Another Tiangong 1 mission?

[xenomorph555]

Just a thought, do you think the chinese should launch another mission to tiangong-1.

As of today T-1 is apparently in good shape, all systems are working, no backup systems have been used, there is still 3 quarters of it's fuel left and life support is still there. It seems that tiangong-2 will be launching in late 2015 on the long march 5, IF it's ready on time, with a manned mission in the first half of 2016.

So we know there is going to be a longish wait between missions, which isn't unusual of the chinese, however it could be very beneficial to launch another mission to tiangong. Firstly they could do more experiments and also push the limits of t-1 if it were something like a 20 day mission. It would also keep the workforce occupied and up to date. It would also make tiangong a much better investment, good to get your moneys worth.

What do you think though?

[Kryten]

The Chinese mentioned that one of the factors limiting tiangong 1 lifespan was it didn't have good enough air filtering to prevent growth of mould. I'd hate to think what it'd be like by this point...

[xenomorph555]

The Chinese mentioned that one of the factors limiting tiangong 1 lifespan was it didn't have good enough air filtering to prevent growth of mould. I'd hate to think what it'd be like by this point...

mother of god...

Reminds me of salyut 6, had to be abandoned because the crew couldn't "fight back the mould".

[Javster]

mother of god...

Reminds me of salyut 6, had to be abandoned because the crew couldn't "fight back the mould".

That's the most unlikely reason to abandon a space station.

Decompressed? Exploded? Collision with space debris? Budget cut? Damaged?

No. It was mouldy.

[Red Iron Crown]

Clearly mold growth should be simulated in KSP, it's unrealistic without it.

[Idobox]

That's the most unlikely reason to abandon a space station.

Decompressed? Exploded? Collision with space debris? Budget cut? Damaged?

No. It was mouldy.

Try living in your flat for 6 months without ever opening a window or a door, and without flushing anything.

Keeping a space station from turning into a fungi/mold paradise is not easy.

[xenomorph555]

According to the cosmonauts, they used various chemicals and things on board to stop and kill the growth of mould, over time however they became more and more ineffective. Combined with the ageing of the station it was deemed unsafe for prolonged living.

[lajoswinkler]

You can imagine the mould will be thriving there. There's water vapor, there's air. There are materials to feast upon (apparently they like rubber).

Most importantly - there are no enemies.

I doubt the internal environment is pleasant in Tiangong 1.

[phoenix_ca]

Clearly mold growth should be simulated in KSP, it's unrealistic without it.

I simulate mould growth by randomly deleting vessels from my persistence file. If you don't, you're cheating.

[NASAFanboy]

I simulate mould growth by randomly deleting vessels from my persistence file. If you don't, you're cheating.

I don't understand how that works.

How can a 20-year old single module Skylab station have no mould while you have to abandon a newly constructed multi-modular station because of mould?

[phoenix_ca]

I don't understand how that works.

How can a 20-year old single module Skylab station have no mould while you have to abandon a newly constructed multi-modular station because of mould?

It works because I'm not a dirty cheater.

[xenomorph555]

I don't understand how that works.

How can a 20-year old single module Skylab station have no mould while you have to abandon a newly constructed multi-modular station because of mould?

Firstly tiangong is one module and the smallest space station in history.

Secondly skylab was a very expensive station meant to serve america for years, tiangong is tiny and very cheap and was designed to only last 2 years to test a lot of things.

Thirdly skylab was only five years old, not 20, and was onlly manned for 2 years, who knows what it "grew" into.