I recently participated in the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Lunar Launch and Landing Facilities Workshop and there were many interesting topics presented by Government, Academic and Commercial representatives that collectively are trying to prepare for returning to the moon on a permanent basis.
One of the most important challenge to successfully return and operate permanently on the moon is the ability to launch and land spacecraft safely, particularly finding ways to mitigate the threat of lunar regolith blasting caused by rocket exhaust. This could damage the spacecraft, nearby infrastructure, and in some cases, even blast material into lunar orbit, threatening future missions.
This is where the first SpaceX Starship flight turns out to have been a rare opportunity to gather data that can help address and mitigate this issue. The severe damage and the mechanisms of the damage gave researchers the opportunity to directly analyze and study this phenomena, and the lessons learned are impacting planning and design of landing surfaces on the lunar surface.
This issue is not just for the first landings on the moon, where the surface is likely to be unprepared and natural, but also long after permanent bases are established, and the frequency of resupply launches and landings increase.
In this video, Brandon Dotson, PhD candidate at the University of Central Florida, under the mentorship of Dr. Phil Metzger presents the analysis and findings directly related to the SpaceX Starship flight 1. In addition, Ian Jehn, PhD candidate at the University of Colorado presents landing pad strength and design analysis that builds on the findings of the first Starship launch.
I hope you find this information and discussion informative and educational.
Негізгі бет How Did SpaceX's Starship 1st Flight Change Lunar Landings?
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