First feathered test flight of SpaceShipTwo
An evening pause: Video of the May 10 test flight of SpaceShipTwo. “Now we can come back from space.”
Tag: engineering
Endeavour has docked with ISS
Endeavour has docked with ISS.
Endeavour has docked with ISS.
Testing beer in zero gravity
Video and images from the zero gravity beer test Plus some results!
Video and images from the zero gravity beer test Plus some results!
Netflix now uses 29.7 percent of the peak internet traffic in North America
Netflix now consumes 29.7 percent of the peak internet traffic in North America.
Netflix now consumes 29.7 percent of the peak internet traffic in North America.
Private citizen commits $25 million for Giant Magellan Telescope
Private citizen has just donated $25 million for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
This is how it used to be done all the time: All the early giant telescopes built in the United States before World War II were financed by individuals or private foundations, with no or little government investment.
Private citizen has just donated $25 million for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
This is how it used to be done all the time: All the early giant telescopes built in the United States before World War II were financed by individuals or private foundations, with no or little government investment.
Replacements for 100 watt incandescent bulbs cost $50 each
The proposed green replacements for the banned 100 watt incandescent bulbs, LEDs, cost $50 each.
The proposed green replacements for the banned 100 watt incandescent bulbs, LEDs, cost $50 each.
How The Year 2000 Was Envisioned in 1910
The first space shuttle launch, April 12, 1981
Apollo 11 launch, July 16, 1969
An evening pause: If all goes well, I will be watching a variation of this live from Florida tomorrow morning. The action really begins at the five minute mark. Also, this particular video gives you the best flavor of what it was like to see the launch live, rather than on film or video.
A review of India’s GSLV rocket puts a hold on its next moon probe
A review of India’s troubled GSLV rocket has put a hold on its next moon probe.
A review of India’s troubled GSLV rocket has put a hold on its next moon probe.
The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse made its maiden international flight on Friday
The solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, made its maiden international flight on Friday.
The solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, made its maiden international flight on Friday.
Boeing’s Takeoff Torture Test for 747
world’s first mobility scooter display team to attempt to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
Members of the world’s first mobility scooter display team, the Red Wheelies, are attempting to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
Members of the world’s first mobility scooter display team, the Red Wheelies, are attempting to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
Refueling the empty tanks of communication satellites
Countdown begins for Monday shuttle launch
The countdown has begun for Monday’s shuttle launch.
If all goes well, I will be there to watch it (albeit from 11 miles away). Right now mission controllers estimate a 70% chance of liftoff, depending on the weather.
The countdown has begun for Monday’s shuttle launch.
If all goes well, I will be there to watch it (albeit from 11 miles away). Right now mission controllers estimate a 70% chance of liftoff, depending on the weather.
Another successful test flight of SpaceShipTwo
Another successful test flight of SpaceShipTwo took place on Tuesday. Via Clark Lindsey.
Another successful test flight of SpaceShipTwo took place on Tuesday. Via Clark Lindsey.
One of Fukushima’s nuclear reactors did suffer a nuclear meltdown
It was revealed today that one of Fukushima’s nuclear reactors did suffer a nuclear meltdown.
As serious as this truly is, please note that the world hasn’t ended. Nor has anyone yet died from this nuclear power plant failure.
It was revealed today that one of Fukushima’s nuclear reactors did suffer a nuclear meltdown.
As serious as this truly is, please note that the world hasn’t ended. Nor has anyone yet died from this nuclear power plant failure.
India designing reusable spacecraft
ISRO, India’s space agency, pushes to get funding for a reusable spacecraft.
ISRO, India’s space agency, pushes to get funding for a reusable spacecraft.
An 8th grade project to build a Rube Goldberg device to turn on a light
An evening pause: An 8th grade project to build a Rube Goldberg device to turn on a light. I like how this video illustrates the difficulty of building such a device.
Dawn Captures First Image of Asteroid Vesta
Dawn captures its first image of the asteroid Vesta as it closes in on a rendezvous set for July 16.
Dawn captures its first image of the asteroid Vesta as it closes in on a rendezvous set for July 16.
Nine Androids You Can Actually Own
After 100 orbits, an overview of Messenger’s survey of Mercury
After 100 orbits, an overview of Messenger’s survey of Mercury.
After 100 orbits, an overview of Messenger’s survey of Mercury.
Judge orders Obama administration to act on offshore drilling permits
A judge has ordered the Obama administration to act on six offshore drilling permits within 30 days.
A judge has ordered the Obama administration to act on six offshore drilling permits within 30 days.
First Soyuz launch from French Guiana set for October
The first Soyuz launch from the European spaceport in French Guiana is now scheduled for October.
The first Soyuz launch from the European spaceport in French Guiana is now scheduled for October.
Final shuttle mission unlikely to fly until mid-July
The delays in launching Endeavour has pushed back the last shuttle mission to mid-July.
The delays in launching Endeavour has pushed back the last shuttle mission to mid-July.
NASA management moves to combine SpaceX’s next two test flights of Dragon
NASA management appears ready to approve combining SpaceX’s next two test flights of the Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket into one test flight. This despite Russian opposition.
NASA management appears ready to approve combining SpaceX’s next two test flights of the Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket into one test flight. This despite Russian opposition.
NASA, Stanford websites hit by search engine scammers
Websites run by NASA, JPL, and Stanford University were hacked by search engine scammers today.
Websites run by NASA, JPL, and Stanford University were hacked by search engine scammers today.
Endeavour’s launch now set for 8:56 am May 16
Endeavour’s last launch is now set for May 16 at 8:56 am.
Endeavour’s last launch is now set for May 16 at 8:56 am.
Shuttle launch slips to at least May 16
The last launch of Endeavour has now slipped to at least May 16.
The last launch of Endeavour has now slipped to at least May 16.
Fifty years ago: Alan Shepard’s suborbital flight
An evening pause: Fifty years ago today, America’s response to Gagarin and the Soviets, Alan Shepard’s suborbital flight.
Or as he said as he lifted off, “The clock has started.”
The flight actually lasted 15 minutes 22 seconds. Though only a fourth the size of Gagarin’s much bigger Vostok capsule, the Mercury capsule was steerable. During the flight Shepard adjusted the capsule’s pitch, roll, and yaw, proving that humans could pilot a spacecraft manually.