Two important objectives in the same launch. The Falcon 9 of Space X, which soon will start towards the International Space Station (ISS) will mark two important milestones in the space race.
Written by Fabrizio Ventre, the 15/04/15
Two important objectives same launch. The Falcon 9 of Space X, which soon will start towards the International Space Station (ISS) will mark two important milestones in the space race.
The first, most significant, cover the carrier. That last night ( UPDATE: Launch postponed until tomorrow, April 14, officially to weather problems ), was the first launch carried out with a fully reusable carrier, thus being able to significantly reduce launch costs and procurement.
Unlike conventional rockets, the Falcon 9 is designed to reach its destination intact, without losing blocks during departure, as is the case in conventional rockets that run out of fuel, detaches the modules to the base and then they fall into the ocean or disintegrate in the atmosphere.
It is a very ambitious project, launched by Elon Musk, which aims to reduce procurement costs by as much as 99% compared to traditional systems, involving a rocket disposable.
The revolution of Falcon 9
Once delivered the load, the carrier will return to the Earth and, according to plan, should riatterrare exactly where it started.
This will allow to carry out controls and supplies, and then do it again, again towards ISS. A savings of about $ 200 million per launch. Not bad.
The success rate is estimated at between 70 and 80%. In some previous experiments, I had the chance to see live, the rocket disintegrated while ocean, always in another experiment, the rocket has raised a few hundred meters and then gently riatterare always upright.
The one last night, about 22:30 in Italy, was the sixth launch made by Space X, on a contract for a total of 12 launches, with a contract commissioned by NASA.
The load, just under 2 tons, lead in space also a beautiful piece of Italy.
About ISSPresso
The Falcon 9 will deliver astronauts on orbit at ISS, the first coffee machine space, already nicknamed ISSpresso.
This special machined, made by Argotec in collaboration with Lavazza, will allow astronauts to drink coffee in space, thanks to sophisticated machines that can handle all operations necessary.
The machine is designed to provide the coffee in extreme conditions for liquids and temperature. The tubing usually brings the coffee from the machine to the cup, made of plastic material, has been made of alloy steel to withstand a pressure up to 400 bar.
Many problems to solve, as it may be the norm for all of us.
All the processes and management systems, have been redesigned to be compatible with the safety standards, with the result of having a car from as many as 20 kg.
The development of this particular car, drove him to seek innovative solutions so that, as reported by Argotec, some solutions have become then international patents , with innovations that soon we will also see us mere mortals.
Sure , coffee in space is not really the top priority, but it is a new step forward to recreate living conditions similar to those that we can all get on Earth.
An important step for future missions long duration.
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