News and views from the World's Spaceports.

Monthly archives for July, 2011

The Final Space Shuttle STS-135 Atlantis Landing

Jul21
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

Space Shuttle Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center this morning closing out 30 years of Space Shuttle Flights.

We were right on the northern end of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) in a gloomy pre-dawn darkness when we heard the twin sonic booms as the Space Shuttle decelerated and passed the sound barrier.  Immediately after we could hear an eerie whispering, rushing sound as the Space Shuttle started it’s terminal loop.

All this time Atlantis was in the dark and we couldn’t locate it by sound.  So we kept out eyes peeled on the Xenon lights at the end of the runway waiting for the first sighting of Atlantis on her final voyage.

The whispering suddenly became a roar and with no warning Space Shuttle Atlantis appeared out of the gloom into the bright lights illuminating the Shuttle Landing facility.  As she raced down the runway and the wheels touched down a big puff of smoke rose into the sky.

Atlantis was back from her resupply mission to the ISS, closing out 30 years of Space history.  We will never see another Shuttle launch, fly or land again!!!

Farewell Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour.

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , , ,

The Final Space Shuttle Mission Ends Tomorrow

Jul20
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
STS-135 Atlantis the last Space Shuttle

STS-135 Atlantis the last Space Shuttle

Tomorrow will be a bitter sweet day for NASA and the United States space industry.  Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135 is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center at 5:56am EST (10:56am BST).

The landing of Atlantis will bring to a close 30 years of the Space Shuttle program which has seen the Shuttle being used as a heavy lift cargo vehicle, a resupply logistics vehicle, a satellite launching vehicle, and a spacecraft servicing vehicle.  Never in the last 50 years or so in the history of space exploration has there been such a versatile space craft.

The landing of Atlantis will mark a lull in the United States exploration of space with manned spacecraft.  It will also mark the beginning of a new era in development of rockets and spacecraft.  We have a number of commercial companies bidding to become NASA’s space transportation service provider, both on cargo and human rated missions.

NASA has plans to move away from Low Earth Orbit and reach out further into our Solar System.  Whilst this is nothing new, we have the Juno unmanned mission to Jupiter coming up next month, what is new is that NASA are planing to have Spacemen visit the Asteroids and Mars.  To achieve these lofty goals will take time and the development of different spacecraft this will happen over the next few years and despite the sadness of the historic and heroic Space Shuttle Missions we will start to see technology forging ahead once again as we spread our wings and search for far flung destinations and new horizons.

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , ,

Delta IV launches GPS IIF-2 into space

Jul18
2011 1 Comment Written by Mike
Delta IV - GPS 2F-2 all ready to blast off

Delta IV - GPS 2F-2 all ready to blast off

Early Saturday morning a Delta IV rocket carrying the latest GPS satellite blasted off on it’s journey into space.  This was the second of the new block IIF satellites made by Boeing to be launched.  Boeing have been contracted to supply 12 block IIF GPS satellites to replace existing spacecraft which are reaching the end of their operational life.

The launch was the 50th GPS satellite, all of which have been deployed on Delta rockets: 48 on Delta II and now 2 on Delta IV.  The launch originally scheduled for June 28th was delayed 3 times, to July 14th and 15th for technical reasons then again to July 16th because of weather.

Early morning July the 16th broke that chain of delays and the Delta IV and the GPS satellite reached out to space, continuing to replenish the constellation of NAVSTAR GPS navigation satellites pinpointing our location.

The launch video follows the rocket launch for the first 2 minutes of the flight clearly showing the SRB separation.

Our full launch report and image gallery follows: READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS - Tagged , , ,

GPS IIF-2 Launch scrubbed for today. Next attempt Saturday

Jul15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Artist impression of the GPS IIF-2 satellite

Artist impression of the GPS IIF-2 satellite

Whilst we were setting up remote cameras on the SLC-37B pad we were hustled off due to ‘Phase 2 lightning warnings’ on nearby pads 40 and 41. This meant that not only did we have to get to a safe place, but that the Mobile Service Tower could not roll back from the rocket.

This meant that the countdown for launch could not continue and eventually the inability to roll back the Mobile Service Tower resulted in the countdown exceeding the available launch window. This meant that the launch had to be scrubbed for the day.

The Delta IV carrying GPS IIF-2 is now scheduled for Saturday morning between 2:41am to 3:00am.

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS - Tagged , ,

USAF Delay Delta IV Launch for 24 hrs, now set for Friday

Jul14
2011 4 Comments Written by Mike
GPS IIF-2 Launching on top of a Delta IV

GPS IIF-2 Launching on top of a Delta IV

The launch of the Delta IV rocket carrying the second of the new GPS IIF satellites has been delayed for 24 hours. The new launch time is 2:45 to 3:04 Friday morning EDT (7:45 to 8:04 BST).

The delay is to allow last minute checking out of the satellite. There were a number of rumours and speculation flying round NASA’s Kennedy Space Center today, but no firm facts as to the cause of the delay were mentioned.  A later statement said that the delay was for the “GPS spacecraft team time to complete assessment and coordination of satellite readiness to launch”

The official USAF 45th Space Wing press release follows: READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS - Tagged , ,

Best places to watch the Delta IV GPS Launch

Jul12
2011 2 Comments Written by Mike
Delta IV GPS IIF-2 Launch

Delta IV GPS IIF-2 Launch

If you are planning to watch the Delta IV GPS IIF-2 launch on Thursday morning then you will probably find that there will not be too many people joining you and you will be able to get your pick of viewpoints.

There are 2 great locations, SR-401 by the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station  gates and Jetty Park.  Moving further afield just about anywhere on Cocoa Beach will get a good view, but not until the rocket has left the pad.

As the launch is in the middle of the night Jetty Park is likely to be shut so that really only leaves the option of the SR-401.  This is about 8 miles from Launch Pad 37B and has a full unobstructed view of the rocket over the waters of the Banana River.

There are no facilities at all here, but plenty of parking so come prepared. I have spent many a day sitting around getting a tan waiting for a launch from here.

Click here for a detailed Google map.

All this information and more is available from our iPhone KSC Launch Pad App. Click here for more details.

 

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS - Tagged , , ,

USAF to Launch a Delta IV with GPS IIF-2 on Thursday

Jul12
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
GPS IIF-2 Launching on top of a Delta IV

GPS IIF-2 Launching on top of a Delta IV

A GPS satellite is to be launched into orbit early thursday morning from Cape Canaveral Airforce Station in Florida.  This will be the GPS IIF-2 satellite the second in a new family of GPS spacecraft which are designed to increase GPS signal accuracy, provide more robust signals for Civilian and Commercial Aviation and improve the military signals to provide better resistance to jamming.

The GPS IIF-2 satellite is scheduled to blast off at 6:49 GMT ( 2:49am EST or 7:49am UK time).  PocketGPSWorld.com will be at Cape Canaveral to cover the launch. The launch window is 18 minutes allowing the rocket to lift off at any time between 6:49 and 7:08 GMT.  The exact launch time will be determined on the day and may be affected by a number of things such as the weather, or technical issues.

Florida has entered the tropical summer weather pattern now where there is a build up of cloud throughout the day resulting in some interesting thunder storms mid to late afternoon, then the weather settles down again.  The forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday morning is favourable: partly cloudy (50% reducing to 30% overnight) with a 30% chance of rain.

READ MORE »

Posted in Cape Canaveral AFS, Delta IV, GPS - Tagged , , ,

NASA’s newest Astronaut Elmo from Sesame St Interviewed.

Jul10
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

If you were around the Press Site either as one of the 2,500 media representatives or the 150 Tweeps from the #NASATweetup you will have seen a large number of astronauts hanging out and being interviewed.  Our friend Lon Seidman from CTTechJunkie managed to get the prize interview, NASA’s newest recruit Elmo from Sesame Street.

Head on over to CTTechJunkie‘s site for more info.

Posted in Space - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

The Final Shuttle: STS-135 Atlantis launch video from the launch pad

Jul09
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

Just 200 yards from Atlantis our camera captures the launch of the final Space Shuttle from a unusual and unique vantage point.  The video starts at T-10 just before the sparklers start and the main engines ignite.

As soon as the rocket lifts off the camera is partially obscured by some flying debris.  As we follow the Rocket into the sky the steam and exhaust clouds start to close in on us, shortly after you can see lots of particular matter flying around including water droplets from the deluge sound suppression system.

Slowly the exhaust clouds begin to clear and we start to see the plume drifting eastbound towards the ocean revealing the Fixed and Rotating Service Structures and the launch pad.  Towards the end of the video you can see the shadow cast by Atlantis as it climbs to orbit after punching a hole through the clouds.

The camera we used was a MiniDVR III and was supplied DogCam in the UK.  Thanks also to Lee Heath of Heath’s RC Models for the Traxx connectors we used to power the cameras.

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135 Still on-track despite the weather

Jul08
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
STS-135 Atlantis the last Space Shuttle

STS-135 Atlantis the last Space Shuttle

With six hours to go before the launch of the final Space Shuttle we are well into the countdown the clock is ticking down at T-3:13:13 and counting.  There are no issues being worked, and the only problem is the weather, this remains at 70% no-go.

Of course 70% no-go means 30% likelihood of favourble conditions at launch time. I have seen launches when there was a 90% no-go and the weather opened up just at the right time.

We are currently monitoring things the cloud coverage is still very heavy, but there are occasional breaks when stars can be seen twinkling in Space.

At 3:30am the rain had stopped as we left Titusville headed out on the 17 mile trip to the Kennedy Space Center, and amazingly the traffic was quite light as we drove in.  Returning from the press site at 9:30 last night driving up Highway 1 S. Washington Ave there was little space left on the roadside for cars, but still lots of parking available over the other side of the street.

READ MORE »

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , , ,

The final Space Shuttle Payload Installation: Atlantis STS-135

Jul02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Payload canister in the RSS on launch pad 39A where Space Shuttle Atlantis is being prepared for launch.

Payload canister in the RSS on launch pad 39A where Space Shuttle Atlantis is being prepared for launch.

With the MPLM fully loaded it is time to move it to the launch pad for installation in the Payload Bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis. The move from the Operations and Checkout Building to launch pad 39-A must be done in clean-room conditions. To achieve this the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is installed into the Payload Canister which sits on top of the Payload Transporter.

The first thing that you will notice about the Payload transporter is the two large red pipes. These are expandable air conditioning tubes to keep the payload at the correct temperature and humidity during the transport to and installation whilst at the launch pad. Once the payload has been secured in the payload canister it is ready to move out to the launch pad.

Before the payload transporter can start to move the Launch Pad needs to be ready to accept the Payload Canister. This means that the Removable Service Structure (RSS) needs to be retracted so that the canister can be hoisted from its horizontal aspect to vertical where it fits into the RSS to be ultimately installed in the shuttle Payload Bay.

Details of the Space Shuttle Payload Installation and picture gallery follow:
READ MORE »

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , , , ,

The final Space Shuttle Payloads: Atlantis, STS-135

Jul02
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
MPLM Raffaello being packed with supplies

MPLM Raffaello being packed with supplies

Now that Space Shuttle Atlantis is secured on the launch pad it is time to concentrate on the payload. For STS-135 the payload is mainly supplies. With the termination of the Space Shuttle program and the COTS program still in prototype there is a reliance on the Russian and Japanese programs to re-supply the International Space Station.

This time the main payload is the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello which is packed to the brim with all manner of supplies to enable the ISS to self sufficient for a year. It is expected that the SpaceX Dragon re-supply capsule will become operational well within that time limit.

The mission also will fly the Robotic Refuelling Mission (RRM), an experiment designed to demonstrate and test the tools, technologies and techniques needed to robotically refuel satellites in space, even satellites not designed to be serviced. The objective being to extend the life of some of the ageing spacecraft, and of course, gather knowledge for later in-flight refuelling of manned spacecraft.

Payload details and image gallery follow:
READ MORE »

Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-135 Atlantis - Tagged , , , , , , ,

AmericaSpace Mission Tracker

Next Launch GPS IIF-4 on a Alas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFB, FL scheduled for 15 May 13 21:38:00 GMT

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  • NASA regains the capability to transport supplies and equipment to and from the ISS thanks to SpaceX
    http://t.co/AZWPTqM1
  • Today sees the launch of the 1st Commercial ISS resupply mission with a Falcon 9 / Dragon Capsule launch
    http://t.co/LNLf1pFK
  • A day in the life of the European Southern Observatory starting now at
    http://t.co/54rQi14S
  • The second stage has shut down for a second time placing the GPS IIF-3 Satellite into a third coast phase lasting for about 3 hours.

Photo of the day

STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 10.jpg
STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 10.jpg

KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

iPhone App: KSC Launch Pad now available!

NOW ONLY $0.99 / £0.59

Are you visiting Kennedy Space Center? Do you want to see a rocket launch?

If so then KSC Launch Pad is the only app you will need. Using local knowledge it shows you the best places to watch from and identifies all the major points of interest in and arround Kennedy Space Center.

Available now from the Apple AppStore. Click here for more details...

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