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The part about knowledge like heat shield technology, rotting away, is kind of disappointing. It seems that's at least one area that would be under continuous d
by fallingmeat 12y ago
The part about knowledge like heat shield technology, rotting away, is kind of disappointing. It seems that's at least one area that would be under continuous development and the art would only be improving, not retreating.
- Fuzzwah 12y agoMy favorite story about forgotten and refound knowledge is regarding scurvy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scurvy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scurvy
- TallGuyShort 12y agoThere was a similar article some time back about attempts to retrieve and study Rocketdyne F-1 engines from the first-stage of the Saturn V rockets from the Apollo missions because understanding of their design was lost. I can't find the article, but someone did point out that in many ways the Space Shuttle's liquid-fueled engines were superior, albeit less powerful. It's just a fact that we haven't done anything quite like a manned moon mission in decades and a lot of that experience is unique, and is now "retired". I agree it's sad to see. I've been reading a few books on the computer systems from the program and it's fascinating - I recommend Digital Apollo if you're interested in what we still know about that aspect.
- avmich 12y agoMay be this one - http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/04/how-nasa-brought-the-monstrous-f-1-moon-rocket-back-to-life/ http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/04/how-nasa-brought-the-... ?