On 09-21-20 06:59, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I heard an interesting inteview with Tess Gerritsen. She wrote a
space story, doing lots of research with NASA.
That's a good place to start! :)
From listening to Tess Gerritsen, it sounded like she would have
nailed the science part, she mentioned spending a couple of years
working with NASA to get the orbital bits right.
You'd have been interesting to see how her story went. :)
Orbital mechanics is interesting. Following the launch of amateur satellites (and then working them) is how I picked up a lot of it. Especially during the launch and commissioning of AO-40, where it was intended to use a rocket to move the satellite from its original GTO path to its intended high inclination orbit, which would have required a number of adjustments to the apogee and perigee, as well as a major plane change (over 60 degrees, IIRC), which would have used most of the fuel (plane changes are the most energetic orbital changes).
Anyway, the rocket failed and exploded, turned out due to human error in pre launch. :(
... 300 baud makes you wanna get out and shoot it.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.51
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au