Comments on: The Eco Facts Behind NASA’s Legendary Space Shuttle Program http://inhabitat.com/the-eco-facts-of-the-legendary-nasa-space-shuttle-program-as-it-comes-to-an-end/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Fri, 24 May 2013 14:50:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: ahinalu http://inhabitat.com/the-eco-facts-of-the-legendary-nasa-space-shuttle-program-as-it-comes-to-an-end/comment-page-1/#comment-346760 ahinalu Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:48:15 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=276948#comment-346760 -"But one should note that most of the ‘smoke’ seen at shuttle launches is actually water vapor creating by the burning liquid hydrogen." Well, yes and no.... http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/information/shuttle_faq.html#16 Thousands of gallons of water are dumped within a second or two into the pool below all the launches, this minimizes noise and cools the pad. I wonder how much cooling effect all this water vapor has compared to the global warming gases released during launch? @lazyreader, almost all of the technology used by private space flight companies (and even other nations space agencies) where developed by NASA and other US agencies. R&D is the most expensive part of the space program (of any emerging technology). Imagine how much money IBM put into computer development compared to how much it cost Mr. Dell to start a computer company in his dorm room, he couldn't have done it without the investment by IBM. -”But one should note that most of the ‘smoke’ seen at shuttle launches is actually water vapor creating by the burning liquid hydrogen.”

Well, yes and no….

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/information/shuttle_faq.html#16

Thousands of gallons of water are dumped within a second or two into the pool below all the launches, this minimizes noise and cools the pad.

I wonder how much cooling effect all this water vapor has compared to the global warming gases released during launch?

@lazyreader, almost all of the technology used by private space flight companies (and even other nations space agencies) where developed by NASA and other US agencies. R&D is the most expensive part of the space program (of any emerging technology). Imagine how much money IBM put into computer development compared to how much it cost Mr. Dell to start a computer company in his dorm room, he couldn’t have done it without the investment by IBM.

]]> By: lazyreader http://inhabitat.com/the-eco-facts-of-the-legendary-nasa-space-shuttle-program-as-it-comes-to-an-end/comment-page-1/#comment-345977 lazyreader Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:47:15 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=276948#comment-345977 The Space Shuttle may use fuel cells to provide electricity, but they still use the toxic hydrazine as the principal fuel for orbital maneuvering. That hydrogen fuel was probably obtained using natural gas. Those fuel cells are over 25 years old, not very efficient. And nowadays there's nothing the Shuttle can't do that a rocket couldn't do cheaper. I was always impressed by the shuttle as a kid. Still when I see it now compared to private firms dedicated to launch space vehicles of their own for a fraction of the price, the shuttles a White Elephant. All the ISS components and subsequent could have been launched using disposable and cheaper heavy lift rockets. The Space Shuttle may use fuel cells to provide electricity, but they still use the toxic hydrazine as the principal fuel for orbital maneuvering. That hydrogen fuel was probably obtained using natural gas. Those fuel cells are over 25 years old, not very efficient. And nowadays there’s nothing the Shuttle can’t do that a rocket couldn’t do cheaper. I was always impressed by the shuttle as a kid. Still when I see it now compared to private firms dedicated to launch space vehicles of their own for a fraction of the price, the shuttles a White Elephant. All the ISS components and subsequent could have been launched using disposable and cheaper heavy lift rockets.

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