May
7

By

247 – Bulk Metallic Glass

Rate/Vote
(average: 4.77)
Loading...

Dr. Douglas Hofmann works as a scientist in the Metallurgy Lab at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I visited Doug during my US trip earlier this year, and we chatted about metallic glass. In particular, we discussed its properties, how to create it in bulk, how to test its properties, as well as how and why it is interesting for use in space.

Audio, Details & Links ...

Mar
31

By

242 – Satellite Testing at ESTEC

Rate/Vote
(average: 4.60)
Loading...

This is the last episode recorded during my visit to ESA‘s ESTEC last fall. I get a tour of the Test Centre with the head of the section, Mark Wagner. We discuss the various test stands and facilities, including the thermal vacuum facility, the large space simulator, the thermal vacuum chamber, the vibration facilities, electromagnetic testing and acoustic testing.

Audio, Details & Links ...

Mar
25

By

241 – Electric Propulsion of Spacecraft

Rate/Vote
(average: 4.63)
Loading...

During my visit to ESA‘s ESTEC last fall, I talked to Jose Gonzalez del Amo, who is the head of the Electric Propulsion Lab. We discussed the basics of electric propulsion, the pros and cons compared to chemical engines, different engine styles and their use cases, as well as the work ESA performs in the lab.

Audio, Details & Links ...

Mar
12

By

239 – The Saturn V Launch Vehicle

Rate/Vote
(average: 4.83)
Loading...

David Woods has a new book out, so of course he has to talk about it on omega tau :-) His recent book is about the Saturn V launch vehicle, i.e., this time it is about the rocket, not about the spaceship. In this episode we dive into lots of details that we did not cover in the two Apollo episodes (episodes 83 and 97) — make sure you have listened to those before you listen to this one.

Audio, Details & Links ...

Feb
18

By

236 – Space Flight Software

Rate/Vote
(average: 4.39)
Loading...

Last fall I visited ESTEC, ESA’s space research and technology center. In this first of three episodes, I talk with Maria Hernek, who heads the Flight Software Systems section. We talk about the challenges of space flight software, the development processes used by ESA and its vendors, as well as means of ensuring the required quality attributes. This episode can be seen as a continuation of the conversation with Andreas Wortmann in the OHB episode.

Audio, Details & Links ...