2001: A Space-Time Odyssey

[Michel Van]

61- ARES vs ALITA: Three - Getting Home

Aeltia-1 needed 255 days, Ares 1&2 around 240 days return to Earth.
The Long return time was chosen wisely, it was also the quarantine time for the crew, if were dangerous Mars microbe on board, it had plenty of time to do some thing.
but either on three Spaceships crews show no symptom.

October 7 ,1989. Ares 1&2 enter Earth orbit with there Nerva engines ,
while Aelita-1 crew used there Zarya capsule to return to Earth and landed in Soviet union on December 9, 1989.
it took to April 1990 for Aelita-1 to enter Earth orbit and powere there reactors down

in mean time the Politburo started investigation into „failure“ of Alita-1 mission, led by Valery Alekseyvich Legasov of Academy of Sciences of Soviet Union.
The main guilty were the institute YaERDU that build Ion engines of Mission, they failed to build engines to TsNIIMASH specifications, resulting far lower thrust as needed.
Also that Mars Landing craft was build for specifications to descend from Mars orbit, not hyperbolic speed on arrival, made impossible to land before the Americans.
The issue was know by Ministry of space, who continue with program in hope to beat the Americans by earlier launch in march 1988.
Also USSR financial problem and budget cut in 1980s, let to suboptimal components were used, also that last Mission revision was made in 1970s
This ruled out a modification of MKP for a hyperbolic speed landing on Mars.
But Lagasov report point out that Soviets lost Mars race already in 1971, with decision to take Ion engine because Semipalatinsk Nuclear disaster.
Were Engineer Anatoly Stepanovich Dyatiov do „Criminal mismanagement of potentially dangerous device“ let to meltdown of RD-0410 Thermal Nuclear engine.
Lagasov recommendation were that USSR develop new better Nuclear Engines to power manned Spacecraft faster to Mars and beyond, and use for moment Ion engines.
For moment Aelta-1 remain in Orbit until further notice, either for new Mars mission in early 1990s or to move heavy equipment to Moon orbit…

NASA refurbish the two Ares spacecraft for future mission to Mars in 1990s.
all three Crew were in good condition after over 400 day mission, despite some ticks like George W. Bush who show phase of hyperactivity,
or like he say, „i was for 460 days in a tin can, need some run out…“


The Results of Aelita and Ares mission show unusual results, Mars had far higher concentration of Methane in atmosphere
They found Water ice under surface of Mars and also Carbon but far lower concentration as expected.
One of biggest sensation was in one samples of Rover Moritz. in 1992 NASA discovery what they called „structure that resembling fossile of bacterial-like lifeforms“
This finding was controversial discuss by scientist world wide, special that Soviets not found in their samples any trace of those „Biomorphs“ or how they call them.


Bonus:
A exhausted President Bush dealing with his hyperactive Son during visit to white house

 

[publiusr]

Ugh…

 

[martinbayer]

That Clorox rinse really did a number on my eyes..

 

[cattalonX]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

yes indeed········

 

[archipeppe]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

View attachment 689536

Interesting, where did you get such diagram? What is its reference?

 

[cattalonX]

Rest of 1972

China
One of the biggest surprises was their first manned space flight, only 3 years after first Satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 (Red East One).
But looking in detail it was not so surprising at all, the spacecraft was merely a modified Warhead Reentry Vehicle,
with the nuclear warhead replaced by Man with Live support and a landing system !
That explained the short time that Directive 690 Hòng Xing (Red Star) needed until it's success.
On October 18 1972 a Dong Feng 5 ICBM brought Hóng Xing 1 with Dong Xiao Hai on board,

View attachment 689536

Interesting, where did you get such diagram? What is its reference?

印度载人航天高歌猛进，超越欧空局！新飞船设计优于神舟号

全方位解析印度载人航天工程。

mp.weixin.qq.com

A paid article, but the topic is India's manned spacecraft，It mentioned some early Chinese manned spacecraft
The manned spacecraft is similar to the FSW

 

[archipeppe]

Diana program

In 1981 the program started literal with Lunar Orbital Space Station on a Saturn VC,
It’s was not the glorious white Saturn from Apollo program, but a dirty orange rocket covered in cheap isolation foam.
This was the industrial workhorse of NASA bringing heavy payloads into low earth orbit.
Here this MoonLab was welcome by a Space tug that prepared docking with fuelled Reusable Nuclear Shuttle-1 (RNS-1).
4 day later it brought LOSS into 80 km high polar lunar orbit and deploy it.
A month later return RNS-1 with Space Tug a Crew & Cargo Logistic Modul with 6 astronauts and Scientific Instrument Module (SIM).
The crew took over MoonLab and dock SIM at Station and start scientific mission to scann Lunar surface.

One of astonishing discovery was hydroxide on Lunar surface, confirming the findings of Apollo 21 mission !
Later they found Ice on both Lunar poles with help of new radar experiment on SIM

On return RNS-1 to earth orbit, was inspected by it service Tugs, who found a troublesome discovery, cracks in reactor core.
While Media hyped this „New Apollo 13“, NASA look into problem: the NERVA original design for 20 operation failed after 12.
The Crew was not in danger, a manned Space Tug (chemical) with additional propellant tanks could return them to a Space Shuttle.
NASA decided to launch RNS-2 into low orbit in hope it would perform better, while the service Tugs prepared the RNS-1 disposal.

The next Mission bought two Lunar tug, their docking system for MoonLab and two reserve propellant tanks.
Those tugs were docked on LOSS side ports by it robotic arms. follow arrival of its crew that increased
temporal the station crew to 12 astronauts.
One of first landing crew was eager to return to Moon is: Harrison Schmitt the first geologist who walk on Moon.
The other is John Young, Pilot of Gemini, Apollo CSM, Lunar module, Space Shuttle and now Lunar Tug
both and rookie astronaut Tom Hanks were first Americans to land on Moon since Apollo 21.

Hanks: Man this great, really great man !
Schmitt: I’m back Moon…
Young: can we get serious now?

MoonLab operated for nearly 15 years in Lunar Orbit with 30 lunar landings making many discovery,
With allot problems and near disasters, Like Solar Flairs, micro meteoroid impact on Station,
Abort landing attempts, issue with Lunar dust and Accidents during Lunar EVA.
In 1996 the Station was de-orbit and crash into Lunar crater, its replacement was the US Base Robert Peary on Lunar South Pole.

Back In 1981 in Los Alamos AEC checkt their NERVA engines, if there were any constructions errors in Design.
There was dispute because AEC demanded that RNS-1 engine is return to Earth with Shuttle for evaluation,
what NASA right out refused !
But it was clear for NASA that somehow that engine must be evaluated and that on ground by AEC.
At Marshal Space Flight Center had someone the Solution, using a Boilerplate article from Mars Exploration Module.
Equip with Lead container and parachutes, so started one of the most expensive salvage operation in History.

in 1982 a Saturn VC launched Salvage One into Rendezvous Orbit towards RNS-1
At RNS-1 the two inspection Tugs began complex task to disconnect Nerva Engine and insert into Salvage One
Biggest problem was to cut off the nozzle from engine so it fit into container and seal it.
Then Salvage One began its return to Earth, it landing target was the Johnson Atoll in middle of Pacific.
It splash down save, surrounded by US Navy Taskforce and brought to Johnson „Plutonium Yard“

The disappointing Result: it was not engine design errors, it was the material the reactor was build.
That Graphite UC-ZrC Alloy in space, suffer more of hydrogen corrosion and radioactive isotope contamination as expected.
The Reactor In Flight Test 1&2 had only 3 and 4 Ignitions, What NASA and AEC consider as qualification and declare RIFT-2 to RNS-1
But after 12 ignitions the Reactor core was so weaken by hydrogen corrosion and crack under thermal stress during cool down.
While NASA and ACE blame each other for the fiasco, the Scientist in Los Alamos start working on Problem.
For moment the current generation of NERVA engine are limited to 12 ignitions, then disposed in space.
Under current situation it was consider the engines were unsafe for Manned Mars Mission…

Illustration
Original sketch for MoonLab

It reminds me the orbital outpost seen in the first episode of Space 1999, it would be nice to have into the same scenario Meteor, 2001 and Space 1999 (apart of irrealistic Moon's breakaway....).

 

[Justo Miranda]

First weapon

 

[Michel Van]

It reminds me the orbital outpost seen in the first episode of Space 1999, it would be nice to have into the same scenario Meteor, 2001 and Space 1999 (apart of irrealistic Moon's breakaway....).

i working on that for 1990s part of TL, A very certain spacecraft play role here
Since Bush senior want grater vision of space
Contrary to OTL 1989 has he NASA with Saturn VC, Saturn Shuttle, Nuclear Shuttle, Space Tugs.

 

[Justo Miranda]

An idea from a 1967 movie into a 1968 novel... convergent evolution?



2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 science fiction novel by British writer Arthur C. Clarke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quatermass_and_the_Pit_(film)

Quatermass and the Pit (US title: Five Million Years to Earth) is a 1967 British science fiction horror film from Hammer Film Productions

 

[Michel Van]

Post 62 The begin of 1990s

President Bush face allot challenge during his Presidency.
Next rivalry with Bob Dole about conservative and Progressive matter, happen The Gulf War, The shift in the Cold War,
the creation of European Union, the expanded Space Race.

The 1991 Gulf War started as Saddam Hussein gave order to Invade Kuwait, was he consider as renegade Province from Iraq.
Do rising Oil prise and threat Iraq formed for Middle East, soon a coalitions was form, its member:
USA, Great Britain, France, West Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran
This was last war were the B-52 was used for carpet bombing.
The US military were surprised about effectiveness of there weapon systems, like AH-56 combat helicopter and it Anti Tank-missiles.
For Soviets military it was harsh wake up call, there military doctrine failed miserably with Iraq army, the coalition just annihilating them,
More painful was that Iran getting the upper hand and marching into Iraq to settle old scores with Iraq Government and Hussein clan.
In end Iraq simply collapsed, in north the Kurds declare their own Free state, in the east occupied by Iranians and the South by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait annexed the Iran province of Basrah as compensation for Invasion, While Iran junta expanded west and annexed Iraq Territory with Shia Arab majority.
The US first opposed the division of Iraq, but not wanted dispute with Iran, needed Allie against China in Afghanistan.
Very bad surprise was discovery of Atomic bombs prototype, a U.N. investigation show the bombs were simple implosion devices, unable to produce nuclear fission.
had Iraqis had more time they could have build functional Atomic bomb.

Sweden introduce Saab Supersonic Bomber increasing their deterrence.
North Korea successful tested there own Atom-bomb, after Yugoslavia successful nuclear test.
France became a Neutral state under Mitterand with close Economic ties with European Nations and USSR

1992 happen the Germans Union, after three years negotiations the west German Federal Government and East Communist Government,
Sign a Treaty were both states form a Confederation, that respect both Government and constitution, form Economic union and Aid.
The USA, USSR, Great Britain and France look very critical on this development,
While smaller European states look at their big brothers (USA or USSR) as Allies, in case Germany become a Warmonger again.

1992 was also creation of European Union, a coalition of European States that forme Economic and Finance Union and join infrastructure.
What makes the EU so remarkable was joining of East Europeans States !
The USSR allow this to have additional boost for their own economy that fully recover from 1980s crisis, thanks Gorbachev economic Reform.
Under General Sectary Gorbachev happen radical changes for USSR, in fact the Soviet economy was catching up with US economy !
Also a end of Cold war between USA and USSR, much to chagrin of the Hardliners on both sides,
Both side used the chance to reduce there costly Nuclear arsenal
But does’t mean a friendly relations between USA and USSR, both protected their interest in sphere of Influence,
They just not longer aim they’re ICBM on each other !
in 1992 Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova became the first Woman as Central Sectary of Politburo.
But Communist Party face new problem, the Oligarchs a new group of ultra rich Soviets, what was contradictory to every Communist manifest.

In China the leader Ye Qun health start to decline
While powers struggle happen between Her son Lin Liguo and her daughter Lin Liheng, He a high rang Air Force Marshall, She a high rang Politburo Member in Communist party.
This dispute was not only leadership, but also was way to go: pure Communism or water down Communism of Soviets ?
The Cold War shifted now towards USA & USSR vs China

Henry Kissinger on current Political situation:
That China became International Problem was obvious.
We have Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand Canal issue, Nord Korea, Nicaragua, Angola, Burma, Afghanistan and now Pakistan.
it was matter of time that Iran and India look for Allies and choose the USA, after China installed Nuclear Weapons in Pakistan.
Lucky for us were the Soviets, intelligent to realised that Cold War was contra productive and Gorbachev proposed to normalised the Relations between USA and USSR.
So we could focus more on the Chinese problem…

Notes:
Taiwan, China People Republic lay claim on this Island.
Hong Kong is territory and Macau a Portuguese territory on main land China claimed by Communist Party.
Thailand Canal issue, China use nuclear bombs to build this channel, so their battle fleet can access faster the India ocean.
Nord Korea, it seems China help them in Nuclear program, unclear how and on what.
Nicaragua, Angola here support Cuba & China, the local communist.
Burma is puppet state were their generals junta follow order from Beijing.
Afghanistan here Communist leader ask China for help and support in their civil war, what follow was Occupation Afghanistan by China People Army.
with a brutal crack down of opposition in Afghanistan by ethnic cleansing on level of genocide !
The government of Pakistan helps the Chinese, in exchange for nuclear Weapons against India and Iran.
This let to Iran nuclear weapon Program.

 

[Michel Van]

Post 63 Greater vision of Space

The President Bush wanted a more lasting US Space Program, Nixon Odyssey Program show clearly that long term programs work.
He appointed a new NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin
But Bush had to face also the USAF and General Adlon, they had launch and teste Hercules 2 and installed USAF Station in GEO,

Space Station Bold-Eagle
in 1990 ended Era, USA third Space Station Skybase original planned for 15 years ended after 11.
The 1989 Fire in laboratory seal its faith, in autumn 1990, the Station was vacated and de-orbited into the Pacific with the aid of Space Tugs.
An obsolete (unmanned) Earth Survey Platform was also brought down with the station, Follow by Skylab-5 station.
At Capitol Hill came question how successor, since Soviets still operate MIR and put two Space Factory in space.

Now was moment of USAF and General Adlon, on Launch Pad 39 stand Saturn VC with first module of Space Station IV „Bold-Eagle“
But it had quite different destination, instead low orbit Eagle was deployed in Geostationary orbit by Nuclear Ferry !
Official a USAF operated Space Station in GEO to support and maintain USA satellite there, had additional secrets purpose:
One to defend US Satellite in GEO, also serve as Emergency Commando Center in case of Nuclear War.

ESRO was not happy with this development, since Eagle had sectors were civilians access was forbidden,
and number of ESRO astronauts was reduce to one Person on board.
Formal Protest let to threat by General Adlon, not to allow any civilians on Eagle, were USAF had all the rights.
The Moonlab (Space Station IIIb) was not alternative, since it crew is limited and focus on Moon Exploration.
also that NASA put experiment from Skybase to Moonlab reduceing available space for ESRO.
ESRO admitted tooth-cracking to the situation and look into option for Europan Manned Space Station.

Bold-Eagle consist out three Module:
1. Main Mission Module for Military purpose
2. Lab and Habitat Module with access for civilian (NASA and ESRO)
3. Hangar module to maintain Satellites with docks for Space Tugs (Modified hangar for Manned Exploration Module of ARES program)
Various Application and Science Modules (ASM) so the official story
Half of them were Weapon container with Anti Satellite system, the rest special Communication system in case of War.
Only at Habitat Module were real ASM docked.
Powert by six solar array with total 75 kWe

Crew was 12 persons with option for 6 additional persons for short period.
For radiation issue the Modules are shielded, special the central Tunnel (based on the ARES mission Module)
Bold-Eagle operated until 2005 as the Emergency Commando Center was move to new location beyond Earth.

US Space Program Next Steps
The Space Task Group (STG) under President Bush worked on proposals and grand design emerge:
New Space Station 5 „Olympus“ (space base) installed at 28° low earth orbit and serve a new Space Architecture:
The „Olympus“ serve the traffic hub to Moon and a Surface Base, what has to replace ageing Moonlab from Diana Program after 1996.
Also „Olympus“ serve the stored Ares spaceships for upcoming Mars Missions and potential Mars Base.

Another thing was Ageing Space Shuttle fleet, the Orbiters and boosters will reach there end of lifespan in end 1990s
At NASA was dispute how to replace the Shuttle with advance system like Single Stage To Orbit ?
In the end, successor was modernised version of Saturn Shuttle were the first stage was compete automated, with engines modified for lower maintaining cost.
incorporating new materials like composite materials or new Aluminum alloy and super cooled propellants would increase the Payloads.
Also replace the improved Shuttle, the Saturn Vc, by launching also S-IID stages for heavy cargo on winged Booster.
Launch complex 39 would be extended to four pad ( Pad C was build for Ares missions begin 1980s)

One proposal by STG got Presidents attention: Commercialisation of US Space Flight.
With success of European ELGO GmbH, British MUSTARD and US Space Shuttle,
STG was convince that USA should allow private companies access to Space, either by NASA or own hardware !
Even NASA and DoD show interest to replace smaller launcher like Scout or Delta by reusable US launcher.
Special with current Soviets Space activity (see below) and option of private US companies producing products in Space.
Capitol Hill voted for Commercialisation of US Space Flight bill, not knowing what it unleash…

But in the next Big Step in space flight the STG proposed a bolt Move:

Temporal Mars Base were crew would stay for 600 days and manned flights to Jupiter and Saturn !
It was logical step after Mars, but Jupiter was twice and Saturn four times further as Mars, also has Jupiter a dangerous and deadly radiation belt,
While Saturn radiation belt was less Deadly but also dangerous.
STG look for manned Jupiter Fly-by in 2010, follow Saturn orbit and visit to moon Titan on end 2010 decade.
but this needed high energy rocket engine, more powerful as upcoming Timberwind nuclear Engine.

Capitol Hill was not happy with those plans, but since Soviet union still operate the biggest Space station ever launch and put two Industrial Complex in low Orbit.
The US politicians voted for Program for „Olympus“ and small Moon Base, additional 3 Mars Mission. mostly in self-interest, more money for there States !
However on Temporal Mars Base, manned Jupiter and Saturn Mission was Capitol Hill very hostile.
While other in Capitol Hill went in other extrem, like Newt Gingrich who proposed USA colonising Moon and Mars…

President Bush establish the National Council for Astronautics, out the National Space Council and Space Task Group.
A office for policy development and handling of Civilian, Military and Commercial space policy matters,
Composed of cabinet member (like secretary of Defence, commerce, treasury, economics, Transport and others) and Advisors (formerly from STG)

Meanwhile In Moscow.

Things had change in Soviet Space Industry
The Ministry of Space got new Name: SOVCOSMOS
Valentin Petrovich Gluschko died age 80 in 1989, he was pioneer in design of rocket engines.
His OKB 456 was taken over by NPO Kuznetsov the main rocket engines manufacture.
While certain Vladimir Nikolayevich Chelomey died in car accident in Ukraine, he was head of former OKB-52,

Sergei Khrushchev became Minister of Space and head off SOVCOSMOS
His OKB-1 renamed TsKBEM, became now NPO Korolev under chief designer Yuriy Semenov.

But there were problems: the Oligarchs.
This contradictory rise of superrich in communist state,
Several meddle in Space Program, like hostile take over of NPOs
some of them were finance and build own launch system outside Ministry of Space program.
Offering this for commercial use like Space-tourist or access to Soviet Space Stations, some of project are reusable launcher.

Minister Khrushchev was in dilemma, forbid those Oligarch endeavours or integrate them into Soviet Space Program ?
One proposal is direct competitor to N1 N2 launcher, The Energia modular launcher by RRK Kurdin, and Angara medium launch vehicles by NPO Electropribor,
Khrushchev made a judgment of Solomon, he integrate the smaller launchers into Soviet program covering smaller payload.
But he left the bigger launcher programs work on their own finance, only give place to build launch pad at cosmodromes.
This was in self interest, since Angara and Energia were competitor for NPO Korolev,
Khrushchev hope the Oligarchs behind those projects, would run out money or lost interest in it.
Sadly the Politbüro and Military had other ideas, since NPO Korolev and RRK Kurdin would together provide double payload capacity into space !

In Moscow the next phase of Galactika was Discuss.
After they launch two Orbital factory, one for semiconductor crystals and one for metal alloys, (both maintain from Mir Space Station)
Minister of Space Sergei Khrushchev presented proposals to Politburo,
On Top of list is Moon base, favour by Red Army, for needed Military applications.
Additional manned Mars missions in 1990s, the option for manned Jupiter mission were study.

General Sectary Gorbachev was not so fun about the manned Jupiter mission,
That changes radical in 1992, as Tereshkova became his successor, She was first woman in Space and she favour the manned Jupiter mission !
And SOVCOSMOS got direct order from her, to create a female Cosmonaut group…