Robotic Systems Blog

"If the space station starts to lose altitude..." IF it loses altitude?

Orbital decay is constant. ISS altitude stationkeeping is performed (in the absence of support vehicles) by the station's two main engines on the Zvezda service module.

The end of the fuel supply is another question, one for concern. I doubt there is an automation solution for that one.

Surely-- Mankind's Space station deserves all attention and best contribution from all humanity-- to keep giving back the data-the Photos-the invaluable weather reports-the spotting of fires----.

Space Station was designed to operate alone without human help inside.

Mankind CAN keep it in orbit fighting fit-- may be with rare maintenance plus Tourism missions -- bringing back all biological waste on the return trip.

UN should take over .

mm

You wrote, "UN should take over ."

Was that a joke?

#1 and... pray?

The governments want us to save energy by phasing out incandescent light bulbs.

How many incandescent light bulbs can we light up with the energy needed to send a crew to the space station?

What about military exercises?

If the energy is so precious and limited, we should re-consider these government sponsored activities.

The future looks pretty bleak for ISS.

Nah, I think the Russians will get this sorted out before November.

I read last week that they found the cause of the motor failure in the space craft. Now they just need to systematically check all the existing motors to make sure they are fault free.

*