Many folks would like to see us back on the Moon and developing its resources.

Showing posts with label shuttle launch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shuttle launch. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Shuttle Endeavour launches - Bolden Confirmed as NASA Administer - Apollo 11 Conversations Earth Didn't Hear - listen

A busy day that took me away from my folding animals - Origami
http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami.html

The Shuttle Endeavour finally launched after six tries, so the ISS should soon be complete and we can start planning to de-orbit it in 2016.
http://www.nasawatch.com/archives/2006/10/iss_retirement.html
http://www.nasawatch.com/archives/2007/09/russian_space_a.html
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/15/de-orbit-the-iss-in-2016-dont-bet-on-it/

Hmmm, Shuttles to be decommissioned in 2010 and no replacement until 2015-16.
Ooops - What did you say you were going to use the replacement for?
- LRK -

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_09-160_STS-127_Launches.html
Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

July 15, 2009

RELEASE : 09-160
NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Launches to Complete Japanese Module

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-member crew launched at 6:03 p.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will deliver the final segment to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and a new crew member to the International Space Station.

Endeavour's 16-day mission includes five spacewalks and the installation of two platforms outside the Japanese module. One platform is permanent and will allow experiments to be directly exposed to space. The other is an experiment storage pallet that will be detached and returned with the shuttle. During the mission, Kibo's robotic arm will transfer three experiments from the pallet to the exposed platform. Future experiments also can be moved to the platform from the inside of the station using the laboratory's airlock.

Shortly before liftoff, Commander Mark Polansky thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible.

"Endeavour has patiently waited for this," said Polansky. "We're ready to go, and we're going to take all of you with us on a great mission."

snip
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well we now have a new NASA Administrator, Charles Frank Bolden, Jr.
Wonder where he will lead NASA and whether his marching orders include developing the resources on the Moon.
Would be nice to have an ISS in an equatorial orbit and assisting in building space tugs.
- LRK -

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_09-165_Bolden_and_Garver.html
Michael Cabbage
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
mcabbage@nasa.gov

July 15, 2009

RELEASE : 09-165
Bolden and Garver Confirmed by U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON -- Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as the twelfth administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lori Beth Garver was confirmed as NASA's deputy administrator.

As administrator, Bolden will lead the NASA team and manage its resources to advance the agency's missions and goals.
snip
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you remember those Apollo missions 40 years ago?
Did you listen to the mission conversations or were the news sound bites just too short?
http://www.apolloarchive.com/apollo_archive.html

Remember back in 2001 when Glen Swanson was at JSC and getting the Apollo air-to-ground transmission transcripts turned into PDF files and put on a CD collection? It was interesting checking the Apollo 13 transcript and trying not to spend time reading them. Did you get the CD set?
http://www.ehartwell.com/Apollo17/MissionTranscriptCollection.htm
http://www.ehartwell.com/Apollo17/AS17-CMP-Transcripts.htm
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/mission_trans/mission_transcripts.htm

Glen was working on getting the audio copied to mp3 files and then his contract wasn't renewed.
Time has passed and I have been out of the loop. Maybe the work continued.
- LRK -

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_M09-131_Apollo_voice_tapes.html
John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov

James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov

July 15, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY : M09-131
Apollo 11 Conversations Earth Didn't Hear Now Online at Nasa.Gov

HOUSTON -- You're in a spacecraft, on a mission to land on the moon for the first time in history, and the microphone to Earth is off. What do you say?

Now you can listen in on a NASA Web site and find out.

As Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins flew on Apollo 11 to a lunar landing in July 1969, the world heard communications between the crew and Mission Control live as they happened. But Earth did not hear the private conversations between Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, although they were recorded aboard the Command Module Columbia and Lunar Module Eagle.

Those conversations now are available on the Internet. All the Apollo spacecraft had onboard voice recorders, activated during much of each mission to record the crew's conversations. The transcripts of those recordings were publicly released in the mid-1970s. Only recently were the actual onboard audio recordings from Apollo 11 digitized and made available on the Web.

To listen to the recordings and view the transcript, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/apollo11_audio.html

For more information about the history of onboard recorders on the Apollo spacecraft and full transcripts of all mission recordings, visit:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/mission_trans/apollo11.htm

For a detailed list of NASA events that celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/apollo40th

snip
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lrkellogg
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html
Apollo 40th Anniversary

snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/apollo11_audio.html
Apollo 11 Onboard Audio

snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Sunday, March 15, 2009

NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY LAUNCHES TO FULLY POWER SPACE STATION

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/mar/HQ_09-060_Discovery_launches.html

See copy below. - LRK -

--------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
STS-119 Latest News
Discovery in Orbit
Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:19:13 PM PDT
Space shuttle Discovery launched on-time at 7:43 p.m. EDT and NASA flight managers confirmed main engine cutoff. The shuttle has reached orbit, flying at 17,500 miles per hour.
snip

--------------------------------------------------------------

Watched the launch on NASA web TV and on MSNBC cable TV.
Cable TV was about 40 seconds ahead of my computer viewing.

You can read about the the STS-119 mission here.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts119/119_overview.html
STS-119: A Final Station Power Up

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/mar/HQ_09-060_Discovery_launches.html

March 15, 2009

John Yembrick Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0602 john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov
Candrea Thomas Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 09-060

NASA'S SHUTTLE DISCOVERY LAUNCHES TO FULLY POWER SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:43 p.m. EDT Sunday to deliver the final set of power-generating solar array wings and a new crew member to the International Space Station.

Discovery's STS-119 flight is carrying the space station's fourth and final set of solar array wings, completing the station's truss, or backbone. The arrays will provide the electricity to fully power science experiments and support the station's expanded crew of six in May. The 13-day mission will feature three spacewalks to help install the S6 truss segment to the starboard, or right, side of the station and deploy its solar arrays. The flight also will replace a failed unit for a system that converts urine to potable water.

Shortly before launch, Commander Lee Archambault thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible.

"It's truly an honor to be part of this team representing NASA, the nation and the international partners," Archambault said. "See you in a couple of weeks."

Archambault is joined on STS-119 by Pilot Tony Antonelli and Mission Specialists Joseph Acaba, Steve Swanson, Richard Arnold, John Phillips and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata. Wakata will replace space station crew member Sandra Magnus, who has been aboard the station for more than four months. He will return to Earth during the next station shuttle mission, STS-127, targeted to launch in June 2009.

Former science teachers Acaba and Arnold are now fully-trained NASA astronauts. They are making their first journey to orbit on the mission and will to step outside the station to conduct critical spacewalking tasks.

Discovery's launch was postponed Wednesday, March 11, after a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system was detected during fueling. Technicians rebuilt and replaced seals and other components associated with the system. No leaks were detected during the Sunday's fueling.

NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of Discovery's mission, which is the 125th shuttle flight, the 36th for Discovery and the 28th shuttle mission to the station. NASA Television features live mission events, daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. NASA TV is webcast at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA's Web coverage of STS-119 includes current mission information, interactive features, news conference images, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site at: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Live updates to the NASA News Twitter feed will be added throughout the shuttle mission and landing. To access the NASA News Twitter feed and other agency Twitter feeds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/collaborate

Daily news conferences with STS-119 mission managers will take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. During normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, reporters may ask questions from participating NASA locations. Please contact your preferred NASA facility by its daily close of business to confirm its availability before each event.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Johnson will operate a telephone bridge for media briefings that occur outside of normal business hours. To be eligible to use this service, reporters must possess a valid media credential issued by a NASA center or for the STS-119 mission. Media planning to use the service must contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of a briefing in which they wish to participate. Newsroom personnel will verify their credentials and transfer them to the phone bridge. The capacity of the phone bridge is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For information about the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station
-end-
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Are You Watching? - STS 122 launch preparations


http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
STS 122 about to launch.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html
Shuttle Mission TV Schedule
NASA TELEVISION SCHEDULE
STS-122 / 1E
Columbus European Laboratory Module
02/01/08


STS-122 FUELING COVERAGE BEGINS KSC 4:15 AM 5:15 AM 10:15
ISS PROGRESS 28 DOCKING COVERAGE JSC 8:15 AM 9:15 AM 14:15
STS-122 LAUNCH COVERAGE BEGINS KSC 8:45 AM 9:45 AM 14:45

SUBJECT SITE MET CST EST GMT
LAUNCH KSC 00/ 00:00 01:45 PM 02:45 PM 19:45
MECO 00/ 00:08 01:53 PM 02:53 PM 19:53

Snip
==============================================================
THE DAY IN SPACE
__________________

In today's space news from SpaceRef:

-- STS-122 Launch Day Dawns, Tanking Complete
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.nl.html?pid=26936

"Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. EST, which is the middle of the 10-minute launch window. The
timing is precise so Atlantis can catch up and dock with the International Space Station.
Forecasters expect a cold front to move over Kennedy around launch time, bringing with it
clouds and storms, resulting in only a 30-percent chance of good weather for liftoff. Further,
there is a possibility that the front may stall over Central Florida, providing only slightly better
chances for acceptable weather for launch attempts on Friday or Saturday."

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to ISS new target date January 02, 2008

Well the shuttle was scheduled to lift off at 4:31 p.m. EST on Thursday
to begin mission STS-122.
That didn't happen because of a failure of two Engine Cutoff (ECO) low
level sensors for the liquid Hydrogen in the external tank during filling.

Rescheduled for today, December 9, 2007, which is now a no go as well as
one of the ECO sensors gave a false reading.
Launch now put off until no earlier than January 2, 2008.

The liftoff date depends on the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor
system.
See NASA press release below.
- LRK -

More Shuttle info:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/shuttle_station/index.html

Closer to home, what do you do when your engine warning sensor light
comes on?
Something not up to specs, maybe a problem, can you get home before you
start making smog or it stalls?
What can you do until it is more convenient to take it to the garage?
Decisions, what is safe?

When you go to the Moon, what warning sensors will you need?
Do you have enough water?
Do you have enough Oxygen for breathing?
Do you have enough atmospheric pressure to do your breathing?
Is the temperature within limits?
How much radiation exposure?

Then what do you do if any are outside of norms?
Do you adjust the norms?
Decisions, what is safe, what can you get by with?

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================


NASA Targets Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch on Jan. 2
<http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/dec/HQ_07273_January_launch.html>

*12.09.07* - Space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the ISS now is
targeted to launch no earlier than Jan. 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/dec/HQ_07273_January_launch.html

Dec. 9, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 07-273

NASA TARGETS SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS LAUNCH ON JAN. 2

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the
International Space Station now is targeted to launch no earlier than
Jan. 2 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The liftoff date depends on
the resolution of a problem in a fuel sensor system.

Early Sunday, one of the four engine cutoff, or ECO, sensors inside
the liquid hydrogen section of Atlantis' external fuel tank gave a
false reading while the tank was being filled. NASA's current Launch
Commit Criteria require that all four sensors function properly.

The sensor system is one of several that protect the shuttle's main
engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low.
Atlantis' scheduled launch on Thursday, Dec. 6, was delayed after two
liquid hydrogen ECO sensors gave false readings.

The main objective of Atlantis' 11-day mission is to install and
activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will
provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety
of life, physical and materials science experiments.

For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and the ECO
sensor system, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-


Snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
snip
*Media Resources*
� STS-122 Press Kit
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/203212main_sts122_presskit3.pdf> (15 Mb PDF)
� STS-122 Fact Sheet
<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/203203main_STS122Fact%20Sheet.pdf> (7.6 Mb PDF)
� STS-122 TV Schedule
<http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html>
� ECO Sensor's Morning Press Briefing
<http://mfile.akamai.com/18565/rm/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/real.nas
a-global/ksc/ksc_120607_sts122_scrub.ram
>
(Real Player Video)

*Engine Cutoff (ECO) sensors graphics:*
� LH_2 ECO Sensor Locations
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122488main_ECO_sensors.jpg>
� Overall Schematic of ECO and Liquid Level (Point) Sensors
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122586main_ECO_charts1.JPG>
� Orbiter Avionics Bays
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122587main_ECO_charts2.JPG>
� Orbiter Aft Avionics Bays
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122588main_ECO_charts3.JPG>
� Functional Block Diagram of Point Sensor Box
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122589main_ECO_charts4.JPG>
� Exploded View of Point Sensor Box
<http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122590main_ECO_charts5.JPG>

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts,
pictures and videos will highlight NASA's Web coverage of space
shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station.
For continuous online updates visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The shuttle is scheduled to lift off at 4:31 p.m. EST on Thursday to
begin mission STS-122.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking-old.html
December 3, Monday
6:30 a.m. - STS-122 B-Roll Video Feed - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
7 - 9 a.m. - Live Interviews with STS-122 Lead Space Station Flight
Director Sally Davis - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
9:35 a.m. - ISS Expedition 16 Interview with WJMK Radio Chicago and WGN
Radio Chicago - JSC (Public and Media Channel)

December 4, Tuesday
11:25 a.m. - ISS Expedition 16 Interview with Chicago Sun Times (within
ISS Commentary Hour) - JSC (Public and Media Channel)

December 26, Wednesday
3 a.m. - ISS Progress 27 Docking to ISS Coverage (docking scheduled at
3:26 a.m.) - JSC (Public and Media Channels)
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, take note:

NASA SCHEDULES AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION MEETING MEDIA EVENTS
Monday, Dec. 10, through Friday, Dec. 14
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/agu2007.html

And for overhead - The best meteor shower of 2007 peaks on Friday,
December 14th.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/03dec_asteroidshower.htm?list965414
snip
"It's the Geminid meteor shower," says NASA astronomer Bill Cooke of the
Marshall Space Flight Center. "Start watching on Thursday evening, Dec.
13th, around 10 pm local time," he advises. "At first you might not see
very many meteors�but be patient. The show really heats up after
midnight and by dawn on Friday, Dec. 14th, there could be dozens of
bright meteors per hour streaking across the sky."
snip
----------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Moon you won't see those streaks of light in the sky but they
might punch a hole in your pup tent. :-)
- LRK -

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
Dec. 3, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

Jeanne Ryba
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
jeanne.m.ryba@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-173

NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts,
pictures and videos will highlight NASA's Web coverage of space
shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station.
For continuous online updates visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

A live webcast featuring NASA astronaut Robert Satcher will start the
in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. EST on Dec. 5.

A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before
Atlantis is scheduled to lift off on Dec. 6 at 4:31 p.m. EST.
Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the blog is the
definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch.

During the 11-day mission, Atlantis' crew of seven astronauts will
deliver the European Space Agency's new Columbus laboratory, setting
the stage for expanded science capabilities on the orbiting outpost.
Visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's
progress and watch the spacewalks live from the space station.

As Atlantis' flight wraps up, NASA will offer a blog detailing the
spacecraft's return to Earth.

-end-

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov

Snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/agu2007.html

Dec. 4, 2007

Tabatha Thompson
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3895
tabatha.thompson-1@nasa.gov

Steve Cole/Kathryn Hansen
AGU Press Room, San Francisco
415-348-4440
stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-174

NASA SCHEDULES AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION MEETING MEDIA EVENTS

SAN FRANCISCO - NASA researchers will present new findings to the
media on a wide range of Earth and space science topics during the
2007 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). The AGU
meeting runs Monday, Dec. 10, through Friday, Dec. 14, at the Moscone
Convention Center in San Francisco. All press briefings will take
place in the AGU Press Room, Room 2010 of Moscone West at 747 Howard
Street, at the intersection with 4th Street.

In addition to several press briefings highlighting results from NASA
scientists, researchers also will present noteworthy findings during
a variety of scientific sessions that are open to registered media.

For a full listing of NASA media events and detailed information on
how media may participate, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/agu2007.html


-end-

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov

Snip
==============================================================
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/03dec_asteroidshower.htm?list965414
NASA Science News for December 3, 2007

Mark your calendar: The best meteor shower of 2007 peaks on Friday,
December 14th.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/03dec_asteroidshower.htm?list965414

Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!
<http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml%21>

Snip
==============================================================
http://www.thespacereview.com/index.html

Welcome to this week's issue of The Space Review:

Aerospaceplanes and space solar power
---
A key obstacle to space-based solar power is the low-cost access to
space needed to make any such project economically feasible. Mike
Snead argues that the basic technology needed for such
"aerospaceplanes" exists today.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1016/1

The spooks and the Sputniks
---
For all the criticism of their missteps, the CIA did a good job of
analyzing the Soviet space program during the Cold War. Dwayne Day
examines one historical document that provides an overview of how the
agency viewed the Soviet space efforts a decade after the launch of
Sputnik.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1015/1

China and India want to play
---
Some recent reports have suggested that China and India are looking
for ways to cooperate with the US and other nations in human
spaceflight, including the ISS. Eric Hedman explores the ways such
cooperation, despite various political pitfalls, could be beneficial
for all involved.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1014/1

Robert Goddard and the "colonial cringe"
---
When Robert Goddard proposed some of his rocketry concepts, he was
derided by many of his fellow Americans. Taylor Dinerman writes how
this reaction was typical of an era when many Americans deemed their
own art and science inferior to Europe.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1013/1

How to beat the ban of humans on Mars
---
Congress is considering an appropriations bill for NASA that, in one
form, includes a prohibition on work related to the human exploration
of Mars. Michael Huang suggests some ways around that measure should
it become law.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1012/1

Review: Space Is the Place
---
The concept of "space art" to many is limited to illustrations of
distant planets and galaxies. Jeff Foust reviews an exhibition of
alternative space art that goes in very different -- if not bizarre
-- directions.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1011/1

Snip


==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Thursday, October 18, 2007

NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

In reading about writing science fiction I am told that the Dialogue is
supposed to help present the theme and to contribute to the suspense or
stress that is needed to interest the reader. How to interest you?

Move that story forward, the shuttle to launch to the ISS October 23
with some known cracks. Risk is acceptable. What will really happen?
Tune in next week.
- LRK -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ft-071012-sts120-shuttledate.html

CAPE CANAVERAL � In an engineering showdown next week, shuttle managers
will recommend launching Discovery on Oct. 23 despite concerns raised by
an independent safety group about tiny cracks in critical wing panels.

NASA shuttle chief Wayne Hale will tell agency leaders that the defects
are too small to allow hot gases to burn through the composite carbon
covers and destroy the spaceship during atmospheric re-entry.

And he'll note that new testing techniques developed after the 2003
Columbia accident show the cracks have not grown despite repeated
exposure to re-entry temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

"As it stands right now, based on the discussions and the detail that
Wayne Hale heard yesterday, he said the risk as laid out is acceptable
to proceed with the launch," Kyle Herring, a spokesman for NASA's
Johnson Space Center, said Thursday.

snip
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---

Just like in the Saturday Matinee
<http://heroesofthesaturdaymatinee.com/> of old, often you were left
with some pending disaster and you wouldn't know if the hero would save
the heroine unless you came back next week. The story of shuttle cracks,
creaks, and groans goes on. Will it make it to the ISS in one piece?
Tune in for the live web cast and see for yourself.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

When we start sending astronauts back to the Moon the suspense will be
there too.
A new rocket, new space capsule, new crew, new launch pads, new
controllers, tune in,
well in a year or two if we are still funding this thriller.

We will be funding this thriller, won't we!

Will there be a women in the lunar crew?

Thanks for looking up with me.
- LRK -

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
==============================================================
NASA Announces Web Coverage of Next Space Shuttle Mission
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/oct/HQ_M071039_STS-120_Web_Coverage.html

Oct. 18, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

Jeanne Ryba
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
jeanne.m.ryba@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-139

NASA ANNOUNCES WEB COVERAGE OF NEXT SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A prelaunch webcast, live blogs, podcasts,
pictures and videos highlight NASA's Internet coverage of space
shuttle Discovery's STS-120 mission to the International Space
Station. Discovery is scheduled to lift off on Oct. 23 at 11:38 a.m.
EDT. NASA will provide continuous online updates at:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

A live webcast featuring STS-112 astronaut Sandra Magnus will start
the in-depth coverage of the mission at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct.
22.

A blog will update the countdown beginning about six hours before
Discovery's launch. Originating from NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
Fla., the blog is the definitive Internet source for prelaunch
information.

During the 14-day mission, Discovery's seven astronauts will add a
module called Harmony to the International Space Station. The
Italian-built segment will become a connecting point for future
laboratories built by the European and Japanese space agencies.
Discovery's crew includes astronaut Daniel Tani, who will move into
the orbiting laboratory as part of the Expedition 16 crew. He will
replace Clayton Anderson, who launched to the station in June and
will return to Earth aboard Discovery. Tani will live and work on the
station until returning to Earth aboard space shuttle Atlantis on the
STS-122 mission, targeted to launch Dec. 6. Visitors to NASA's
shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the
spacewalks live from the space station.

As Discovery's flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the
spacecraft's return to Earth.

-end-

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
hqnews-subscribe@mediaservices.nasa.gov

Snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html
Space Shuttle Crew Arrives Friday
As preparations for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission
STS-120 enter the final days, Discovery at the launch pad. the
astronauts are due to arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida
midday on Friday. The countdown will begin at 2 p.m. EDT on Saturday,
starting at the T-43 hour mark.
Snip
==============================================================
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts120/index.html
STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station,
and will launch an Italian-built U.S. multi-port module for the station.

Retired Air Force Col. Pamela A. Melroy will command the STS-120 mission
to take the Node 2 connecting module to the station. Melroy, a veteran
shuttle pilot, is the second woman to command a shuttle. Marine Corps
Col. George D. Zamka will serve as pilot. The flight's mission
specialists will be Scott E. Parazynski, Army Col. Douglas H. Wheelock,
Stephanie D. Wilson and Paolo A. Nespoli, a European Space Agency
astronaut from Italy. Zamka, Wheelock and Nespoli will be making their
first spaceflight.

Expedition 15/16 Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson will return to Earth
from the space station aboard shuttle mission STS-120. That flight will
carry his replacement, Daniel Tani, to the station. Tani will return on
shuttle mission STS-122.

Snip
==============================================================
NASA Sets Space Shuttle Discovery Prelaunch Events
Oct. 18, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-140

NASA SETS SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY PRELAUNCH EVENTS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours
for NASA's Kennedy Space Center News Center are set for the upcoming
launch of space shuttle Discovery. The STS-120 mission to the
International Space Station is set to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on
Oct. 23.

On Friday, Oct. 19, the seven Discovery crew members are scheduled to
arrive at the Kennedy Space Center at 12:30 p.m. Badged media
planning to cover the event must be at Kennedy's News Center by 11
a.m. for transportation to the Shuttle Landing Facility. Commander
Pam Melroy will make a brief statement to media. NASA Television will
provide live coverage.

NASA TV also will broadcast live countdown status briefings and news
conferences Oct. 20-22. Complete listings of news briefing times and
participants as well as hours of operation for the Kennedy News
Center and media credentialing office are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/index.html

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For the latest information about the STS-120 crew and mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


-end-

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

NASA Supports Train-Derailment Recovery in Alabama


What with a 3 month old grand daughter in the house I have been
distracted and off the computer of late.

Kendall Johnson sent me a note about a train derailment carrying parts
of the solid rocket boosters for the space shuttle.

Appreciate you folks keeping me awake to what is happening.

Thanks Kendall.
- LRK -

==============================================================
On 5/2/07, Kendall Johnson wrote:
Hey Larry

Didn't know if you'd heard about this yet.
Wanted to give you a "heads-up" if you haven't.

Kendall

_____________________[snip]______________________________

DEMOPOLIS, Alabama. -- NASA has sent teams to the scene of a train
derailment in Alabama where a freight train carrying parts of the solid
rocket boosters for the space shuttle left the tracks.

The derailment occurred after a bridge collapsed at about 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday. Six people were reported hurt.

The equipment was on its way to Florida. There were eight separate
motors on
the train, which had 14 or 15 cars devoted to the NASA shipment.

Each motor weighs about 300,000 pounds.

Snip
http://www.wapt.com/news/13244492/detail.html
==============================================================

Out here in the San Francisco Bay area we had a gasoline tanker flip,
catch fire, explode, and meltdown a freeway connector ramp.
- LRK -

==============================================================
http://www.nbc11.com/news/13217764/detail.html
Tanker Explosion Causes Bay Bridge Maze Collapse
Two connector ramps of the Bay Bridge MacArthur Maze (map)
<http://www.nbc11.com/news/13217764/detail.html#>, located near
Emeryville, collapsed Sunday morning after an explosion and fire.

Heat from the fire, which reached temperatures estimated at up to 2,000
degrees Fahrenheit, caused the metal bolts and girders on the highway
connector ramp above to melt. The overpass then gave way and collapsed.

The tanker truck driver was driving from westbound Interstate 80 to
southbound Interstate 880.
Snip
==============================================================

A bridge collapses and a train tips over. A truck tips over, and a
connector ramp collapses.

Hauling materials on Earth can be tricky.

Hauling materials to the Moon will have risks as well.

One will need to be prepared for the unexpected.

Ramps being repaired, train accident being investigated, life goes on.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

==============================================================
If I would read all my e-mails I would have seen that NASA News reported
the accident as well.
- LRK -
--------------------------------------------------------------
-
NASA Supports Train-Derailment Recovery in Alabama
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/may/HQ_07097_Train_Derailment.html

May 2, 2007

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749

Kyle Herring
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-97

NASA SUPPORTS TRAIN-DERAILMENT RECOVERY IN ALABAMA

WASHINGTON - Officials from NASA and ATK Launch Systems, Edina, Minn.,
are assisting the Federal Railroad Administration during its
investigation of a train derailment Wednesday morning near
Pennington, Ala. The train was carrying space shuttle reusable solid
rocket motor segments from the ATK Launch Systems manufacturing site
in Brigham City, Utah, to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

"Several members of the NASA family were injured in this serious
accident. Today our prayers are for those who have been injured and
their families. Our employees work in hazardous jobs every day, and
it is our goal to keep them safe," said NASA's Space Shuttle Program
Manager Wayne Hale.

The special train carrying only solid rocket motor segments and a
passenger car to monitor their transportation was crossing a bridge
or a trestle, which collapsed under the locomotives. Six people were
injured when the two locomotives and the passenger car dropped about
10 feet and turned on their sides.

One of the cars carrying a solid rocket motor segment is also on its
side. The remaining cars containing seven solid rocket motor segments
and two aft exit cone segments are upright.

The hardware was intended for use on shuttle Discovery's STS-120
mission in October and shuttle Atlantis's STS-122 mission in
December. These segments are interchangeable, and ATK Launch Systems
has replacement units that could be used for the shuttle flights, if
necessary.

Each segment weighs approximately 300,000 lbs. and is protected by a
white or yellow colored fiberglass cover during shipment. The
condition of the rocket motor segments will be assessed as soon as
teams conduct a full inspection. Solid Rocket Motor segments have
been transported across country by rail for more than 26 years with
an excellent record of safe transportation. For information about the
Space Shuttle Program, visit:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

-end-

Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

NASA Targets June Launch for Space Shuttle Atlantis

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

04.10.07 - 7:45 p.m. EST
NASA is targeting June 8 as the next possible launch opportunity for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-117 mission to the International Space Station.

Tuesday’s decision by agency management followed a meeting that reviewed the progress in repairing insulating foam on the shuttle’s external fuel tank, which was damaged during a sudden hail storm Feb. 26 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla. That damage required engineers to repair approximately 2,660 sites on the tank.
Snip
==============================================================

I hope no more ice storms.

I wonder what it will be like when you start making routine trips to the Moon.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

==============================================================
April 10, 2007

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769

Kyle Herring
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111

RELEASE: 07-83

NASA TARGETS JUNE LAUNCH FOR SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

WASHINGTON - NASA is targeting June 8 as the next possible launch
opportunity for space shuttle Atlantis' STS-117 mission to the
International Space Station.

Tuesday's decision by agency management followed a meeting that
reviewed the progress in repairing insulating foam on the shuttle's
external fuel tank, which was damaged during a sudden hail storm Feb.
26 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. That damage required
engineers to repair approximately 2,660 sites on the tank.

The meeting also included an assessment of using the repaired external
tank for the STS-117 mission versus swapping to one that arrived last
week from the manufacturing plant in New Orleans. Managers decided to
finish repairs to Atlantis' current tank and use it for STS-117. The
tank that arrived Friday will be prepared for space shuttle
Endeavour's STS-118 mission to the space station and now is targeted
for launch in August.

"The workforce has done an amazing job of assessing and repairing the
tank so far, but the sheer volume of repairs dictates moving the
launch target to June," said Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne
Hale.

June 8 is the opening of the next available launch window for Atlantis
to go to the station. STS-117 Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Lee
Archambault and mission specialists Jim Reilly, Patrick Forrester,
Steven Swanson and John "Danny" Olivas will continue training at
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. During the 11-day mission, the
astronauts will work with the station crew and ground teams to
install a new, girder-like truss segment, unfold a new set of solar
arrays and retract one array on the starboard side of the station.

For more information about the STS-117 crew and mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle


-end-


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Snip
==============================================================

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================