TSTI Admin No Comments June 20, 2024

re-entry coordinate system

The reference frameThe 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 originDefines a physically identifiable starting point for the coordinate system. More 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 used to analyze a space vehicle’s motionA rotating object’s spinA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More after […]

TSTI Admin No Comments June 20, 2024

re-entry corridor

The narrow, 3-dimensional tunnel a vehicle must fly through to successfully re-enter Earth’s atmosphereThe 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 originDefines a physically identifiable starting point for the coordinate system. More 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. It’s boundaries come from limits on the vehicle’s maximum decelerationThe narrow, […]

TSTI Admin No Comments June 20, 2024

re-entry flight-path angle

The 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.

TSTI Admin No Comments April 6, 2026

realize

Acquire by buying, building or reusing parts and assemble by putting all of the pieces together. Verify, “did we build the system right?” and validate, “did we build the right system?”.

TSTI Admin No Comments April 6, 2026

scintillation

The characteristic twinkle we see when we look at stars in the night sky caused by the blurring of “starlight” as it passes through the atmosphereThe 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 originDefines a physically identifiable starting point for the coordinate system. More 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. […]

TSTI Admin No Comments June 24, 2024

semimajor axis

One half the distance across the long axisOne half the distance across the long axisOne half the distance across the long axis of an ellipse (or orbit). More of an ellipse (or 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). More of an ellipse (or orbitThe oval-shaped path that a spacecraft follows. OrbitsThe study of the moving objects under the influence of gravity from another body. Astrodynamicists design orbits and study how gravity affects them. More come in various shapes and sizes, but each one has a purpose: to let the spacecraft do its job. Higher orbitsThe study of the moving objects under the influence of gravity from another body. Astrodynamicists design orbits and study how gravity affects them. More 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 […]

TSTI Admin No Comments April 6, 2026

simulations and training

Developing computer software to simulate major mission events and practicing operational procedures using simulations.

TSTI Admin No Comments October 7, 2024

solar flare

A gigantic eruption of plasma from our Sun that streams charged particlesParts of an atom with electrical charge. Protons are much larger than electrons, reside in an atom’s nucleus, and carry a positivecharge. Electrons orbit around the nucleus and carry a negative charge. More in one direction to huge distances in the solar system. They […]

TSTI Admin No Comments October 7, 2024

solar pressure

The force on a spacecraft’s surface from the Sun’s electromagnetic radiationHigh-level, short-term radiationHigh-level, short-term radiation exposure, causing more damage to human tissue than the same level spread over a longer time. More exposure, causing more damage to humanHigh-level, short-term radiation exposure, causing more damage to human tissue than the same level spread over a longer time. More tissue than the same level spread over a longer timeThe time between successive passages of the Sun overhead, which is from noon one day to noon the next day. Because Earth’s orbit around the Sun is slightly elliptical, this time varies slightly during a year. More. More. Solar pressureThe forceAn object's increasing speed toward Earth's center, caused by the force of gravity (the force of attraction between two objects). More on a spacecraft’s surface from the Sun’s electromagnetic radiationHigh-level, short-term radiation exposure, causing more damage to human tissue than the same level spread over a longer time. More. Solar pressureThe force on a spacecraft’s surface from the Sun’s electromagnetic radiation. Solar pressure on large unsymmetrical surfaces can add a torque that disturbs a spacecraft’s orientation. Also called solar radiation pressure. More on large unsymmetrical surfaces can add a torque that disturbs a […]

TSTI Admin No Comments October 7, 2024

solar sail

An exotic propulsion system that collects the solar windThe steady streaming of charged particlesParts of an atom with electrical charge. Protons are much larger than electrons, reside in an atom’s nucleus, and carry a positivecharge. Electrons orbit around the nucleus and carry a negative charge. More from the Sun. They travel at 300–700 kilometers/second (671,000–1,566,000 mph), in all directions. More in a large flat structure, similar to a sailboat using the wind. The impact of photons pushes the sail along with a minute forceAn object’s increasing speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More […]