Iron Hill Project Thread

[TMac3000]

Okay, that would be fine. But I'm talking about surface excursions when we are on Mercury.

Also, what do you think of the missions "Curiosity", "Longevity", and "Tenacity"? Tenacity, I know, is at least slightly insane. But if we can do it without killing ourselves, I think it would be a scientific goldmine

[Felipi1205]

The Tenacity mission is... THE BEEEEST!!!!!

[TMac3000]

It does sound awesome, but (and I invite some senior Orbinauts to answer this one too) is there a safe way to get right up in a solar flare's face?

Also, the Curiosity excursion is over 300 km--about a 4 to 5 hour drive in the Azure

[Felipi1205]

A solar flare isn't very dangerous. The only problem is the radiation, but I can create an special module for avoid the radiation. Maybe an artificial magnetic field should be useful too. The main problem is the communication, we can't avoid the lost of it!

[TMac3000]

I suppose it depends on the size of the flare. A small one might be fairly easy to shield against, but if we get hit with what turns out to be a full-blown coronal mass ejection, I'm pretty sure we're screwed

I hate to sound like I'm arguing with my own idea, but don't forget that on Earth we have the benefit of 150 million kilometers of separation, an ozone layer, and a solid magnetosphere. On Mercury we will have a decent magnetosphere, but no atmosphere to protect us and barely a third of the distance. Don't get me wrong, I still think it's possible, but underestimating the danger here could be deadly.

The key will be planning. We need to pic a flare that is close enough to get good data on, but not so close that we get turned into microwave dinner Fortunately, Tenacity isn't until January of next year, so we have lots of time to plan

[mojoey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felipi1205

 A solar flare isn't very dangerous. The only problem is the radiation, but I can create an special module for avoid the radiation. Maybe an artificial magnetic field should be useful too. The main problem is the communication, we can't avoid the lost of it!

what if the comms were wired? I.E. a physical cable from the EVAer to the base

[TMac3000]

It's possible we might travel 50 kilometers or more to get to the rim, and then we have to climb up the crater wall. That would be one long cable

[Felipi1205]

Maybe the new type of communication that can cross the floor. An experiment of this type was created some weeks ago...

[TMac3000]

It's worth looking into.

I downloaded Blender last night, and I should have a cot and a laptop computer for our quarters meshed out soon

[mojoey]

how about custom UMMU meshes?

[TMac3000]

That's a nice idea UMMUs that actually look like us would be very cool. Can someone work on that while I work on the other stuff?

---------- Post added at 01:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 PM ----------

Chronus 3 is scheduled for April 14. The mission will be a simple one: dock with Odyssey and go aboard, transfer a half-dozen fuel containers to top up her tanks, go to IMFD and enter a Mercury trajectory into the computer, then go back to the Chronus, undock and go home. Sorendafabico, she's yours on this flight If you don't have a copilot by Wednesday, please tell me, and I'll fly with you

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

Okay, RickD will fly with Sorendafabico on the 14th. I'll post the launch time when I find out what it is, but be warned, it is probably going to be another red-eye flight...

[Felipi1205]

I can work on the UMmu suits. I already create a texture for the solar team, it's golden! I already posted a picture of it...

[sorindafabico]

Do we have a flight plan for Chronus? Or am I free to choose a flight profile?

[TMac3000]

You can choose your own profile I recommend direct ascent if the timing is convenient and you know how. Failing either, you could take the long way around (aligning, synching, etc.), which will probably mean 6 to 8 hours between liftoff and contact, then about another 2 hours to get her home again. If you decide to take the long way, I recommend taking off around 0700 local. Before you decide, let me find a launch window for a direct ascent and get back to you.

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 PM ----------

Also, I'm pleased to announce that Mattyv is in training preparatory to joining the team If I understand him correctly, he'll be taking a few check rides in the Vanguard.

This finally rounds out our pilot corps

We are now taking sign-ups for the B-crew, which will depart aboard Odyssey's sister ship Columbus in October (that's a coincidence, I swear to God)

[sorindafabico]

I choose the long way, simply because I am a lot more experienced with aligning and synching.

By "0700 local" do you mean 0700 Cape Canaveral, right?