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Posts in category Mars Science Laboratory

Building the Mars Science Laboratory at KSC NASA

Aug02
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
The cleanroom where the components of the Mars Science Lab are being built and assembled into the MSL spacecraft. In the centre you can see the Curiosity Rover, whilst in the next room is the cruise stage.

The cleanroom where the components of the Mars Science Lab are being built and assembled into the MSL spacecraft. In the centre you can see the Curiosity Rover, whilst in the next room is the cruise stage.

Back in August 2011 whilst the MSL Spacecraft was being assembled at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center we were invited to visit the cleanroom to see the Curiosity Rover.

Unusually the MSL payload was being assembled inside the perimeter of the KSC property.  This was because the Curiosity Rover has an atomic power supply, requiring security over and above the norm for a spacecraft.

The MSL spacecraft consists of a number of functional modules: The Cruise Stage, The Aeroshell (or Back Shell), The Heat Shield, The descent stage (known as the Sky Crane) and finally the Curiosity Rover.

We were able to see most of these modules as they were being prepared to be integrated into the spacecraft prior to being encased in the payload fairing for mating with the Atlas V booster.

Pictures from our cleanroom visit follow:

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Posted in Images, Space - Tagged , , ,

MSL approaches the end of its spaceflight

Aug01
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Artist's impression of the MSL Sky Crane (credit NASA)

Artist's impression of the MSL Sky Crane (credit NASA)

With just under a week to go everyone is going ‘Mars Mad’.  The reason for this is that the Mars Science Lab that was launched back on November 26th last year is finally approaching it’s destination. Landing is scheduled for 1:31 EDT ( 5:31 GMT ) on the 6th August 2012.

The MSL is a spectacular spacecraft which will be pioneering the Sky Crane landing mechanism.   This really is the transformation of science fiction into science fact! The concept is that after entry into the Martian atmosphere a parachute will deploy, shortly after the heat shield will separate and fall away.  After this the lander’s jets will fire and the lander will be released from the protective back shell which has been keeping the lander safe in it’s journey across space.

Now the lander is in a period of powered descent with the Curiosity Rover held as a single unit.  As the lander reaches 20 metres above the Martian surface the rover is released to fall to the ground on bungee lines.  After touchdown the Sky Crane will power away and land a safe distance from the Rover.

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Posted in Space - Tagged , , ,

GoPro Hero2 HD used to capture launch of Atlas 5 MSL

Dec02
2011 1 Comment Written by Mike

Since getting the bug of trying to perfect a way of capturing launch pad images and video about 2 years ago we have been refining our equipment and procedures.  We are still on a learning curve and it seems to be far more of an art than a science.

Our camera was positioned just a few hundred feet from the rocket at launch.  The video contains a short clip of the launch followed by a 1/8th speed slo-mo that lets you see both the power of the shock waves vibrating the camera which was staked down on a solid tripod, and the build up of the exhaust clouds as the rocket blasts off.

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Posted in Atlas V - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Atlas V blasts off with MSL on its way to Mars

Dec02
2011 1 Comment Written by Mike
Just clearing the Tower the Atlas 5 rocket launch is looking good.

Just clearing the Tower the Atlas 5 rocket launch is looking good.

The Atlas 5 carrying the Mars Science Laboratory blasted off right on time on Saturday morning.  It was just about perfect countdown and launch.

The only slight blip was the weather with cloud cover sending the range red every now and then during the countdown.  Each time the launch criteria were broken they quickly came back in bounds again and there was no fear that weather was going to spoil the day with such a long launch window.

In fact the only real question was would the range be red at the planned T-0.  The answer was clearly no as the countdown exited the last planned hold at T-4 minutes and entered the terminal countdown.

Right on the window opening time the sound suppression system on Launch Pad 41 started dumping water over the pad and the flame trench.  Seconds later the Atlas 5 main engines and SRBs were lit and the rocket was on its way to Mars.

Jeff was on top of the VAB to capture the launch and we also had our cameras on the launch pad.  Our picture gallery contains a selection of our best shots…

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Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS - Tagged , , , , , ,

Atlas 5 carrying MSL to launch today at 10:02 EST

Nov26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Atlas 5 with MSL payload sits atop the launch pad. Credit Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

Atlas 5 with MSL payload sits atop the launch pad. Credit Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

In just under 3 hours time an Atlas 5 is scheduled to blast off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This rocket will carry the Mars Science Laboratory into space on its way to the Red Planet on a two year mission to examine the surface of the planet to determine if it was possible that there was the capabilities to support carbon based life at any time in the past.

The launch is targeted for 10:02 EST which is 15:02 GMT but has a 1 hour 43 minute launch window.  This means that it is possible that the rocket could launch any time between 10:02 and 11:45 and still be able to set off on the correct path to reach Mars.

The United States Air Force, who provide support facilities for the launches at Cape Canaveral, are predicting a 70% chance that there will be favourable weather conditions for the launch.  Should the launch be scrubbed today for any reason the next opportunity to launch would be tomorrow with the same weather patterns.  If the launch should fall back to Monday then the weather will change to a 70% chance of violating launch criteria.

Wired4Space will be covering the launch from the top of the VAB at Kennedy Space Center just over 4 miles from the launch pad.  With 3 hours to go the weather looks fine and clear on the Florida Space Coast.

Good Luck Atlas 5, Best Wishes NASA, Bon Voyage MSL and Curiosity!

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Atlas 5 rolls out to Launch Pad for MSL mission

Nov26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Atlas 5 Rocket with MSL payload rolls out to Launch Pad 41. Credit Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

Atlas 5 Rocket with MSL payload rolls out to Launch Pad 41. Credit Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.

The Atlas 5 rocket for the Mars Science Laboratory mission rolls out to the launch pad on Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 41.

The Atlas 5 was assembled in the vertical integration facility about 600 yards from the launch pad.  Components of the rocket were shipped in from a number of different places and combined in the VIF on the mobile launch platform which was rolled out yesterday.

The rocket is now in it’s launch configuration ready to start it’s 2 year mission studying the surface of Mars.

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS - Tagged , , , , ,

NASA Administrator tours company assisting MSL Launch

Nov26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA Administrator Charles Bolden toured Kegman Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., one company that supplied technology and engineering support to the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover.

Bolden’s tour of Kegman coincided with the Second Annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

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Next Cape Launch Atlas 5 with NASA’s MSL

Nov22
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
MSL Mission Patch

MSL Mission Patch

The next rocket launch from the Florida Space Coast is scheduled to blast off at 10:02 EST on Saturday November 26th.  This will be an Atlas 5 rocket carrying the latest Mars exploration vehicle for the NASA MSL mission.

MSL stands for Mars Science Laboratory which is actually a large robot with sampling and analysis capabilities.  The prime directive is to study soil and rock samples looking for the chemical building blocks that support life.

The ELV (Expendable Launch Vehicle) will be an Atlas V main core with 4 solid rocket boosters to assist it through the heavy atmosphere.  The second stage will be the Centaur, and sitting right at the top will be the MSL spacecraft protected by the Payload Fairing.

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Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS - 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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STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 69.jpg
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KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

iPhone App: KSC Launch Pad now available!

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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.

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