17 Feb 2022

SpaceX Starship Update

SpaceX constantly astounds the world, and their most recent feat is no exception. The company’s rocket, Starship, is continuing its journey towards its maiden launch. Starship will be used as a reusable mass transportation vessel for staffed and unmanned missions to space as part of Space X’s massive rideshare program that would allow astronauts and scientists from other companies to hitch a ride into space for their respective missions. The Starship rocket is the tallest ever built in the world thus far at a staggering height of 165 feet. Starship’s booster rocket, nicknamed Super Heavy, is 229 feet tall and weighs over 3 million pounds. Several trips to Mars have also become of interest when Starship is fully functional. It is also said that should civilians be able to explore Mars one day, that the rocket could carry up to 100 people per trip.  

The FAA was expected to complete its initial review of Starship by the end of February but pushed it back to March 28th at the latest. The massive rocket is the leader of this epic vision by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who said that one of Starship’s first missions will be to transport more Starlink satellites into orbit. It is estimated that astronaut crews could start using Starship sometime in 2025. Announcements of this massive achievement go back all the way to 2012 when the idea of the Raptor engines for Starship was first brought to light to the public. When the rocket was recently loaded onto its launchpad it took a lengthy three hours to do due to its weight and size. This was done with the aid of massive robotic arms that would hoist the rocket’s pieces into place. In this moment in time, starship is expected to reach orbit by the end of March. 

5 Aug 2021

Collecting a Sample from Mars – NASA Perseverance Rover

Mars has always been an endless treasure trove of mysteries, but thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Perseverance rover and the team behind it, we may soon have answers to some of the questions surrounding our red, rocky sister planet. Perseverance launched earlier this year on February 18th and has since been documenting the Martian surface with the powerful camera integrated into its system. Alongside high-resolution photography, the rover recorded 16 minutes of audio which captured the sound of winds blowing across the landscape. However, the team behind Perseverance plans to up the ante, looking to collect a physical rock sample to examine. The first sample will be taken from a section of the Jezero Crater called the “Cratered Floor Fractured Rough.” This task is scheduled to take 11 days due to the delay in communication between mission control and the rover itself. It is one of four samples to be collected over the next year of exploration, which will be stored within the rover’s body until missions can be sent to retrieve them for examination. During this time, Perseverance will perform rudimentary tests on the samples to provide preliminary data. The rover was fitted with several instruments that allow it to collect a range of data points. Key among these is SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals), PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry), and the WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera, which will provide mineral and chemical analysis of the sample rock. Using this data, scientists may be able to piece together more about the history of Mars and the viability of future exploration missions. Until now, procuring an extraterrestrial sample for examination was a monumental advancement only achieved by Niel Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew when they collected moon rock from the Sea of Tranquility basin.

The key objective of Perseverance’s mission is to advance the field of astrobiology and look for definitive proof of microbial life having existed on Mars. Utilizing the data collected by the rover, the team hopes to pave the way for human exploration of the planet. Future NASA missions, with cooperation from the European Space Agency, plan to collect the samples stored within Perseverance’s frame and ship them to Earth for more extensive analysis that cannot be performed by the equipment built into the rover. Years of effort made this feat possible and will vastly expand our understanding of the wider universe around us.

If you are interested in reading more, click here for the article from NASA themselves, or click here for the LiveScience coverage. Want to learn more about past missions that Lenox Laser has covered, click here.

22 Jul 2021

Join Lenox Laser at 2021 PACK EXPO

The 2021 PACK EXPO will be one of the first major in-person healthcare product events since the COVID-19 lockdown last year. The expo will encompass many different companies and experts in the healthcare field discussing various packaging and processing methods. It is estimated that over 20,000 experts will be in attendance when the event takes place this September 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PACK is expected to have an estimated 1,500 exhibitors showing off their products. Topics covered will include cost-effective digital printing solutions in pharmaceuticals, recyclable, and bio-based packaging. The expo will also have an exhibit that will take visitors through the evolution of processing and packaging in the pharmaceutical industry and more. The expo sponsors and hosts include the Reusable Packaging Association, the National Confectioners Association, and many more.

Lenox Laser will be in attendance at booth #6817, showcasing our Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) methods and services, which we have continued to evolve in our excellent 40 years in business. We are privileged and very honored to be a part of the expo and cannot wait for you all to see what we have in store. Given the immense challenge 2020 presented, an event like this will prove significant. To all those attending and showcasing, we hope you enjoy the expo and send our best wishes. See you in September. 

For more information and registration on PACK EXPO, please click here. You can join Lenox Laser at PACK EXPO using our comp code here.

15 Jul 2021

A Look into Our CCIT Capabilities

Picture of Pharmaceutical Vials
Courtesy of National Cancer Institute

As the pioneer in laser drilling, Lenox Laser takes pride in the various services that we provide to our customers. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) has become abundantly clear. Confidence in pharmaceutical packaging is vital to prevent widespread damage caused by the failure of critical seals. Lenox Laser assists in this process by producing standards that calibrate leak-detection systems in order to assure the quality and safety of the packaging.

By utilizing lasers, Lenox drills precise, microscopic imperfections in a wide variety of packaging. Our systems are capable of drilling metals and alloys, glass, plastics, and more. We can accommodate custom materials and requirements upon request. All orifices drilled for CCIT are calibrated to NIST secondary standards using our proprietary flow calibration processes, ensuring precise measurements. Recalibration services are also available to ensure the accuracy of previously drilled parts. Our standard products are optically measured, but when a greater level of accuracy is required, Lenox Laser can drill orifices to produce a specific flow rate for custom applications. Calculate a custom orifice diameter based on your specifications with our orifice calculator.

On top of CCIT, Lenox Laser provides other services such as laser machining, laser engraving, and more. Lenox Laser also offers standard products for optical and flow applications. For any questions you have about our capabilities, please contact us.

We thank our customers for their continued support over the past 40 years. It is with your help that Lenox Laser continues pioneering in the small-hole industry.

8 Jul 2021

SpaceX First Starship Launch

Courtesy of SpaceX

SpaceX has had quite a rich history and has come a long way since its maiden launch of the Falcon 1 rocket on September 28, 2008. Falcon 1 became the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to successfully reach orbit. In the following year, they became the first privately funded company to launch a satellite in orbit. Little did they know at the time, this would lead to something massive like the Starlink program. This program aims to launch a network of satellites designed to provide fast Internet speeds to areas without access. The Starlink program could also be used for military and government applications as well as other telecommunications.

In 2014, the now-famous Dragon crew was unveiled with its first successful launch six years later in 2020. The mission was successful in sending two astronauts into space to study aboard the International Space Station. This was particularly impressive given the challenges faced that year. Several Dragon crew missions are in the works for the near future.

SpaceX’s next challenging endeavor is the launch of its Starship program, which as of now, is tentatively set to launch in July of this year. Starship rockets would be reusable for long-duration cargo missions and passenger flights. The first obstacles include ensuring the program follows all government regulations from NASA, FAA, and other branches. Filings with the FCC began on May 13, 2021. If successful, SpaceX hopes to have a fully integrated continuous working network that would work together with Starlink.

If you would like to read more about SpaceX’s Starship launch, click here. To read more about past SpaceX blogs, click here. If you are interested in Lenox Laser’s coverage of past aerospace endeavors, read our blog on NASA and their planned launches to Venus.

2 Jul 2021

Lenox Laser’s Free Orifice Calculator

For 40 years now, Lenox Laser has been a pioneering force leading the industry of laser hole drilling and critical flow orifice fieldwork. As the industry is constantly evolving, we are continually learning new methods to streamline the ease of use of our products and services. We offer many solutions to custom applications, all produced with a critical laser drilling process. Our laser-drilled calibrations will deliver immaculate accuracy and consistency of flow rates every single time — we guarantee it. All of this is done with the utmost care and immense cost efficiency to deliver the best product to our customers. 

At Lenox Laser, we believe in ease-of-use and understanding for our customer base. We have created a simplistic, straight-to-the-point orifice calculator that allows customers to calculate custom orifice sizes for a required flow rate. The calculator can be easily found by accessing this link. 

Upon visiting our calculator, you can enter your desired inlet pressure, outlet pressure, type of gas, and temperature to calculate for either flow rate or orifice diameter. The calculator will then display the resulting hole size, which Lenox Laser can drill, calibrate, and certify for your specific application. For a list of our standard products, please visit our online store. Custom parts and materials are available for drilling with a setup fee through this form.

Lenox Laser is dedicated to providing stellar services that support a wide array of industries. As new challenges arise, we continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our customers. Thank you all for being with us these past 40 years. We look forward to serving you for many more.

24 Jun 2021

NASA Announces Two Missions to Venus

NASA has announced to future missions that will hopefully shed more light on the mystery planet that is Venus. Venus has characteristics almost identical to Earth. However, currently, scientists know so little about the planet itself. When comparing Venus to Earth, both worlds have complex weather systems, size, atmospheric composition, and density. Both planets are near the sun, with Venus being thirty percent closer to it than Earth. Scientist also refer to Venus as Earth’s sister planet because of its volcanic activity, plateaus, and water availability. In order to help with lack of knowledge about the fiery planet, NASA has planned two missions codenamed DAVINCI+ and VERITAS to study the planet further. The mission’s primary goal is to design a detailed 3-D model of Venus to better understand the planet’s environmental makeup, features, activity atmosphere, and more.

With the excitement building of new exploration and understanding also comes new groundbreaking technology to aid discovery. Mission VERITAS will use technologies like an atomic clock in deep space with great precision that will allow spacecraft to traverse and approach the planet. Once this 3-D model of Venus is created, scientists believe that things like real-time evaluations of the planet will presumably be achievable. With $500 million given for the missions, NASA plans a launch date anywhere between 2028 and 2030. While this undertaking will undoubtedly be an immense challenge, the information that NASA could unlock with these missions could rewrite our understanding of Venus.

27 May 2021

Dr. Charles H. Townes Speech – Revisited

Dr. Townes and the first maser

The human mind has given us some of the most outstanding achievements throughout history. As our thirst for knowledge and understanding continues to grow, new ideas are born. One of those great minds was Charles Hard Townes, the inventor of the maser, the precursor to the laser. Dr. Townes wasn’t just an inventor but also a patriot serving his country in war and a brilliant university professor. During World War II, he worked under Bell Labs as a radar technician in the hope that his expertise would turn the tables on the enemy. This effort would give birth to the shortest wavelength radar by seeing the effects of light on it. Upon returning from the Navy, he would lead a research team at Columbia University, where he and his team would study molecules.

After becoming a professor at Columbia, he and his dedicated students would design a molecule oscillator that would be endlessly argued over. From the discussion with his students, Townes and others arrived at their latest invention — the maser, Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation. Dr. Townes was an example that both patients and trial and error can lead to remarkable discovery and creation. In October 2010, Dr. Townes give a speech at Lenox Laser during our one of our light seminars entitled “How New Things Happen.” During the speech, he mentioned that ideas often happen by accident. Those accidents can involve a network of people. One’s patience can be rewarded in unexpected ways while still reaching your goal in the end.

Townes’s legacy and contributions to history remain greatly appreciated and never forgotten. Please visit the Industrial Institute of Optics to read or watch Dr. Townes’s speech in its entirety.

13 May 2021

SpaceX and the Inspiration4

               SpaceX has done extraordinary things over the years, making a name for itself with several missions to study the universe. This September, they plan to make history again with a first-of-its-kind mission entirely made up of civilians. The four-person crew will be entering low Earth orbit for a 3-day duration. The targeted date for no later than September 15. The crew members chosen are geoscientist Dr. Sian Proctor who completed four previous NASA missions, former Air Force member Chris Sembroski who served as a space camp counselor working with Lockheed Martin and earned a degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Another member is 29-year-old Hayley Arceneaux, a bone cancer survivor and former patient of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Hayley has a physician’s assistant degree and will also be the youngest person ever to travel to space. Hayley was chosen by St. Jude’s themselves to go on this civilian-only mission. The man behind this idea and the last member is Jared Isaacman, the billionaire CEO of Shift4 Payments. He will also serve as commander. Jared will give all money from this endeavor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

               Training for missions usually takes around two years, but for this Dragon crew, time is short. The training provided by NASA will be based on a NASA-approved curriculum. Given the mission only lasting three days, the team will not need to learn traditional spacewalks and station operations training. Isaacman plans to put the crew through their paces, testing them in isolated environments in close quarters. The mission will get to space using a retooled Falcon 9 rocket from past Dragon crew missions. With this mission being the first all civilian crew flight, it will set a record for history. None of the four people selected have past space experience but have worked with the government and other divisions. They will receive commercial-style training and be the first to complete a space mission with no government oversight. Isaacman could not be more thrilled partnering with SpaceX; with their past achievements, he knew that they were the right people for the job. For Hayley, being a part of this mission was a dream come true, and her family was happy to do anything to make it happen.

               This mission is extraordinary because not only does it give ordinary people a fantastic opportunity, but it also gives hope to the many people fighting cancer. For more information, please visit Inspiration4’s website. If you would like to read more about this, please click here for an article about it from MSN.

6 May 2021

Potential for Microbial Life on Mars

Courtesy of NASA

When the Mars Perseverance rover landed on the planet in February, it astonished the world with detailed photos of the planet and audio of the surface. After discovering water and ice on Mars, the next endeavor starting the search for evidence of possible life and life-supporting properties on the planet. A new study conducted by the Astrobiology Journal concluded that there is indeed the right amount of ingredients to support microbial life. The study looked at the planet’s Martian meteorites and their chemical makeup. Observing the chemical reaction whenever these meteorites had continuous constant contact with water once the meteorites fell back to Earth.

Among the many reactions studied, Radiolysis was of massive interest. The reaction is created when radioactive elements like potassium uranium and thorium could be converted sulfates, so much so that they tap water. One of the reasons is that there’s water on the planet because there is a flowing lake somewhere on the planet in the subsurface. It is now believed that once the components of that lake are studied further, how microbial life could exist could possibly be revealed. Also, different wavelengths of light being investigated to potentially give way to a better understanding of Mars’s past.

Further study will be ongoing, but the full extent of the findings may not be known for some time. The idea of life on another planet could be an extraordinary mark left on history forever.

If you would like to read more, please click here.

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