Be a virtual rocket scientist

Robin Snelson, Los Angeles, Calif. — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:36:35 GMT

One correction Boole, I don't believe that Jimbo's shuttle will be his piece de resistance. For one thing it's too big to fly and is destined for the museum. He's working now on spaceships of the future and has just begun to tackle the problem of vertical takeoff vertical lander reusable spaceships. The rockets that really fly are, let's face it, much more fun than the models in the museum.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Wild Bill, on the fringe — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:54:24 GMT

Try something like F = dm/dt * vref + Ae * (Pe - Pa), where Pe = nozzle exit pressure, Pa = ambient pressure (0 for vacuum), and Ae = nozzle exit area. If you do, you'll get a 'B' instead of a 'C'. To get an 'A', the classical "rocket equation" is delta-V = vref * ln(Mi/Mf) where delta-V is the velocity increment of the vehicle, Mi is it's initial mass, Mf it's final mass. Let's keep the rocket science straight, okay?

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Kat Lemieux — Wed, 02 May 2007 13:06:00 GMT

Hi Alan, Thanks for the plug, but it's SpacePORT Bravo (not SpaceSHIP), which is the 2nd sim for the International Spaceflight Museum. Hope to see you at our grand opening.

Kat Lemieux
ISM Director

[Reply from AB: Oooh, sorry, Kat... I fixed the reference. I'm supposed to be at a business meeting Saturday but I'll definitely be in world at some point during the big day.]

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Frank, Dallas, TX — Wed, 02 May 2007 20:42:31 GMT

I'm not certain that student with the rocket equation was right. The rocket formula I'm familiar with is:

delta v = (velocity of rocket exhaust) * natural log of the ratio (initial total mass/final total mass)

Assuming, of course, that the rocket emits mass at a constant velocity, and that we're talking about a single-stage rocket.

The student solved for thrust, by taking the integral of delta v over a time period, but didn't include the change in mass as the rocket burns fuel. That might work for something like an ion driver but it wouldn't for a conventional chemical rocket.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Chris E. — Thu, 03 May 2007 01:45:12 GMT

Hi Alan! I'd have to see it to be a fair judge and I'm certain it would be great for conveying the intricacy and detail, but one thing that a photo, movie, or sim will probably never fully convey is SIZE. THE SHUTTLE IS GINORMOUS!!! The thing is huge even from a hundred yards away and I've seen photos and movies of it all my life. Same with a jumbo jet airliner. I stood under a B-52 at an air show and thought the thing was 'dinky' and yet the DC-10 tanker sitting next to it was just jaw droppingly large.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Connor Sharpton, Hoover, AL — Thu, 03 May 2007 02:37:55 GMT

whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! you guys are smart. but yeah, id rather come up with my own rocket designs and concepts than pay to buy virtual rockets of the past.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

john.rz — Thu, 03 May 2007 06:22:41 GMT

The authors of "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe" based their calculations on the wrong assumptions.

The answer to everything is E = m.C^2

If you would like further amplifications then contact me on www.latviantourists.com.au

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Amanda Vanness — Thu, 03 May 2007 22:55:18 GMT

Jimbo Perhaps is one of the nicest people in the real-life and Second Life worlds. He goes out of his way to help others. He has always been wonderfully kind to me, and his rockets are a wonderful ride.

He should be the first man on the Second Life moon!

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Tommy China Hong Kong — Fri, 04 May 2007 15:29:21 GMT

Hi Alan.Thanks for the plug.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

larryr sf ca — Sun, 13 May 2007 00:10:35 GMT

At Starbase C3 in Second Life we have many folks living in their own starships/spaceships. It beats the heck out of a faux virtual split level :)
Customizable Space Ship Mobile Homes....Live the Future.
c3

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Zach N., MA, Boston — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:08:13 GMT

I am proud to have Mr.Perhaps working with us in Fontier Valley Inc in SL in re-creating a realistic public simulation of the Space Shuttle. Contact me in-world, Ely Kilby, for details on the project.

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Mulase Constant, Kampala- UGANDA — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:51:17 GMT

Lol! i believe rocket equation should put into consideration initial rocket velocity (u),velocity of exhaut gas (v), starting and ending mass of rocket and initial rocket velocity before the fuel burns (m and Mo) . With this we can therefore come up with something close to Tsiolkovsky as described in his book 1903

Be a virtual rocket scientist

Catalina Newbold, Houston, Texas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:38:25 GMT

Lets build an Arthur C Clarke Rama Spaceship in SL in his honor since he has passed away this year in Sri Lanka. It would be a tremendous challenge and exciting to build dealing with the physics of it all and what are Sl capabilities. I know many avatars would flock to such an attraction.