Short Takes – 11-9-26 - Space Geek Edition

Starship Flight 15. SpaceX.com update. Pull quote: “Starship’s initial return to launch site mission is expected to orbit the Earth at an altitude of ~275 km and complete approximately 14 orbits around the planet over the course of a more than 22-hour flight. Similar to Starship’s first orbital mission, the flight profile has been designed with the opportunity to insert into a passively safe suborbital trajectory or safely deorbit at multiple pre-determined areas over the ocean after raising to an orbital altitude. Read more about the testing, mission design, and safety measures for first planned Starship catch.” 

Swift has fallen: NASA's 22-year-old space telescope burns up over Sumatra. LiveScience.com article. Pull quote: “Weighing approximately 3,200 pounds (1,450 kilograms), the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was initially designed for a two-year mission, but it far exceeded expectations. Over two decades, Swift became an important tool in the study of gamma-ray bursts, supernovas, black holes and other cosmic phenomena.” 

This space company is betting its future on a propellant available everywhere. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “The propulsion system is basically a small rocket that uses hydrogen and oxygen as propellants. However, instead of launching with separate tanks of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, Chiron starts with liquid water. In space, the vehicle uses solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases and burns them to generate thrust.” 

NASA's Artemis II moon launch tore a hole in Earth's upper atmosphere so huge it disrupted GPS signals. Space.com article. Pull quote: “The measurements found that the ionospheric disturbances resulting from the sheer power of the Artemis II launch were more significant than any caused by other rocket launches to date and up to ten times more intense than those observed following the test launches of SpaceX's Starship, which is twice as powerful as the SLS based on liftoff thrust.” 

Earth has captured a new mini moon — but it won't stick around for long. Space.com article. Pull quote: “Scientists have recreated the orbital path of QQ8, finding that it takes 359 days, or about 0.98 of an Earth year, to orbit the sun. QQ8 closely approaches Earth around once every ten years, but this time the object came so close that Earth has been able to gravitationally seize it." 

'We got it done!' Spacewalking astronauts finish installing next-gen ISS solar arrays. Space.com article. Pull quote: “After releasing two bolts, Kutryk and Menon watched as the array started to unfurl to its full 63-foot (19 meters) length. No motor was needed; the iROSA, as designed, used only the potential energy stored by its rolled-up carbon composite booms to extend itself. The entire process took about 10 minutes.” 

PRISM: The Coming Wave of New Lunar Science Missions. Starbench.substack.com article. Pull quote: “Since Apollo, scientists have been building up a list of nagging questions about how the Moon formed and how it’s evolved since then. Was there an early cataclysm where the impact rate spiked up suddenly? What’s the state of the Moon’s core? Why does its polar ice seem so much different than that on Mercury or Ceres?” 

The cost of operating amid debris. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “And while the total cost of dodging debris may still pale in comparison to the several hundred billion dollars the industry generates a year, Deville said “it is undeniable that space congestion is rapidly turning into the biggest factor of risk and uncertainty for satellite operators.”” 

How Do You Land on a Moon with Almost No Gravity? Spedtrum.ieee.org article. Pull quote: “Once back in Mars orbit, the exploration module will resume its observations of Phobos and make several flybys of Mars’s other diminutive moon, Deimos, to gather data on its surface, structure, and composition. In November 2030, during a favorable alignment of Mars and Earth, MMX will begin the homeward leg of its trip. The return module will separate from the exploration module and power the voyage home, its sole objective to bring the dust of Phobos to Earth.” 

Short Takes – 11-9-26 - Federal Register Edition

NESHAP 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Polyvinyl Chloride and Copolymer Production Reconsideration; New Major Source Process Wastewater Standards. EPA final rule. Summary: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Copolymer Production source category (“PVC NESHAP”) under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112. For new major sources, the EPA is finalizing the removal of the total non-vinyl chloride organic hazardous air pollutant (HAP) process wastewater emission limit and the associated testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The EPA is also finalizing that the new major source vinyl chloride emission limit acts as a surrogate for non-vinyl chloride organic HAP emissions from process wastewater. The EPA is not taking final action on other aspects of the reconsideration proposal at this time.” 

Space Geek  

Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband. FCC final rule. Summary: “In this document, the Space Bureau (Bureau or we) within the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) updates the initial set of geostationary (GSO) satellite network reference links adopted in the Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband Report and Order (Order). Ensuring the GSO reference links appropriately reflect typical and widespread GSO satellite operations in the United States will promote efficient spectrum sharing among today's broadband satellite systems.” 

Technical Corrections of Commercial Space Transportation Regulations. FAA  final rule technical correction. Summary: “FAA is amending the authority citations in parts 413, 414, and 450 to include 51 U.S.C. 50924. In addition, FAA has identified six technical corrections to parts 413, 414, 450, and 460. These technical corrections are non-substantive in nature and are intended to correct typographical errors, clarify regulatory text, and ensure consistency. The changes correct mistakes and omissions and clarify the regulations published in the part 450 final rule.” 

Conditional Expected Casualty Exception for Failures Resulting in an Uncontrolled Atmospheric Return. FAA notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to allow a launch and reentry vehicle operator to protect against high consequence events during an uncontrolled atmospheric return by showing that there would be sufficient breakup of the vehicle to ensure protection against a single event expected to produce multiple casualties.” 

Flight Abort Burden Reducing Clarification on End of Flight Safety Limits. FAA notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to clarify the conditions under which a vehicle operator is not required to abort a flight.” 

Flight Safety Limits Objectives Burden Reducing Clarification. FAA notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “FAA proposes to amend its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations to streamline the licensing process and reduce regulatory burden for license applicants. Specifically, FAA proposes to clarify the requirements for establishing flight safety limits that define when a vehicle operator must initiate flight abort.” 

Hot Box Explosion

There were news reports (here, here, and here) of an explosion at a chemical facility in Mississippi involving a herbicide being heated in a hot box. As is typical for such news reports, there were few details involved and the authorities (public and private) only provided the vaguest of information. So, let’s take a general look at ‘hot box’ operations. 

Hot Box Basics  

Chemicals are frequently stored in portable containers in solidified form or in a very viscous state that are difficult to remove from containers. Thus, there is a need for facilities to heat those containers to empty them. Typically, a ‘hot box’ is used. 

Now I have used ‘hot boxes’ that were nothing more than a heavy tarp and a steam hose. If there is a frequent need for such container heating, there are more sophisticated options available. They will typically include a closeable metal box (with or without insulation), heat source (steam or electric), and some sort of temperature control system. 

Allow for container venting, place in the hot box, apply heat and wait. When the container is heated through, it is removed from the hot box, and the contents can be poured or pumped out. More sophisticated systems will include temperature probes to put into the container to monitor the heating. 

Safety Issues  

The most obvious safety issue is pressure buildup. Heating any gas will increase the pressure in a closed system. A properly designed hot box will have some sort of safety venting, frequently just an opening to the atmosphere. Portable containers do not have such venting designed in. Pressure relief valves are, however, available that can be screwed into bung holes on the container. Or the top can be simply loosened. 

Another potential safety issue is the rise of a flammable atmosphere. While most people have a tendency to ignore flashpoints over 100°F, if the temperature in the hot box is above the flashpoint of any of the materials being heated in the hot box, there may be a flammable atmosphere in the box. The question that needs to be answered in that case is if the hot box has been designed for operation in a classified atmosphere so that the heating system or the box electronic controls cannot ignite that atmosphere. 

Another issue that must be considered is chemical compatibility when multiple products are put into the hot box at the same time. Potential gas phase interactions need to be considered at the operating temperature to be found in the box when the containers are vented inside the box. 

The final issue has only recently become a more public concern; the security of the electronic control systems (if present) on the box. Recent attacks on controllers for commercial freezers have shown that temperature controllers are potentially subject to electronic attacks. Since it is becoming obvious that anything can be hacked, safety considerations need to take into account the maximum temperature that can be reached within the hot box.