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They reciently released this image of these new V2 mini satellites. Quite the fascinating array! https://twitter.com/MarcusHouse/status/1738839709508571291 ht

They reciently released this image of these new V2 mini satellites. Quite the fascinating array! https://twitter.com/MarcusHouse/status/1738839709508571291 https://twitter.com/MarcusHouse/status/1738839709508571291

panick21_ 3y ago
These things are so 'future' its crazy. Highly advanced phase array antennas. Multiple fucking space lasers. Advanced electric Argon thrusters. Its buzzword galore. That this thing is mass produced is pretty amazing, this isn't some research project.
- ortusdux 3y ago
  Recently, I was halfway through explaining Neumann Space's new thruster to an interested but non-scientific friend when I realized that I probably sounded like I was speaking Klingon. "So their approach is to ionize TZM, a molybdenum alloy, and then use the resulting plasma the same way as a traditional ion drive."
  - panick21_ 3y ago
    Honestly when you talking about ion engines in any technical detail I also start to get lost very fast. People have some basic familiarity with normal rocket engine, its basically a car that caries its own ox. People understand fire and things going boom. These Ion engines just don't fit into any day-to-day mental models.
    - ortusdux 3y ago
      Luckily, my friend remembered the old Sharper Image Ion fan infomercials wherein they actually did a pretty good job explaining the science. Those fans have an anode array that gives the air a positive charge, and then large cathode blades that attract the charged air. Because of fluid dynamics, the air accelerates past the blades and keeps on going out the back. Ion thrusters use the same general principle, but they need to carry their own source of ions into space. Most use tanks of compressed noble gas, but Neumann's new design turns solids into gas as part of the ionization process. This is great because noble gas containers are heavy for space applications, and the gasses themselves can be scarce and expensive.
      - panick21_ 3y ago
        I think we have different understanding what an ELI5 explanation is.
        ortusdux 3y ago
        Rubs balloon against head, sticks it to the ceiling "It's that times a million"

panick21_ 3y ago

These things are so 'future' its crazy. Highly advanced phase array antennas. Multiple fucking space lasers. Advanced electric Argon thrusters. Its buzzword galore. That this thing is mass produced is pretty amazing, this isn't some research project.

ortusdux 3y ago
Recently, I was halfway through explaining Neumann Space's new thruster to an interested but non-scientific friend when I realized that I probably sounded like I was speaking Klingon. "So their approach is to ionize TZM, a molybdenum alloy, and then use the resulting plasma the same way as a traditional ion drive."
- panick21_ 3y ago
  Honestly when you talking about ion engines in any technical detail I also start to get lost very fast. People have some basic familiarity with normal rocket engine, its basically a car that caries its own ox. People understand fire and things going boom. These Ion engines just don't fit into any day-to-day mental models.
  - ortusdux 3y ago
    Luckily, my friend remembered the old Sharper Image Ion fan infomercials wherein they actually did a pretty good job explaining the science. Those fans have an anode array that gives the air a positive charge, and then large cathode blades that attract the charged air. Because of fluid dynamics, the air accelerates past the blades and keeps on going out the back. Ion thrusters use the same general principle, but they need to carry their own source of ions into space. Most use tanks of compressed noble gas, but Neumann's new design turns solids into gas as part of the ionization process. This is great because noble gas containers are heavy for space applications, and the gasses themselves can be scarce and expensive.
    - panick21_ 3y ago
      I think we have different understanding what an ELI5 explanation is.
      - ortusdux 3y ago
        Rubs balloon against head, sticks it to the ceiling "It's that times a million"