How does a rocket navigate in space?
	Once a rocket or is in space (e.g. on its way to mars), how does it know where it is in relation to its pre-programmed route? There is no GPS in space. By james  - 4 Nov - 6 new of 6 messages

Ares I launch re-cycling?

One of the advantages of the Ares IX test seems to be an easier ability to re-cycle the countdown on holds. However, a lot of what was done for the Ares IX test is not representative of the actual manned Ares I. When you add the liquid fueled upper stage and the Orion capsule systems how easily will the launch countdown re-cycling be? And what will be the countdown... more » By David Spain  - 31 Oct - 2 new of 2 messages

	Ares Rocketcams
	Anyone know if there will be any "Rocketcams" on board for the Ares 1X launch? Not heard anything either way. By Dave Downing  - 27 Oct - 5 new of 5 messages

	Chang-Diaz on VASIMR
	[link] ============================== ========= MODERATOR'S COMMENT: Pat, I know you mean well, but in the future, try to include at least SOME commentary. Things are slow, so I'll approve this one. :-) GdM By Pat Flannery  - 3 Oct - 2 new of 2 messages

ROTON type engines and liquid monopropellants

I was just thinking about monopropellants. Most have low ISPs compare to bi-propelleants but can be very dense. ie Peroxide/Alcohol mixes for example. Since ROTON type engines are self-pressuring, one can build a system with very light weight tanks and high expansion ratio engines. Could the mass ratios of such a design lead to a reasonable TSTO rocket?... more » By Earl_Colby_Pottinger  - 6 Sep - 12 new of 12 messages

	Robotics in Space Exploration
	Robotics in Space Exploration - 74 min. long video of a speech made by Rodney A. Brooks: [link] By the way, I was very active in this newsgroup when World Wide Web did not exist yet and. My Earth-to-Orbit Transportation Bibliography is posted here: [link]... more » By Andrew Nowicki  - 28 Aug - 1 new of 1 message

	Rockets of ice? (ALICE)
	[link] oxidizers.html A frozen slurry of nano-sized aluminum powder and water ice makes a pretty fair rocket. Whoda thunk it? Actually appears to work quite well; aluminum will reduce water to hot hydrogen and aluminum oxide, which should have a good Isp with fewer nasty components than the... more » By Damon Hill  - 24 Aug - 18 new of 18 messages

	Successful inflatable heatshield test
	Would be used for Mars to expand latitudes where landings can be made: [link] Pat By Pat Flannery  - 22 Aug - 1 new of 1 message

	Exhaust Distribution
	hello, world\n the behavior of exhaust gases is remarkably different at atmospheric pressures and at lower pressures or vacuum. One example where this becomes obvious is on pictures like KSC-69PC-413 (http:// [link]) where the luminous exhaust gas has made its way *in* the Saturn V's... more » By Jens Schweikhardt  - 16 Aug - 3 new of 3 messages

	Orbiting fuel depot concept
	United Launch Alliance has released some details on their concept for putting fuel depots into LEO to allow Moon-bound spacecraft to take aboard fuel on-orbit without having to carry it all the way to orbit with them: [link]... more » By Pat Flannery  - 10 Aug - 94 new of 94 messages