TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

data rate

A spacecraft’s transmitted message speedHow fast an object’s speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More is changing when we apply a forceAn object's increasing speed toward Earth's center, caused by the force of gravity (the force of attraction between two objects). More to it. During accelerationHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More, speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More increases. During decelerationThe narrow, 3-dimensional tunnel a vehicle must fly through to successfully re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. It’s boundaries come from limits on the vehicle’s maximum deceleration, maximum heating, and expected landing accuracy. More, speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More decreasesThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More. More, which is how much digital data flows per second. We measure it in bits per second.

TSTI Admin No Comments June 20, 2024

deceleration

The slowing of a re-entryThe reference frameThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More used to analyze a space vehicle’s motionA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More after leaving orbitThe oval-shaped path that a spacecraft follows. Orbits come in various shapes and sizes, but each one has a purpose: to let the spacecraft do its job. Higher orbits require more propellant to get a spacecraft there. More until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entryThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More. More vehicle by airThe amount of airThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More within a certain volumeThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More. Atmospheric densityThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More is higher at sea-level and decreasesThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More as you […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

degree

If a circle is divided into 360 equal parts, the angleWe use the angle of incidenceWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More, θ, to determine how much solarWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More energyWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More hits a solar panel. This angleWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the SunWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More line. More described is a degreeIf a circle is divided into 360 equal parts, the angle described is a degree. More.

TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

delta V

Instantaneous velocityAccounting for the lifting force experienced by our re-entry vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entryThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More velocityAccounting for the lifting force experienced by our re-entry vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entry velocity or angle. If our vehicle is capable of controlling lift, our entry accuracy is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space Shuttle is a great example of a lifting re-entry vehicle. More or angleWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More. If our vehicle is capable of controlling liftAccounting for the lifting force experienced by our re-entry vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entry velocity or angle. If our vehicle is capable of controlling lift, our entry accuracy is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space Shuttle is a great example of a lifting re-entry vehicle. More, our entry accuracyThis type of spacecraft attitude control uses actuators which require continuous feedback and adjustment. This type of attitude control typically provides greater accuracy. More is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space Shuttle […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

delta V design

Launch vehicles encounter significant air drag, back pressureA type of chemical rocketA type of rocket that relies on the energy released from the chemical bonds of the propellant either by decomposition or combustion. More that combines two liquid propellants (a fuel and an oxidizer) that burn under pressure in a combustion chamberThe compartment in a thermodynamic rocket engine where a fuel chemically reacts with an oxidizer and transfers heat energy to the reaction products. This reaction typically is combustion but can also be a propellant reacting with a catalyst to produce heat. More to create a hot and pressurized exhaustA type of chemical rocket that combines two liquid propellants (a fuel and an oxidizer) that burn under pressure in a combustion chamber to create a hot and pressurized exhaust that converts to thrust in the nozzle. More that converts to thrustA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More in the nozzle. More and steering losses. Delta VInstantaneous velocity changes. More designLaunch vehicles encounter significant airThe amount of air within a certain volume. Atmospheric density is higher at sea-level and decreases as you go up in altitude. More […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

delta V loss gravity

The extra velocityAccounting for the lifting forceAn object's increasing speed toward Earth's center, caused by the force of gravity (the force of attraction between two objects). More experienced by our re-entry vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entryThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More velocity or angle. If our vehicle is capable of controlling lift, our entry accuracyThis type of spacecraft attitude control uses actuators which require continuous feedback and adjustment. This type of attitude control typically provides greater accuracy. More is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

delta V losses

VelocityAccounting for the lifting force experienced by our re-entryThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entry velocityAccounting for the lifting force experienced by our re-entry vehicle allows us to stretch the size of the corridor and allow a greater margin of error in re-entry velocity or angle. If our vehicle is capable of controlling lift, our entry accuracy is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space Shuttle is a great example of a lifting re-entry vehicle. More or angle. If our vehicle is capable of controlling lift, our entry accuracyThis type of spacecraft attitude control uses actuators which require continuous feedback and adjustment. This type of attitude control typically provides greater accuracy. More is greater than that of a strictly ballistic approach. The Space Shuttle is […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

depth of discharge

The depth of dischargeThe depth of dischargeThe depth of discharge of the battery measures how deeply depleted the battery is, compared to a state of full discharge. A battery in a state of full discharge has discharged all of its energy capacity. When a battery has discharged its full energy capacity, the Depth of Discharge, or DoD, is 100%. When it is anything less than that, the depth of discharge, is the ratio of the energy that would have been discharged by the battery to reach its present state of discharge from a state of full charge, divided by its energy capacity. When the battery is fully charged, its DoD is 0%. The life span of many types of batteries (lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion) or nickel-iron batteries) depends heavilyupon the number of charge/discharge cycles they undergo. The deeper the DoD per cycle, the shorter the lifespan. The lifespan of a battery is typically specified by two numbers:
• the number of years the battery can function fully charged
• the number of charges/discharges (cycles) it can absorb while still providing nominal performance.
The energy capacity of the battery depends upon the discharge current (in Amperes), and that the number of cycles in the lifespan depends upon how deep the discharge is. reference: energymag.net More of the battery measures how deeply depleted the battery is, compared to a state of full discharge. A battery in a state of full discharge has discharged all of its energyWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More capacity. When a battery has discharged its full energy capacity, the Depth of DischargeThe depth of discharge of the battery measures how deeply depleted the battery is, compared to a state of full discharge. A battery in a state of full discharge has discharged all of its energy capacity. When a battery has discharged its full energy capacity, the Depth of Discharge, or DoD, is 100%. When it is anything less than that, the depth of discharge, is the ratio of the energy that would have been discharged by the battery to reach its present state of discharge from a state of full charge, divided by its energy capacity. When the battery is fully charged, its DoD is 0%. The life span of many types of batteries (lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion) or nickel-iron batteries) depends heavilyupon the number of charge/discharge cycles they undergo. The deeper the DoD per cycle, the shorter the lifespan. The lifespan of a battery is typically specified by two numbers:
• the number of years the battery can function fully charged
• the number of charges/discharges (cycles) it can absorb while still providing nominal performance.
The energy capacity of the battery depends upon the discharge current (in Amperes), and that the number of cycles in the lifespan depends upon how deep the discharge is. reference: energymag.net More, or DoD, is […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

deregulation

Reducing government oversight and controlThe job of the attitude determination and control subsystemThe job of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) is to keep its spacecraft pointed in the right direction. More (ADCS) is to keep its spacecraft pointed in the right direction. More of an industry. Many governments encourage competition within the space industry by deregulating the telecommunications industry, so more companies see opportunities to participate.

TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

design

Design is an intricate process involving reviewing constraints, identifying and characterizing the mission subject, deriving the payloadAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More and orbitThe oval-shaped path that a spacecraft follows. Orbits come in various shapes and sizes, but each one has a purpose: to let the spacecraft do its job. Higher orbits require more propellantA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More to get a spacecraft there. […]