La NASA critiquée sur l'AVENIR des centrales SOLAIRES ? - Le Journal de l'Espace #222 - Actus

Summary

This week's space news covers industrial electricity production in space using solar plants, China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe delivery, the launch of New Horizons to Pluto in 2006, and China's development of reusable rockets like Zhuque-3. It discusses the challenges of space solar, Chang'e 6's ambitious moon sample return mission, New Horizons' achievements so far, and how China's reusable rockets aim to lower launch costs like SpaceX. The host concludes by thanking supporters enabling this content.

Takeaways

• 😊 The video discusses the potential for building solar power plants in space to provide energy on Earth, but a recent NASA report found it is currently too expensive compared to terrestrial renewable energy sources.
• 🚀 Critics argue the NASA report used outdated assumptions and ignored expected major reductions in launch costs from new reusable rockets like SpaceX's Starship.
• 🌖 China will launch the Chang'e 6 lunar probe in May 2024 to collect samples from the far side of the moon, building on the success of Chang'e 5 which returned moon samples in 2020.
• 🌎 Chang'e 6 will carry international payloads including from France, Sweden, Italy and Pakistan as China opens up its moon exploration program to more global cooperation.
• 🤖 China continues rapid progress testing reusable launch vehicles like the Zhuque 3 using the same stainless steel alloy as SpaceX's Starship.
• 😳 China aims to send astronauts to the moon before 2030, putting pressure on NASA's Artemis program which is still working through technical challenges.
• 🛰️ On January 19, 2006 NASA's New Horizons spacecraft launched on its mission to Pluto, which culminated in breathtaking flyby images in July 2015.
• 😃 New Horizons has continued on to explore farther out into the solar system, including a flyby of distant Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth in 2019.
• 🔭 At over 6.5 billion km from Earth and still going strong nearly 19 years after launch, New Horizons is the farthest operating spacecraft ever built.
• 🚀 The global launch market is poised for major disruption from a new generation of large reusable rockets under development in China and elsewhere to significantly cut launch costs.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic is recent developments and news in the space industry, including solar power satellites, China's Chang'e 6 mission, the New Horizons spacecraft, and reusable launch vehicles.

What conclusions does the NASA report reach about space-based solar power?

The NASA report concludes that space-based solar power would be 12-15 times more expensive than terrestrial renewable power systems.

Who is criticizing the conclusions of the NASA report and why?

John Mankins, a former NASA manager, is criticizing the report for using worst-case assumptions and outdated data on launch costs and technology.

What is the goal of China's Chang'e 6 mission?

Chang'e 6 aims to land on the far side of the Moon, collect samples, and return them to Earth for analysis.

What does the New Horizons spacecraft do?

New Horizons was launched in 2006 to study Pluto. It has sent back amazing images of Pluto and its moons, and is now traveling towards the edge of our solar system.

What new reusable launch vehicles is China developing?

China is testing prototypes like Zhuque-3 and vehicles from private companies like Space Pioneer and Deep Blue Aerospace that aim to cut launch costs.

What French instrument will Chang'e 6 carry?

Chang'e 6 will carry DORN, an instrument provided by France to measure radon gas emanations from the lunar crust.

How long will Chang'e 6's mission last?

The Chang'e 6 mission is planned to last 53 days from launch to landing.

What fuel will Zhuque-3 use?

Zhuque-3 will use liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants.

What is China's long term goal with its Chang'e missions?

China's long term goal is to send astronauts to the Moon before 2030 and establish a lunar base with international partners.