This PetaPixel article details the fascinating process of designing and building a custom star tracker for astronaut Don Pettit, enabling him to capture stunning astrophotography images from the unique vantage point of the International Space Station (ISS). The project originated from Pettit's desire to create breathtaking images of star trails, showcasing the Earth's rotation against the backdrop of the cosmos. Conventional star trackers, designed for terrestrial use, were unsuitable for the ISS environment due to factors like vibrations from the station's systems and the rapid orbital speed, which presents a different set of tracking challenges compared to Earth-based astrophotography.
Driven by this need, a collaborative effort involving Pettit, engineer Jaspal Chadha, and a team at the Johnson Space Center commenced. They embarked on designing a specialized star tracker dubbed the "Barn Door Tracker," referencing its resemblance to a traditional barn door. This ingenious device employs two plates connected by a hinge, with one plate fixed to the ISS and the other housing the camera. A carefully calibrated screw mechanism allows for precise adjustment of the angle between the plates, enabling the tracker to compensate for the ISS's orbital motion and keep the camera locked onto the stars.
The design process was iterative and involved meticulous calculations to determine the required tracking rate and the optimal screw pitch for the hinge mechanism. The team also had to consider the constraints of the ISS environment, including limited resources and the need for a compact and easily operable device. Furthermore, the tracker had to be robust enough to withstand the vibrations and temperature fluctuations experienced on the ISS.
The Barn Door Tracker's construction involved utilizing readily available materials and components, further highlighting the ingenuity of the project. Testing and refinement were conducted on Earth, simulating the conditions of the ISS to ensure its effectiveness. Once finalized, the tracker was transported to the ISS, where Pettit put it to use, capturing mesmerizing star trail images that showcased the beauty of the cosmos from an unparalleled perspective. The article highlights the unique challenges and innovative solutions involved in creating a specialized piece of equipment for space-based astrophotography, showcasing the intersection of scientific ingenuity and artistic pursuit in the extreme environment of the ISS. The successful deployment and operation of the Barn Door Tracker not only facilitated Pettit's artistic endeavors but also demonstrated the potential for adaptable and resourcefully designed tools in space exploration.
Raycast, a rapidly growing productivity and automation platform that graduated from Y Combinator's Winter 2020 batch, is actively seeking a highly skilled Full Stack Engineer to join their fully remote team within the European Union. This position offers a competitive salary ranging from €105,000 to €160,000 annually, commensurate with experience and expertise.
The ideal candidate will be a proficient software engineer with a strong foundation in both front-end and back-end development. They should possess a demonstrable ability to design, develop, and maintain high-quality, performant, and scalable web applications. Specifically, experience with TypeScript and React is essential for front-end development, while experience with Node.js and PostgreSQL is crucial for back-end development. Familiarity with GraphQL is also highly desired.
Raycast emphasizes a collaborative and iterative development process, so the successful candidate must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and contributing to all stages of the software development lifecycle, from ideation and design to implementation, testing, and deployment. They should be adept at problem-solving, possess strong communication skills, and be passionate about building user-friendly and impactful software.
This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge platform that is transforming how individuals and teams work. Raycast is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and they encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package in addition to the competitive salary, although the specifics of the package are not detailed in the job posting itself. The position is entirely remote, allowing the successful candidate to work from anywhere within the European Union. The company culture is described as collaborative, transparent, and focused on continuous learning and improvement. This position is a full-time role with long-term potential for growth and development within the company.
The Hacker News post linking to the Raycast job posting elicited a moderate amount of discussion, mostly focused on the offered salary, remote work policy, and the nature of Raycast itself.
Several commenters discussed the offered salary range of €105k-€160k, with some expressing surprise at the high end of the range for a fully remote position in the EU. One commenter pointed out that this salary range likely targets senior engineers, suggesting the lower end may be less relevant. Others questioned whether the salary is actually competitive considering the high cost of living in some European cities, specifically mentioning London. One commenter speculated that Raycast might be using a global compensation band, leading to higher EU salaries compared to local market rates.
The remote work aspect also generated comments, with some users expressing interest in the fully remote policy. One commenter specifically asked about tax implications for remote work across EU borders, prompting a discussion about the complexities of international taxation and the potential need to establish a local legal entity.
Some comments delved into the Raycast product itself, with users sharing their experiences. One described it as a "Spotlight replacement," another praised its extensibility and community, while a third highlighted its performance compared to Alfred, a competing application. However, another commenter expressed concern about the product's reliance on electron, suggesting potential performance drawbacks.
A few commenters touched on Raycast's use of TypeScript, Electron, and React, indicating these technologies as part of their tech stack. This sparked a brief, tangential discussion about the pros and cons of Electron.
Finally, some comments centered around the hiring process, with one user sharing their negative experience interviewing with Raycast. They mentioned lengthy delays and a perceived lack of communication, offering a contrasting perspective to the otherwise positive sentiment surrounding the company. Another commenter inquired about the company's visa sponsorship policy, indicating an interest in relocating to the EU for the role.
In a remarkable feat of interstellar communication, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, currently the most distant human-made object from Earth, has re-established contact using a long-dormant radio transmitter, marking a significant development in the ongoing saga of this venerable explorer. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 has journeyed far beyond the realm of the planets, venturing into the uncharted territories of interstellar space. For over four decades, it has diligently transmitted scientific data back to Earth, providing invaluable insights into the heliosphere, the bubble-like region of space dominated by the Sun's influence, and beyond.
Recently, however, a critical component, the spacecraft’s articulation and control system (AACS), which is responsible for orienting Voyager 1's high-gain antenna towards Earth to ensure efficient communication, began transmitting garbled data. While the antenna itself remained correctly pointed, the telemetry data indicating its orientation was nonsensical, leaving engineers perplexed as to the system's status. To further complicate matters, the AACS had been relying on a backup computer known as the attitude articulation control electronics (AACE) since the primary computer failed years ago.
In an attempt to diagnose the issue without jeopardizing the spacecraft's precarious power budget, mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) made the bold decision to activate a backup transmitter known as the "tricone assembly." This transmitter had been dormant for an impressive 37 years, unused since its role in Voyager 1's encounter with Saturn in 1981. The reactivation was not without risk; the long period of inactivity raised concerns about its functionality.
The gamble, however, paid off spectacularly. After a suspenseful 19.5-hour wait for the signal to traverse the vast gulf of space separating Voyager 1 from Earth, confirmation arrived: the tricone assembly was functioning flawlessly. While the root cause of the AACS anomaly remains under investigation, the successful reactivation of the backup transmitter provides a critical redundancy, ensuring continued communication with Voyager 1, even as it continues its solitary journey into the cosmic unknown. This remarkable demonstration of engineering ingenuity and resilience underscores the enduring legacy of the Voyager program and its invaluable contribution to our understanding of the universe. The ability to communicate with Voyager 1 through this alternate pathway provides a vital lifeline, buying precious time for engineers to diagnose and potentially rectify the original issue, ensuring that this pioneering spacecraft can continue its groundbreaking exploration for years to come.
The Hacker News post discussing the Smithsonian Magazine article about Voyager 1's reactivated transmitter has generated several comments. Many of the commenters express awe and wonder at the longevity and resilience of the Voyager probes, highlighting the impressive feat of engineering that has allowed them to continue functioning so far from Earth for over 45 years. Several commenters discuss the technical details of the transmitter reactivation, including the AACS attitude articulation and control system and the challenges of communicating with a spacecraft so distant.
One compelling comment thread delves into the specifics of the transmitter's role, clarifying that it's not used for scientific data transmission but rather for spacecraft orientation and control. Commenters explain how the AACS uses this transmitter to communicate with Earth about its thruster firings and overall spacecraft health, information vital for keeping Voyager 1 pointed correctly at Earth for data transmission via its primary communication systems. This discussion clarifies a potential misunderstanding stemming from the article's title, emphasizing the critical, albeit less glamorous, function of the reactivated transmitter.
Another interesting discussion revolves around the power limitations on Voyager 1. Commenters discuss the decaying plutonium power source and the ongoing efforts to conserve energy by selectively shutting down instruments. This highlights the difficult decisions facing mission engineers as they strive to extend Voyager 1's operational life as long as possible.
Some commenters also reminisce about the Voyager missions' launch and their historical significance, reflecting on the impact these probes have had on our understanding of the outer solar system. There's a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the scientific legacy of these missions.
Several comments link to additional resources, such as NASA's Voyager website and articles about the Golden Record, further enriching the discussion and providing context for those interested in learning more. Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of technical expertise, historical perspective, and a shared sense of wonder about the enduring legacy of the Voyager probes.
Summary of Comments ( 3 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42701645
Hacker News users generally expressed admiration for Don Pettit's ingenuity and "hacker" spirit, highlighting his ability to create a functional star tracker with limited resources while aboard the ISS. Several commenters appreciated the detailed explanation of the design process and the challenges overcome, such as dealing with vibration and thermal variations. Some discussed the technical aspects, including the choice of sensors and the use of stepper motors. A few pointed out the irony of needing a custom-built star tracker on a space station supposedly packed with sophisticated equipment, reflecting on the limitations sometimes imposed by bureaucracy and pre-planned missions. Others reminisced about previous "MacGyver" moments in space exploration.
The Hacker News post "Designing a Star Tracker for Astronaut Don Pettit to Use on the ISS" has generated several comments, discussing various aspects of the project and Don Pettit's ingenuity.
Several commenters praise Don Pettit's resourcefulness and "hacker" spirit, highlighting his ability to create tools and conduct experiments with limited resources in the unique environment of the ISS. They appreciate his commitment to scientific exploration and his willingness to improvise solutions. One commenter specifically refers to Pettit as a "MacGyver in space," encapsulating this sentiment.
A thread discusses the challenges of astrophotography from the ISS, focusing on the difficulties posed by the station's movement and vibration. Commenters explore the technical intricacies of compensating for these factors, including the importance of precise tracking and stabilization. The original design of the "barn door tracker" and its limitations are also discussed, along with the advancements achieved with the newer, electronically controlled tracker.
Another commenter notes the interesting detail about using parts from a Russian cosmonaut's treadmill for the barn door tracker, further illustrating the improvisational nature of work on the ISS. This anecdote sparks a brief discussion about the collaborative environment on the station, where astronauts and cosmonauts from different nations work together and share resources.
Some comments delve into the technical specifics of the star tracker, discussing the choice of motors, control systems, and the challenges of operating equipment in the harsh conditions of space. The use of off-the-shelf components versus custom-designed parts is also touched upon.
Finally, a few commenters express their admiration for the ingenuity and dedication of the individuals involved in designing and building the star tracker, acknowledging the complexities of creating a device that can function reliably in such a demanding environment. They also appreciate the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes challenges and solutions involved in space exploration.