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Post edited 5:50 pm – November 22, 2009 by ChowRiit

I read about this idea on Reddit, and I think it's a fantastic idea. I have no idea if this is an achievable goal, but I'd love to try.

Some background: I have just finished a 4 year physics masters degree, and am soon going to be starting a PhD in astrophysics (which is not nearly as relevant is you might think). I live in the UK (based in London), so I doubt physical meetups will be often possible, but thanks to the wonders of the internet that's not necessary.

I haven't had to time to fully read and digest everything posted here and on Reddit, but if I could make a few observations on what I've seen so far:

1. Your goal is bold, and exciting, but doesn't seem to be fully defined yet. I'd suggest laying out a more detailed series of goals as a route map to start with, and making that roadmap a fundemental tennet of the project. To get funding, support, and more importantly more members, a clear idea of where the project is going would be great. I'd see a basic roadmap as being something along the lines of:

• Successfully design and test a recoverable rocket (let's call it Rocket-1) that can reach low earth orbit.
• Launch a satellite into low earth orbit with Rocket-1. (This is also a potentially valuable source of funding for later stages – I would see no problem with funding the eventual moon shot with commercial satellite launches).
• Launch a person into low earth orbit with Rocket-1. (This is an even better source of funding for later stages, if the system can be designed to later launch 2 or even 4 people – space tourism would be a good way of getting funding).
• Successfully design and test a recoverable rocket that can reach (and then return from) lunar orbit (Rocket-2), while carrying a large payload.
• Launch a person (or satellite) into a high earth orbit with Rocket-2.
• Reach lunar orbit with Rocket-2.
• Successfully design and test a lunar lander that can be carried by Rocket-2.
• Land an automated rover/prove on the moon with Rocket-2.
• Land a person on the moon with Rocket-2.

As I said, this is just an idea of a potential map, but I think it would really help to have some sort of roadmap laid down for the start. Furthermore, funding such a project (even open sourced) would be incredibly difficult, hence why I suggest attempting to lay out a roadmap that encompasses commercial ventures, the profits from which can then be used to fund the (far, far harder) stage of reaching the moon.

2. I reallly like your splitting of the project, but it's important to set goals for each individual project based on the others. For example, size and volume goals need to be made early on so that the rocket can be made powerful enough to launch the intended cargo (satellite, person or lunar lander, for example). There needs to be an overseeing group who's job is management – not in the sense of being in charge, but simply ensuring that each individual group is working towards the same goal, keeping communication between the groups and ensuring that everything works together. This is a safety issue, as well – if we are going to attempt manned missions, safety is vital.

3. Can we agree now to exclusively use SI units. Please? (Even if not, "quote your units" should be rule number one. It seems obvious, but NASA have crashed probes that way, and they're not an amalgamation of people from all around the world.)

Edit: 4. If we reach the capability of satellite launches, I'd love to see (as an astrophysicist) a second CSTART project, based on building and launcing an/multiple open-source space telescopes and similar space-based research satellites. I think it would be a fantastic way of raising awareness, creating open-source knowledge and would give us "practical results" that would play well in the media (I personally think going to the moon for the sake of it is a fabulous goal, but it doesn't hurt to show the public you're also doing valuable science). I know it's a long, long way off, but I'd like to throw it out there as an idea now.

Post edited 6:29 pm – November 22, 2009 by ChowRiit

Some useful guideline numbers (all from Wikipedia, so don't directly base calculations on these):

The Hubble Space Telescope weighs 11,110kg and is in a low earth orbit at 559km up.

The Space Shuttle can launch a 24,400kg payload to low earth orbit or a 3,810kg payload to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit.

Vostok 1 weighed 4,725kg and reached an elliptical orbit with a pedigree 169km and apogee of 327km

The US Saturn I rocket could launch 9,000kg to low earth orbit or 2,200kg to a trans-lunar injection.

The US Saturn V rocket could launch 118,800kg to low earth orbit or 47,000kg to the lunar vicinity.

The Apollo command module weighed 5,806kg, the service module weighed 24,523kg and the lunar module weighed 14,696kg.

These are the sorts of masses and rocket powers we're talking about. I think it's clear that we need to consider low earth orbit and satellites as a vital step on the way, as we will likely need to triple the power of Rocket-2 over Rocket-1, no small feat. This is mainly to give an idea of what we're looking at for masses and goals.

Edit: Thanks for the reply :) As I said, there's a lot of disorganised material, so I've been struggling to get through it all. Getting there though! I'll definately be up for an online meeting, I'd really like help and give me input. If it'll be on Google Wave, can I beg an invite off you now?