How to park in space . . .
QUESTION How does an unmanned space ship dock with the International Space Station? There are two docking systems in use, both russian: one for an unmanned capsule docking with a manned space station and one for use when both space station and capsule are unmanned.
The system used for the unmanned capsule to dock with the manned space station is called TOrU — Teleoperated Mode of (spacecraft) Control.
It lets personnel on the space station use remote control to guide the capsule into position to dock with their own craft.
The technology isn’t new. It’s basically a more advanced version of the systems that enthusiasts have used for decades to control model aircraft.
Similar technology is used to control remotely piloted military aircraft, or drones as they are more commonly known.
The ‘pilot’ on the space station can observe the unmanned capsule through a port, as well as on TV images produced by externally mounted cameras. he or she then uses two controllers which send radio commands to the capsule to guide it towards their own craft.
One controls the angle and direction of approach while the other controls speed. Lugs and receptors on the two craft guide the nose of the capsule into its resting place, where clamps secure it.
The system also uses a TV camera mounted on the capsule to allow the pilot to observe proceedings from the viewpoint of the unmanned craft.
TOrU was used by the Salyut space station, the Mir space station when it was manned and currently by the International Space Station.
Its first use was in 1997, when it allowed the docking of the Progress M-34 capsule with the Mir station. This resulted in a near fatal collision, so the skill of the pilot is clearly a factor.
The system used to guide an unmanned capsule to dock with a space station which is also unmanned is called KUrS (Ukrainian and russian: Kypc, Course).
It is a radiotelemetry system and broadcasts radio signals from the capsule which are reflected back from the space station to various antennae.
Variations in signal strength between the antennae are analysed and used to adjust the course, attitude and speed of the unmanned capsule to guide the craft into its docking position. This was first used on the Mir space station, which wasn’t permanently occupied.
The KUrS system is also used when a capsule is transporting cosmonauts to an unmanned space station, as restricted space inside the capsule would make it difficult for the cosmonauts to operate controllers even if they were fitted.
Bob Cubitt, Northampton. QUESTION Why are potatoes called spuds? I USed to ask the same question during school dinners, but no one seemed to know the answer.
The origin of the word lies in the ancient Greek σ�αθη (spathe) — a straight blade or sword. The word was adopted into Latin as spatha and described the long, straight sword used by the romans and later their successors, the Byzantines.
This style of sword became standard throughout europe during the Middle Ages, retaining the same name, so that even today the Italian word for sword is spada and other western european languages have very similar terms for the weapon. The diminutive spatula, meaning ‘a little blade’, is in universal use.
In english, the word moved from military to civilian use and became spade or, more colloquially, spud. After the introduction of the potato to england, this implement was commonly used for lifting the tubers, so the word gradually came to signify the vegetable rather than the tool.
Clive Eyre, Welton, E. Yorks. QUESTION My wife and I will have been married for 60 years in September 2017. I am told we will then receive a congratulatory message from the Queen. How will she know it is our anniversary? She won’t unless you or someone on your behalf applies to the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace to receive a card. You’ll also need a good photocopy of your wedding certificate. I’ve done this for my parents’ 60th and 65th wedding anniversaries and it’s easy to apply. Write to: The Anniversaries Office, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, or telephone 020 7930 4832 and they will send you a form to fill in and return together with the copy of the wedding certificate.
Alternatively apply at https://apply.royal. gov.uk/Apply/ or contact the General register Office on 0300 123 1837. You need to do this no more than three weeks before the anniversary date.
Jane Parry, Solihull, W. Mids. QUESTION In March/April 1966, Bob Lind’s version of his song Elusive Butterfly and Val Doonican’s cover of the same song were in the UK Top Ten at the same time. Has any other song hit the Top Ten in two versions simultaneously? FUrTher to the earlier answer, throughout pop music history whenever a song is brought out, there are always other artists who have released their own version.
For example, the 1968 hit Ob-La-di, Ob-La-da was written by Paul McCartney. It reached No 1 for Marmalade while another cover version by The Bedrocks only hit No 20.
Some original and cover versions of a song have often both done very well in terms of chart success.
In 1978 both Barry White and Billy Joel released a version of Just The Way You Are. Billy took his to No 19 — while Barry’s climbed to No 12.
This proliferation of record releases and cover versions was never more common than between 1953 and 1958.
In 1955, the record Let Me Go Lover was released by dean Martin (reaching No 3), ruby Murray (No 5), Teresa Brewer (No 9) and Joan Webber (No 16), while in 1957 the song Garden Of eden was released by Liverpool’s Frankie Vaughan (No 1), Gary Miller (No 14), dick James (No 18) and Joe Valino (No 23).
Throughout the Fifties and early Sixties, Frankie Vaughan had more songs copied than any other artist. Sometimes his version fared the worst, an example being Milord, the 1960 No 34 song he recorded. edith Piaf took it to No 24.
Perhaps the record that battled the hardest at No 1 came in 1953 when david Whitfield and Frankie Laine topped the November charts with Answer Me. david reached No 1 on November 6 for one week. Frankie took over for eight weeks on November 13.
Kevin Williams, North Hykeham, Lincs.
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