No,PTV is not a new cable station…

Or a new broadband station of some kind.  

PTV is really NASA Insider lingo for Parachute Test Vehicle.  Being the key player that I am, the following pictures were sent to me for my approval.

I won’t trouble you with the pages of notes, back and forth dialogue, and details of my careful examination of the plans.  I’d rather just bring you right up to speed with where things are now.

Here are just a few key things you should know about the PTV.
  
1.   This vehicle represents the first full system parachute test in preparation for the first Pad Abort Test.
2.   This vehicle will face many realistic test conditions which include testing for mass properties, aero shape, flow field and structural integrity.
3.   The test will be conducted by dropping the PTV from a C-130, not via rocket.  That will come later.
4.   These pictures do not have the chutes integrated yet.

I’m not certain of the test date, but when I work out the details with the test team and let everyone know.

Enjoy the pics.


Don’t worry, this vehicle is unmanned.  They don’t have to cram a bathroom in there.  Photo Credit: NASA


The tan and toupe color scheme match the theme for my high school prom.  Hmmm, which is cooler?  Photo Credit: NASA


If I drop a few pounds, I could squeeze in there for a ride.  Photo Credit: NASA

It almost looks as if the PTV is smiling in this last picture.  I guess everyone, even the vehicle itself, can’t wait to begin testing.

The Co-Host

21 thoughts on “No,PTV is not a new cable station…”

  1. The PTV looks really cool. Is this being tested to be sent to mars? What will this be used for? I hope the testing goes well.

  2. CEV is coming together quickly, so it appears. Looks good, Apollo like but much bigger, but hey the design worked once…So, no need for a loo on board (shades of Depends!!), how about exercising? I imagine there will be treadmilling and weightlifting going on…How about swimming? I understand swimming is a total body workout. What if we could build a spaceworthy sphere and fill it up with water and let the astronauts swim in it? Would the water provide the same resistence it does here on Earth? I know this is far-fetched, one would have to wear scuba gear. But what a concept, and what fun…I think. Anybody??

    Chris (no, not the host, he wouldn’t ask such questions..maybe Blair might, not him either tho…)

  3. Looking forward to first full-up launch test of Constellation. About time this country went back into space in a big way…Not that Shuttle and Station are not big, but let’s set all of our sights on something outside of LEO.

    And, NASA folks, the color is spelled ‘taupe’.

  5. July 8, 2008

    Hello,

    I’ve been watching the series regarding the trip to Mars and the design suggestions that NASA has been considering, which prompts me with two important questions:

    First, regarding the capsule/return module: Why does the vehicle even have to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere ? It would seem that a shuttle could be retro-fitted with the ability to dock with the return vehicle and safely shuttle the astronauts back to earth, assuming that the return vehicle could obtain an earth orbit, no matter what speed it is returning.

    The vehicle could be slowed down by a shuttle type vehicle and docked to the space station, which would be a safer place to return and study any possible bio-threats to our planet. It would save the extra cost and weight of adding a heat shield or wings as the soviets have planned, and would protect the returning astronauts from potentially ‘burning up’ by using a proven, save method of re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the shuttle.

    Secondly, regarding safety to the crew and instruments on the long voyage: Is it possible to create the same method the Earth uses to protect itself from dangerous particles, a magnetic field around the space ship ? Could it be designed so it not affect the ship and crew, as earth’s magnetic field, and be powerful enough to do the job ? Could this field be powered by a nuclear reactor or a laser-gyro that creates substantial energy with no fuel consumption once controlled ?

    I hope these questions are worthy of your shows review.

    Sincerely, John Mabusth

  6. I’ve been watching the series regarding the trip to Mars and the design suggestions that NASA has been considering, which prompts me with two important questions:

  7. “Thanks for posting this.”

    Note – We can’t use external links (spam, ads, etc…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  9. “The vehicle could be slowed down by a shuttle type vehicle and docked to the space station, which would be a safer place to return and study any possible bio-threats to our planet. It would save the extra cost and weight of adding a heat shield or wings as the soviets have planned, and would protect the returning astronauts from potentially ‘burning up’ by using a proven, save method of re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the shuttle.”

    Note – We can’t use external links (ads, spam, ets…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  11. Thanks for such an informative blog.

    Note – We can’t use external links (ads, spam, etc…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  12. Wow its cool. PTV looks like giant button. It will sure make a history in mankind. It will Be more useful when the subject is more detailed. Thanks for such an informative blog.

    Note – We can’t use external links (ads, spam, etc…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  13. Really i was informative by your blog…Before reading this i also thought that it as a cable station..Now i have cleared..Thanks..Can you yell me about the features,advantages of this PTV please..

  14. Parachute Test Vehicle is very good looking.
    Can you provide more information and about this PTV?

    Awaiting for its integration….

  15. Looks very cool.
    Can you provide more information and features about PTV?
    Awaiting for its integration…

  16. Thank you for this post. I found it very interesting. This is very much good news for technology world. Great pictures.

  17. I have enjoyed reading your articles. It is well written. It looks like you spend a large amount of time and effort in writing the blog. I am appreciating your effort.

    Note – We can’t use external links (ads, spam, etc…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  19. “Can you provide more information about this PTV?”

    Note – We are unable use external links (ads, spam, etc…) due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

  20. “this is good vehicle represents the first full system parachute test in preparation for the first Pad Abort Test.”

    Note: We cannot use external links due to NASA rules and regulations.

    Thanks,

    The Co-Host

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