I have just been informed by my CO that there will be no opportunity to give an AE presentation in December 2019. So the squadron will be bereft of my amazing presentation skills, at least until January 2020.
My best wishes for a happy December and prosperous new year to all!
02 December 2019
18 November 2019
Presentation: November 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 18-Nov-2019
Subject: Aerospace CAP-ardy!
Description: For November, Jeff put together another rousing edition of CAP-ardy!, the game show that's sweeping all of CAP. Well, at least here in Squadron 80. Six aerospace-related categories ("Space Exploration", "Look! Up in the sky!" (astronomy), "It's a bird!" (hazards of bird strikes), "It's a plane!" (airlines), "The P-51 Mustang", and "AE Inside and Out"), including the last one provided by the Squadron CO himself, made for a fun evening with lots of aerospace discussions.
This was, of course, DESPITE the problems Jeff had with the software he wrote to play the game. Ultimately, its flaws became part of the fun. He hopes to have some of the problems worked out of it by the next time he trots it out.
Date of presentation: 18-Nov-2019
Subject: Aerospace CAP-ardy!
Description: For November, Jeff put together another rousing edition of CAP-ardy!, the game show that's sweeping all of CAP. Well, at least here in Squadron 80. Six aerospace-related categories ("Space Exploration", "Look! Up in the sky!" (astronomy), "It's a bird!" (hazards of bird strikes), "It's a plane!" (airlines), "The P-51 Mustang", and "AE Inside and Out"), including the last one provided by the Squadron CO himself, made for a fun evening with lots of aerospace discussions.
This was, of course, DESPITE the problems Jeff had with the software he wrote to play the game. Ultimately, its flaws became part of the fun. He hopes to have some of the problems worked out of it by the next time he trots it out.
28 October 2019
Presentation: October 2019
This month's AE presenter: Kailash Kalidoss
Date of presentation: 28 Oct 1029
Subject: SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA was awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the project.
CAP members from Group 2 were invited to get up close with SOFIA, an airborne observatory that visited NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California on 19-October-2019. Some lucky CAP members got a unique opportunity to interact with the Mission Operator and learn some unique insights about the SOFIA project.
SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP, a special wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar and celestial objects.
For more information watch the YouTube video on SOFIA and view the presentation to CAP, Squadron 80 on 28-Oct-2019.
Date of presentation: 28 Oct 1029
Subject: SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA was awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the project.
CAP members from Group 2 were invited to get up close with SOFIA, an airborne observatory that visited NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California on 19-October-2019. Some lucky CAP members got a unique opportunity to interact with the Mission Operator and learn some unique insights about the SOFIA project.
SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP, a special wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar and celestial objects.
For more information watch the YouTube video on SOFIA and view the presentation to CAP, Squadron 80 on 28-Oct-2019.
23 September 2019
Presentation: September 2019
This month's AE presenter: James AuBuchon
Date of presentation: 23 Sept 2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System III, Orbits
Description: Jim continued his series on how to build a space system with the third installment about orbits.
An orbit is the path taken by a celestial body under the gravitational influence of another body. They may be open or closed. The orbital characteristics of man-made space systems may be selected to best serve the mission of the space system. Closed orbits in a two-body system are ellipses with each body orbiting the barycenter (center of gravity) of the system. If one of the two objects is extremely massive (in comparison to the other), the barycenter may be within the more massive body. Such is the case in the Solar System, the Earth-moon system, and man-made satellites orbiting a planetary body.
Six parameters are required to describe an orbit. The six Newtonian parameters are equivalent to the six Keplerian parameters. Either parameter set can be used. Orbits may be perturbed by a long list of factors, hence the need for station-keeping in man-made satellites. Perturbations can be deliberately introduced to change the orbit for operational reasons. Orbits of man-made satellites are selected to optimize altitude, inclination, and synchronicity with the rotational period of the central body, and eccentricity. These choices represent various operational trade-offs and are selected to suit the mission of the satellite. Some of these trade-offs are discussed in greater detail. Satellites can be caused to orbit about Lagrange points.
Date of presentation: 23 Sept 2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System III, Orbits
Description: Jim continued his series on how to build a space system with the third installment about orbits.
An orbit is the path taken by a celestial body under the gravitational influence of another body. They may be open or closed. The orbital characteristics of man-made space systems may be selected to best serve the mission of the space system. Closed orbits in a two-body system are ellipses with each body orbiting the barycenter (center of gravity) of the system. If one of the two objects is extremely massive (in comparison to the other), the barycenter may be within the more massive body. Such is the case in the Solar System, the Earth-moon system, and man-made satellites orbiting a planetary body.
Six parameters are required to describe an orbit. The six Newtonian parameters are equivalent to the six Keplerian parameters. Either parameter set can be used. Orbits may be perturbed by a long list of factors, hence the need for station-keeping in man-made satellites. Perturbations can be deliberately introduced to change the orbit for operational reasons. Orbits of man-made satellites are selected to optimize altitude, inclination, and synchronicity with the rotational period of the central body, and eccentricity. These choices represent various operational trade-offs and are selected to suit the mission of the satellite. Some of these trade-offs are discussed in greater detail. Satellites can be caused to orbit about Lagrange points.
26 August 2019
Presentations: August 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 26 Aug 2019
Subject: Why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada?
Subject: Saving the Dark
Description: Jeff gave two separate short presentations this time, rather than a single longer one. Here are brief descriptions of both:
First, why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada? This aircraft, the second iteration of the well-regarded 737 series, stopped production in 1988, meaning the youngest of these aircraft are over 30 years old. Of the worldwide fleet of 58 still in commercial service as of July 2018, 17 (about 29%) are flying in Canada. What makes this plane so popular there?
The biggest advantage is that it can be relatively easily fitted with a gravel kit: a combination of gravel deflectors attached to the nose wheel, vortex dissipators attached to the engine nacelles, and structural enhancements to the lower fuselage. These devices allow this large plane to conduct operations on unpaved fields that are the norm in northern Canada, allowing the plane to bring in basic necessities and to provide those living in remote settlements a way to travel to and from the region.
Given that much of northern Canada is peppered with these remote and temporary settlements (small towns, mining camps, etc.) that may only be accessible by air and for which permanent paved landing structures will probably never be available, the 737-200 is a vital lifeline to those who live there.
The second presentation was a repeat of a presentation first given just over a year ago, in July 2018, entitled "Saving the Dark". This presentation concerned the growing problem of light pollution in and around urban and suburban areas, and detailed a number of issues, such as: the effects that excessive light can have on the health of both humans and wildlife; the waste of energy involved in producing light that isn't needed or even useful; and ways in which we can strive to reduce the amount of light pollution we produce.
I felt that it was a good idea to repeat this presentation, even though it has been barely a year since originally presented, since there is a substantial number of new faces in the squadron who wouldn't have been here to see it when I first presented it.
Date of presentation: 26 Aug 2019
Subject: Why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada?
Subject: Saving the Dark
Description: Jeff gave two separate short presentations this time, rather than a single longer one. Here are brief descriptions of both:
First, why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada? This aircraft, the second iteration of the well-regarded 737 series, stopped production in 1988, meaning the youngest of these aircraft are over 30 years old. Of the worldwide fleet of 58 still in commercial service as of July 2018, 17 (about 29%) are flying in Canada. What makes this plane so popular there?
The biggest advantage is that it can be relatively easily fitted with a gravel kit: a combination of gravel deflectors attached to the nose wheel, vortex dissipators attached to the engine nacelles, and structural enhancements to the lower fuselage. These devices allow this large plane to conduct operations on unpaved fields that are the norm in northern Canada, allowing the plane to bring in basic necessities and to provide those living in remote settlements a way to travel to and from the region.
Given that much of northern Canada is peppered with these remote and temporary settlements (small towns, mining camps, etc.) that may only be accessible by air and for which permanent paved landing structures will probably never be available, the 737-200 is a vital lifeline to those who live there.
The second presentation was a repeat of a presentation first given just over a year ago, in July 2018, entitled "Saving the Dark". This presentation concerned the growing problem of light pollution in and around urban and suburban areas, and detailed a number of issues, such as: the effects that excessive light can have on the health of both humans and wildlife; the waste of energy involved in producing light that isn't needed or even useful; and ways in which we can strive to reduce the amount of light pollution we produce.
I felt that it was a good idea to repeat this presentation, even though it has been barely a year since originally presented, since there is a substantial number of new faces in the squadron who wouldn't have been here to see it when I first presented it.
15 July 2019
Presentation: July 2019
This month's AE presenter: Kailash Kalidoss
Date of presentation: 15-July-2019
Subject: The return of Supersonic Flight
Description: Kailash's presentation gave a brief overview of supersonic travel - what it means to consumers, the technicalities surrounding it, a history of the prestigious Concorde, its glory and shortfall. Most importantly, it captures a vision for the future, in the form of a company named BOOM which is developing next-generation efficient commercial supersonic aircraft.
Any flight performed at a speed greater than Mach 1.3 is deemed supersonic.
The Concorde was the most prestigious (and in fact the only commercial) supersonic aircraft to date. It was jointly developed by Britain and France and was in operation between 1976 and 2003. Due to operational, environmental, regulatory and design challenges, the Concorde could never scale in a big way. There were very few operational routes and its cost was exorbitant.
Following the fatal crash of a Concorde in France in 2000, and post 9/11 financial meltdown, the company, its funding, and unsustainable operations made the airplane defunct. It was pulled out of service in 2003.
There has been no replacement for this commercial supersonic aircraft to date. However, an American company named BOOM is trying to address this void in the aviation market. BOOM is capable of Mach 2.2 and is only slightly smaller than Concorde. Its design is futuristic and lighter through the usage of reinforced carbon fiber for most of its parts.
The company claims that it would operate at a per-passenger cost comparable to a subsonic business class ticket. Also, due to the better performance and a range of 4500 nm without a refuel, it opens many more routes across the globe. The traditional London to New York route that takes 7-8 hours in a subsonic aircraft can theoretically be achieved in 3 hrs. 15 min by BOOM. This 55-75 seat aircraft is looking to change aviation in the future.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HbJn3LAHc
Date of presentation: 15-July-2019
Subject: The return of Supersonic Flight
Description: Kailash's presentation gave a brief overview of supersonic travel - what it means to consumers, the technicalities surrounding it, a history of the prestigious Concorde, its glory and shortfall. Most importantly, it captures a vision for the future, in the form of a company named BOOM which is developing next-generation efficient commercial supersonic aircraft.
Any flight performed at a speed greater than Mach 1.3 is deemed supersonic.
The Concorde was the most prestigious (and in fact the only commercial) supersonic aircraft to date. It was jointly developed by Britain and France and was in operation between 1976 and 2003. Due to operational, environmental, regulatory and design challenges, the Concorde could never scale in a big way. There were very few operational routes and its cost was exorbitant.
Following the fatal crash of a Concorde in France in 2000, and post 9/11 financial meltdown, the company, its funding, and unsustainable operations made the airplane defunct. It was pulled out of service in 2003.
There has been no replacement for this commercial supersonic aircraft to date. However, an American company named BOOM is trying to address this void in the aviation market. BOOM is capable of Mach 2.2 and is only slightly smaller than Concorde. Its design is futuristic and lighter through the usage of reinforced carbon fiber for most of its parts.
The company claims that it would operate at a per-passenger cost comparable to a subsonic business class ticket. Also, due to the better performance and a range of 4500 nm without a refuel, it opens many more routes across the globe. The traditional London to New York route that takes 7-8 hours in a subsonic aircraft can theoretically be achieved in 3 hrs. 15 min by BOOM. This 55-75 seat aircraft is looking to change aviation in the future.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HbJn3LAHc
30 June 2019
Presentation: June 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: June 2019 (exact date TBD)
Subject: Strange Aircraft
Description: For June, Jeff dusted off his old Strange Aircraft presentation, which was actually one of the first ones he gave upon being appointed Squadron AEO. (It's a good presentation and I'd hate for it to be forgotten!)
This time around, there were several people knowledgeable about specific planes mentioned, and a lively discussion (the best kind!) ensued.
Date of presentation: June 2019 (exact date TBD)
Subject: Strange Aircraft
Description: For June, Jeff dusted off his old Strange Aircraft presentation, which was actually one of the first ones he gave upon being appointed Squadron AEO. (It's a good presentation and I'd hate for it to be forgotten!)
This time around, there were several people knowledgeable about specific planes mentioned, and a lively discussion (the best kind!) ensued.
31 May 2019
Presentation: May 2019
This month's AE presenter: James Aubuchon
Date of presentation: May 2019 (exact date uncertain)
Subject: How to Build a Space System II, the Space Environment Proper
Description: Space is by its nature a difficult environment in which to place and operate any kind of system. The space environment is characterized by high vacuum, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and low gravity.
Though a small speck can damage a satellite, over 500,000 pieces of orbital debris larger than 10 cm are currently tracked by NASA. There are over 40 known meteor showers that pass through Earth’s upper atmosphere. There are also cosmic rays, micrometeoroids, and other particulates. The chemical environment includes very reactive atomic oxygen and the Van Allen radiation belts. There is an induced environment as the result of venting and outgassing from the space system itself which can interact with the space system.
Space weather variations, due mainly to the Sun, make the environment more challenging. While visible light is approximately constant, X-ray and ultraviolet light are highly variable in time and space.
Solar wind, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar energetic particles, x-ray flares, solar radio bursts, & solar proton events are unpredictable and are sometimes huge to monumental. These can react directly with the space system or with the Earth’s magnetosphere to cause geomagnetic storms. They can energize the ionosphere and the Van Allen radiation belts.
Direct effects on the space system may include radiation damage which can cause single event upset, latchup, loss of orientation, execution of phantom commands, and degradation of solar panels. They may result in spacecraft charging with subsequent spark discharge and possible damage. Effects on the atmosphere may result in scintillation of satellite to ground communication.
These are some of the factors which make space a difficult environment. Taken individually, any one might prove hazardous to endurance, navigation, or general operation of a space system. Taken collectively, they make operating any such system in space a massive and yet delicate undertaking.
Date of presentation: May 2019 (exact date uncertain)
Subject: How to Build a Space System II, the Space Environment Proper
Description: Space is by its nature a difficult environment in which to place and operate any kind of system. The space environment is characterized by high vacuum, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and low gravity.
Though a small speck can damage a satellite, over 500,000 pieces of orbital debris larger than 10 cm are currently tracked by NASA. There are over 40 known meteor showers that pass through Earth’s upper atmosphere. There are also cosmic rays, micrometeoroids, and other particulates. The chemical environment includes very reactive atomic oxygen and the Van Allen radiation belts. There is an induced environment as the result of venting and outgassing from the space system itself which can interact with the space system.
Space weather variations, due mainly to the Sun, make the environment more challenging. While visible light is approximately constant, X-ray and ultraviolet light are highly variable in time and space.
Solar wind, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar energetic particles, x-ray flares, solar radio bursts, & solar proton events are unpredictable and are sometimes huge to monumental. These can react directly with the space system or with the Earth’s magnetosphere to cause geomagnetic storms. They can energize the ionosphere and the Van Allen radiation belts.
Direct effects on the space system may include radiation damage which can cause single event upset, latchup, loss of orientation, execution of phantom commands, and degradation of solar panels. They may result in spacecraft charging with subsequent spark discharge and possible damage. Effects on the atmosphere may result in scintillation of satellite to ground communication.
These are some of the factors which make space a difficult environment. Taken individually, any one might prove hazardous to endurance, navigation, or general operation of a space system. Taken collectively, they make operating any such system in space a massive and yet delicate undertaking.
15 April 2019
Presentation: April 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 15-Apr-2019
Subject: Crew Dragon
Description: In this month's scintillating presentation, Jeff talked about the project called "Crew Dragon", a NASA-funded project being designed by SpaceX. Crew Dragon is one of two variants of the larger project "Dragon 2", which itself is the successor to the earlier Dragon series of cargo transports by SpaceX. The Crew Dragon variant is designed to carry up to seven astronauts, while the Cargo Dragon variant is exclusively for cargo. A trial run successfully docked with the International Space Station on 8-Mar-2019.
Date of presentation: 15-Apr-2019
Subject: Crew Dragon
Description: In this month's scintillating presentation, Jeff talked about the project called "Crew Dragon", a NASA-funded project being designed by SpaceX. Crew Dragon is one of two variants of the larger project "Dragon 2", which itself is the successor to the earlier Dragon series of cargo transports by SpaceX. The Crew Dragon variant is designed to carry up to seven astronauts, while the Cargo Dragon variant is exclusively for cargo. A trial run successfully docked with the International Space Station on 8-Mar-2019.
25 March 2019
Presentation: March 2019
This month's AE presenter: James Aubuchon
Date of presentation: 25-Mar-2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System I, Dealing with the Earth’s Atmosphere
Description: A space system must ascend (and possibly descend) through the atmosphere. We must communicate with that system through the atmosphere. Some very small portion of the atmosphere remains even at the altitude of man-made satellites. The atmosphere has layers determined not by arbitrary boundaries, but by physical characteristics. Still, there is more than one layering system.
The best known (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere) is determined by temperature gradient (not temperature). For example, temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere and increases with altitude in the stratosphere.
The atmosphere is also layered by chemical composition. The atmosphere can be divided into the lower homosphere in which the atmosphere is well stirred and the higher heterosphere where chemical layering is more pronounced. There is also an ozone layer, and an ionosphere (which, itself, has layers).
There is a lower acoustic zone and a higher anacoustic zone in which sound will not propagate. These classifications schemes overlap one another.
The physical characteristics of the various layers were discussed. The exosphere blends smoothly into outer space where the gravity of the Earth is no longer strong enough to prevent the solar radiation from removing particles from the Earth’s atmosphere.
Date of presentation: 25-Mar-2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System I, Dealing with the Earth’s Atmosphere
Description: A space system must ascend (and possibly descend) through the atmosphere. We must communicate with that system through the atmosphere. Some very small portion of the atmosphere remains even at the altitude of man-made satellites. The atmosphere has layers determined not by arbitrary boundaries, but by physical characteristics. Still, there is more than one layering system.
The best known (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere) is determined by temperature gradient (not temperature). For example, temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere and increases with altitude in the stratosphere.
The atmosphere is also layered by chemical composition. The atmosphere can be divided into the lower homosphere in which the atmosphere is well stirred and the higher heterosphere where chemical layering is more pronounced. There is also an ozone layer, and an ionosphere (which, itself, has layers).
There is a lower acoustic zone and a higher anacoustic zone in which sound will not propagate. These classifications schemes overlap one another.
The physical characteristics of the various layers were discussed. The exosphere blends smoothly into outer space where the gravity of the Earth is no longer strong enough to prevent the solar radiation from removing particles from the Earth’s atmosphere.
18 February 2019
Presentation: February 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: TBD, sometime in February
Subject: TBD, but I bet it was good
Description: Yay! A presentation was delivered in February, I promise! However, due to a senior moment, I can't remember anything about it at this time. Will fill in the rest when I do remember.
Date of presentation: TBD, sometime in February
Subject: TBD, but I bet it was good
Description: Yay! A presentation was delivered in February, I promise! However, due to a senior moment, I can't remember anything about it at this time. Will fill in the rest when I do remember.
31 January 2019
No presentation: January 2019
Well, I guess I can't reuse last month's excuse, can I? Especially since it was specific to December!
Actually, I had a presentation "in the can" and ready to go for much of the month, but the calendar was full and I had no opportunity to deliver it in January. I did eventually deliver this presentation in February instead.
Now, if only I could remember what it was about...
Actually, I had a presentation "in the can" and ready to go for much of the month, but the calendar was full and I had no opportunity to deliver it in January. I did eventually deliver this presentation in February instead.
Now, if only I could remember what it was about...
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