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Posts in category Space

Atlas V Stands Ready to Launch GPS IIF-4 Satellite

May14
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Ben Evans
Wednesday's launch of GPS IIF-4 will follow hard on the heels of the successful Atlas V 401 flight of SBIRS GEO-2 in March. Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studios

Wednesday’s launch of GPS IIF-4 will follow hard on the heels of the successful Atlas V 401 flight of SBIRS GEO-2 in March. Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studio

United Launch Alliance’s venerable Atlas V booster is set to roar aloft on 15 May on a mission to place the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite into medium orbit, more than 11,000 miles above Earth. The new mission will keep the Navstar network of worldwide positioning, velocity and timing assets fully operational until the next-generation GPS Block IIIA comes online, sometime in 2014.

Liftoff of the Atlas V – which will fly in its “401” configuration, with a 4-meter-wide (13-foot) payload fairing, no strap-on rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage – is scheduled to occur within a short “window”, extending from 5:38-5:56 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. Notably, this will be the first GPS launch aboard an Atlas in almost 28 years.

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Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, GPS IIF-4, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Atlas V with SBIRS GEO-2 satellite ready for Launch

Mar15
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Ben Evans
The SBIRS GEO-2 spacecraft arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in January 2013. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force

The SBIRS GEO-2 spacecraft arrives at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in January 2013. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force

A new set of powerful infrared eyes should take up residency in orbit, more than 22,000 miles above our heads, in less than a week’s time, when the Pentagon launches the next member of its multi-billion-dollar Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS). Liftoff of the GEO-2 mission – the second satellite of its generation destined for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit – is currently scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., atop United Launch Alliance’s venerable Atlas V 401 booster at the start of a 40-minute ‘window’, which opens at 5:21 p.m. EDT on 19 March. Processing for the impending mission continues to go well and the SBIRS GEO-2 satellite was encapsulated in its two-piece payload fairing on 4 March, ahead of stacking atop the Atlas.

According to the Pentagon and SBIRS’ prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, the system represents the latest effort to replace the outdated Defense Support Program (DSP) network of infrared missile early-warning satellites, whose ancestry stretches back to the early 1970s. It is confidently expected that SBIRS will enable the United States’ space surveillance needs for at least the next two decades, with specific focuses including advanced early warning, missile defense and battlespace characterization. In its final form, it will comprise at least four satellites in geosynchronous orbit, together with sensors aboard two others in highly-elliptical orbits (HEO-1 and 2) – which were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in June 2006 and March 2008 – and an expansive ground-based command, control and data-processing network. Following numerous delays, caused by software malfunctions and other hardware deficiencies, the first dedicated Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO-1) SBIRS was successfully lofted from Cape Canaveral, atop an Atlas V 401, in May 2011. READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, GEO-2, Kennedy Space Center, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Atlas V carrying secret space plane to launch December 11th

Dec10
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
OTV-3 mission badge (Credit ULA)

OTV-3 mission badge (Credit ULA)

The next rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled to take place tomorrow, 11th December, at 1:03 EST (18:03 GMT).  The Atlas V rocket will be launching the USAF secret space plane into orbit for the third mission: OTV-3 from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41).

The projected weather conditions suggest that there is only a 30% chance of launching with lightning, cumulus cloud, disturbed weather, and thick cloud all being concerns for violation.

The launch window is quite long tomorrow opening at 1:03pm EST it extends 5 hours until 6:03pm.  Hopefully within that time span there will be a window of opportunity for the weather to clear and the mission to get underway.

The launch has been dogged with delays mainly due to the problems encountered on the last Delta IV mission.   The reduced engine performance of the Delta Rocket affected the Atlas as they use common components. Originally slated to launch in October this date has slipped a few times awaiting the results of the Delta IV investigation.  The ULA investigation into the anomaly states “Although the investigation into the flight data anomaly continues, all credible crossover implications from the Delta anomaly for the OTV-3 Atlas vehicle and engine system have been thoroughly addressed and mitigated, culminating in the flight clearance decision for the OTV-3 launch”. This gave the green light to mission planners to schedule the Atlas V for launch.

Continue reading for the mission profile and images…  READ MORE »

Posted in Atlas V, Cape Canaveral AFS, OTV-3, ULA - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Atlas V – NROL-36 Launch delayed until August 14th

Aug03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
NROL-36 Mission Badge (Credit ULA)

NROL-36 Mission Badge (Credit ULA)

An Atlas V carrying a secret National Reconnaissance Office payload known only by its designation as NROL-36 was scrubbed yesterday as it was being prepared for launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The reason given by ULA was “a range instrumentation issue”.

This problem was expected to be fixed in time for a second attempt to launch today, but it turned out not to be the case and the launch originally rescheduled for August 4th. It looks as if the issue was more complex than was at first though and the next launch attempt has now been put back until at earliest August 14th.  The official statement from ULA states: “The launch of an Atlas V carrying the National Reconnaissance Office NROL-36 payload has been further delayed to no earlier than Tuesday, Aug. 14 to provide additional time for resolution of a range instrumentation issue that developed during the initial launch attempt Aug. 2.“.

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Posted in Atlas V, NROL-36 - Tagged , , ,

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, Mars Science Laboratory - 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 Mars Science Laboratory - Tagged , , ,

Galileo evaluation Satellites retired to Graveyard Orbits

Jul30
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
GIOVE-B Satellite retired (Credit ESA)

GIOVE-B Satellite retired (Credit ESA)

Earlier this month saw the final retirement of GIOVE-A, now it it the turn of GIOVE-B to be deactivated and retired.  The two GIOVE spacecraft were designed and deployed to test the technology for the European GPS system known as Galileo.

The GIOVE (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) project was designed to test and prove various technology elements of the new navigation satellite constellation.  The main component for navigation is precise timing and this was one feature of the GIOVE spacecraft.  There were two timing devices being tested in the satellites: a rubidium clock and hydrogen maser clock, both atomic clocks.

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Simulation of the Occultation of Jupiter 15th July 2012

Jul15
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

An occultation occurs when a planetary body is obscured from view by the moon. The occultation of Jupiter is what is known as a grazing occultation where it is barely hidden by the moon. What is special about this one is that at all times during the passing one or more of the moons is always in view.

Unfortunately the weather did not co-operate with us this time and the occultation occurred above a blanket of cloud in the UK which totally obscured our view. This simulation shows what we should have seen.  The simulation was provided by the open source software Stellarium.

Posted in Astronomy - 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.

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Today in Space history: 50 years Yuri Gagarin, 30 years Space Shuttle

Apr12
2011 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
12th April 1961 Vostok 1 launches carrying Yuri Gargarin into Space

12th April 1961 Vostok 1 launches carrying Yuri Gargarin into Space

April the 12th is one of those days that is famous in the history of Space Exploration.  It was on the 12th April 1961 that Yuri Gargarin made his one and only flight in a rocket to become the first man to ever leave earth to travel in outer space.  The rocket, Vostok 1, was also the first spaceship to orbit the earth.

At 6:07 GMT the Baikonur Cosmodrome witnessed the roar of the rocket engines as the Vostok 1 spacecraft launched from the Russian space centre.  Ten minutes at 6:17 later the main engine shuts down and  Vostok 1 with Yuri Gargarin on board achieves earth orbit.

The mission lasted 108 minutes with the capsule landing about 10 minutes ahead of Yuri as the first man in space had ejected at 23,000 feet and returned to Earth by parachute.

12th April 1981 Space Shuttle Columbia STS-1 launches (Credit NASA)

12th April 1981 Space Shuttle Columbia STS-1 launches (Credit NASA)

Fast forward 20 years to April 12 1981 and sitting atop the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39 is the first ever Space Shuttle waiting to launch.  Commander John Young and Pilot Richard Truly took off from LC-39A for the first flight of the revolutionary Space Shuttle, a space vehicle that took off like a rocket, but returned to earth like a plane.

Space Shuttle Columbia (code named OV-102) was the orbiter for this test flight which lasted 2 days 6 hours and 20 minutes.  During the flight the Columbia orbited the Earth 37 times, before finally landing on runway 23 at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Posted in Rocket Launch Companies, Space Shuttle - Tagged , , , , , ,

STS-133 rolled back to VAB for examination

Dec27
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Jeff
STS-133 Rollback to VAB 22nd Dec 2010

STS-133 Rollback to VAB 22nd Dec 2010

Earlier this week, the Shuttle Discovery was returned to the VAB to enable technicians to resume their X-Ray examination of the -Z, or back side of the tank that was not able to be examined while the Orbiter was on the launch pad. The trip back to the VAB was interrupted several times by over heating bearings. By 6:20 AM the crawler had entered the VAB, and by 7:02 AM the launch platform was lowered onto it’s pedestals in the VAB and the rollback was complete after a travel time of 8 hours and 13 minutes. This was the 18th time that an Orbiter had completed a return trip to the VAB in the history of the Shuttle program.

Early analysis of the huge amount of data generated by a tanking test performed on December 17th showed no strains or temperatures outside of expected parameters. The tanking test was performed in an attempt to gather more data on which to base decisions after earlier computer analysis and metallurgical tests showed no root cause for the cracking that halted the November 3rd launch attempt to the ISS. For the tanking test, technicians had instrumented the foam covered tank placing 39 strain gauges and 50 thermal sensors in two areas, one where the damaged stringers were repaired and another location part way around the tank at an undamaged section.

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Posted in Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle, STS-133 Discovery - Tagged , , , , ,

Virgin Galactic’s Will Whitehorn presents the Wheatsone Lecture

Dec20
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Mike
Virgin Galactic- 1st test flight of SpaceShip2 (credit Mark Greenberg)

Virgin Galactic- 1st test flight of SpaceShip2 (credit Mark Greenberg)

It made a nice change for me to attend a Space related event that was not in Florida. This year the IET Wheatstone Lecture was presented by Will Whitehorn the President of Virgin Galactic.  Held in London at the Institute of Engineering and Technology Will covered the short, but highly successful, history of Virgin Galactic, and some of the possible future expansion paths for the company.

The timing of the lecture was very appropriate coming just a few days after the successful launch and orbit of the SpaceX Falcon / Dragon COTS mission.  This really highlights what can be achieved when commercial enterprise is let loose in the marketplace.  To prototype, build, prove and commission a new supply ship for the ISS will cost less than the cost of launching a single Shuttle mission.

The basic rocket technology has not changed very much since the days of World War II and the Von Braun V2 rockets.  Obviously the systems have improved somewhat in the 70 years since the first of the V2 launches, but the core concepts of using excessive amounts of explosive thrust on a multistage missile has not.

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NASA and Mary J Blige collaborate to encourage women in science

Sep02
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

NASA AND MARY J. BLIGE ENCOURAGE SCIENCE CAREERS FOR WOMEN

WASHINGTON — NASA is collaborating with award-winning recording artist Mary J. Blige to encourage young women to pursue exciting experiences and career choices by studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

A public service announcement featuring veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin and Blige debuts this week on NASA TV and the agency’s website at: http://www.nasa.gov.

NASA’s Summer of Innovation (SoI) project and Blige’s Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) have much in common. Both show students the many possibilities available if they follow their dreams and reach for the stars.

The SoI project is part of the President’s Educate to Innovate Campaign. It started earlier this summer to help keep middle school students engaged in fun and stimulating STEM-related activities during the school break.

“Working with FFAWN is a rare opportunity to help spread the STEM message into communities not always readily accessible to us,” Melvin said. “Mary’s presence can help NASA make the STEM message more appealing to these communities and increase the pipeline of underrepresented students going into these disciplines.”

Working with the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy project at York College of the City University of New York (CUNY), the joint effort is providing on-the-job training for FFAWN high school participants. High school girls in the program will be prepared to deliver NASA SoI content to middle school students this summer at the New York City Housing Authority Van Dyke Community Center and the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy.

The FFAWN participants also will have the opportunity to support the NASA Academy fall academic session at CUNY as student aides for grades one through nine later this year.

For information about NASA’s Summer of Innovation project, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/soi
For information about FFAWN, visit: http://www.ffawn.org

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US Airforce change Launch Manifest Strategy

Jul30
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Mike

Future U.S. military satellites will be matched to Atlas and Delta launch vehicles as late as six months before launch, a new strategy the Air Force hopes will limit cascading delays stemming from late payload deliveries.

The new slot manifest concept will begin in early 2011, when three Air Force payloads are candidates to launch on two Atlas 5 rocket flight opportunities.

“It is a philosophical change in the approach to launch scheduling from a project-centric approach frequently limited by delays in hardware readiness to an opportunity-based approach enabled through synchronizing multiple satellite payloads to a launch vehicle,” a Space and Missile Systems Center launch and range systems wing spokesperson said.
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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
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  • 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.

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STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 42.jpg
STS-133 Discovery Last Flight NASA 42.jpg

KSC Launch Pad iPhone App

iPhone App: KSC Launch Pad now available!

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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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