Author: Bill Tandy
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Introduction to Propulsion
Propulsion is the art of throwing mass away as fast as possible and as efficiently as possible.
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Introduction to Radiation
Relatively few people understand the types, impacts, and mitigation approaches for radiation. Some radiation experts will even tell you they don’t fully understand all the intricacies themselves.
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Introduction to Reaction Wheels
Reaction wheels are used to point spacecraft where you want them to point. They don’t provide as much torque as Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs) and they require more power for the torque you get, but they’re smaller and lighter than CMGs. In fact, if CubeSat and small satellites have any kind of wheel, it’s a…
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Fifty Space Jobs
Do you feel confused about what types of jobs are in the space industry? When you look at job descriptions on company websites, do you read the whole thing and still wonder what they’re looking for?
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How much $$$ in space jobs and other FAQ
If you’re looking for a job that wants you to be creative, to keep learning, and to push the boundaries of exploration then this may be the industry for you.
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Operating System Basics
Spacecraft that use operating systems tend to use real-time (or close enough to real-time) operating systems. Traditionally, this has been because every clock cycle and bit of memory matters.
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Core Flight Software Basics
If you need to write software to run your spacecraft, instruments, and maybe even ground systems and aerial drones, you might consider adopting NASA’s Core Flight Software architecture.
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Space Environment Basics
Space can be a pretty boring place to fly around in for months or even years at a time. Then, suddenly, you’re hit with a piece of dust that blasts a hole in your solar panels.
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Design & Construction Standards Overview
NASA and other agencies have learned a lot of lessons over the years. They’ve documented ways to avoid the common problems through their various design and construction standards. They cover everything from radio systems to how to torque a fastener.
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Spacecraft Software Basics
Spacecraft are a lot like robots on Earth. They both have things that move, they have sensors such as cameras, and they’ve got to operate without human help sometimes.