Water main break at KSC
Preparations for the next shuttle flight are on hold due to a water main break.
Preparations for the next shuttle flight are on hold due to a water main break.
Tag: spaceflight
Water main break at KSC
Hair dryer scrubs Danish launch
The reason the Danish privately funded suborbital rocket did not launch on Sunday was because the power had accidently been cut off to an ordinary hair dryer, purchased at a Danish supermarket and installed in the rocket to keep the valve from freezing.
The reason the Danish privately funded suborbital rocket did not launch on Sunday was because the power had accidently been cut off to an ordinary hair dryer, purchased at a Danish supermarket and installed in the rocket to keep the valve from freezing.
Ares I first stage test firing
An evening pause: One week ago today the rocket company ATK test fired the first stage solid rocket motor of the Ares I rocket. At the moment, no one knows if this rocket will even be built, as the Obama administration opposes it while Congress argues a variety of options. Regardless, watch this video of the test and you will understand why it is fun ito build rockets.
Award denied cosmonaut
A Russian astronaut has been twice denied a routine but financially important honor after returning from space, and the Russian astronaut corps might strike over it.
A Russian astronaut has been twice denied a routine but financially important honor after returning from space, and the Russian astronaut corps might strike over it.
Danish launch scrubbed
The first test launch of that privately funded Danish suborbital rocket had to be scrubbed on Sunday when a valve jammed.
The first test launch of that privately funded Danish suborbital rocket had to be scrubbed on Sunday when a valve jammed.
Spacewalk on ISS deferred
NASA managers have decided to defer that spacewalk to finish up the work items leftover from the spacewalks to repair the station’s cooling system, leaving the work to the space shuttle astronauts during the upcoming the November shuttle flight.
NASA managers have decided to defer that spacewalk to finish up the work items leftover from the spacewalks to repair the station’s cooling system, leaving the work to the space shuttle astronauts during the upcoming the November shuttle flight.
South Korea in conflict with Russia over rocket
South Korea and Russia fighting over rocket construction.
South Korea and Russia fighting over rocket construction.
Second test of Ares I
The solid rocket first stage of the Ares I rocket successfully completed its second test fire yesterday.
The solid rocket first stage of the Ares I rocket successfully completed its second test fire yesterday.
Chinese rendezvous test?
It appears that the Chinese have successfully maneuvered two unmanned satellites to a rendezvous in space. It is even possible that they might have touched!
It appears that the Chinese have successfully maneuvered two unmanned satellites to a rendezvous in space. It is even possible that they might have touched!
Paper extolling the benefits from interstellar spaceflight
This guy is thinking ahead: a paper extolling the scientific benefits of interstellar space travel (published in a 2009 issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society) was made available today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website. Fun quote from the abstract:
Significant benefits are identified in the fields of interstellar medium studies, stellar astrophysics, planetary science and astrobiology. In the latter three areas the benefits would be considerably enhanced if the interstellar vehicle is able to decelerate from its interstellar cruise velocity to rest relative to the target system. Although this will greatly complicate the mission architecture, and extend the overall travel time, the scientific benefits are such that this option should be considered seriously in future studies.
This guy is thinking ahead: a paper extolling the scientific benefits of interstellar space travel (published in a 2009 issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society) was made available today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website. Fun quote from the abstract:
Significant benefits are identified in the fields of interstellar medium studies, stellar astrophysics, planetary science and astrobiology. In the latter three areas the benefits would be considerably enhanced if the interstellar vehicle is able to decelerate from its interstellar cruise velocity to rest relative to the target system. Although this will greatly complicate the mission architecture, and extend the overall travel time, the scientific benefits are such that this option should be considered seriously in future studies.
SpaceX sets Oct 23 as next Falcon 9 launch date
SpaceX has requested from the launch range Oct 23 as its next Falcon 9 test launch date. In this test they will give their Dragon capsule its first test flight.
SpaceX has requested from the launch range Oct 23 as its next Falcon 9 test launch date. In this test they will give their Dragon capsule its first test flight.
Japan and Europe consider cargo/crew return capabilities
Japan and Europe are both considering an upgrade to their unmanned cargo carriers so that each can also return cargo from ISS.
Japan and Europe are both considering an upgrade to their unmanned cargo carriers so that each can also return cargo from ISS.
Russia to begin construction of new spaceport
The Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reports that all the “i”s have been dotted on the plans to build a new spaceport in the far east of Russia. Construction is set to begin next year.
The Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reports that all the “i”s have been dotted on the plans to build a new spaceport in the far east of Russia. Construction is set to begin next year.
X-37B changes orbit
Amateurs tracking the X-37B military test shuttle have discovered that it has made two orbital maneuvers. Since the Air Force refuses to discuss the flight program, the reasons behind these maneuvers remains unknown.
Amateurs tracking the X-37B military test shuttle have discovered that it has made two orbital maneuvers. Since the Air Force refuses to discuss the flight program, the reasons behind these maneuvers remains unknown.
Danes set to launch private suborbital rocket
Two Danish inventors are about to test fly their own privately financed suborbital rocket, designed to eventually carry humans. Key quote:
It is due to launch from a submarine in the Baltic Sea on August 30th and, if successful, they will repeat it with a human passenger on board as soon as possible.
Two Danish inventors are about to test fly their own privately financed suborbital rocket, designed to eventually carry humans. Key quote:
It is due to launch from a submarine in the Baltic Sea on August 30th and, if successful, they will repeat it with a human passenger on board as soon as possible.
X-37B spotted by amateurs
Not only have amateur skywatchers photographed the X-37B military space plane presently in orbit, they use a smart phone app for tracking satellites and available to all to tell them when to look.
Not only have amateur skywatchers photographed the X-37B military space plane presently in orbit, they use a smart phone app for tracking satellites and available to all to tell them when to look.
Testing of Orion capsule proceeds
Pressure testing NASA’s Orion capsule is about to begin, despite the space war about its future.
Pressure testing NASA’s Orion capsule is about to begin, despite the space war about its future.
More details about SpaceX Dragon drop test
More details about the drop test by SpaceX of its Dragon capsule.
More details about the drop test by SpaceX of its Dragon capsule.
Landing gear collapses on WhiteKnightTwo during test flight
Bad news for space tourism! One of WhiteKnightTwo’s landing gears collapsed as the plane landed at the end of a test flight yesterday. Here’s a statement from Scaled Composites, the builder of the suborbital rocket system.
Bad news for space tourism! One of WhiteKnightTwo’s landing gears collapsed as the plane landed at the end of a test flight yesterday. Here’s a statement from Scaled Composites, the builder of the suborbital rocket system.
Station cooling system up and running
The cooling system on ISS is finally running normally again after the three spacewalks to replace the system’s failed pump.
The cooling system on ISS is finally running normally again after the three spacewalks to replace the system’s failed pump.
Dragon capsule drop test
Take a look at these pictures of the August 12 drop test of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
Take a look at these pictures of the August 12 drop test of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
China’s first unmanned space module assembled
The Chinese have completed assembly of Tiangong 1 (Heavenly Palace), their first space station module due to be launched in 2011.
The Chinese have completed assembly of Tiangong 1 (Heavenly Palace), their first space station module due to be launched in 2011.
Tax breaks for space proposed
Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) is proposing giving tax breaks to space related businesses located in “five regional business enterprise zones.”
Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) is proposing giving tax breaks to space related businesses located in “five regional business enterprise zones.”
Spacewalk update
The spacewalk on ISS is not quite finished, but the astronauts are wrapping up after successfully installing the replacement pump to the cooling system. Ground controllers have tested the system and it appears to be working.
The spacewalk on ISS is not quite finished, but the astronauts are wrapping up after successfully installing the replacement pump to the cooling system. Ground controllers have tested the system and it appears to be working.
More on Boeing’s cargo/crew capsule
Boeing is hoping to do the first test flight of its privately developed cargo/crew capsule by late in 2013.
Boeing is hoping to do the first test flight of its privately developed cargo/crew capsule by late in 2013.
The plans for the next spacewalks on ISS are announced
NASA managers have delayed by one day the next spacewalk to repair ISS’s cooling system. Now set for August 16, this spacewalk will install the new pump. The date of a fourth spacewalk to finish up the work is as yet unscheduled.
NASA managers have delayed by one day the next spacewalk to repair ISS’s cooling system. Now set for August 16, this spacewalk will install the new pump. The date of a fourth spacewalk to finish up the work is as yet unscheduled.
Japanese planning upgrades to HTV
The Japanese are considering upgrades to their unmanned HTV freighter that carries cargo to ISS. The upgrades would allow HTV to return large cargo to Earth, as well as possibly become a manned vehicle.
The Japanese are considering upgrades to their unmanned HTV freighter that carries cargo to ISS. The upgrades would allow HTV to return large cargo to Earth, as well as possibly become a manned vehicle.
Tour of ISS, part 4
An evening pause: Mike Finke’s tour of ISS continues in the Progress freighter, moves through the Zarya functional cargo module into the Zvezda service module at the aft end of the station, showing us a Russian crew cabin and the station’s main bathroom facilities.
ISS tour continues, part 3
An evening pause: Astronaut Mike Finke’s tour of ISS continues, taking us through the Unity module and into the Russian part of the station, showing us the inside of a Soyuz lifeboat, the Zarya functional cargo module, the Piers docking module/airlock, and ending looking into the hatch of a Progress freighter.
Fourth spacewalk anticipated for coolant repairs
With the success of yesterday’s spacewalk, NASA engineers have revamped their remaining spacewalk plans for replacing that failed pump. The third spacewalk has been moved from Sunday to Monday to give everyone more time to prepare, and they are now planning a fourth spacewalk after that to finish things up.
With the success of yesterday’s spacewalk, NASA engineers have revamped their remaining spacewalk plans for replacing that failed pump. The third spacewalk has been moved from Sunday to Monday to give everyone more time to prepare, and they are now planning a fourth spacewalk after that to finish things up.