Why didn’t NASA leave a shuttle orbiter attached to the ISS when the fleet was retired, thereby significantly expanding the station’s size?
Because, among other reasons, it would not have significantly expanded the station’s usable volume, but it would have significantly increased its mass—and therefore the amount of propellant needed…
How far could NASA send a human into space realistically?
With today’s technology, some good funding, and about three years to plan and build a spaceship, NASA could send humans to Titan, Saturn’s planetary moon. It would likely…
When Gliese 710 passes through our solar system, will life on Earth be disrupted in any way?
A star is headed our way, and it’s called Gliese 710. Gliese 710 is a star located 64 light-years away in the constellation Serpens, which is predicted to…
If a modern US submarine was teleported into space, assuming all hatches were shut, how long would/could the crew survive?
I suppose it depends on what sort of submarine it was. The sub itself would be in no danger of structural failure since a hull designed to withstand…
If you dropped a piece of ice at 0 °C into water of 0 °C, what would happen to ice?
Great question. Let us assume that the system is closed, and that no heat comes in the system or leaves the system. Your question clearly displays that you…
Why didn’t anyone come up with an artificial diamond?
They have. They’ve been able to do this for many years now. The problem is artificial GEM grade diamonds. Diamonds, regular diamonds, are common as hell. They’re used…
If the Earth stopped rotating, would we feel a difference since we’re so used to it spinning at really high speeds?
You would notice the difference for a fraction of a second and then you would cease to notice anything at all….because you would be dead. Imagine you are…
What is the largest roadblock scientists face in devising a theory of everything?
Gravity. Stupid, idiotic gravity. We know there is gravity. The evidence supports it. There are excellent theories to explain how it works. There’s even a “law” – a…
Why do we need an escape velocity to lift a rocket into space? Can’t a rocket just fly up at a constant low speed i.e. 60 mph and eventually reach space?
Well, in theory, you are right. In fact, your imaginary ship doesn’t need to go 60 mph, it could go 1 mph, so long as it could keep…
Since Jupiter is a gas planet, why can’t comets collide with Jupiter and pass right through it?
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of approximately 143,000 kilometers and a mass 318 times that of Earth. As a gas giant,…