NASA Creates Gigantic Vibrator

Sun, Jan 20, 2008

Science/Tech

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NASA is working to solve a huge problem in its next generation launching rockets.

apollo
The Apollo 6 lunar mission launches

The new rocket, called the Ares 1, has a serious vibration issue. Engineers believe the solid rocket booster could vibrate far too violently during the beginning stages of the flight, which could shake the entire aircraft apart if not corrected.

The problem is fairly common to the rocket boosters, and NASA engineers are working on solutions. The danger in the vibration is not from the actual shaking of the rocket, but how the things it is shooting off into space are affected. This includes the crew capsule, the instrument unit, and a booster. The problem is especially important as the Ares rocket is designed to replace the space shuttle, and will launch astronauts to the moon in NASA’s upcoming lunar missions.

Fortunately, those missions won’t begin until 2020, and NASA is confident it can fix the problem long before then. Dr. Michael Griffin, NASA administrator, told the Associated Press: “I hope no one was so ill-informed as to believe that we would be able to develop a system to replace the shuttle without facing any challenges in doing so. NASA has an excellent track record of resolving technical challenges. We’re confident we’ll solve this one as well.”

The Ares I rocket is one of two rockets NASA has developed to replace the space shuttle since beginning its program to return to the moon in 2005. The other, the Ares V, is a cargo ship that will carry no crew members. The shaking is due to gas vortexes that develop behind the rocket and add to its acceleration. These are something like the wake created by a boat, according to Professor Jorge Arenas of the Institute of Acoustics in Valdivia, Chile. Fortunately, NASA has 7 years to develop a solution to the problem. The first astronauts with an Ares I rocket will not take place until 2015.

Source: New York Times

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This post was written by:

Chris - who has written 598 posts on Environmental Graffiti.

Chris (50% English, 50% Italian) is the evil overlord and creator of Environmental Graffiti. When he's not battling those pesky Jedi Knights, he can be found blogging about weird and wonderful environmental news. It's sort of becoming a full time job...he is quite surprised!

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13 Comments For This Post

Leave a Reply

  1. aksn1p3r Says:

    A huge vibrator LOL. The shape is accurate :)

  2. aksn1p3r Says:

    LOL that isn’t my face!
    How did that avatar get there?

  3. sir jorge Says:

    nasa is still alive somehow?

  4. uker Says:

    misleading title with naughty implication

  5. Marty Says:

    why doesn’t griffith (who sounds like a totally arrogant prick btw) just put together the perfectly suitable saturn V rocket instead!!

  6. Rich Says:

    I used to work for NASA, and yes he is a prick. The reason they can’t use a Saturn V, is because back in the 70’s the contractor who designed the Saturn V threw out the plans for it… true story! There were no digital copies back then. Your Government at work!

    why doesn’t griffith (who sounds like a totally arrogant prick btw) just put together the perfectly suitable saturn V rocket instead!!

    why doesn’t griffith (who sounds like a totally arrogant prick btw) just put together the perfectly suitable saturn V rocket instead!!

  7. Tim Pettus Says:

    I heard Paris Hilton is interested in buying one

  8. Dave Says:

    Can NASA get any less inspiring?

  9. 999mal Says:

    NASA has NOT thrown out the plans. The problem with using the Saturn V is that technology has advanced over the years and that many of the parts are no longer made, so they would have to have several parts specialty made.

  10. Anthony Says:

    If you work for NASA you probably sweep the floors. The loss of the Saturn V plans is the mis-information of an ignorant author. That then became yet another internet Hoax. http://www.space.com/news/spacehistory/saturn_five_000313.html

    It doesn’t matter if you have the plans. No one makes the parts anymore. We have moved beyond that rocket technology anyway. Modern material science has change the game drastically.

  11. Gene Hart Says:

    Does that make you horny??? Yeah BABY!!!

  12. joe Says:

    just think of the size of the pussy that thing will fit into

  13. sunny beach Says:

    If only this power could be harnessed for the betterment of mankind.

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