4
votes
3answers
156 views

Microgravity: how powerful is an astronaut

In 2008, NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson tossed a 635-kg tank of ammonia coolant overboard from the International Space Station (ISS). Subsequently the tank burned up in earth atmosphere as planned. ...
0
votes
2answers
131 views

Why aren't stratospheric balloons compressing their helium to descent?

I can't find a reference of a working stratospheric balloon mounted with a compressor to control its altitude. Is there a big physical difficulty (such as compressor weight/power ratio, or power ...
2
votes
7answers
2k views

What are the Constraints on Building a Tower to Space?

When I was a boy I used to daydream about building a tower so tall that the top of it would stick out of the top of Earth's atmosphere project into near space. There would perhaps be a zero gravity ...
0
votes
3answers
307 views

How does solar activity affect the ISS?

Currently the sun is launching some intense solar flares. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/feb/17/solar-flares-northern-lights-uk Th article I've linked also mentions how a "coronal mass ...