inscribes ‘here be dragons’ on the star chart
I´d like to see this map!
fancy animation:
both from here
which states
Ballistic Lunar Transfers (BLTs) are a type of low-energy transfer in which a spacecraft travels to an apogee of 1-1.5 million km to utilize the Sun’s gravity to modify the spacecraft’s orbital perigee and inclination.
For CAPSTONE, this effect is used to decrease the inclination from a launch latitude of ~39° to an inclination in line with the Moon’s orbital plane, as well as raise the spacecraft’s perigee to the radius of the Moon. This reduces the deterministic spacecraft ΔV to approximately 20-60 m/s, compared to the 350-550 m/s required for a direct transfer to an NRHO. This reduction in spacecraft ΔV enables the mission to be achieved with a 12U-class CubeSat. The TLI C3 of approximately -0.6 km2/s2 is higher than -2.0 km2/s2, the value needed for a direct transfer. The BLT also requires three to four months of time to traverse, which is substantially longer than a direct transfer. This extended transfer duration provides for advantages from an operational perspective. First, there is ample time to characterize and navigate the spacecraft performance and then perform well-timed trajectory correction maneuvers that allow for a consistent entry time into the NRHO. When the spacecraft reaches perigee, it encounters the Moon and inserts into the NRHO.
four months for a human spaceflight to the moon? Maybe I’m misinterpreting something.
Long for human spaceflight, but just fine for all the other gear that is being sent in advance.
Fixed!
Good!
I’m pissed that I’ll be traveling Tuesday.
I’ll have to take a long lunch & space telescope break!
Suggested site for first JWST pics. See you all there!
Dates and EST times:
Tuesday, July 12
9:45 a.m. – Opening remarks: James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and data
10:30 a.m. – First full-color images and data from the James Webb Space Telescope
12 p.m. – Media briefing: James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and data
3 p.m. – Media interviews: James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and data (available on NASA TV’s media channel)
Wednesday, July 13
6 a.m. – Media interviews: James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and data (available on NASA TV’s media channel)
1 p.m. – ISS Expedition 67 in-flight interview with WHP-TV, Harrisburg, Pa. and NASA astronaut Bob Hines
2 p.m. – Climate Conversation briefing for NASA’s SpaceX CRS-25 mission
3 p.m. – NASA Science Live: Webb’s First Full-Color Images Explained | A Never-Before-Seen View of the Universe
The 7/13 ISS in-flight interview may be more interesting than the usual ISS fare, given this brazen display of Russian politics on board:
