DaveL59

remains to be seen of course if the next try will be a repeat of the last aborted launch - small leak becomes uncontrollable leak. That they had LH2 issues on the main and upper stages makes you wonder if there's a design or build issue with the quick disconnect couplings.

Well they did manage to get it all gassed up, had to manage the feed pressure on LH2 as it still leaked but at a low enough level to continue. Also had an issue feeding the upper stage later on so it seems LH2 is a bit of an achilles heel for them. In the end tho it's declared a successful demo so now we wait to hear the next confirmed launch date.

oh dear, slo fill LH2 on stop as they have a leak at the umbilical join, deciding if to try the heat and retry procedure. Oh and a flaky temp sensor on the LH2 fill side too that's part of the fast flow switchover.

for those interested, cryo test underway https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2022/09/21/launch-director-gives-go-to-begin-cryogenic-operations-nasa-tv-coverage-underway-2/

Also found this on CN forum Making a monocular from a m42 lens and an eyepiece - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

Actually, doing a search it seems you can get new ones still Astro Essentials M42 to 2" Eyepiece Holder | First Light Optics RafCamera M42x1 female thread to 1.25" telescope eyepiece adapter... Can't say these would work with a diagonal but so long as the light path is correct (45mm) then you should find focus. Might need a prism rather than a mirror diagonal tho.

nah it just adds to the show if it goes up in a big loud flash, he does like to showboat after all 😉

You did used to be able to buy an adaptor for M42 lenses, but they're pretty rare to find nowadays

just found the preview sample review Svbony zoom 3-8 mm SV215 eyepiece review (star-hunter.ru)

is it any good Ags? Only SVbony ones I have are the 7-21 and 8-24mm and they are pretty decent.

nothing new in the NASA blog so far but CNN report that the cryo test will be Wednesday 07:15 EDT which will be live streamed. Interesting in their article was a note about the seals: NASA's Artemis I moon rocket preps for prelaunch test | CNN There was a press briefing earlier today, over here we'd likely have been watching the Queen's final journey

as above but do bear in mind that the bigger high power bino's aren't exactly small or light and in their case would occupy probably as much space as a small refractor. Worth checking around and compare size/weight I'd think and then consider which would be easier to transport and set up. Whatever you do, don't get any of the zoom bino's that claim incredible magnification at great prices, they are mostly junk and at best barely useful for terrestrial viewing.

latest posted in the NASA blog on 12-Sep was: (subject to extension being granted of course) Artemis (nasa.gov)

I see what you mean, a lot of dust but that sure looked like impact, maybe they'd short fuelled the escape engines and it used it all up getting away? Didn't program in a lift n coast cycle... Would've been fun to see a G force display of that the capsule was pulling as it escaped, more than a jolt I'd say.

missed that, but I guess at least the escape system kinda works... just needs some work on the landing 😉 oh, wait... just reading that and it soft-landed, well done in that case 🙂

I guess back in the 70's there were still moon missions and voyager to stir some interest, and of course the web wasn't as available or filled with images that are so readily available now. For many its maybe a case of not born while space exploration was still a big thing and the meh! factor of what you can actually see vs dazzling images they can pull up on the PC/table/phone, so why stand out on the odd clear freezing night when you can sit and google...

My dad gave me some of this spray on sealer for leaks some time ago, suckered in I think by a TV or home shopping catalogue. When I moved in here there was a valve on the heating that was dripping so he handed me this can with "this'll sort it". Didn't work at all, just as I'd expected even with several tries using up half the can. Stuff like that you really do have to swap the failing part out or replace the seals if its a serviceable item which this wasn't. Self amalgamating tape tho, now that might help if you can get a long enough roll to wind a decent number of turns around the tank. Will disrupt the airflow in flight a bit tho I expect but if they can up the boost by 5% that oughta cover it 😉

Last status reported 09-Sept is they've replaced the seals and umbilicals and reassembling the umbilical plates at the pad, inspection over the weekend and a tanking exercise perhaps from 17-Sept to test the repairs. Once they've analysed the data they'll look at next launch attempt windows. In other news, Capstone spacecraft has gone into safe mode and they're working to resolve CAPSTONE – Artemis (nasa.gov)

I still enjoy the views my TAL-1 gives and that's what a 114mm mirror? As good as the SW130M I also have but unlike the SW130 the Tal does it without the wobbles 😉

that's how I read it too. They may be able to get an extension but how long it can stay on the pad becomes an issue in terms of safety. Also the inadvertent over-pressure may have caused other issues which would need a roll back to check over. Either way is looking more like October now I guess.

Any chance a rodent has decided to visit that ducting/guttering your cable is run in? They are notorious for gnawing at insulation and causing shorts/failures. Any moisture build up in the duct would then cause issues and mice to pee a lot which would make a good conduction medium as well as unpleasant to clean out.

its possible that some of the low-qual brands have started quoting square mm and combining the figure for both sides to make the numbers look great to those that don't understand how to tell the difference between good and not so good.

that'd complicate things if they change tech surely as they'd have to re-certify the launch vehicle all over again.

thankfully no mention of a solar one but no warning sticker to say NOT to look at the sun with it 😮 Mind that was probably before the H&S and sue for anything ideology really took hold.

ahh but it does have a lifetime warranty 😉