Decommissioning of Discovery has started
The disassembly and decommissioning of the space shuttle Discovery has started.
Tag: engineering
Japan’s unmanned freighter undocks from ISS
Japan’s unmanned freighter undocked from ISS today.
Secret X-37B Space Plane Spotted Again by Amateurs
The X-37B space plane has been spotted again by amateurs.
Stardust to end its mission after twelve years
Stardust has ended its mission after twelve years and two comet flybys.
Ground controllers will command the spacecraft to fire up its four rocket thrusters one last time at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) today to use up its remaining fuel. Engineers plan to watch closely while the probe’s propellant tank ran dry to help future missions gauge their fuel reserves more precisely.
A new Russian rocket
No Vision = No Innovation
An critique of NASA: No vision equals no innovation.
That NASA (and our government) lacks vision is not necessarily a bad thing. For the first time in decades, this is leaving room for new and independent companies to move in and fill the vacuum left by NASA. In the end, I think we will be far better off.
Orbital Science facility at Wallops opens
The spaceport at Wallops Island, Maryland has unveiled its rocket assembly building to be used by Orbital Sciences in launching cargo to ISS.
Messenger confirmed in orbit
Three days of data has confirmed that Messenger is in orbit around Mercury and is doing well.
On March 29, 2011, the Mercury Dual Imaging System will be powered on and will take its first images. The year-long science observation campaign will begin on April 4, 2011.
Texas Cites EPA Error in Testing of Wells
The war between Texas and the EPA continues: Texas is accusing the EPA of doing bad research about gas drilling.
Roman cities and aqueducts
An evening pause: Civilizing in the ancient world with cities and engineering.
The meltdown that wasn’t
Lockheed Martin unveils Orion spacecraft and test center
The program-formerly-called-Constellation moves forward: Lockheed Martin yesterday unveiled the Orion spacecraft and the test center to be used to prepare it for space.
Though this press announcement was actually intended to encourage Congress to continue funding, it also illustrated how this portion at least of Constellation had made significant progress before it was undercut by both Obama and Congress.