Dirty Dozen Probe Mission Pics

[joertexas]

I've posted some renderings of the probe carrier being launched and in orbit. I'm no artist, so be nice. :)

The pics are in my profile's photo albumn.

JR

[Sam Fraser]

They're good renderings, JR. These are designed to fit inside a Falcon 9 fairing? What propulsion system would each probe have? I wonder how much we could get the production cost down to per unit? We'd probably mass produce hundreds of probes, and then just launch 12 or 16 or whatever at a time.

By the way, what program did you use for modeling and rendering these? Something quick and easy for an beginner to use is better than trying to leanr Maya or 3D Studio max. PERMANENT needs some new artwork, including 3D stills and animations. It's definitely an area we lack in and which Mark and I both want to address.

[joertexas]

They're good renderings, JR. These are designed to fit inside a Falcon 9 fairing? What propulsion system would each probe have? I wonder how much we could get the production cost down to per unit? We'd probably mass produce hundreds of probes, and then just launch 12 or 16 or whatever at a time.

By the way, what program did you use for modeling and rendering these? Something quick and easy for an beginner to use is better than trying to leanr Maya or 3D Studio max. PERMANENT needs some new artwork, including 3D stills and animations. It's definitely an area we lack in and which Mark and I both want to address.

Yes, the renderings are a more-or-less accurate rendition of a Falcon 9 second stage and payload fairing. The propulsion system is a set of SpaceX Draco thrusters, if I can ever get them to return my phone calls for information. They, or it, if I have to use a single thruster, would burn nitorgen tetroxide and hydrazine. These propellants are the best choice if you want to loiter for a while before starting thrust burns, or executing multiple burns. According to NASA's program cost estimator, we're looking at somewhere around $300M for the whole program with 18 or so probes produced. This is for everything: R&D, construction, launch, and mission operations.

The modeling program is 3D Canvas, from http://www.amabilis.com The Pro version is $70, and it can do animations, too.

JR

[joertexas]

I've added a couple of preliminary renderings of the probe and its perigee kick booster. Again, all of this is subject to change..

JR

[Mark Prado]

I've added a couple of preliminary renderings of the probe and its perigee kick booster. Again, all of this is subject to change..
JR

Development of 3D models is powerful in getting publicity and marketing. A picture is worth 1000 words. If you can create 3D models, even basic ones, to illustrate a concept, then we should be able to develop these further.

In the 1995-2002 period when I was working for big multinational property developers (architects, engineers, construction, and the nontechnical investors and decisionmakers driving everything forward), what the 3D designers could put together in a relatively short time was pretty awesome compared to what an artist could do. And, or course, you could tweak things on the computer but not so easily on a canvas.

Some designers were one man shows, but others were old timers who employed no-brainer draftsmen who were little more than stick drawers who had to be told nearly every detail.

You're onto something highly important, JR, with this 3D modeling. Not just for boosters but for all sorts of things -- habitats, mining equipment, steam rockets, etc.

3D modeling is a great teaching tool, and education is an important step to bringing investors, journalists, and others into the PERMANENT fold.

[joertexas]

Development of 3D models is powerful in getting publicity and marketing. A picture is worth 1000 words. If you can create 3D models, even basic ones, to illustrate a concept, then we should be able to develop these further.

In the 1995-2002 period when I was working for big multinational property developers (architects, engineers, construction, and the nontechnical investors and decisionmakers driving everything forward), what the 3D designers could put together in a relatively short time was pretty awesome compared to what an artist could do. And, or course, you could tweak things on the computer but not so easily on a canvas.

Some designers were one man shows, but others were old timers who employed no-brainer draftsmen who were little more than stick drawers who had to be told nearly every detail.

You're onto something highly important, JR, with this 3D modeling. Not just for boosters but for all sorts of things -- habitats, mining equipment, steam rockets, etc.

3D modeling is a great teaching tool, and education is an important step to bringing investors, journalists, and others into the PERMANENT fold.

The 3D Canvas tool I'm using is simple and cheap - and free for the basic edition. All the rest are meant for advanced applications, and are too complex for casual users.

JR

[RaresH]

I think sending multiple probes is a good solution for getting multiple sets of data to determine the best prospecting sites. I'm not sure how the probes will be utilized in the plan. Will there be 1 probe to an asteroid or will they all be sampling one body?

I'd like to put together a storyboard illustrating the mission concept. First I'd need some more details on the mission, i.e. probe instruments and capabilities.

[joertexas]

I think sending multiple probes is a good solution for getting multiple sets of data to determine the best prospecting sites. I'm not sure how the probes will be utilized in the plan. Will there be 1 probe to an asteroid or will they all be sampling one body?

I'd like to put together a storyboard illustrating the mission concept. First I'd need some more details on the mission, i.e. probe instruments and capabilities.

My idea is to put a probe carrier in a heliocentric orbit between Earth and Mars, and drop probes to intercept asteroids. We can either send multiples, or examine more targets. We also have enough probes to act as backups in case one fails.

The probes would carry cameras, a magnemometer, and a laser altimeter. Other instruments could be added, but the power and mass limitations are pretty severe for any additional gear. I'd be glad to send the stats, if you can use Excel files.

JR

[RaresH]

My idea is to put a probe carrier in a heliocentric orbit between Earth and Mars, and drop probes to intercept asteroids. We can either send multiples, or examine more targets. We also have enough probes to act as backups in case one fails.

The probes would carry cameras, a magnemometer, and a laser altimeter. Other instruments could be added, but the power and mass limitations are pretty severe for any additional gear. I'd be glad to send the stats, if you can use Excel files.

JR

That sounds like a good strategy JR. I'd love to see the stats.

[joertexas]

That sounds like a good strategy JR. I'd love to see the stats.

Okay, but my Excel skills are worse than my 3D modeling skills, so be warned. ;)

My email address is joertexas AT sbcglobal.net

Contact me privately, and I'll send the latest versions of my spreadsheets. This goes for anyone else who's interested in the numbers.

JR