SpaceAnimations.org

For the space enthusiast from a space enthusiast

Graphics give reality to our vision. When scientists and engineers employ it, graphics can depict, predict and assist our visualization of our technological future. It can also be used to illustrate events which have occurred, or devices which already exist, but for which there was no camera or artist able to witness a potentially significant event.

These days with the advent of computer 3D graphics the task of creating a reasonable facsimile of an event, or something that looks extraordinarily real has become much less difficult for everyone involved, from the mechanical designer to the Hollywood animator.

www.SpaceAnimations.org contains original renderings, animations, technical data and information on the history of rocketry and space exploration starting with: the historic accomplishments of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, father of modern rocketry, Dr. Wernher Von Braun and the V-2 Rocket (which borrowed heavily from Dr. Goddard's work), Kraft A. Ehricke and the Atlas ICBM (which eventually was used to put the first Americans in orbit), the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs, through the Space Shuttle and beginnings of the International Space Station and NASA's huge team of talented visionaries.

The site is under continuous development and will eventually feature materials on the projected future of space exploration starting with the International Space Station and its derivatives, future space vehicles for gaining routine access to the station, and the next great challenge recently announced by the President of the United States, a permanent presence on the moon, and eventually a manned expedition to Mars.

Gravity Wells, a graphic way to visualize a gravitational field

Have you ever visited the planetarium and witnessed a gravity well model in action?  There it stands before you, shaped like a huge vortex roughly six feet in diameter.  There are usually one inch diameter steel balls rolling in circles of ever decreasing radius as their energy is lost to friction.  Ultimately they spiral towards the center of the model where they are gobbled up by the well and magically recycled for their next simulated trajectory.  Some planetariums display the balls rolling in elliptical orbits, parabolic trajectories, and near circular orbits.  Usually the elliptical orbit experiences precession (or rotation) of the ellipse itself, ultimately becoming near circular shortly before the ball disappears down the well.  There is more to this museum display than meets the eye, and we shall explore this on SpaceAnimations.org. 

Many of the phenomena observed in planetary motion may be represented using a surface of revolution and a rolling ball.  The ball plays the role of the satellite or planet, while the surface represents the gravitational field.  If the surface is properly contoured, the ensuing motion of a ball projected along it will reproduce the motion of the planets.  From circular motion, to elliptical orbits, and even parabolic escape trajectories.  www.SpaceAnimations.org is developing a new section dedicated to the simple gravity well illustrated above, and its more complex derivatives (e.g., Earth Moon System, Binary Star Systems, Black Holes, and Exploding Star Systems.).  Stay tuned.

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