Image 1) "Project Starshot, an initiative sponsored by the Breakthrough Foundation, is intended to be humanity’s first interstellar voyage. Credit: breakthroughinitiatives.org "(SciTechDaily/Lasers Could Send Missions to Mars in Just 45 Days)
The solar sails are effective systems for researching our solar system. The high-power laser system can send the swarm of probes outside the solar system and even to other solar systems. In that, the most extreme version of that project. There would be made a chain of ultra-powerful lasers in the solar system.
And then those lasers would give a punch for the solar sail when it travels through that point. The lasers can be fusion-powered systems that are basing Tokamak-reactor. The laser would install in the middle of the donut-shaped reactor. And then the radiation of that reactor would conduct to the laser element. There is the possibility to increase the power of the lasers by shooting electrons. Or some ions inside the laser rays. Those particles will increase the energy of the laser rays.
The solar sail that is sent to the journey would not be one craft. That system might be a swarm of miniaturized probes that are connected with the membrane. Those probes can be separated at the right distance. The thing is that this kind of system must be very large.
Image 2) "A swarm of laser-sail spacecraft leaving the Solar System. Credit: Adrian Mann" (ScitechDaily/Lasers Could Send Missions to Mars in Just 45 Days)
Because the energy load that those lasers are given is very high. In the missions to the outer side of the solar system or even to other solar systems the solar sail would use the outcoming energy as long as possible. The energy can transmit to that solar sail by using coherent radio waves. Or the system can use laser rays that are targeted to the large membrane. That is covered by using a thin silicon layer. That layer can use to create electricity for the solar sail.
That thing minimizes the energy load that hits the solar sail. So the solar sail would be a group of probes that are acting as an entirety. The solar sails are one of the versions of the interstellar and interplanetary probes. The thing is that there are many variants to this construction that benefits the solar wind for traveling in the solar system.
The solar sail could be a multipurpose tool. The sail is a very large structure. And there is the possibility to use that kind of thing as a spaceborne radio telescope. The large lightweight structure can be used also as a large-size radar. And the components that are installed in that thing can use also CCD cameras. The thing is that the same kind of structures that are suitable for the solar sails are also suitable for large-size orbital radars. The ultra-thin membrane acts as the radio telescope or radar. Can use as a communication antenna in the solar sails. But it can also use as a recon system that is orbiting Earth.
Image 1:) Artist’s rendering of a SpaceX Starship leaving a lunar colony. Credit: SpaceX (ScitechDaily/Space Missions To Watch: A Lunar Return, a Jupiter Moon, and the Most Powerful Rocket Ever Built)
The Starship is a new type of large-scale vertical take-off and landing shuttle that can operate almost everywhere. That system can be the tool for the next space programs. When we are thinking possibility to send that craft to the Moon. There is the possibility that the Starship is connected with some other rocket. The Starship can launch to the orbiter and the auxiliary stage can dock to the back of Starship. By using that kind of modular system is the possibility to make journeys to the Moon or even to other planets.
There is the possibility to connect the NERVA system or ion rocket stage at the back of the Starship. In the plans, the reactors that nuclear thermal propulsion requires. Would load at the Lunar orbiter. Those lightweight but extremely powerful reactors would use high-enriched plutonium or some synthetic elements like neptunium, californium, or einsteinium as nuclear fuel. Those reactors can use as the NERVA system. Or they can use in ion engines.
The Starship can use also as a platform for the orbital weapon systems. Those systems require high-power laser systems. And those lasers and ion systems can install in large-scale space shuttles. Those kinds of lasers can use to destroy recon, location, or communication satellites. And the ion systems can also use to create plasma over the hostile communication centers.
By the way, the Ingenuity-helicopter still runs on Mars.
Image 2) Ingenuity helicopter. (Space.com/1 year later, Ingenuity helicopter still going strong on Mars)
Those kinds of small helicopters are pathfinders in many ways. Those helicopters can search for water and interesting samples from large areas. And those systems can have multiple sensors like lasers and radars. Those systems can connect with spectrometers that are telling what kind of elements some areas involve.
Also, the feet of those helicopters might have seismic sensors. So that kind of helicopter can operate with rovers. The thing is that the small helicopters can use advanced AI even they are small-size.
The AI can be at the rover. Or there is the possibility that another planet would send the computer unit to assist those rovers and helicopters. Those small helicopters can use for simulating high-flying helicopters that can observe areas by using infrared cameras and small radars. Those helicopters are suitable to observe the strength of the ice. And they can search for pollution from water and air.
The miniature helicopters can get their energy supply by laser rays. The laser or radio system that is targeted to their solar panels or radio receivers can give an energy supply for those systems. The small-size helicopter can land on the roof of the bunker. And then it can listen to things that people are talking about in it. It can aim laser or radar systems to windows for observing people.
The system can use its seismic sensors to record noise through the wall. Or it can try to use radar. Or a sonar system for searching things that are inside the houses.
Spin-launcher could be the next-generation tool for launching small-size satellites.
The spin-launcher is the centrifuge that accelerates an object to a weight that is 1000 stronger than gravitation. And when the payload is released at the right moment that sling will throw the small satellite to the orbiter. The speed of the sling can increase by using a long arm.
And in some ideas fixed arm will replace by using a whip that is made by using kevlar or spider's net. The electric motor will accelerate that whip to extremely high speed. And then the hook that connects the satellite to that string will release in the absolute right moment. The hook can control by an internal computer.
And the system can use Bluetooth, WLAN, or wired communication for sending the order to release cargo. The string of spider's web is one of the strongest materials in the world. It is harder than kevlar. And kevlar ropes are used to stop aircraft on the aircraft carriers. The whip can pull in when it's not in use. And because the string is elastic and flexible. That kind of centrifuge whip can install at the bottom of the jet fighter.
When the centrifuge wanted to launch the payload will release. And the electric engine starts to rotate the whip. And when the speed of the whip is high enough. That jet fighter can turn another wing to the ground. And that thing releases the small-size satellite. That centrifugal sling can install also to HAA (High Altitude Airship) or electric engined aircraft.
The airship or that ultra-high altitude aircraft will raise the satellite to an altitude of 20-30 kilometers. And then it can send it to the orbiter. If the wire of the whip is strong enough it can connect to the Pegasus rocket. And that allows flighting that thing to a high orbiter.
The sling catapult is one of the ideas. That allows the shoot of miniature satellites to low orbiters.
Major problems with regular rockets are noise and pollution. Also, the prices of the launches are extremely high. So the spin launcher can be one of the next-generation tools for launching satellites.
Image 2) Chinese new hypersonic aircraft
The next generation things in the space systems are miniature shuttles and nuclear-powered systems.
Do you know why Lockheed SR-71 flies higher than U-2? The reason for that is that the pressure cone of the SR-71 will drive air to its motors. The supersonic cone is used in Lockheed CL-400 SunTan and "Skylon" systems.
The unusual location of the engines makes it possible that those aircraft and shuttles can pull miniature shuttle or satellite launching tanks behind them. When the system is at its maximum altitude it can start to dive. That movement can give the sling effect to that system. Which will launch to the orbiter.
The miniature shuttles are the thing that can make many types of missions. They can act as remote-controlled laboratories. But the same systems can use as the orbital fighters. The prime target for those small shuttles that can be manned or unmanned and use stealth technology could be recon and communication satellites. The miniature satellites can also operate as missiles. Those super-kamikaze drones can have an internal nuclear bomb. And if those systems are not used.
They can return the weapons to the base. Those miniature shuttles can also equip with high-power radars and other recon tools.
The Chinese unveil their miniature shuttle or hypersonic glider. The hypersonic glider can dive against things like command bunkers and aircraft carriers. The kinetic energy of those impacts is destructive. But warheads make those systems even more notorious.
When we are thinking about the satellites that kind of threat means that they must equip against those orbital ASAT systems.
One version of the counter-operations is to use so powerful telescopes in satellites. That they can be far away from Earth. In that case, distance from Earth will protect the satellite against low-orbital ASAT systems. And the satellite that is in the high position has more time to use its counter-weapons if something flies against it.
Image 3) SR-71 "Blackbird"
Those counter-systems can be like the Israeli "Trophy-system". That effective counter-anti-tank weapon system. Is mounted on tanks for protecting them against anti-tank weapons. But the satellites can also use it.
Or they can use kinetic energy projectiles or directed energy weapons for destroying incoming missiles. But those same systems can use for offensive attacks against other satellites.
And high-orbiter satellites can pick an opponent's recon, positioning, and communication satellites. And destroy them by using kinetic energy projectiles or directed energy weapons like lasers or microwaves.
Image 4) U-2 "Dragon Lady"
And the nuclear reactors are giving the satellites more abilities. Fission reactors are giving energy supply to the satellites. That they can avoid strikes.
Nuclear-powered rocket engines are making those systems more maneuverable than regular systems are. Nuclear power will give satellites more power than ever before.
Nuclear engines can use to operate space probes at the asteroid belt. But they can also give energy supply for the directed energy weapon. And those weapons can use for defending satellites or for destroying other satellites.
Image 5) Kosmos 954
But the nuclear reactors can give also energy to microwave and laser weapons of the satellites. Those weapons can destroy incoming missiles. But also high-power radio waves can use to jam another satellite's technology. The warning of the existence of that kind of satellite got in 1977. when the Soviet Kosmos 954 dropped from the orbiter to Canada. The Kosmos 954 was a nuclear-powered satellite.
That satellite used a lightweight nuclear reactor. That kind of power supply makes the EMP-weapon of that kind of satellite possible. In that EMP weapon, the power of satellites' radar turns so high that it destroys other satellites by burning their components. The killer satellites are meant for destroying other satellites.
James Webb space telescope shot from French Guayana.
The Ariane 5 rocket took the most expensive cargo in history to tour to L-1 point. There that scientific instrument will start to make observations of the universe by using infrared frequency. The remarkable thing in the structure of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the telescope that is equipped with a turning system. That saves fuel.
Whenever this space telescope can change the objects that it observes. It must not use its rockets. That saves fuel and extends the lifetime of the telescope. The JWST is a telescope that is the Christmas gift for science.
Its 6,5 meters telescope is the most accurate optical system in space. And that system can uncover many exoplanets and maybe it finds alien lifeforms. The JWST telescope is extremely expensive and building that telescope has taken an extremely long time. And now on its journey to Lagrange point L-1. Where it starts its scientific work in July when the systems checked is done.
James Webb telescope (Wikipedia)
And calibration is made. The iconic image when the JWST separated from the upper inertial stage of Ariane was that when it opened its solar panel, that telescope looked like a bright keyhole. The thing about the launch is that the interesting thing was the trajectory. And of course, the first couple of minutes are the most critical points in space flight. Most of the accidents happen when the rocket is traveling in the atmosphere.
The next critical moments are the separations of the stages and the aerodynamic core at the top of the rocket. In those cases can happen the problems. But when we are thinking about the price of the JWST and the time I think that great publicity caused that this fundamental system launch.
The thing is that the unknown signals and new exoplanets and rogue planets are caused that the JWST telescope will go to its position. Maybe that telescope can solve some mysteries of the universe. But the thing is that the JWST telescope will also bring new mysteries for the front of the eyes of the researchers. And maybe JWST will find aliens or give a warning about the incoming rogue planets.
Maybe, that telescope will also help to solve the mystery of "Planet 9". Is that unknown object that causes anomalies for trajectories of Neptune some kind of planet, is its black hole or gravitational effect of some kind of interplanetary nebula? Or is the reason for those anomalies that the Alpha Centauri would go in line with some other objects?
The same lunar-concept rovers can operate at the moon, the bottom of the oceans, and dry land.
Image 1)
Above this text is an interesting lunar-rover concept. A modified Tesla cyber truck that could operate in a vacuum. The electric car can operate always in a vacuum and the thing is that the modification is needed only when the vehicle must be pressurized. There are three ways to make the rover that can operate on the moon.
The first version just uses the standard but armored vehicle, and in that case, the astronauts must wear full lunar suits which protects them against cosmic radiation and micrometeorites. The second version is to connect the radiation protection to that vehicle. This thing means that astronauts can use lighter suits. But in the case of an accident, this can be risky business.
And in the "luxury model," the moon rover has a pressurized cabin where the astronauts can take off their lunar suits. The lunar rover can be locally or remote-controlled. The remote control system can be on the Earth or it can be on the moon. And the same rovers can operate independently or manned.
Image 2)
That means in the case of an accident. The base can send the automatic rover for picking the astronauts. The lunar rover can have a button where the astronauts can select between the "autopilot" and "manual cruise".
The interesting thing is that the same vehicle can use on the moon or deep inside the oceans. The second image portraits Japan's or sharper saying Toyota corporations conceptual moon rover that is large enough also for deep ocean operations. The large-size system can equip with a small nuclear reactor and the crew has more room in that place.
There is also possible to install the RTG-based electric engine system in all axles and that thing can also give a very good capacity and power to the large-size systems. The nuclear-based system would give the lunar rover an extreme capacity.
Without depending on if the system operates at the bottom of the ocean. Or on the surface of the moon. And that kind of amphibious system can benefit both civil and military missions. The "car" can drive the bottom of the ocean or it can also travel on the roads and drylands.
Space X-corporations "Falcon" rocket is representing the new way to make rockets. The rocket itself doesn't need massive space centers, and it can operate anywhere, where finds hydrogen and oxygen. The rocket would lift off and land to any helicopter landing site, and the noise of this construction is, of course, the big problem. The normal vehicle, what can be used with this rocket seems to be the ship, where this new kind of shuttle would operate. In the pictures, this rocket operates from normal space centers, but when we are thinking the capacity of this vehicle, in the future it could operate from anywhere, there is no need to avoid the noise.
I know, why also Pentagon is very interested in this kind of rockets, what can use many times. That rocket would allow NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) to send their satellites anywhere from the Earth, and this kind of heavy rockets can also operate with modern miniature shuttles, what can be used as an anti-satellite, reconnaissance and other missions like giving service for satellites. The concept of Falcon would allow making new kind of Moon shuttles, what can travel between Moon and Earth, and bring samples of the dust also from the asteroid belt.
Also, this kind of concept could work as the base for Mars lander, what would bring samples from red planet to the Earth. Those Falcon rockets can also operate with huge airships, and in this scenario, the rocket would transfer to a very big distance from cities by using airship or big cargo-plane, and then it can be launched to the orbital trajectory. This is the very good point when we are thinking about the noise of space rockets.
This kind of concepts can operate from normal airfields, and they can be shoot to the orbiting trajectory far from the sea. When we are thinking about the innovation of this rocket, the engineers might be stolen the idea of this marvelous spacecraft from "Tintin" cartoon, where the main character flies to the moon by using functionally similar rocket than this "Falcon" is.
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