space memories: happend in those days

 

The most outstanding events about space is those :

1) 1971: Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell landed on the Moon.

 2) 2003: The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, leading to the deaths of all seven crew members.

 3) 2017: SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon Heavy, the most powerful operational rocket in the world at that time.

 now before we proceed maybe a question come to the mind, What is defrance between space shuttles and operational rockets ?

Space shuttles and operational rockets serve distinct roles in space exploration. A space shuttle refers to a specific type of spacecraft developed by NASA, capable of carrying astronauts and payloads into space and returning to Earth for reuse. The Space Shuttle program operated from 1981 to 2011 and included reusable components like the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and the main engines.

Operational rockets, on the other hand, encompass a broader category of vehicles designed to transport payloads into space. These rockets may vary in design, purpose, and configurations. Unlike space shuttles, most operational rockets are not reusable; they are generally discarded after a single use. Examples of operational rockets include the Falcon 9 by SpaceX, Atlas V by United Launch Alliance, and Ariane 5 by Arianespace.

In summary, space shuttles are a specific type of reusable spacecraft with distinct design features, while operational rockets refer to a broader class of vehicles used to launch payloads into space, often with single-use components.

 Apollo 14 in 1971 :

Apollo 14 was the eighth crewed mission in NASA's Apollo program and took place from January 31 to February 9, 1971. The primary objectives of the mission were to explore the Fra Mauro region of the Moon, conduct scientific experiments, and deploy various instruments.

The crew of Apollo 14 consisted of three astronauts:

1. Alan Shepard - Mission Commander
2. Stuart Roosa - Command Module Pilot
3. Edgar Mitchell - Lunar Module Pilot

The mission began with a successful launch on January 31, 1971, atop the Saturn V rocket. After reaching lunar orbit, Shepard and Mitchell descended to the lunar surface in the lunar module named "Antares" on February 5, 1971. Meanwhile, Roosa remained in orbit aboard the command module named "Kitty Hawk."

Notable events during the mission include:

1. Fra Mauro Landing: The lunar module touched down near the planned landing site in the hilly Fra Mauro region. This region was initially targeted for Apollo 13 but was reassigned to Apollo 14 after the Apollo 13 mission was aborted.

2. Lunar Exploration: Shepard and Mitchell conducted two moonwalks, collecting samples and deploying scientific instruments. The mission aimed to study the Moon's geological features and enhance our understanding of its composition.

3. The "Moon Golf" Shot: Alan Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface with a makeshift golf club he had brought along. This demonstrated the effects of low gravity on sports activities.

4. Scientific Experiments: The astronauts deployed various scientific instruments, including the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), which measured seismic activity, temperature, and other lunar phenomena.

5. Safe Return: After completing their tasks on the lunar surface, Shepard and Mitchell rejoined Roosa in the command module. The crew then began the journey back to Earth.

Apollo 14 successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on February 9, 1971. The mission achieved its scientific goals, and the crew returned safely, marking another milestone in the Apollo program's exploration of the Moon.

 the disaster of the space shuttle Colombia in 2003 :

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, during the re-entry phase of the STS-107 mission. The space shuttle involved was Columbia, NASA's first orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet. The mission had been dedicated to various scientific experiments, focusing on materials and life sciences.

The crew of STS-107 consisted of seven astronauts:

1. Rick Husband - Commander
2. William McCool - Pilot
3. Michael Anderson - Payload Commander
4. Kalpana Chawla - Mission Specialist
5. David Brown - Mission Specialist
6. Laurel Clark - Mission Specialist
7. Ilan Ramon - Payload Specialist 

The tragedy unfolded during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. A piece of foam insulation had detached from the shuttle's external fuel tank during liftoff and struck the left wing's leading edge. This impact damaged the thermal protection system, allowing superheated gases to penetrate the shuttle during re-entry.

On the morning of February 1, as Columbia was descending toward a landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the damage led to the disintegration of the orbiter at an altitude of about 60 kilometers (39 miles) over Texas. All seven astronauts lost their lives in the accident.

The loss of Columbia prompted a suspension of the Space Shuttle program, and an extensive investigation followed. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) determined that NASA's management and organizational culture had contributed to the accident. They recommended various changes, leading to safety improvements in subsequent shuttle missions.

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster had a profound impact on NASA's approach to safety and space exploration. It underscored the importance of continuous vigilance and improvement in spaceflight operations and engineering.

 the story of falcon heavy of spaceX in 2017 :

The Falcon Heavy launch by SpaceX took place on February 6, 2018, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It marked a significant milestone in space exploration as the Falcon Heavy became the most powerful operational rocket in the world at that time.

Key details about the Falcon Heavy launch in 2018:

1. Design and Specifications: The Falcon Heavy was designed and manufactured by SpaceX, led by Elon Musk. It consisted of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together, forming a heavy-lift launch vehicle. The rocket had a total of 27 Merlin engines across its three cores.

2. Maiden Flight Payload: For its maiden flight, Elon Musk decided to use a unique payload — his personal 2008 Tesla Roadster electric car. The car, with a mannequin named "Starman" in a SpaceX spacesuit, was sent into orbit around the Sun. This whimsical payload aimed to demonstrate the rocket's capability to carry heavy payloads into space.

3. Launch Success: The Falcon Heavy lifted off successfully, showcasing its powerful thrust during ascent. The two side boosters, after separation, performed synchronized landings back at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, while the central core attempted a landing on the drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Atlantic Ocean (though the central core landing was not successful).

4. Orbital Insertion of Tesla Roadster: The second stage of the Falcon Heavy successfully inserted the Tesla Roadster into orbit around the Sun, marking an unconventional yet symbolic achievement.

5. Implications for Space Exploration: The Falcon Heavy's successful launch demonstrated the capability to carry large payloads into space, opening up possibilities for a wide range of missions, including satellite launches, interplanetary exploration, and crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

The Falcon Heavy launch represented a significant step forward in the development of reusable rocket technology and emphasized SpaceX's commitment to reducing the cost of access to space. The success of this mission contributed to the growing role of private companies in the space industry.