OpinionBearSF

OpinionBearSF t1_iycmnff wrote

Reply to comment by n0t-again in TIL that beans are banned in Spacecraft because they can produce "1-3 cups of flatus" in an environment where there are no windows by April_Spring_1982

> No salt and pepper?!? Now that’s pushing it…

They have salt & pepper in liquid form, since using it unmodified in solid form in micro-gravity would be dangerous. For example, it could be accidentally inhaled, get in eyes, etc.

Here's a video (pre-skipped to 14:54) that addresses it.

https://youtu.be/6vVle67Tfjc?t=894

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OpinionBearSF t1_ixvql5y wrote

Reply to comment by The_camperdave in Orion snaps 'selfie' with the Moon as it prepares for distant retrograde orbit | Insertion burn scheduled to take place today then engineers have six days to see how spacecraft fares in deep space by chrisdh79

> I understand a splashdown as an emergency contingency, but Orion was being designed to land on the ground. I've seen pictures.

Previous spacecraft (such as Apollo) could also land on land as an emergency contingency, but there were serious risks to both the spacecraft and its occupants if that were done.

Overall, a water landing is gentler to people and machinery.

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OpinionBearSF t1_ixtzd2q wrote

Reply to comment by The_camperdave in Orion snaps 'selfie' with the Moon as it prepares for distant retrograde orbit | Insertion burn scheduled to take place today then engineers have six days to see how spacecraft fares in deep space by chrisdh79

> Why is the vessel looking for a water landing? Why can't it land on the ground? The Russians have been doing it for over 50 years, with hundreds upon hundreds of successful missions.

Water is softer and easier/safer for squishy humans to land on (especially if sick or injured) than land, and there is much more water than land.

Russia opted not to do water landings because they did not and do not have an extensive Navy to provide recovery services.

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OpinionBearSF t1_ixsvnln wrote

Reply to comment by The_camperdave in Orion snaps 'selfie' with the Moon as it prepares for distant retrograde orbit | Insertion burn scheduled to take place today then engineers have six days to see how spacecraft fares in deep space by chrisdh79

> What has NASA got against landing on land? I mean, they even forced the Crew Dragon to splash down instead of doing a civilized landing.

Water covers around 2/3 of the earth's surface to land covering around 1/3. That immediately gives a vessel looking for a water landing an advantage in having more suitable landing spots.

Water is also a softer and less complex landing than a land landing, which is important when squishy fragile humans are onboard, especially if the return is hampered by crew health or vehicle health issues.

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OpinionBearSF t1_iw3ohh0 wrote

Reply to Volkswagen built a Star Trek captain’s chair that goes 12mph by Genevieves_bitch

Pfft, my chariot is better, at least I think so.

As a person with mobility issues, my soon to be ordered (in the next week) power wheelchair will have:

  • 8.5 MPH / 13.6 KPH top speed. (The fastest production power wheelchair currently made that Medicare will cover, as far as I know)
  • A rehab seat with custom sized cushions, swappable between foam, gel, and air cushions.
  • A seat that can tilt, with a back that can independently recline, a seat elevator, and legrests that can independently articulate.
  • LED headlights and LED turn signals.
  • Lithium-ion batteries. (Most still use deep-cycle lead acid)
  • Rear view camera system.
  • Flat-free tires that are larger and more capable than this VW one-off experimental art piece. Not quite off-road ready, but definitely usable outdoors in the city.
  • USB PD charging ports for accessories.
  • Tablet mount, and cupholder.

To be specific, insurance is covering only the base version with medically necessary modifications. I am self-paying for all of the upgraded gear on it, which is substantial.

I may also add an automotive heat and massage seat thingamajig, and RGB fun/mood lighting.

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