Does this mean wooden doors, too?
Does this mean wooden doors, too?
I'm not sure about this, it's a nice idea but like they say in the article 'wild fluctuations in temperature'. I can't see any way organic material can maintain integrity in that environment.
So the ISS orbits the earth 16x per day at about 17,000 mph.
I found this about the temperature range -
"Just past Earth's upper atmosphere, the number of gas molecules drops precipitously to nearly zero, as does pressure. This means there is almost no matter to transfer energy -- but also no matter to buffer direct radiation streaming from the sun. This solar radiation heats the space near Earth to 393.15 kelvins (120 degrees Celsius or 248 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, while shaded objects plummet to temperatures lower than 173.5 kelvins (minus 100 degrees Celsius or minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit)".
So that's a potential fluctuation between +120 degrees and -100 degrees every 40 minutes. I just can't see how wood, no matter how conpressed or treated, wouldn't gradually decompose under those conditions.
Presumably the frame will be wooden and wrapped in sheet metal to try an reflect some heat and insulted enough against the cold.
Theoretically if you could prevent the temperature dropping or rising too much, hmm, -100 / +120 in 40 minute window.
Depending on the orbit speed they might be trying to regulate the temperature peaks and troughs by slowing or accelerating the satellite, but would that not limit its effectiveness. Maybe for communications but a research satellite it could be possible.
I'm not sure about this, it's a nice idea but like they say in the article 'wild fluctuations in temperature'. I can't see any way organic material can maintain integrity in that environment.
So the ISS orbits the earth 16x per day at about 17,000 mph.
I found this about the temperature range -
"Just past Earth's upper atmosphere, the number of gas molecules drops precipitously to nearly zero, as does pressure. This means there is almost no matter to transfer energy -- but also no matter to buffer direct radiation streaming from the sun. This solar radiation heats the space near Earth to 393.15 kelvins (120 degrees Celsius or 248 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, while shaded objects plummet to temperatures lower than 173.5 kelvins (minus 100 degrees Celsius or minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit)".
So that's a potential fluctuation between +120 degrees and -100 degrees every 40 minutes. I just can't see how wood, no matter how conpressed or treated, wouldn't gradually decompose under those conditions.
Presumably the frame will be wooden and wrapped in sheet metal to try an reflect some heat and insulted enough against the cold.
Theoretically if you could prevent the temperature dropping or rising too much, hmm, -100 / +120 in 40 minute window.
Depending on the orbit speed they might be trying to regulate the temperature peaks and troughs by slowing or accelerating the satellite, but would that not limit its effectiveness. Maybe for communications but a research satellite it could be possible.
Geosynchronous orbit would make it a 24hr temp cycle, not 40min. With near zero moisture content the wood may stay in good shape for quite some time.
Geosynchronous orbit would make it a 24hr temp cycle, not 40min. With near zero moisture content the wood may stay in good shape for quite some time.
Satellites in GEO typically don't deorbit but are boosted to a graveyard orbit. I think these are meant for low orbits like Starlink.
Satellites in GEO typically don't deorbit but are boosted to a graveyard orbit. I think these are meant for low orbits like Starlink.
Possibly if was kept in the shadow at a constant low temperature, but if it was in the sun, like how poorly wood fares as a building material in desert conditions.
Possibly if was kept in the shadow at a constant low temperature, but if it was in the sun, like how poorly wood fares as a building material in desert conditions.
They could use a wood composite material that would burn up easily or simply coat it in a thick layer of epoxy.
They could use a wood composite material that would burn up easily or simply coat it in a thick layer of epoxy.
wooden satellites to shoot into orbit
Bamboo?
> wooden satellites to shoot into orbit
Bamboo?
What could go wrong
What could go wrong
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