Just a reminder. So far we've only seen Ken's preliminary analysis that covered a one year period. While that interval is good for LEO missions and as a notional point to work from for GTO, that analysis needs to be expanded to account for the procession of perigee over a much longer period so we don't get an ugly surprise regarding eclipse lengths years into the mission.
73, Lee-KU4OS
On Sunday 06 May 2007 19:06:08 Robert McGwier wrote:
Yesterday at Space Day at the Air and Space Museum (D.C.) , Bob Davis revealed the Eagle structure 1/2 scale model. I will put up pictures later to give everyone a look. It is a very nice look.
I have neglected to post my remarks on Dick Jansson's module designs. I have had a regular module and a cut away of the heat sink module. This is very fine work. My final remarks on the work will await Bob Davis and Jim Sanford and I looking at this together. But at this time, I see no reason at this time for us not to accept these modules and to thank Dick for his fine work. Bob Davis has the modules now.
Next, we are doing more detailed work on the energy requirements of the spacecraft. We have very short periods of eclipses and while the angled arrays do a great job of mitigating off pointing angle, NOTHING can mitigate no sun at all! Given the amount of energy storage required to live through these eclipses, it is my OPINION that we are going to have to compromise on the periods of eclipse and TURN SOMETHING OFF. The amount of solar panel and battery storage required to keep everything alive through these eclipses, upon more detailed study, seems exhorbitant in terms of cost, weight, etc. Lou, Bob Davis, and I have discussed this and Lou and Bob both have very nice study tools. We need to write up a report on this for everyone to take into account.
Juan Rivera and company have made great progress on the Stephensen 70cm RX recently. They are really doing a fantastic job. More will follow from them but it is good news. We will be doing dynamics testing, noise testing, etc. soon!
73's Bob N4HY