NASA Lander Morpheus Explodes during Test

by Jeff Burritt Banned

Posted: 14 years ago 10 replies

OFF TOPIC

Here's a quote from the AP news report:

Project Morpheus was an example of what the former project manager called "“Home Depot engineering" - low-budget projects that use existing resources and partner with non-traditional aerospace companies.
“"The Morpheus lander is kind of our poster child. It's one of our first attempts to do these kinds of projects," former project manager Matt Ondler said in an interview with Reuters last year.

I'm going to Home Depot later today. And I'm going to ask the helpful clerk what aisle I can find the parts to build this thing

And hopefully mine won't explode

#morpheus #nasa

seasoned

14 years ago

MAN, don't they have ANY "rocket scientists" there? A lot of stuff at home depot, or for homes in general, isn't even built to last on EARTH! Pipes may have like 3-4 things that are close to jerry rigged to support things, and the newer things aren't properly tested and often fail over time. For tanks, pipes, valves, and similar things, if I were them, I would want to test out materials, and use something that could reliably last at least 20 years in the environment that it is to be in. Many things at home depot can't guarantee that even HERE! And YEAH, they could be expensive. Startup costs for machining could be in the 10s or hundreds of thousands. But that is for MACHINING! Over the decades, the actual cost PER PART would be practically nothing! And YEAH, I have some experience there! An old friend once showed me his screw shop, and how it worked, and NASA WAS one of his customers! Even in the 70s, this was automated to an INCREDIBLE degree! IMAGINE a shop where like one person overlooked everything while a dozen machines just kept kicking out fully machined and threaded parts with virtually NO other work needed. And that was in the SEVENTIES! They didn't even need computers.

Steve

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Thomas

14 years ago

Originally Posted by seasoned

A lot of stuff at home depot, or for homes in general, isn't even built to last on EARTH! Pipes may have like 3-4 things that are close to jerry rigged to support things, and the newer things aren't properly tested and often fail over time. For tanks, pipes, valves, and similar things, if I were them, I would want to test out materials, and use something that could reliably last at least 20 years in the environment that it is to be in. Many things at home depot can't guarantee that even HERE!

I don't think they meant actual stuff from Home Depot, Steve! More like pulling cheap and proven technology that already exists off-the-shelf for use, instead of conjuring up fancy new technology to do the same job at vastly greater cost.

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seasoned

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Thomas

To tell you the truth, *I* didn't really mean home depot either, but average tanks, etc... designed for the home. "proven"? Have they EVER used a tank off the shelf? Oh well, this explosion disproved that. If it can't last HERE, NO WAY will it last in space.

Steve

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Jeff Burritt

Banned 14 years ago

I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with me on this, but NASA is one government agency I'd like to see funded. I could think of a few others we should cut

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Big Rob

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Jeff Burritt

I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with me on this, but NASA is one government agency I'd like to see fully funded. I could think of a few others we should cut

In total agreement. even though I am biased cause I live here.

The Morpheus was more of a test of alternative fuel (methane) than the actual vehicle, which was in fact constructed of spare parts from other launch vehicles.
Even though is was a complete loss, there will be more experiments like these in the future, and tahnk God no one was hurt.

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Jeff Burritt

Banned 14 years ago

Here as in Florida? Or just USA?

Originally Posted by Big Rob

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Big Rob 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Jeff Burritt

Here as in Florida? Or just USA?

As in Cocoa Beach.

Been here since '76. with the exception of 4 years in Tampa and 1year in Vero Beach
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- Jeff Burritt Banned 14 years ago
  
  Dude, I'm a FL Native! Born on the beach! Just hangin' in TX. Miss the ocean seriously.
  
  Originally Posted by Big Rob
  
  As in Cocoa Beach.
  
  Been here since '76. with the exception of 4 years in Tampa and 1year in Vero Beach
  
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MissTerraK

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Big Rob

Methane huh?

Well, that could be an inexpensive fuel for sure. I'm confident it can be found free of charge at a lot of places. Ever been to a chili eating contest? Oh, but I'd hate to have to be the harvester!

Seriously though, I am so glad no one was hurt, that is the most important issue at hand.

Terra

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Jeff Burritt Banned 14 years ago

Methane's a greenhouse-causing gas right?
I read somewhere that cows & people produce more methane than cars and factories etc.
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NASA Lander Morpheus Explodes during Test

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