Jin has been an aspiring space explorer for as long as he can remember. He was inspired by The Case for Mars to dedicate his life to landing explorers on the red planet. Jin is also an avid environmentalist, human rights activist, and die-hard science fiction lover. He was part of a simulated Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station as part of Crew 228 (mdrs228.com). With the Mars Society of Canada, he applied his enthusiasm for space exploration and growing command of engineering principles to research and development projects, writing for the website, and more. As part of a core group of volunteers, he supported MSC activities and operations.
Last installment, we delved into the inner workings of chemical rocket propulsion systems. Practically, however, they are limited to a specific impulse of about 450 seconds. This is partially due to the limited energy available from chemical fuels, which pales… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: Nuclear Thermal Rockets
In our previous article, we covered the basics of rocket engines, but we only scratched the surface when it came to fuel-oxidizer combinations. While hydrogen-oxygen and kerosene-oxygen dominate the world of launch vehicles, numerous other propellant combinations are in common… Read More »Rocket Physics, Extra Credit: Rocket Fuels
Header image: SpaceX Raptor test fire (image source: SpaceX.) “Anyone who sits on top of the largest hydrogen-oxygen fueled system in the world; knowing they’re going to light the bottom, and doesn’t get a little worried, does not fully understand… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: Rocket Engine Engineering
Header image: Artist’s impression of Perseverance in powered descent under its skycrane (image source: NASA/JPL-Caltech.) Perseverance successfully landed on Mars in 2021! Previous installments of Rocket Physics, the Hard Way have discussed the rocket equation and astrodynamics in the context… Read More »Rocket Physics Special: The Physics of Perseverance
This is a follow-up to Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: How to go to Mars which covered the basics of orbital mechanics. Building on our foundation of intuitive understanding, we will now cover the more technical aspects. What is an… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: How to go to Mars – Extra Credit
“There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams In this series, Rocket Physics, the Hard… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: How to Go to Mars
“Rocket science is tough, and rockets have a way of failing.” – Sally Ride, NASA astronaut To go to Mars, we need rocket science. But why is rocket science so hard? In this series, Rocket Physics, the Hard Way, we… Read More »Rocket Physics, the Hard Way: The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
2020 has been, to say the least, a difficult year for humanity. However, it has also been marked by great achievements in space exploration; a testament to our relentless pursuit for knowledge despite adversity. Before we enter 2021, let’s take a look at the year’s highlights in space exploration.
Last month, scientists confirmed the presence of multiple subsurface lakes under glaciers at the Martian south pole. How were these lakes found and why do they matter? Let’s dive into geophysics, astrobiology, and chemistry with this infographic!
Header image: NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor harvests kale and lettuce from the Veggie (Vegetable Production System) experiment on the International Space Station (ESA/Alexander Gerst) “‘They say once you grow crops somewhere, you have officially colonized it. So, technically, I colonized Mars.… Read More »Growing Food on Mars: ISRU Part 4
Access to energy is arguably the most important indicator of a civilization’s development. On Mars, generating energy can mean the difference between life and death – not only is it necessary to power life support systems, but it is also… Read More »Generating Energy on Mars: ISRU Part 3
In Part I, we discussed making the essentials for life on Mars: fuel, oxygen, and water. After the initial exploration phase, the construction of permanent settlements and structures will begin to become a priority. When humanity settles Mars, Martian architects… Read More »Construction Materials on Mars: ISRU Part 2
Of the plethora of acronyms in Mars exploration circles, one in particular forms the cornerstone of many Mars and Moon exploration plans: In-Situ Resource Utilization, or ISRU. It is key to establishing a permanent human presence beyond Earth, and both… Read More »How to Make Fuel, Oxygen, and Water on Mars: ISRU Part 1