAF Backseat F-101, GA Pilot</div>
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<b>Email:</b> steve at nmstarg dot com<br />
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<b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Name:</b><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Mike Maness</span></div>
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<b>Education:</b> A.A.S. Electronics Technology</div>
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<b>Position:</b> Electronics and Space Structures Research Consultant</div>
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<b>Flight Experience:</b> Ultralight Pilot, Powered Paragliding Pilot, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic</div>
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<b>Email:</b> mike at nmstarg dot com</div>
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<b>Name:</b> Admin</div>
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<b>Education:</b> Computer Programming, website development, multimedia applications</div>
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<b>Position:</b> Information Technology Specialist, Founding Member<br />
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<b>Flight Experience:</b> N/A</div>
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<b>Email:</b> admin at nmstarg dot com<br />
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-66333477910370711762013-06-26T19:31:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.373-06:00Joe Maness<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7hqvmV8zoE/UdCYLuocyhI/AAAAAAAABso/0JzPNnD3ZC0/s522/joe_flight_jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7hqvmV8zoE/UdCYLuocyhI/AAAAAAAABso/0JzPNnD3ZC0/s320/joe_flight_jacket.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 - Showing off the Flight Jacket!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcVQQ_8-97c/UdCeNzZodHI/AAAAAAAABtQ/NrBfTmsiFNk/s693/in+uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcVQQ_8-97c/UdCeNzZodHI/AAAAAAAABtQ/NrBfTmsiFNk/s320/in+uniform.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1979 - US Navy Aviation ASW School</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b><b> Joe Maness, Aerospace/Astronautics</b><b></b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6aNLYd0kKA/UdN53b5JJmI/AAAAAAAABug/LaH53EIZmgg/s137/joe-email.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6aNLYd0kKA/UdN53b5JJmI/AAAAAAAABug/LaH53EIZmgg/s1600/joe-email.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.joemaness.com/" target="_blank">http://www.joemaness.com</a><br />
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::</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Education</b></div>
<ul>
<li>B.S. Applied Mathematics</li>
<li>Secondary Education Teaching License; Endorsement in Mathematics</li>
<li>Microsoft Certified Trainer</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Flight Experience</b></div>
<ul>
<li>US Navy Backseat S-3A, 102 Carrier landings</li>
<li>Ultralight pilot</li>
</ul>
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::</div>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-25939116562850113012013-06-26T19:30:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.341-06:00Richard Holtzin, Ph.D.<div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gxU0w4OoXc/Uh1e0eTJCNI/AAAAAAAACMQ/8u4Zs7yoJbE/s1600/AT+THE+CONVAIR+CONTROLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gxU0w4OoXc/Uh1e0eTJCNI/AAAAAAAACMQ/8u4Zs7yoJbE/s1600/AT+THE+CONVAIR+CONTROLS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">1995 - At the controls of a mighty Convair<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OflDrm1M1b4/UdCQPyfDNaI/AAAAAAAABsY/9GAOsW-Q2XM/s953/SUITED+UP+FOR+SUPERSONIC+FLIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OflDrm1M1b4/UdCQPyfDNaI/AAAAAAAABsY/9GAOsW-Q2XM/s400/SUITED+UP+FOR+SUPERSONIC+FLIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1996 - Suited up for a supersonic F-18 backseat flight!</td></tr>
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<b>Dr. Richard Holtzin, Executive Director</b><br />
<i>New Mexico Space Technology Applications Research Group</i><br />
9200 Lagrima De Oro NE<br />
Albuquerque, NM 87111<br />
505.488.1249<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5iP5f8H1rg/UdN79kNjkdI/AAAAAAAABu0/oMGlzubjSOY/s137/rich-email.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5iP5f8H1rg/UdN79kNjkdI/AAAAAAAABu0/oMGlzubjSOY/s137/rich-email.png" /></a></div>
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::<br />
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<b>Education</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Ph.D., Western and Eastern Philosophy</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b>Flight Experience</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Commercial Pilot (Left and Right Seats)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b>Life Experiences</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Educator/Guide with the <a href="https://www.grandcanyon.org/learn/grand-canyon-field-institute/classes-tours-find-class/instructor-biographies?page=1" target="_blank">Grand Canyon Field Institute</a>, Northern Arizona University and Yavapai College</li>
<li>Ecotourism owner/operator</li>
</ul>
::<br />
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</div>
Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-4599685102148581282013-05-11T11:39:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.359-06:00Revisiting Old FriendsCross posted to Daily Kos:<br />
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<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/13/1208599/-Revisiting-Old-Friends">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/13/1208599/-Revisiting-Old-Friends</a><br />
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<br />Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-62824752119227559462013-05-10T22:38:00.003-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.367-06:00The Bell Curve<div style="text-align: center;">
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This webpage has been moved to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/the-bell-curve.html">http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/the-bell-curve.html</a></div>
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Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-49496099415818474452013-04-23T20:04:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.362-06:00How a High School Technology Class Saved the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Still under construction...<br />
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NOTES:<br />
___________________<br />
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<b>Curriculum</b><br />
Hardware<br />
<ol>
<li>The <i>Google 9th Grade Starter Kit</i> and it's contents</li>
<li>Chromebook + Power Cord</li>
</ol>
<div>
Software</div>
<ol>
<li>Chrome OS</li>
<li>Chrome Browser</li>
<li>Google Apps</li>
</ol>
<ul><ul>
<li>GMail</li>
<li>Camera</li>
<li>Calendar</li>
<li>Scratch Pad</li>
<li>Files</li>
<ul>
<li>Folders</li>
<li>Downloads</li>
<li>Google Drive</li>
<ul>
<li>Docs</li>
<li>Slides</li>
<li>Sheets</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Chrome Store</li>
<ul>
<li>Screen Capture</li>
<li>Image Editing</li>
<li>Other free software</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
Advanced Software</div>
<ol>
<li>BlogSpot website development</li>
<li>Embedding Hyperlinks</li>
<li>Uploading and Embedding Images</li>
<li>Labels</li>
<li>Comments</li>
<li>Publishing and Embedding Docs, Slides, and Sheets</li>
<li>Uploading and Embedding YouTube videos</li>
</ol>
<div>
S.T.E.M. Project</div>
<ol>
<li>Crowdfunding the current 8th graders their <i>Google 9th Grade Starter Kit</i> for the following school year</li>
<li>Monitoring the crowdfunding effort</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
____________________________________________________________</div>
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After 4 years, the student has a history of their experience at their school on a website. This now becomes an electronic portfolio, letting potential colleges and employers find out what makes this person so unique and special.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tlccsgoogle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Link to example student website</a></div>
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::<br />
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<b>Parental Involvement</b><br />
Students email parents when they have class assignments posted on their website. Parents get to leave a comment on their child's website, thus fostering <i>Parental Involvement</i>. Even relatives that may live on the other side of the planet can leave a comment!<br />
<br />
<b>Community Involvement</b><br />
The class S.T.E.M. project will have many sponsors from the local business. These sponsors may want to leave comments on the website, fostering <i>Community Involvement</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Student Accountability</b><br />
Maybe with everyone watching them, students may be motivated to do better in school, thus fostering <i>student accountability</i>.<br />
<ul>
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::<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that either way, no matter what happens, it's good for the local businesses, it's good for the community, it's good for the school, it's good for society, and it's good for the students.<br />
<br />
Gee, no wonder the high school technology class saved the world...<br />
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::<br />
<br />Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-44371713463483925332013-04-23T19:59:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.357-06:00Crowdfunding Google Chromebooks<b>S.T.E.M. Project</b><br />
Crowdfunding the <i>Google 9th Grade Starter Kit</i><br />
<br />
We would very much like every 9th grade student to receive a Google Chromebook and the following items:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkVCIgaqHndsdHZmanpfUjBFSnJNSHUzUE92WHA4VVE&output=html&widget=true" width="480"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkVCIgaqHndsdHZmanpfUjBFSnJNSHUzUE92WHA4VVE&output=html" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...</a></div>
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The teacher will bust the class into 6 groups, each tasked with creating their own crowdfunding effort using 6 different <a href="http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/crowdfunding-sites/" target="_blank">crowdfunding websites</a> (indegogo, kickstarter, etc.)<br />
<br />
That means each group would only need to crowdfund between $1,500. We are sure that any area small business would be more than happy to chip in $300 to help educate our children on 21st century technology. Find another 4 surrounding businesses who could do the same thing, and the group's crowdfunding effort is complete. The method of contacting each business is left up to the group. There may also have to be coordination between the groups so that the same businesses are not contacted more than once.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
If the class could get just one company to pick up the entire $9,000 tab, it would would make them (and the school!) look GREAT on the 6 o'clock news.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that either way, no matter what happens, it's good for the local businesses, it's good for the community, it's good for the school, it's good for society, and it's good for the students.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-41268328099997048862013-04-23T19:52:00.003-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.354-06:00The City in the SkyThis webpage has been moved to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/the-city-in-sky.html">http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/the-city-in-sky.html</a>Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-33137948652280202472013-04-23T19:51:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:21.349-06:00Landing is the Hardest Thing to Do...This webpage has been moved to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/landing-is-hardest-thing-to-do.html">http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/landing-is-hardest-thing-to-do.html</a>Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-42806122091354908262013-04-23T19:47:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:39.365-06:00Skylon PayloadThis webpage has been moved to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/skylon-payload.html">http://www.stemfortheclassroom.com/2013/07/skylon-payload.html</a>Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-86525880336829652962013-03-31T13:05:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:39.383-06:00The Z-1 Space SuitComing Soon...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPydoSWbOgc/UViIumI07xI/AAAAAAAABQA/O3siMLv00zw/s1600/z1-next-generation-nasa-space-suit-121220g-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPydoSWbOgc/UViIumI07xI/AAAAAAAABQA/O3siMLv00zw/s1600/z1-next-generation-nasa-space-suit-121220g-02.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-36144380608224156672013-03-31T11:22:00.003-06:002016-04-18T16:10:39.360-06:00 A Typical Month Going To The MoonCross posted to Daily Kos:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/15/1180270/-A-Typical-Month-Going-to-the-Moon">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/15/1180270/-A-Typical-Month-Going-to-the-Moon</a>Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-53678017452113065742013-03-31T11:22:00.002-06:002016-04-18T16:10:39.369-06:00A Typical Week In Low Earth OrbitThis is a fictionalized account of what could happen if our technical paper ever becomes fully funded. It calls for a permanent Low Earth Orbit Station (LEOS) that will be robust enough to handle a crew of 52 plus 20 space tourists. This is the story of one of one of those "typical" tourists. I put typical in scare-quotes because these individuals are not really typical; they are multi-millionaires (minimum) who enjoy the better things that life has to offer simply because they can afford it. This has been, unfortunately, the only way that new technology has advanced. Oh well. All we can say is that these millionaire vacationers will help pave the way for everyone to go into space... eventually. In the mean time, we can go there in our imaginations.<br />
<br />
So as a "typical" multi-millionaire interested in space travel, you purchased a ticket to a vacation in space. The price paid is $5M (USD) for 9 days in space, and $1M in escrow in case you do not pass the pre-spaceflight physical. What do you get for your money?<br />
<br />
::<br />
<br />
You wake up on a Thursday, and head directly to your doctor. After several hours, the doctor confirms that you have passed a standard space flight physical. You don't want any last-minute surprises.<br />
<br />
The next day, Friday, you and all of your family and friends hop on your private jets to fly to Spaceport America, located in sunny New Mexico, USA. Everyone checks into a hotel and settles in for the night.<br />
<br />
The next day, Saturday, everyone takes a tour of the Spaceport facility, as well as the Skylon spacecraft and it's facilities. You celebrate your upcoming flight with friends and family that night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next day, Sunday, you and the rest of your fellow space travelers are placed in quarantine, and then pass the company standard flight physical. You are briefed and trained on Skylon and LEOS emergency procedures. You go to bed that night full of anticipation for the next days launch. Sleep is elusive.<br />
<br />
The next day, Monday, you and the rest of the tourists have a final breakfast, and suit up in tourist orange (to spot you better, in case of an emergency). You and the crew are led out to a van, where you are driven out to the awaiting Skylon spacecraft.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Skylon looks like any ordinary airliner, except for its stubby wings and engines mounted on the wing edges. The open door with a stairwell on the port side of the spacecraft shows the way in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You exit the van and board the spacecraft, just as any other passenger would board an airliner. You walk up a short flight of stairs and into the cabin.<br />
<br />
The cabin looks like any other ordinary airline cabin. Seats are arranged facing forwards, with 2 seats on either side of the central aisle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After taking your seat and strapping in, the Skylon is towed to the propellant apron, where the Liquid Hydrogen fuel and Liquid Oxygen oxidizer is loaded into the spaceplane.<br />
<br />
Once everything is loaded, the Skylon is towed to the runway for takeoff.<br />
<br />
The takeoff is like a typical airliner: the Skylon places the engines at full thrust, and the spaceplane goes down the runway.<br />
<br />
The nose lifts into the air, and the Skylon climbs out. The landing gear is retracted, and the space liner accelerates into the sky.<br />
<br />
You feel the same experience as any airliner. So far.<br />
<br />
At a certain point in the flight, the engines switch over to rocket mode, and the fun begins. The Skylon points the nose at an impossibly high angle, and the spaceplane accelerates to space.<br />
<br />
After the engines cut off, the Skylon coasts up to it's target orbital altitude. The payload bay doors open, and, for the first time, you get to see outside the spacecraft. Welcome to space!<br />
<br />
And what a sight is indeed.<br />
<br />
Eventually, a bright speck in the distant grows to an entire city in space.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Skylon slowly approaches, then docks with, the LEOS. After pressure is equalized, the hatches are opened. You now vacate the Skylon, and enter the LEOS. One of the LEOS crew is there to guide you to your quarters.<br />
<br />
You enter your quarters and begin unpacking. You settle in for the day. There is a window in your room, and the view keeps you enthralled for hours.<br />
<br />
It's now dinner time, so off you go to the galley. Everyone else is there, sitting on either side of a long table. You get your plate, which is a fantastic 4 course meal. You relax for a great mix of great food, great company, and great conversations.<br />
<br />
After dinner you retire to the galley for the rest of the night. The view outside is mesmerizing, but it is time for sleep.<br />
<br />
::<br />
<br />
You wake up the next morning and hit the showers. The toilet and shower are one unit, so in case of an unfortunate accident, clean up becomes a snap.<br />
<br />
After breakfast, the tourists muster at the Commons Module to begin the tour of the LEOS. You get to see the Bridge, where the LEOS command center is located.<br />
<br />
Then on to the Remote Pilot Station, where the spacecraft working around the LEOS are controlled remotely.<br />
<br />
Sick Bay is next, and you are impressed with all the latest and greatest medical equipment you see. Relatively minor operations, such as the removal of an appendix, can be performed here.<br />
<br />
Engineering is last, where all LEOS systems and functions are controlled.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, you are not allowed in the EVA Module, but, the EVA experience does await you.<br />
<br />
::<br />
<br />
The next day, Wednesday, you pack up for a 3-day excursion on an OUV. This is the part of the vacation that you were looking forward to the most. You and the other tourists are to undock and leave the LEOS.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Once inside the OUV, you stow your gear and await the journey. Once everyone (and everything) is secure, the pilot undocks with the LEOS, and moves away from it. Once again, you get to see the LEOS in its entirety.<br />
<br />
Slowly, the LEOS begins to shrink, then finally disappear. Now you are experiencing what early space explorers felt: that sense of awe and loneliness when comparing your tiny craft to the vastness of space.<br />
<br />
You and your shipmates are "camping" in space, so none of the luxuries of the LEOS can be found here. You eat dehydrated food, and use a wash cloth to clean up. The toilet is still the toilet, and after 3 days, no one wants to use use it because of how nasty it has become. Ah, the many perils of space travel!<br />
<br />
The next day, Thursday brings the OUV rendezvousing with another OUV that is repairing a satellite. You watch as the ballet that is the spacewalk unfolds before you, and you marvel at how easy the astronauts make it all look.<br />
<br />
Friday is the return trip, where there is nothing, then all of a sudden a bright speck. You are thrilled to be coming home - then catch yourself. You have already so fully adapted to this strange and alien environment that you are actually thinking of it as home.<br />
<br />
The pilot does the usual expert job of docking with the LEOS. The hatches are open , and you float out of the OUV. It was truly an experience that you will never forget.<br />
<br />
And that's only the beginning.<br />
<br />
::<br />
<br />
The next day, Saturday, is a free day, and you decide to go exploring the LEOS on your own. There is so much to see, and really, so little time to see it all. But your mind drift back to the OUV experience, and the one experience coming up tomorrow that will make the OUV journey look like child's play.<br />
<br />
You wake up the next day, Sunday, and pack for the overnight event. You are almost giddy with anticipation as you head for the EVA lockers.<br />
<br />
This is a place where tourists go to spacewalk. A real live, honest-to-goodness spacewalk. The Z-1 spacesuit has made EVAs vastly simpler, so that only minimal training for the suit is necessary.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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You enter the tourist EVA module, and stow your gear. Since the space suit has an internal pressure of only 3 pounds per square inch (psi), and the LEOS is set at sea-level pressure (14.7 pounds psi), you must purge the nitrogen from you body. This process usually take 7 hours to complete. Our idea is that the tourists will adapt by going to sleep, and the EVA module slowly purges the nitrogen from the atmosphere, and lowers the pressure. When you wake up, you are in a pure oxygen environment at the lower atmospheric pressure. Now you can don the space suit.<br />
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Only, the space suit is outside, with the back attached to the side of the module.<br />
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The LEOS crew member unlatches a small hatch, and the entrance to the space suit is laid bare. You are helped into the suit, feet first, and slide your head into the helmet. That's it! The crew member places the life support backback in place, then replaces the hatch. After pressurization is equalized, a green light comes on, and you push yourself forward to release yourself from the docking clamps.<br />
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You float forward, with your safety line trailing behind you. You are floating away from the station. You use you line to turn r around, and...<br />
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The sight takes your breath away. Here is the LEOS laid out, and you get to float around it and check out the view.<br />
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Too soon, the experience is over, but you know that you are scheduled for 2 more excursions tomorrow.<br />
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You are guided back to your perch, and align the backpack to the entrance port. With everything aligned, the suit is locked into place, and the you exit the same way to came in. You talk excitedly to the other tourists, sharing in the moment. Sleep is elusive that night, once again.<br />
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The next day, Monday, finds you climbing into you suit once again after breakfast. You are now experienced at this, and know what to expect.After the green light, you pull way from the space station, more confident this time as you gain your space legs.<br />
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Your exploration is now more focused, since your not worrying about anything going wrong like you did yesterday. Today, you can actually enjoy the experience.<br />
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Once again, it all ends too soo. You reconnect, and climb out of the suit. You are grinning like a school kid.<br />
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Exiting the module only takes a few minutes, as getting back to sea-level pressure is easier. It's good to be back to familiar surroundings - there you go again, calling the place home!<br />
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You also get to watch your ride home inching closer to the space station, bringing a new set of tourists and replacement crew. You watch in fascination how, just like the LEOS, the Skylon grows from a bright dot to a huge spacecraft.<br />
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::<br />
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The next day, Tuesday, is your last full day aboard the LEOS. You and your new friends have bonded and have developed a true friendship that may even last after you get back to earth. In the mean time, today is a chance to relax and reflect on everything that you have done while you are still in space. You go to sleep that night exhausted but thrilled.<br />
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Wednesday brings the flight home. You pack up and meet at the Commons module. You board the Skylon and stow your luggage.<br />
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Once everyone is onboard, the Skylon undocks and leaves the LEOS. You are actually experiencing mixed emotions; you are elated at what you have experienced, and yet profoundly sad at leaving. You realize that as lucky as you are to have the finances to experience such a vacation, the truly lucky people are the LEOS crew that get to stay there, while you have to leave. That thought brings a smile to your face.<br />
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The Skylon fires its engines to lower its orbit into the atmosphere, and the Skylon reenters it in a fireball. Inside, it feels like another airline ride. The Skylon eventually slows down enough to glide in for a landing. After the spacecraft comes toi a halt, the hatch is popped open, and the same van that took you to the Skylon now picks you back up. The van then takes you back to the main area, where your family and friends await you.<br />
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This story is what space tourists would experience once our ideas are fully funded. We feel confident that we can compete with any other space travel company, since we offer a better price while getting to experience a whole lot more.<br />
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The space vacation described today is one of two that we will be offering in the future. The other vacation will be quite a bit more expensive, but will definitely be worth it.<br />
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Of course, that's a story for another day.<br />
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<br />Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655897601492737063.post-21601897323685282942013-03-17T10:33:00.000-06:002016-04-18T16:10:39.352-06:00Building a Better Space StationThe one eternal question that agonizes engineers and planners is: can a way be found to improve on a design?
Of course, the answer is always yes, so instead of wasting time answering silly questions, new and better ways of doing things will always present itself, if one is willing to embrace change. A space design thus gets to improve.
So the question that we at NMSTARG have agonized over is: can we make our Low Earth Orbit Station (LEOS) better?
And as it turns out, the answer is a resounding yes.
<a href="http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/">Bigelow Aerospace</a> rocks. Their inflatable products are awesome. Their inflatable station is launched into orbit, and then, well, <em>inflated</em>. What a concept.
The advantages over a "Tin Can" pressurized module (such as the ones used by the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html">ISS</a>, and, NMSTARG) are obvious. For about the same launch configuration, you can almost triple the pressurized, usable volume.
This is not some future dream. This is current reality.
To flight test the concept, Bigelow launched the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_I">Genesis I</a> in 2006 and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_II">Genesis II</a> in 2007. Both of them are still up there. You can even track them in Earth orbit in real time <a href="http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis-1-tracking.php">here</a> and <a href="http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis-2-tracking.php">here</a>.
It has a kevlar micrometeoroid shield, windows, it's very own solar panels, and can be interconnected very easily, with very little assembly required; just hook 'em up and go! It really is an amazing space habitat, and any commercial space program should be incorporating these exciting products into their schemes.
So, um, why aren't <em>we</em> using them?
Because the Bigelow BA-330, while super awesome, a) won't fit in the <a href="http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/">REL</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft)">Skylon</a> payload bay, and b) is too heavy to launch with the Skylon vehicle (sob).
Otherwise, we'd be using it like a big dog.
The Skylon can carry a 42 foot long payload; the Bigelow is 45 feet long. The Skylon can handle 32,500 lbs to LEO; the Bigelow weighs 44,000 lbs.
But wait. Just because we can't fly this truly remarkable space station on the Skylon, doesn't mean that we have to abandon the whole thing, right?
Now you're talking my language.
Let's explore some answers, shall we?
::
But first, let's see what we had before. Remember that each module could comfortably fit inside the payload bay, so we believe that assembling the LEOS would be relatively easy (insert tab A into slot B...).
<strong>The Old LEOS</strong>
Top View:
Side View:
Crew: 72 People
Total Power Requirement: 98 kW
Total Pressurized Volume: About 40,000 cubic feet
As you can see, the old LEOS design is adequate, and fairly easy to lift into orbit and assemble. At 40,000 cubic feet per 72 people, that's over 550 cubic feet per person.
::
<strong>The New LEOS</strong>
Top View:
Side View:
::
Crew: 72 People
Total Power Requirement: 43 kW
Total Pressurized Volume: About 100,000 cubic feet
Wow. We more than doubled our pressurized volume! As a matter a fact, the pressurized volume comes to over 1,300 cubic feet per person!
::
<strong>The Math</strong>
So what would it take to get these Bigelow space Stations to LEO? As it turns out, <a href="http://www.spacex.com/">Space X</a> is developing just the vehicle.
It's called the Space X <a href="http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php">Falcon Heavy</a>, and it will be able to lift 120,000 lbs into LEO for a cost of about $150M (USD).
This means that two (2) Bigelow BA 330 space stations plus all the support structures can be lifted in one launch. Eight (8) Bigelow's means four (4) Falcon Heavy launches, or around $600M.
We estimate that each BA 330 will cost $150M, so eight comes to $1,200M. So the grand total comes to $1,800M.
We believe that it is well worth the extra cost to be able to use this unique and wonderful space item. A 100,000 cubic foot space station would certainly be something useful, to say the least.
::
<strong>Conclusion</strong>
The LEOS space station is now a more habitable place for the crew, because we more than doubled the amount of "space" each crew and passenger has. The Bigelow's are strong and sturdy, and should last several years before replacement.
Now that our LEOS is set, we can move on to other, more pressing matters: how to have fun in space. Specifically, how to get tourists up there, and what to do with them when they get there.
Of course, that's a story for another day.
Joe Manesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15913956057826953901noreply@blogger.com0