SpaceRubble

Russian Mechanical Problems Delay Launches

2012-02-01T06:26:00.000-08:00

Soyuz manned capsule in orbit in better days.

The Russian Soyuz TMA-04M was discovered through a test to have failed its ability to correctly pressurize. It was originally scheduled to have been the next manned Russian craft to travel to the ISS in March. Now, the Russians will have to delay that mission as they build a replacement. The next launch is now postponed until mid-April and may even reach back into May.

While this event does not impact the number of astronauts that can stay on board the ISS, it does bring up a point made by many space enthusiasts about the end of the shuttle program. As President Obama cancelled the Constellation program before the end of the series of shuttle retirements, many of us predicted there could be trouble relying on the Russians. Of course the first thing that happened was that the Russians took advantage of our weakness and promptly raised the taxi fares by $20 million per seat. Then to add insult to injury the Russians began declaring that perhaps the ISS should be a mostly Russian operation, since NASA had no way to replace astronauts or get supplies to the station. And congressman and pro-US human spaceflight enthusiasts fumed at the embarrassment of watching our government fumble with budgets (it's been over 1000 days since our Senate approved a budget- NASA has had to get by with less than they needed) and leadership.

Then suddenly the Russians began experiencing problems. Last year there were serious worries about accidents that could occur during the Soyuz landings, and then the Russians had to put a stop to all rocket launches while they searched for answers resulting from rocket failures. They then assured us that the problems were fixed.

Progress resupply rocket on pad.

Now we have another series of Russian failures that hold up the program. Not only the Soyuz seems to have problems, but the Proton rockets as well. A Proton-M rocket ready to carry the SES-4 communications satellite has been delayed a second time because of failures with either the avionics or an unspecified problem. Will this result in grounding Progress rockets? The World wants to know.

Phobos-Grunt probe readying for launch.

All of this latest trouble follows on the heels of the Phobos-Grunt disaster. That Russian Mars probe failed to leave Earth orbit and tumbled to a fiery re-entry this month. It was finally reported that before launch, problems with the probe's construction had led to more than a dozen welding repairs while the craft still had fueled tanks! As late as last week, Russian space leaders had even blamed US radar on causing the malfunctions while the craft launched to orbit. Now this week, we have the Russian space circus claiming it must have been cosmic radiation that affected the craft's avionics. At latest report, Russian investigators are blaming the problem on a cheap faulty counterfeit microchip, unable to withstand the rigors of outer space radiation. Some Russian engineers are quietly looking at the probability of internal problems with Russia's space manufacturing.

This causes NASA leaders untold headaches of course, but also deserves an appropriate "I told you so" response from those of us who warned about relying on the Russians for our space transportation.

Miss the shuttle yet?

Progress 46 docks at ISS

2012-01-27T16:14:00.001-08:00

Progress 46 docking position illustrated. Two other Soyuz capsules docked for transferring crews to Earth.

Russian Progress 46 made a smooth approach and docking with the International Space Station at approximately 5:09 p.m. MST. The final approach and docking was completely computer-controlled. The robotic freighter has brought up spare parts, life support supplies, water, and fuel for the station. The Russian designation for the freighter is M-14M. It will remain attached to the station through April 24. Earlier this week, another Progress capsule, filled with trash, was jettisoned to make way for this one. The jettisoned Progress will burn up in the atmosphere over the ocean.

Progress 46 camera view of ISS.

ISS window view of Progress 46 on approach.

The spaceships are in the Earth's shadow. Progress 46 still appears in soft light from the station. Its symmetrical solar panels help visualize its orientation.

ISS Hatch in upper part of view as the spacecraft close.

50 YA - Ranger 3 Misses the Moon

2012-01-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

Artist idea of Ranger probe traveling through space. This replica of Ranger was used at the Parade of Progress Show in Cleveland Ohio in 1964. I would love to find out where this is today. Perhaps the Smithsonian?

Fifty years ago on January 26, 1962, NASA launched an Atlas-Agena B rocket from Cape Canaveral. Lifted beyond Earth orbit, Ranger 3 was set on course to begin our epic reconnaissance of the Moon. On board were not only experiments to test the functionality of the Ranger series of probes, but also a Seismometer capsule which would roughly land and begin studying moonquakes. The craft itself was intended to crash into the surface of the Moon, as engineers had not yet devised a way to softly land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. A camera would send images of the lunar surface back to Earth before the expected crash, and instruments would make radar reflections of the surface, measure the altitude from the surface, and study gamma rays while in space.

Side view or Ranger 3.

Power for the craft was provided by two solar panel wings providing energy to a 1000-watt capacity battery. A large communications antenna was attached to the base. In a way, Ranger 3 appeared much as most of our satellites of the period would look.

Atlas-Agena B lifts off from Cape Canaveral.

The Ranger 3 mission did not go as planned (surprise!). The booster guidance system suffered a malfunction which caused the spacecraft to speed up beyond the planned acceleration. The mid course correction failed, and the spacecraft was unable to relay data and information clearly. Ranger 3 missed the moon by about 22,000 miles. Eventually, some data was received that helped engineers fine-tune the design for the next mission. Ranger 3 itself kept on flying- it eventually began to orbit the Sun, and remains out there to this day.

Science fiction fans may remember that the TV series "Buck Rogers" used a space-shuttle derived design as Buck's spaceship, which was named "Ranger-3."

Solar Storm hits hard today

2012-01-24T07:18:00.001-08:00

False color image of Sun. Solar flare developing in upper right section.

A massive CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) should be hitting the Earth right now. Traveling at about 1400 miles per second, the solar energetic particles are hitting the Earth's magnetosphere (our shields) and interacting with high-flying orbital satellites. A storm this strong hasn't hit the Earth since 2005. There were concerns that some aircraft traveling at high altitude over the Arctic circle would have to divert. Our main concern is that some satellites may suffer damage or loss of signal quality during the event. Skywatchers with clear skies can be looking for magnificent aurora.

Delta IV lifts SATCOM to orbit

2012-01-20T06:57:00.000-08:00

Delta IV components. Credit: NASASPaceflight.com

Here we go... For the first U.S. launch of a satellite this year, United Launch Alliance (ULA) sent a Delta IV rocket into the Florida skies from Launch Complex SLC-37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Forty minutes later, the WGS-4 satellite separated from its stage and began orbiting. The Wideband Global Satcom 4 is a military satellite, first in a series of ten that will form a Defense Satellite Communications System. Other countries included in this defense system include Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

ULA operates Delta launches from Pad B of launch complex SLC (Space Launch Complex) -37.

SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Historically, SLC-37 (originally LC-37) was used to test the first Saturn 1 and thereafter launched over a half dozen Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B rockets during the Apollo program. All of these Saturn rockets were unmanned, but were part of the testing required to make sure the equipment was ready to put astronauts into space and on their way to the Moon. Later, during the 1970's the complex was demolished. The complex was later rebuilt to launch DElta and Atlas advanced rockets for government missions. The Delta IV and Atlas V are in consideration as launch vehicles for the upcoming Orion space capsule.

Closer view of SLC-37B. I took this photo while standing at Launch Pad 34, location of the infamous fire onboard Apollo 1. Inside the tower can be seen a Delta rocket being readied. Photo taken in May 2011.

Last Apollo mission to lift off from LC-37B, was Apollo 5. This was an unmanned mission on a Saturn 1B rocket, designed to lift a test version of the Lunar Module into orbit without a crew.

Apollo 5 test mission patch.

Space Junk News- The Fall of Phobos-Grunt

2012-01-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Phobos-Grunt in assembly phase.

It's the end of another sad tale of Russia's attempts to investigate the planet Mars. Phobos-Grunt was launched on November 9, 2011 on a mission to explore Mars' moon Phobos and bring back samples to Earth. Instead, rocket failures on the probe left it in a perilous orbit around the Earth. Repeated attempts to correct the problem from Russian mission control were useless.

The orbit of Phobos-Grunt was unstable. Scientists hurried to predict where the probe would eventually crash back to Earth. Last night the answer was discovered as the craft entered the atmosphere and crashed to the surface somewhere in the Southern Pacific, about 1200 kilometers from Wellington Island. Chile is the owner of the island. No reports of the crash or any damage have been reported. There were worries that the toxic fuels on board the probe and some of the heavier instruments would survive enough of the burn-up to pose a threat to anyone near the crash site.

According to NASA records, this is the most recent of 17 failures by the Russians to explore Mars. They seem to have better success probing Venus. I think Mars hates them. Actually, it just shows how incredibly complicated and difficult it really is to send probes to other planets. We often take these explorations for granted.

ISS during Expedition 27. That's shuttle Endeavor docked at the top.

Meanwhile, up in space the ISS crew performed a maneuver to change the station's orbit slightly. They had two good reasons. Firstly, they needed to prepare for an upcoming rendezvous with a supply craft delivery of cargo. Second, and of slightly more urgency, they needed to dodge some junk.

Back in 2009, one of the Iridium satellites collided with a derelict Russian satellite. The resulting fragments scattered around the Earth. This particular fragment, about the size of a grapefruit, would pass uncomfortably close to the ISS. By performing the rendezvous maneuver now, the ISS has completely dodged the space junk.

50 YA -Discoverer XXXVII - FAIL

2012-01-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Ah, Yes. Thor-Agena sits on the pad at Vandenberg AFB.

Fifty years ago, the Air Force launched Discoverer 37 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It was to be the last attempt to launch the KeyHole-3 camera spy system, which included a lower-resolution surveillance camera. The rocket used was the venerable Thor-Agena B rocket. It failed to reach orbit.

Orion Makes a Splash

2012-01-07T06:14:00.001-08:00

Somewhere in that wall of water is the Orion test capsule.

This was the last splash test in the series for the Orion test capsule. And it was the worst case scenario. Just like NASA did with the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft, engineers are learning what happens to the Orion capsule when it makes its water landings. In the case of this test, the Orion was dropped to simulate both parachutes open, angling down at the wrong attitude, at a speed of about 47 mph, and rolling over.

The flying capsule will be equipped with a self-righting system. It isn't expected that the capsule will ever really experience this drastic a splashdown, but it was a test they had to make. In this test, the capsule did well, although it remained upside down after the splash.

After the splash.

Before the Test.

Meanwhile, out in space...

2012-01-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

ISS astronauts do the interview thing.

As the world turns...

Up in the International Space Station, six astronauts and cosmonauts continue to work in zero gravity, performing maintenance and science experiments in their orbital home. While space-faring nations busy themselves with rocket launches, space politics, and capsule testing, the ISS Expedition 30 crew keeps working on the frontier of space adventure.

Comet Lovejoy as seen from the ISS.

Commander Dan Burbank was in the observation cupola at the right moment on December 22. Carefully aiming his camera, he managed to take a beautiful shot of Comet Lovejoy as it appears just above the Earth's atmosphere. Actually many millions of miles away, the comet's tail seems to float leisurely above our planet. This picture will undoubtedly become one of the iconic memorable moments of ISS history.

Astronaut Shannon Walker works on the SAME.

When the crew of Expedition 30 isn't studying the Earth, they are busy maintaining the station's life support systems, working on experiments, or exercising to keep up their health. The SAME (Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment) experiment is located in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox. Using the SAME helps our scientists develop new ways to detect the difference between smoke and dust particles. This technology will help our engineers build effective detectors for spacecraft and aircraft in the future.

SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule is being prepared for a launch to the ISS.

During today's interview with Space.com and Fox News Radio, the astronauts mentioned they were looking forward to the upcoming visit of the Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft. Built by SpaceX, the Dragon will give the ISS program a new way to return valuable equipment and materials back to Earth-bound scientists. The Dragon launch is set for February 7.

Twin GRAIL probes orbit the Moon

2012-01-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

Second GRAIL probe above lunar surface.

Launched last September, the GRAIL lunar probes have finally arrived at the Moon and successfully entered orbit. GRAIL-A fired its thruster on Sunday, and 24 hours later, GRAIL-B joined its partner to circle the Moon. Over the next coupe of months, the two spacecraft will use minute bursts of thrust to align themselves into a stable orbit of 55 kilometers above the surface.

Once in their stable orbit, the two probes will maintain a communications link with each other, and measure the disturbances in altitude and separation of spacecraft to help probe the gravity field of the Moon, helping scientists to understand more about the Moon's interior.

Students in 5th through 8th grades are participating in this exploration. Each probe includes a GRAIL MoonKAM (Moon Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students). The cameras will receive requests from students across the country, and the returned images will be studied by students in their science classes.

Quadrantid Meteor Shower Tonight!

2012-01-03T05:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, more rocks from space. Duck and Cover!

Tonight marks the appearance of the Quadrantid meteor shower. For some time, it was not known what the source was for this small but sometimes spectacular show of rocky debris burning up in the atmosphere. Eventually it was determined that the meteors might be remnants of a rocky fragment of "2003 EH-1," a rocky Near-Earth-Orbit object which in turn may be broken off from comet C/1490 Y1. The breakup may have occurred only 500 years ago, so the Quadrantids are a fairly new meteor shower.

The meteors will most likely appear coming from the constellation of Bootes, near Polaris, at about 2:20 am January 4 (Wednesday morning) EST. It's supposedly a short-event shower, which means tit may peak quickly at about 60-80 streaks per hour. This indicates the debris lies in a narrow band as the Earth passes through. Checking weather forecasts indicate hazy skies and very cold tonight.

Here at the SpaceRubble Command Bunker, work has started this week after the holiday vacation so it's doubtful I'll be willing to witness this shower. It may depend as well on the fickle weather here in Utah. Still, the relatively brief intensity of this shower is interesting and some fireballs have been seen in past showers, so it may be worth it. Working against this is also the freezing temperatures, so if you decide to brave the danger, dress warm and be prepared to duck!

50 YA: Getting ready for Glenn's flight

2012-01-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

Glenn in the cockpit of an F-106 trainer.

NASA passed the near year of 1962 preparing for the first flight of an American in orbit of the Earth. Astronaut and Marine John Glenn continued his training in aircraft, simulators, and laboratories as the Mercury capsule he would fly was mated to the Atlas rocket at Cape Canaveral. The flight of the mission was designated MA-6, and was scheduled for January 23rd 1962. The Atlas rocket for the flight had been designated as Atlas 109D, and the capsule was Mercury capsule number 13 (ominous?) which had been built at McDonnell Aircraft's space craft assembly plant in St. Louis, Missouri.

Training with Glenn were astronauts Scott Carpenter, who would be Glenn's backup pilot, and astronauts Deke Slayton and Wally Schirra who were training for the second Mercury-Atlas spaceflight. Glenn's flight would be launched from Launch Complex 14.

Russians ditch problem stage, launch GlobalStars

2011-12-29T07:40:00.000-08:00

GlobalStar navigation satellites in production.

After last week's launch failure, Russia has replaced its malfunctioning third stage on the Soyuz rocket with ArianneSpace's Fregat orbital stage. On Wednesday Russia launched 6 GlobalStar navigational position satellites into orbit successfully. This is the third set of 6 launched for the system, replacing an old and failing system. The happy launch also brings relief to Russian space managers, although they still have to investigate the cause of the Russian third stage failures.

China also added to the vast assembly of satellites in orbit with the launch of a "Compass" GPS satellite. Ten of the system's satellites are already in orbit, and six more are scheduled. Their goal is to compete with the USA's GPS system.

China plans large space program for 2012

2011-12-28T07:19:00.000-08:00

Chinese Taikonaut in orbit of Earth. Credit: CCTV.

China continues to make ambitious plans for its space program development. There are plans to expand the Tiangong-1 space station and send a human crew to visit. There are also plans to exceed 2011's number of space launches. You can see a video of their space plans at Parabolic Arc's website : http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/12/28/video-chinas-ambitious-human-spaceflight-program/

Last year, China beat the USA in the number of space launches, 19 to 18. Each country suffered one launch failure. This was the first year China has exceeded the number of USA launches. Their space launch program has definitely improved over the old days of failures and explosions on the launch pads.

I still don't hear any mention of thanks to the USA for the technology they have improperly obtained through spying and computer espionage. I doubt we ever will.

Santa visits ISS, can't rescue Russian rocket

2011-12-25T07:25:00.001-08:00

Santa docks at the ISS.

The secret is out: Santa has no problem dealing with world-wide travel. We knew he was able to bend time and space to deliver gifts to billions around the world in one evening, but now we have proof that the secret is in his advanced technology sled. Images are now available showing Santa docking with the International Space Station and receiving a refueling of some sort of top-secret power source. This also explains how the world was convinced to work together to build the ISS and keep it manned even during difficult times.

Santa maneuvers over the ISS after refueling.

The images come courtesy NASA and the Canadian Space Agency and a bit of computer animation magic. You can find the complete animation at Parabolic Arc: http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/12/24/video-nasa-falls-behind-santa-claus-in-human-spaceflight/

Soyuz rockets are used both for human and satellite launches.

I'm afraid it's coal for Christmas from Santa for the Russians. On Friday, Russia suffered yet another rocket failure, this time a Soyuz rocket third stage. The communications satellite failed to achieve orbit., and apparently has crashed somewhere in Siberia. This is the fifth failure in a year and a half for the Russians, and has many space leaders concerned. The major concern from the USA is that the Soyuz rocket is also used to launch astronauts and cosmonauts to the ISS.

TMA-03M 290 miles above Africa, approaching the ISS.

The satellite launch failure was tempered by the successful docking on Friday of additional crew to the ISS. Thankfully no problems with THIS Soyuz. The additional Expedition 30 crew will bring the crew total to six on the station, and full operations will begin immediately. THe crew had been limited to three temporarily, due to delays in the Russian launches caused by previous Russian rocket failures.

Without the Shuttle program, the US is totally reliant on rides to ISS with our Russian partners, who promptly began overcharging for seats on the capsule. With the dangers now inherent in Soyuz launches, I imagine our space insurance rates will be increasing as well. One can only imagine the true thoughts of our brave astronauts who have to ride the Soyuz at these times.

Expedition 30 B-Team launches to ISS

2011-12-21T06:14:00.000-08:00

Soyuz rocket lifts off from Baikonur.

At 6:16 am MST this morning, the Russian TMA-03M spacecraft was blasted into orbit aboard a Soyuz rocket on its journey to the International Space Station. The 3-man crew on board will join the ISS Expedition 30 A-team that is patiently waiting for the rest of their crew complement. Commanded by Astronaut Dan Burbank, flight engineers Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin will be joined on Friday by astronaut Don Petit and cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Andre Kulpers.

Docking is expected to occurr on Friday at about 8:22 am MST, with the hatches opening at about 11 am. MST. The TMA-03m craft will dock at the station's Rassvet module (Russian).

ISS Mission Control in Houston monitors the launch.

ISS crew watches the video feed of the launch while in orbit. The large interior space of the ISS modules is very evident. Another astronaut can be seen in the connecting module farther back. The crew has been busy decorating ISS with a Christmas theme, though not seen in this screenshot. We'll see more of the Christmas spirit during docking procedures and the welcome aboard ceremony on Friday.

Less Money for Commercial Space Development

2011-12-16T06:16:00.000-08:00

Orion capsule drop-tests into water.

Once again, Congress cuts the wrong budget.

No doubt most readers are aware of the difficult economic times. Job losses are at an agonizing high level, and businesses are so worried about the current and future impact of business-strangling government regulations that they won't invest in hiring or new products. For space enthusiasts, we agonize over the poor planning of the White House over the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the lack of an American manned spacecraft. We go hat-in-hand to the Russians, who promptly raised the price of a seat on their venerable Soyuz spaceship, now the only path to carry humans to the International Space Station.

Soyuz spaceship approaches the ISS.

Supporters of the space program have known for a long time that one of the best investments of American tax dollars has been NASA. The spin-off technology derived from human and robotic space exploration has transformed the world over the last 50 years. Private businesses developing new products from this technology have produced millions, if not billions, of jobs worldwide and especially here in America. So it should be a no-brainer to our leaders in Washington as to which budget to keep, and if possible, expand. Apparently Not.

For several years NASA has been budgeting money to invest in companies who are also investing their own money in creating the first man-rated commercial-(as opposed to NASA-) made spaceships to reach low orbit and the ISS. The poor planning of the Bush and Obama administrations has resulted in a gap of time where America does not lead the world in manned spaceflight. This is unacceptable to the pride of our country.

This year, NASA had planned to invest $850 million spread amongst four companies in an effort to advance the development of new human-rated spaceships, aimed at getting a new system by 2015 or 2016. At the same time, NASA has been ordered by Congress to revive the Obama-cancelled Orion capsule design, even though a rocket has not yet been designed for it (Ares-1 was also cancelled, but not revived).

Although Congress praised the efforts of the commercial companies and urged them to hurry, Congress has instead cut the budget. NASA will receive only a budget $1 billion less than it needs, and in fact is $648 million smaller than last year. Therefore, NASA has announced it will only have $406 million to share amongst the competitors. The result is that the programs will be slowed down, and we will have to wait even longer to close the human spaceflight gap.

SpaceX's Dragon supply capsule will reach ISS in February 2012.

The worst part of this frustration is the waste of money by the Obama administration. WHile screaming in front of the cameras about the importance of creating jobs and investing in technologies for tomorrow, they have spent billions of dollars on failing solar-power companies which are now going into bankruptcy. The failed Solyndra company alone received over $500 million dollars, all sucked down a hole of a collapsing company. What's offensive to me, and anyone following this scandal, is that it is known that the White House knew the companies were failing and STILL SPENT THE MONEY.

Imagine what that wasted money could have done if instead invested in the companies that are attempting to build new rockets and capsules for astronauts to get to low orbit. Imagine how much shorter the spacecraft gap would be if the companies had the funds and support necessary to speed development. Imagine the jobs created as these companies ramp up production and sell seats to space. Well, it's gonna take longer now.

Funny thing, though. NASA has not cut the budget for the continued development of its own Orion capsule. Of course, Orion doesn't yet even have a rocket to get up into space. Things that make you go hmmmmm.

50 YA: Titan 1 Test Series Concluded

2011-12-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

Titan 1A at launch.

Fifty Years ago the Air Force concluded its series of launches of the Titan 1 rocket from the Atlantic Test Range at Cape Canaveral. There had been 40 launches, out of which 4 had been failures. The Titan 1 was an important development in the design of multi-stage InterContinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) for America's strategic rocket forces. The launches had taken place from launch complexes LC15, LC16, LC19, and LC20.

Titan-1 had a range of 5500 miles. As an ICBM, it could carry a nuclear weapon of 3.75 megatons of TNT. It became operational in our Strategic Missile Defense System in 1962 and was active until 1964. It was the first of our ICBMs to be launched from underground silos hidden in the western USA. There were difficulties with the first silo designs, needing an elevator to lift the rocket for launch, too long a time for fueling, and the command necessity of grouping them in threes, possibly making them vulnerable to a nuclear attack. During deployment, there were about 60 missiles available for launch at any given time. In 1965, as the new Titan 2 and Minuteman 1 missiles came on line, the Titan 1's were retired.

For NASA, the tests enabled engineers to prepare for the successful Titan 2 missiles, which would be used to launch astronauts later in the Gemini series.

There were 33 Titan 1s given to museums, Air Force bases, and government installations as memorials. You can see one at the Cape Canaveral US Air Force Museum in Florida, on one of the bus tours that you can board from the Kennedy Space Center. Sorry, I didn't get a picture of it when I was there earlier this year.

50 YA: Discoverer 36 Launch Success

2011-12-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

Thor-Agena rocket at Vandenberg AFB.

Fifty Years ago on December 12, 1961, the U.S. Air Force Space Division launched Discoverer 36 from a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The orbit of the 300+ pound capsule reached as high as 280 miles. The main experiments included testing space equipment, researching radiation in space, and detecting nuclear explosions. All the experiments were successful.

On this flight, the Air Force allowed a hitch-hiker. A 10 pound satellite named OSCAR (Orbital Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) was lifted aloft on the rocket to test beaming signals to HAM radio operators back on Earth. This was also a success. Even today, HAM radio operators often have opportunities through NASA programs to use amateur radios to contact astronauts on space missions such as the International Space Station.

Discoverer 36 would re-enter the Earth's atmosphere four days later after 64 orbits. The rocket itself burned up on March 8, 1962. The mission was one of the most successful launches of the Discoverer series.

50 YA: Enos the Chimp Goes to Space

2011-11-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

MA-5 lifts off from Cape Canaveral.

Fifty years ago, NASA launched its last test of a Mercury-Atlas rocket before placing a human in orbit. MA-5 blasted off from Launch Complex 14 at 8 am MST on November 29, 1961. Engineers had been preparing this flight for 40 weeks. It seems that as new technology continued to improve, the mission of MA-5 kept changing. Finally it was decided to test the capsule with a live occupant. But instead of an astronaut, a chimpanzee was placed aboard.

Enos in his space couch.

Until the flight of MA-5, the most famous space chimp was Sam, who had flown in a test of the Mercury-Redstone rocket before Alan Shepard flew his mission. This time the task fell to Enos, which means "man" in the Hebrew language. Five hours before liftoff, Enos was secured into his spacesuit-couch and placed in the capsule. The launch went well and Enos was placed into orbit.

However, once in orbit, things "went south". The attitude control system malfunctioned. The auto correction thrusters were engaged 9 times to keep the craft in proper attitude before retrofire. The environmental control system also malfunctioned, and the capsule began heating up inside. Enos' body temperature reached 100.5 degrees F and mission controllers worried about the health of the chimp. Then the environmental system corrected itself and normal temperature was restored. Because the thruster problem was using up fuel, it was determined to bring back the capsule after the 2nd orbit. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific off the coast of California. After search planes spotted the craft bobbing on the waters, the destroyer USS Stormes retrieved the capsule and extracted Enos the Space Chimp.

With the success of MA-5, the qualifications had been met for the launch of humans aboard the Atlas rocket, and preparations began for the launch of the first American to orbit the Earth. As for Enos, the brave animal passed away about a year later after contracting a form of dysentery.

Foreign Affairs: Russian Curse vs. Chinese Success

2011-11-27T10:27:00.001-08:00

Phobos-Grunt being prepared for launch.

Russia continues to suffer under a curse. The Phobos-Grunt satellite, launched on November 9, remains in Earth orbit suffering a profound silence. The Zenit rocket carrying Phobos-Grunt had placed the exploration robot in a temporary orbit before heading out towards Mars and the Martian moon Phobos. However, the necessary signals to send the craft outward from Earth did not ignite the engines and the craft went silent. Russian and international scientists have struggled intensely to repair communications in the last couple of weeks. Suddenly, a signal got through a few days before Thanksgiving, and there was some hope communications could be restored as telemetry got through on our holiday. Thanks should be given to technicians at the European Space Agency station near Perth in Australia. Sadly, this success was not repeated and the robotic explorer remains silent now.

Phobos-Grunt launches on a Zenit rocket.

Recently Russia has had some mishaps with the Soyuz rocket series, prompting a temporary grounding of spaceflights to the ISS while engineers worked to solve the problem. With the success of recent launches to ISS, the problem seemed solved, but now the Phobos- Grunt satellite remains stranded in orbit, with the fear that it could crash back to Earth with a significant supply of toxic fuel on board.

This was Russia's 4th attempt to reach Mars. It had not launched an interplanetary probe in 15 years. The other three launches to Mars also met with failure. In 1988, Russia sent Phobos 1 and Phobos 2 to reach the planet. Phobos 1 failed soon after launch. Phobos 2 reached MArtian orbit, only to go suddenly silent and was never heard from again. In 1996, the launch of a Mars probe went wrong and the satellite crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Are the Russians cursed when it comes to reaching Mars? Actually it goes to prove how difficult an interplanetary probe mission really is, and how amazing the American results have been.

Meanwhile, China keeps launching satellites with uneventful regularity.

Long March 2D blasts off from China.

So far this year, China has made 15 satellite launches, and only one was a failure. China usually uses the Long March 2D rocket. Years ago China would have suffered more failures, but since their "acquisition" of American rocket and satellite technology from Loreal and other American space firms, they have had a much higher success rate. While some of the technology was improperly transfered to China as a result of Clinton administration "deals", some has been determined to be lost to China as a result of Chinese computer hacking and corporate spying.

This week China launched 2 satellites from the Jinquan Satellite Launch Center, testing new technologies and observing environmental situations in China.

MSL on its way to Mars!

2011-11-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

Atlas V liftoff from Launch Complex 41.

At 8:02 a.m. MST, NASA ignited the engines of the Atlas V rocket carrying the MSL (Mars Science Laboratory) on its way to Mars. The launch has proceeded very well so far, with the separation of the nose cone fairings. The second stage Centaur rocket is expected to fire at about 8:45 a.m. (Update: Stage firing and spacecraft separation confirmed - MSL is on its way to MARS!).

MSL rover in the lab with scientists.

The MSL rover (named Curiosity) is the largest that has been sent to Mars. Its wide variety of sensors and controls will enable it to explore terrain unaccessible to prior rovers such as Spirit, Opportunity and Pathfinder. Scheduled to land on Mars in August 2012, Curiosity is expected to run a mission length of 23-24 months. Those of you who have been watching Mars rovers so far understand that the craft may last MUCH longer than that.

You can download a PDF fact sheet from NASA at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/fact_sheets/mars-science-laboratory.pdf

50 YA: Ranger 2 flubs, USAF tests Titan

2011-11-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Atlas-Agena launch.

Fifty years ago, launches continued from the Cape Canaveral pads. NASA launched Ranger 2 on an Atlas-Agena rocket combination on November 18, 1961. Ranger's 2 mission was to test the electronics of experiments that would later be sent to study other planets, and to also send back information on space radiation and magnetic fields. Scientists hoped to discover clues about a possible trail of hydrogen gas following behind the Earth as it orbited the Sun.

Ranger 2 at NASA Glen Research Center.

The Atlas rocket successfully placed Ranger 2 in orbit around the Earth, but disaster followed. The Agena second stage failed to ignite, due to a malfunctioning gyro. Ranger 2 was unable to be placed in the orbit necessary for the tests, and after separation it was stranded in an orbit that brought it closer and closer to Earth's atmosphere. It burned up two days later.

Titan 1 ICBM launch.

On November 21, 1961, a Titan 1a ICBM missile test was conducted by the USAF from its Canaveral site. This missile launched a special nose cone that would later be used in anti-missile missile tests with the Nike-Zeus system.

The next day, the military launched a mysterious satellite from Point Arguello in California. The rocket used was the Atlas-Agena combo. I still have not found out anything about this mysterious launch. It is recorded as the first "unannounced" rocket launch of a satellite.

Expedition 29 lands safely

2011-11-22T06:50:00.001-08:00

Commander Mike Fossum happy to be on the ground. Not used to gravity after 5 months in Zero-G!

After 167 days in orbit and on the ISS, US astronaut Mike Fossum, Japanese astronaut Satosji Furukawa and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov returned to Earth in their Soyuz capsule. They landed in a snowy field in the steppes of Kazakhstan.

The landing site. Auto headlights illuminate the landing area. Dark splash on right is where the Soyuz touched down, and the capsule is a bit to the left of that spot.

The New Mobile Launcher

2011-11-21T08:08:00.001-08:00

The giant Crawler takes the ML out to Pad 39B.

In a scene reminiscent of the glory days of the Saturn V launches to the Moon, a giant launch tower is again seen moving to the pads. NASA engineers have moved the huge 355 foot tall tower to Launch Complex 39B to test how the new structure responds to the stresses of moving on the large Transport Crawler.

The ML tower was originally constructed for use with the Aries 1 rocket, which was cancelled three years ago by the Obama administration. Three years after its cancellation, the project is again alive thanks to Congressional intervention. During the last year, Congress has passed laws requiring NASA to design and build a new heavy-lift rocket to replace the lifting capacity of the cancelled Space Shuttle program. The new rocket is designated (for now) as the SLS, standing for Space Launch System. There's a creative, catchy name for you, eh? Despite my sarcastic response to the name, the new system will provide the United States with a rocket capable of lifting large satellites and spacecraft into orbit and beyond to the Moon and the asteroids.

Currently the ML tower stands at a total height or 400 feet while on the tremendous transporter. The trip from the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) to Pad 39B takes about 14 hours and travels 4.2 miles. The tower weighs in at a wopping 6.5 million pounds. It currently does not yet have the swinging arm bridges that will allow engineers to access parts of future rockets along its length.

Pad 39B is also going through changes. The old towers that serviced many shuttle flights have been torn down, and new structures are building in its stead in preparation for the new ML series of towers. In fact, the base of the ML will need enlargement for exhaust, as it was originally designed to work with the thinner Aries rocket. The new SLS will be wider at the base and include side-mounted Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs, like the shuttle had).

My hope is that the shuttle towers will be broken into small pieces for sale to space collectors like myself. I currently own a piece of the gantry from Launch Complex 26, from which the historic Explorer 1 satellite (America's first successful space satellite) launched atop a Jupiter rocket in 1958. I would love to add a remnant of the space shuttle era to my collection.

Launch of Ares 1-x in 2008. This was the test rocket for the cancelled Ares series of rockets, launched from Pad 39B to test the marriage of the SRB as a first stage with a second stage test structure. The temporary tower used at the pad will be replaced with the ML Tower structures.

2 Space Station Updates

2011-11-18T06:36:00.001-08:00

Soyuz rocket blasting off in snowstorm.

Two international dockings this week made the news. Our first story is the return of human spaceflight to Russian space Operations, as a successful Soyuz launch was made to the ISS. On board the TMA-22 Soyuz spacecraft were two cosmonauts and an astronaut of Expedition 29. Even though the launch occurred during a snowstorm, the spacecraft successfully made it to the ISS and docked to the Russian Poisk module on Wednesday.

Expedition 29 all together now.

Cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov, Anatoly Ivanishin and astronaut Dan Burbank join the rest of the Expedition 29 team for a six month stay aboard the station. Burbank is in the middle of the front crewmembers in the photo. Station Commander Mike Fossum (middle in back row), astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (left back row) and cosmonaut Sergei Volkov (right back row) will return to Earth next week. Another group of three astronauts will launch to the station in December.

Meanwhile, the Chinese have been continuing their tests with their Tiangong-1 space module which acts as a remote-control station for practice purposes.

Tiangon-1 (left) and Shenzou-8 (right)

Chinese ground controllers have been practicing undocking and redocking the Shenzou-8 spacecraft. No Taikonauts (Chinese astronauts) are on either craft. Notice the Shenzou-8 (right side of picture) looks remarkably like a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Why start from scratch when you can borrow (?) from something that has worked well for decades. The Chinese are actually doing very well and making good progress in their goal to establish an inhabited space station and then press on to the Moon. Certainly they have benefited from the American and Russian technology. Sure would be nice if they paid for the use of those patents, though.

Recovering the landed Shenzou-8.

Like the Russian Soyuz, the Chinese Shenzou spacecraft land in an open wilderness for recovery. In this case, Inner Mongolia. It had undocked from Tiangong-1 on Wednesday and returned to Earth on Wednesday. It is expected that Taikonauts will be on either the next flight to the station or for certain the third flight up.

Picture credits NASA and Chinese Space Agency.

Here Comes A BIG One!

2011-11-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

Radar image of 2005 YU55.

It's time for watching the skies again, as a large asteroid passes pretty close to the Earth. Asteroid 2005 YU55 is expected to zoom past our planet at about 4:28 p.m. Mountain Time this afternoon. By Pretty Close I mean Pretty Close. Many close calls are actually several times the distance between the Earth and Moon, but this one will actually come closer to Earth than the Moon does!

Scientists have been closely tracking this asteroid with radar-imaging telescopes to precisely verify its trajectory and speed. We should be quite safe, as its orbit around the Sun has already been established. This gives researchers a chance to observe a close up asteroid and learn more about the dangers that could be posed to the Earth by these close misses.

You see, this isn't some little po-dunk bus-sized little rock, this one is as big as an aircraft carrier! Yes, it would survive going through the atmosphere and smack us good, but it looks like it will miss (phew!)

The last time a rock this size passed this close to the Earth (about 200,000 miles away) was in 1976. That pass by was undetected until scientists caught it going away (lucky us). The next approach of an object this big won't be until about 2028.

2005 YU55 will continue on past us and continue circling the Sun, passing by the Earth, Venus and Mars.

Down here in the Bunker we are glad that our scientists will get such a close opportunity to study and analyze the enemy's weapons. Should this have hit the Earth, the damage would have been quite appreciable, creating a crater larger than that found at Meteor Crater in Arizona. Celebrate the Near-Miss with a toast to the Near-Earth-Observations Program at JPL and NASA. The more we learn about these objects, the safer we can be in the War against the Comet Empire and their Allies, the Asteroids.

Dockings in space

2011-11-04T15:15:00.001-07:00

Steady... steady... careful now...

On Wednesday morning November 2, Progress 45, a robotic cargo delivery spacecraft, approached the International Space Station and successfully docked to the Russian PIRS module. Supplies included food, fuel, oxygen, water, and electronic supplies. I'm sure what the astronauts of Expedition 29 were REALLY waiting for were the 2 Apple iPads that were stored on board!

THis docking brings a sigh of relief from Russian space program managers, who were no doubt worried to death after the failure of the last Progress mission. That crash resulted in a delay of the Progress missions. Looks like the bugs have been worked out... for now.

Steady... steady... careful now...

Celebrations in China this week as a major milestone has been achieved for the Chinese SPace Program. Earlier this year, China launched the Tiangong-1 science module, basically a mini-space station. Tee T-1 will be used for practice in rendezvous and docking practice, and later next year Chinese Astronauts will actually dock with the spacecraft. In this event, a Shenzhou-8 Space ship robotically docked with the T-1 module. China is continuing to make strides forward in their development. No doubt this is due to all the scientific help we have either given them or they have stolen. I do not make that claim lightly.

Weekend Launches

2011-10-31T06:52:00.000-07:00

NPP assembly in the clean room.

On early Friday Morning, NASA launched the NPP, the NPOESS Preparatory Project, into orbit aboard a Delta II rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This satellite will be the first in a new series of Earth-observing probes that will help us monitor what is really happening with the climate.

Progress 45 lifts off to the ISS.

After a delay for investigating the causes of a Progress crash a couple of months ago, Russia has given the green light and launched the next cargo mission to the ISS. Progress 45 blasted off from Kazakhstan on Sunday for a 3 day trip to the station. As usual, the pod contains fuel, oxygen, water, spare parts and supplies for the Expedition 29 crewmembers.

Last Saturday, the crew of Expedition 29 jettisoned the Progress 42 cargo pod, and ground controllers sent it to burn up in the atmosphere, taking a load of station garbage with it. Progress 45 will dock in its place on Wednesday.

50 YA: First Saturn 1 launch

2011-10-27T09:54:00.001-07:00

Saturn SA-1 launch from LC-34 at Cape Canaveral.

Fifty years ago, NASA achieved one of its major milestones in the Apollo program. From Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, the first rocket in the Saturn family blasted off. The basic first stage consisted of several Redstone rockets linked together, with a second and third stage assembly filled with water to test weight requirements.

Saturn 1 first stage during assembly.

The basic design of the rocket was under the direction of Werner Von Braun, who had succeeded in launching America's first satellite Explorer 1 on his Jupiter rocket back in 1958. The Saturn 1 used six times the fuel that the Jupiter had used in that flight. The nose cone of the Saturn SA-1 flight was a Jupiter nose cone.

Von Braun and Engineers with Saturn assembly.

LC-34 was constructed with Apollo in mind. A large concrete pad and rocket stand were built on the north end of the Cape Canaveral complex. The pieces for the Saturn 1 arrived in August. The main first stage arrived by barge. During the trip, the barge managed to hit one of the low bridges in the area. Still, assembly went well and fuel began loading on October 26th.

First stage being positioned at LC-34.

One sad note: LC-34 would be the site in 1966 of the Apollo 1 fire, in which three astronauts would perish. THe tower structures on LC34 were enormous compared to Atlas and Gemini structures, due to the height and size of the new rocket.

Saturn SA-1 ready for launch.

By morning of October 27, 1961 all was ready for the launch. There had only been a delay of about one hour. At about 11:06 am (my estimation from UTC) the vehicle lifted off and flew 206 miles downrange over the Atlantic. It reached an altitude of 86 miles before descending. All mission objectives were met.

Von Braun in the firing room bunker, observing the launch through a periscope for safety.

Remaining Concrete structure at Pad LC-34. Picture taken by SpaceRubble Commander.

50 YA: MIDAS, Discoverer 33, and Polaris Testing

2011-10-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

Agena stage being loaded onto an Atlas rocket.

Fifty Years ago the US Air Force was attempting to place satellites in orbit that could warn us if an enemy country launched ballistic missiles at the USA. Named MIDAS (MIssile Defense Alarm System) the project would eventually launch nine satellites between 1960 and 1966. The sensors were primitive compared to later versions and often failed to detect launches. But the mission launched October 21, 1961 was successful. An Atlas-Agena rocket placed the MIDAS 4 sub-satellites into a polar orbit from the Pacific Missile Range.

Thor-Agena on the pad at Vandenberg AF Base in California.

On October 23, the USAF launched another Discoverer mission. Discoverer 33 failed to achieve polar orbit. The rocket shut down too early in the flight, and the spy satellite failed to separate and was lost into the Pacific.

Titan 1a.

On October 24, while scientists tracked the movement of the MIDAS sub-satellites in orbit over Earth, the Air Force launched a Titan ICBM from Cape Canaveral AF station. The small test MIDAS satellites detected the launch and successfully sent signals to Earth. This development helped our scientists plan on creating better sensors for the MIDAS satellites.

Polaris A1 on the test pad at Cape Canaveral.

Meanwhile on October 23, 1961, tests continued on the newest types of ICBMs, which were submarine-launched. The nuclear submarine USS Ethan Allen successfully fired off a Polaris A2, which was basically an improved Polaris A1. Eventually this missile design would enter srvice before the year was out and was placed on 13 submarines until 1974. This launch stands as the first underwater launch of the Polaris missile, and the tests were successful.

SSBN 608, USS Ethan Allen under way.

The USS Ethan Allen was the first submarine to be designed as a Ballistic Launch Nuclear Submarine. The first sub to launch a Polaris missile was the USS George Washington back in 1960, but that sub was modified from an attack submarine. The Ethan Allen had just completed trials and was commissioned in August 1961, before preparing for the Polaris tests.

New Launch site for Soyuz rockets

2011-10-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

Soyuz rocket blasting off from French Guiana. ESA credit.

Russia is no longer limited to launching their Soyuz rockets from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. On October 21st, in partnership with the European Space Agency, a Soyuz rocket lifted off from modified facilities in French Guiana in South America. Sent into orbit were the first two parts of the new European satellite navigation system, called Galileo. The twin IOV (In Orbit Validation) satellites will check and verify the position of other satellites to be placed in the network and test the system.

Twin Galileo IOV's separate.

The launch marks important milestones in the development and use of the Soyuz rockets. This is the first time the Soyuz has been launched outside of Russia's facilities, and strengthens the new working collaboration between Russia and the European Space Agency. This also gives ESA another reliable rocket in its portfolio of space operations.

50 YA: X-15 Program Leads the Way to Space

2011-10-20T06:54:00.001-07:00

Major Robert White in 1961 with the X-15.

Back in 1961, NASA was struggling to get an American into orbit. The Soviet Union had beaten us to that goal, and was making great propaganda from the feat. But while NASA engineers overcame problem after problem with turning the Atlas missile into a launch platform for the Mercury space capsule, there was another program that prepared NASA for flying in the upper reaches of the atmosphere, and even into space.

The X-15 rocket plane was an engineering descendent from the X-1 that Chuck Yeager flew to break the Sound Barrier back in 1947. But the X-15 was an incredibly advanced creature compared to our first X-plane. Like the X-1, the X-15 was dropped from a high flying bomber (the B-52) and then ignited its rocket engine to propel it at tremendous speeds as high as it could go. In the atmosphere, the pilot used traditional controls from the stabilizer and elevator controls. But once in the thinnest of air, and even when the craft reached the technical limits of outer space, the X-15 used reaction control jets similar to those placed on the Mercury Capsules. The program started in 1959 and continued through 1969.

X-15 is released from the B-52.

50 years ago, on October 11, 1961 USAF Major Robert White piloted his X-15 to a new altitude record of 217,000 feet (about 40 miles up!). He was traveling at a speed of 3,647 mph. This altitude was so high that he was actually above 99.9 precent of the Earth's air! At that height, he had to rely on the reaction control thrusters. When returning to the Earth, the outer skin of the X-15 heated up to about 900 deegres F.

For those of you at the CMSEC, when you use thrusters to position the spacecraft at our Helm or navigation systems, you're basically flying the simulator in the same way.

From L to R: Robert White, Bill Dana, Neil Armstrong, Joe Engle. All x-15 pilots.

On August 25, 2005 NASA continued presenting Astronaut "Wings" to X-15 pilots. Rob WHite, Joe Engle and Neil Armstrong had already been given theirs, and Bill Dana was being given his when the picture above was taken. Robert White passed away last year, on March 17, 2010. The other pilots in the picture are still alive today. Neil Armstrong you know about. Bill Dana was also a test pilot on F-15s, F-18s, and NASA lifting body test planes that helped develop the Space Shuttle. Joe Engle, like Neil Armstrong, became an astronaut and flew the Test shuttle Enterprise during testing, and later flew on shuttle missions STS-2 (Columbia) and STS-51 I (Discovery).

50 YA -Test Launches Continued

2011-10-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

Launch of a military Atlas rocket.

From late September to mid October in 1961, there continued a number of tests from the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral as the US Air Force worked to improve our strategic missiles. What an exciting time it must have been for the citizens living along the Florida Coast as launch after launch lifted off from the beaches out over the Atlantic Ocean. Besides the notable large rocket launches, there were also small sounding rockets and scientific payloads being tested.

On October 5, 1961 the USAF fired an Atlas ICBM with a dummy warhead over the Atlantic. Flying over 9,000 miles from its launch pad, a data capsule also loaded on top of the rocket safely landed in the waters and was recovered. Although this was a military launch, every use of an Atlas rocket was carefully analyzed for the impact it might have on the upcoming launch of an astronaut into orbit. Remember, the Atlas did not have too stellar a reputation among the Mercury 7 astronauts who had seen a number of these rockets explode.

On October 6, 1961, the USAF launched a Titan I rocket with the mission to test the Titan II guidance system.

Titan 1a.

This early testing of the Titan ICBM was primarily for development of our strategic rocket forces, but once again, the data gained by these tests would have their impact on the manned space program later in the Gemini Program.

Argo D4. Sounds like a Star Wars Droid to me.

Launches didn't only blast off from Cape Canaveral. From NASA's Wallops island facility, sounding rockets like the Argo lifted scientific experiments to learn the effect that electricity plays in the upper atmosphere.

On October 13th, The USAF launched another in its series of Discoverer secret missions. Discoverer 32 lifted off carrying the Agena stage (used as a satellite or stage to carry experiments). Its mission was to improve the space maneuvering capabilities of the Agena craft, test new materials for radiation shielding, and perform some surveillance experiments.

Agena stage.

Discoverer 32 lifted off from Vandenberg AF Base in California. After placing the Agena craft in space, controllers went through their tests and experiments without mishap. On this trip, the Thor rocket made its 100th successful launch!

Thor-Agena rocket at Vandenberg AF Base.

After one day of orbiting, the Agena spacecraft ejected a 300-pound capsule which re-entered the atmosphere, and was recovered off the coast of Hawaii. As it parachuted to the ground, a specially-prepared cargo plane snatched it in mid-air for a secret trip back to base.

Gotcha!

Once safely back at the USAF base, the data from the launch stored in the capsule was carefully examined. Only one thing went wrong on this flight. When the technicians examined the large roll of film used to picture our enemies' secret locations, they discovered that 96% of the pictures had been taken out of focus. And you thought YOU've taken bad pictures before...

Playing Dodgeball in Space

2011-10-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

Comet Elenin fading. Credit: Michael Mattiazzo

While we wait for the eventual demise of German satellite ROSSAT between the 20th and the 23rd, Earth managed to avoid destruction from the "Doomsday Comet." According to some conspiracy theorists, Comet Elenin was expected to hit the Earth on Sunday the 16th. Well, it must not have been too many conspiracy theorists, because not even I had heard of this one.

Apparently, some of the conspirators believed that the name of the comet, Elenin, was code for ELE, or Extinction Level Event. This ties into something called the Nibiru or Planet X collision. Believers fear that a large planetary body or comet not currently known by astronomers (but known to the ancient astronomers) will come barreling out of the dark and collide with the Earth, or make a near miss, enough to cause tremendous geological damage and threaten the human species.

In actuality, Comet Elenin was discovered in December 2010 by Russian amateur Leonid Elenin. Already very faint, it was estimated to be a long-period comet of only a diameter of about 3-4 kilometers. After a large solar storm in August, the comet was seen to be breaking up and growing much fainter. As it swept around the Sun on September, the break up was figured to be complete and only a cloud of cometary debris was noted. See the top photo for a reduction in brightness.

So, on last Sunday, the remaining debris swept pass the Earth. Only it wasn't even close. It passed by at about the same distance as from Earth to Venus. Here in the SpaceRubble Bunker we didn't even notice.

And yet, I should make note that on my drive home from SLC Saturday night, I witnessed a small fireball meteor descending westward apparently over the Oquirr mountains. Curious timing, that...

Run! Another satellite is falling!

2011-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

credit: EPA/Barbara Walton

Well, don't panic just yet.

It is true, however, that another satellite is out of control and exepcted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on October 22nd or 23rd. This time it's the German satellite ROSAT, which was originally launched into space in 1990. This time, though, the scientists have less assurance about where and when it might come down.

ROSAT satellite, artist concept. Credit: German Aerospace Center.

Scientists suspect that quite a bit of this object may survive the fall, so the debris might weigh as much as a ton and a half! They have calculated the odds of a person on Earth being struck by ROSAT debris as 1-in-2000. This is a significantly higher risk than we faced from the falling NASA satellite. Still, the odds that YOU are the one who will be hit are incredibly low. Still, better safe than sorry. Carry a camera with you this week and be ready to take pictures of any crash site, wreckage, or havoc. I'll be hiding safely in the Spacerubble Command Bunker, anxiously awaiting word of calamity. Or, I might just do something useful like plot the destruction of evil alien TellyTubbies (have you SEEN them?).

Warning: Do not take this seriously. While the facts in the article may be correct, there is no cause for alarm unless you are actually struck by debris. Remember that debris from the satellite will not be hot, it will cool by the time it may hit you, but it's the weight of some debris that might squish you tragically. The tone of this article is created for entertainment and in no way represents the opinion of anyone of note. If you are alarmed by the warning nature of this post, please calm down and stop watching the news, disaster movies, or listening to conspiracy theorists. If you ARE hit by debris, wow. Nice knowin' ya.

Space Launch Updates

2011-10-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

Past Soyuz launch.

Looks like we've got a go! for launching astronauts again. After the last Soyuz launch which misfired and destroyed the Progress resupply cargo module (no astronauts on board), the Russians and NASA set about investigating the problem and postponing any upcoming launches to the ISS. NASA now accepts Russia's findings and has approved the next launch of a Soyuz to the ISS. Reinforcements for ISS Expedition 29 are now expected to launch on November 14th.

India's PSLV on the Pad.

India launched a satellite in conjunction with the French space program. The Satellite will study the Earth's atmosphere. It was launched on India's PSLV rocket from India.

International Space Launches

2011-10-02T12:57:00.001-07:00

Proton Rocket Blastoff.

Well, it seems the Russians feel everything is safe to resume launches again. International Launch Services (ILS) launched their Russian-made Proton-M rocket to carry a satellite into orbit. Blasting off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, the rocket lifted the QuetzSat-1 communication satellite into orbit for the Mexican government.

Promotional Poster for Mexican Satellite.

A satellite for Europe, the EutelSat, was lifted into orbit on Saturday aboard a Zenit 3SL rocket. This unusual launch occurred thanks to SeaLaunch, a company that uses the sea itself as it's launchpad. From a ship located at the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, the Zenit rocket is lowered into the water from the boat and uses buoyancy and stabilizers to position the rocket for launch.

From the waters of Earth to the vacuum of space...

SeaLaunch recently recovered from bankruptcy to rebuild their company and restart operations again. Looks very successful so far. By using a ship to launch the rocket, SeaLaunch can send its rockets aloft from any water space on the planet and meet its customers' needs.

By far the most impressive launch recently shows that the Chinese are indeed serious about progress in space exploration.

China televised launch of their first space lab.

Credit: Chinese television

Using a Long March 2F rocket, on September 29th China sent up an unmanned space lab module to orbit. The Tiangong-1 lab is not intended for permanent occupation, like the ISS, but will instead be man-tended. Chinese astronauts will practice rendezvous and docking with the lab, and occasionally visit it to keep experiments working. China plans to first send a couple of unmanned capsules to dock with the lab, followed by Shenzou-10, a manned mission, which may include the first Chinese woman astronaut.

Illustration of potential docking.

Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office.

Impact Verdict - A Miss!

2011-10-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Graphic of UARS re-entering atmosphere.

Credit: AGI

Well, it's all over now. The UARS satellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere at about midnight Friday night/Saturday morning the 24th. There was some initial confusion about where the satellite actually came down. Some people reported seeing a glow in the sky off the coast of Washington state. By Tuesday, NASA was able to pinpoint the actual area where pieces would have come down. IN fact, the UARS came down far off shore in the Pacific away from any landmass. It's not likely that anyone actually saw the destruction. There had been some reports of debris landing in Alberta Canada, but these turned out to be hoaxes. Show's over, folks... Move along, nothing to see here...

UARS Satellite Coming Down!

2011-09-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

HEADS DOWN!

It's Duck-and-Cover time, folks, as a big piece of space junk is headed our way and just may hit someone! Sure, the chances of it hitting YOU in particular are about 1 in a trillion, but hey, you're on the planet, aintcha?

UARS in orbit.

NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is expected now to re-enter the atmosphere sometime late Friday the 23rd or early Saturday the 24th. As the trajectory becomes more clear, it seems that we Americans may be in it's probable fall zone. That zone could be an estimated 500 miles long.

UARS has had a good life, performing its research since 1991 in orbit of the Earth. It's a big boy, though, about 6.5 tons and the size of a school bus (why are things always related to the size of a bus or Rhode Island?) and it won't all burn up during re-entry. Scientists have estimated that about 26 pieces will survive to land on the ground. The fall through the atmosphere will cool the pieces so it shouldn't be hot when it lands. However, there are some coolants and reactants that could be harmful to human flesh so if you should find a piece, don't touch it(!) but rather notify local police and take lots of awesome pictures.

Expedition 28 Ends, Expedition 29 Takes Command

2011-09-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Soyuz spacecraft leaves the ISS.

Last week the crew of Expedition 28 to the ISS boarded their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft and undocked from the station. During a previous change of command ceremony, Astronaut Mike Fossum became the commander of Expedition 29 on the station with crewmembers Satoshi Furukowa and Sergei Volkov. After a day of maneuvering and changing altitude, the Exp 28 crew fired braking thrusters and headed for re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere.

Soyuz return capsule safely deployed its parachute. Great photo of the capsule passing the Moon in the sky.

Engineers in both the USA and Russia have been concerned about the schedule of launching personnel to the ISS, after two incidents with the second and third stages of the Soyuz rockets. Management in both agencies agreed that the Expedition 28 crew should return as normally scheduled.

Touchdown! A bit rougher than a shuttle landing, but for now the only way.

The returning crew arrived back on Earth Thursday and were safely and quickly recovered from their spot in the Russian wilderness. Good work Expedition 28!

50 YA -Discoverer XXXI: Doomed to fail

2011-09-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Thor-Agena rocket at USAF museum in Dayton, Ohio.

Fifty years ago on September 17, the USAF launched another Corona spy satellite mission from launch facilities at Vandenberg AF Base in California. Launched into a polar orbit, the Corona satellite was supposed to make secret photos of Soviet deployment of bombers and missiles. Unfortunately, on September 19th when the film cannister was due to eject and parachute to Earth for recovery, there was a power failure on the 33rd orbit. Both the film cannister and the satellite remained in orbit.

50 YA - Mercury makes an orbit!

2011-09-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

MA-4 blasts off from Cape Canaveral.

With the Soviets still gloating about their successful man-in-space program, the NASA engineers were trying to catch up. Fifty years ago on September 13 they made a big step forward. NASA was moving on from the Redstone rocket and was ready to try the Atlas. The Atlas had suffered quite a few malfunctions, some of them tragic, and NASA officials (and astronauts I might add!) were very apprehensive about putting a man on the Atlas.

MA-4 was a test flight for the combination. An unmanned Mercury capsule (8A, which had been previously #8 on an aborted mission) was placed on Atlas rocket LV3-B #88D. It lifted off perfectly from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral in FLorida. The capsule separated as expected and completed an orbit. It successfully returned through the atmosphere and was recovered by the destroyer USS Decatur (DD-936). All of the tests were performed well, relieving the scientists and helping us prepare for the eventual manned flight.

50 YA- Discoverer XXX

2011-09-14T06:09:00.001-07:00

Thor-Delta rocket, often used in the Corona/Discoverer program.

FIfty years ago on September 12, 1961 the USAF launched Discoverer 30, a spy satellite in the Corona series, into a polar orbit from Vandenberg AF Base in California. This satellite's mission was to get photographic proof of how fast the Soviet Union was building bombers and rockets, and where they were placing them.

Discoverer 30 was a very successful mission. It carried the KH-3 spy camera system. This system would eventually expose its film, and at a precisely calculated moment, would eject the film canister in a shielded pod which could survive re-entry. On September 14, the pod was ejected, and while it floated to Earth on a parachute, was snagged and recovered by a special C-130B transport designed to catch these falling satellites.

50 YA - Tiros III spots a monster

2011-09-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

Tiros spin-stabilized satellite.

Almost Forgot! We remember that Tiros 3, an early weather satellite, had some success in spotting storms at sea. %0 years ago, it spotted and captured on camera a full blown hurricane.

Gotcha! Esther in 1961.

Like the first two Tiros machines, the processes of watching storms from space were still developing and were experimental. It took about 8 hours for the images to be processed through the early computers of the time, and the photos themselves were not considered proof enough to declare Esther an official hurricane. It was, though, enough to recognize the storm for the danger it was and to begin tracking it. Two days later, hurricane-hunter aircraft penetrated the storm and proved winds were at hurricane strength. It was also determined to be heading towards the U.S.

Hurricane Irene hits the Bahamas, 2011.

Now compare the image of another beast, this time the recent hurricane Irene. As you are aware, Irene just completed a very damaging hit to the eastern seaboard of the U.S. causing billions of dollars in damage. Irene was tracked minute by minute by today's modern weather watchers in space, from its discovery as a front just off the coast of Africa to its last moments sweeping to see in the North Atlantic. Because we had adequate warning, many lives were saved and much property protected. This is the great advantage of space access and technology.

Back in 1961, Esther struck back as a hurricane-hunter went missing and seven airmen were killed. Esther made a loop in its path before crashing into New England and causing $37 million in damages, very modest compared to Irene's damage. Am interesting note: Esther was the first hurricane to experience our scientists' attempts to use cloud-seeding to dump water while out at sea. As a fact, Esther did weaken before hitting land, which encouraged scientists to try more methods like this.

GRAIL heads for the Moon

2011-09-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Delta II with GRAIL launches from LC-17B.

Well, if we can't send people, at least we're sending satellites. The GRAIL probe is on its way to the Moon. Blastoff was at 7:08 a.m. MDT this morning, from the Cape Canaveral AF station. The Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory will reach the moon on New Years eve and go into orbit on Jan 1, 2012. It's purpose is to map the intracacies of the lunar magnetic fields to study the makeup of the Moon's core.

50 YA: NASA Buys more land for Cape Canaveral

2011-09-05T07:11:00.001-07:00

View from the 1960's.

50 Years ago, the US Senate approved a resolution granting NASA funds to purchase more land for the expansion of Cape Canaveral launch facilities. The Air Force station at Cape Canaveral would continue to be used throughout the Mercury and Gemini programs, and would include the testing for Apollo 1. However, plans for the Apollo Program required an enlargement of the launch area and the construction of larger, more complex launch structures.

Map of launch facilities.

Looking at the map, Cape Canaveral US Air Force Station extends from the bottom of the Cape through to LC 41, where Atlas rockets are still launched today. North of that area, is actual NASA Kennedy Space Center land, hosting the Apollo program launch pads and the great trackway from the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) to the 2 complexes which were used for Apollo and the Space Shuttles until just recently.

50 YA - Explorer XIII studies Micrometeorites

2011-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

Scout rocket blasts off.

On August 25, 1961 NASA launched Explorer 13 on a short mission to study the tiny rocks we could find in space between the Earth and the Moon. The space probe was launched aboard a Scout rocket from the Wallops Island launch facilities. Because of the shape of the counting device, it was nicknamed the "beer-can satellite". Impacts with the detector were reported by radio to tracking facilities. It was last heard from on August 27th, and NASA announced on August 29th that the probe had re-entered the atmosphere and burned up.

International Launch Failures

2011-08-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Progress M-12M at launch.

The Russian space program has taken a turn for the worse. Five minutes after blastoff, the Progress M-12M resupply spacecraft suddenly lost contact with ground controllers. There was an unknown problem with the second stage, and the craft failed to reach orbit. It crashed into a remote and sparsely-populated area in East Russia.

Proton-M lifting off.

The Proton disaster occurs within weeks of another one. On August 17th, Russian attempted to launch a Proton-M rocket carrying the Express AM4 communications satellite. In this case also, the second stage suffered a malfunction. Instead of crashing though, the failure of the second stage resulted in the satellite being placed into the wrong orbit, where it cannot function as intended. Russia placed all future Proton launches on hold, while scientists attempt to resolve the problem.

Long March rocket blastoff.

This month, trouble came in three's. On Thursday the 18th, the Chinese space agency tried to launch the Shijian satellite from its facilities in Northwest China. Again, a failure in the rocket cause the satellite to fail to reach its intended orbit. While China claims the Shijian to be a scientific payload, other scientists from outside China claim it may have been part of a military spy system. China's last rocket disaster occurred in 2009.

50 YA - Ranger 1 Test launch Failure

2011-08-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Ranger 1 on display before launch day.

Fifty years ago, America began its first true attempts to explore the Moon. The Ranger series of space probes was designed to reach the moon, orbit, and take photos and sensor readings of the surface. Ranger 1 itself was designed to go into a large Earth orbit to test the equipment and features of the spacecraft, and to examine the properties of space between the Earth and the Moon.

Schematic of Ranger 1.

On board the Ranger 1 were several telescopes, radiation detectors, particle detectors and a magnetometer. Of course the craft was also provided with a solar panel power supply and communications system.

Agena second stage being connected to an Atlas rocket.

To place Ranger 1 in its orbit, NASA decided to use the Agena second stage motor placed on an Atlas D rocket. Atlas D is the same rocket which would be used to launch the next manned mission. In the actual launch however, problems developed. In fact, before launch on August 23rd there were eight prior attempts which were cancelled due to equipment problems. When it finally did take off, the Atlas rocket performed well, but the Agena second stage failed to ignite, placing the Ranger 1 in a low Earth orbit and the spacecraft began to tumble. Its decaying orbit ensured that Ranger 1 would burn up in the atmosphere on August 30. Although the mission orbital goal was not achieved, scientists did have enough time to test out the equipment in the environment of space, which would help them prepare for the next Ranger mission.

50 YA - Tiros 3 finds some storms

2011-08-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Tiros- class satellite.

Fifty years ago, detecting weather from Earth orbit was still in its infancy, but progress was being made. Tiros 3, launched into space aboard a Thor-Delta rocket on November 23, 1960, used its only working television camera to spot two storm cells developing south-southwest of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. These cells had not yet been discovered by ground, air, or sea reconnaissance.

Tiros 3 had originally been equipped with 2 wide-angle cameras but the first failed after 12 days in space. the remaining camera did excellent work, and discovered many storms during the 1961 hurricane season.

We'll be coming back to Tiros 3 on September 10. Stand by for action!

50 YA - Blue Scout goes missing

2011-08-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

Scout launch from Cape Canaveral.

On this day back in 1961 NASA launched a Blue Scout rocket mission down the Atlantic Missile Range, only to lose radio contact with the payload. It was intended to place the package some 140,000 miles in orbit. I'm still researching to find out exactly what satellite was on board. The Scout rocket program lasted over 30 years and was generally very successful.

50 YA - Explorer 12 Goes into weird orbit

2011-08-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Thor Delta rocket.

On August 15th, 1961 NASA managed to launch Explorer 12 into a highly eliptical orbit around the Earth. When we think of orbiting the Earth, we usually think of a circular pattern, but this craft followed a more egg-shaped path around the planet. The orbit ranged from 50,000 miles to 170,000 miles from the Earth, studying a number of physical properties of energetic particles found in space.

The rocket was launched from the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral on a Thor-Delta rocket. Blast-off occurred from Launch Complex 17, where Delta rocket launches are made even to this day.

Because of the strange orbit, it took several days for scientists to confirm that Explorer 12 had reached its intended path. Data for the experiment stopped arriving in December of 1961, and the satellite re-entered the atmosphere in 1963.

50 YA - Vostok-2 leads manned spaceflight

2011-08-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

Gherman Titov.

Fifty years ago, Americans were still feeling the pressure from the Soviet lead in manned spaceflight. The Russians were making full use of their propaganda, proclaiming the superiority of the Communist Man over their Western counterparts. On August 6, 1961 cosmonaut Gherman Titov ascended into Earth orbit aboard Vostok 2.

Vostok 1 in a museum. Vostok 2 would have been very similar.

Titov remained in space for a shocking 17 orbits. He was the fourth man to fly in space, after Gagarin, Shepard, and Grissom. His flight was noted for many firsts: First to spend a day in space, first to sleep in space and get space sick (!), first to pilot a spacecraft personally, and first to manually take pictures from space. Amazingly, he was only 25 years old at the time.

Vostok-2 mission patch.

For his feat, Titov was named a Hero of the Soviet Union (and awarded other medals as well). Perhaps more lasting than that, his name was given to a very large crater discovered on the far side of the Moon!

Titov Crater in false color imaging.

Soviet postcard commemorating Gagarin and Titov, Russia's first two cosmonauts.

ISS Happenings

2011-08-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Progress supply ship docked at ISS. Cosmonaut seen above docking port.

On August 4th two cosmonauts from the Expedition 28 ISS crew performed a maintenance spacewalk. They successfully removed a communications antenna no longer being used, and installed a materials experiment. However, they took longer than expected to install a laser communications device which impacted their deployment of a satellite. The satellite was an experiment in amateur radio communications, and the antenna deployment was not completed. This may impact the functionality of the experiment.

Juno Lifts Off for Jupiter

2011-08-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Juno / Atlas V on pad LC-41.

On Friday August 5, NASA launched a new space probe towards Jupiter. Juno's mission is to continue our exploration of the gas giant with an aim towards understand Jupiter's possible origins and evolution.

Liftoff! Juno is on its way!

Juno is not intended to be a long-term observer of Jupiter. It's journey is expected to be five years, after which it will orbit the giant planet 33 times in a circumpolar orbit. Its instruments will probe the cloud structure and weather patterns, as well as probe the planet core and magnetic fields.

Headed towards space.

The blastoff was delayed for some time due to a ground equipment helium leak, and the inadvertent straying of a civilian boat into the restricted waters near the launch site. Once the all-clear was given, the Atlas V performed well and lifted the payload into space. The Juno craft separated from the second stage 53 minutes after blastoff.

View of the launch site from the second stage camera.

Solid Rocket boosters separate.

NASA animation of second stage propelling Juno into a trajectory to Jupiter.

Another interesting look at the Atlas V (top picture) helps us visualize a possible future for NASA. Boeing has decided to use the Atlas V launch vehicle for its tests of its CST-100 crew capsule, now in development. We'll have more coverage on this development shortly.

50 YA - More Problems for Discoverer Series

2011-08-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

Thor Agena (B model sown).

Fifty years ago on August 3, 1961, the US Air Force launched Discoverer XXVIII with a Corona spy satellite on board. Unfortunately, the system guidance computer failed, and the satellite failed to achieve orbit. I am assuming the launch was made from Vandenburg AF Base in California, but I may be mistaken.

War against the Comet Empire Continues

2011-07-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

That little white dot in the center is 2010 TK7.

It's been a week of good news down here in the SpaceRubble Bunker. Although Earth continues to be lightly bombarded by occasional meteorites, several advancements were recently made in identifying objects in the Solar System that give us greater understanding of how the asteroid belt exists and some more insight into potentially dangerous asteroids.

Firstly, though not as spectacular as some of the other news, astronomers discovered that asteroids 2010 TK7 is a Trojan Asteroid. This designation signifies that the rock, about 300 meters in diameter, maintains its position basically in the same orbit as our planet. This particular rock seems to maintain a stability pattern that occasionally brings it to within 24 million kilometers of our planet. It is currently at about 80 million kilometers distance, which indicates a complex trajectory. The stability comes from the named "Trojan Points" which are LaGrange gravity points L4 and L5. These asteroids have been suspected to exist, but so far 2010 Tk7 is the first to actually be detected.

Comet 103P/Hartley 2 picture and orbit.

Meanwhile, a little spacecraft named SOHO (SOlar and Heliospheric Observer) made great progress in measuring the amount of water and dust chunking off of comet 103P/Hartley 2. These studies will help astronomers understand better how a comet loses mass, as well as how a comet is composed and how it operates as it passes the warm regions of the inner solar system.

Vesta up close.

Also making BIG news this week was asteroid Vesta. NASA's space probe Dawn entered a temporary orbit around this giant space rock. Vesta and asteroid Ceres are the two largest member of the asteroids inhabiting the "belt" between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn will visit both asteroids, giving us unprecedented views and information about these bodies. Vesta is known as the brightest asteroid, visible from Earth, and is about 529 kilometers in diameter (roughly).

Important News!

This week marks the time of brightest appearance of asteroid Vesta. It's peak is expected about the 5th of August. Thanks to diagrams in Astronomy magazine, it will be very possible to view Vesta. Therefore, SpaceRubble Command will undertake an Observation Quest this weekend and attempt to spot Vesta with binoculars. This event will be covered (successfully or not!) in the blogs here at SpaceRubble. Look for coverage on or around the 6th of next week.

50 YA - Testing for an Accident

2011-07-30T05:27:00.001-07:00

Atlas missile (model A shown) launching from Pad LC-12.

Fifty years ago, the ICBM tests continued down at the Cape. Both NASA and the US Air Force were conducting tests of the various Atlas configurations. Engineers working with both programs learned much from each other. In the case of this particular launch, the test was meant to simulate what would happen if there were a failure of an atomic fuel core aboard a satellite or warhead, during re-entry. Scientists were especially interested in the dispersal pattern of the pieces as they fell to Earth.

Atlas-E launch sequence from trailer.

The rocket used for the test fifty years ago on July 31 (yes I'm a day ahead here, how strange!) was the Atlas model E. This model featured some new rocket guidance equipment, and was designed to be able to launch from a trailer-launch pad system. Atlas E's would be made operational in squadron use starting in September 1961. The last launch of an Atlas E (reconfigured as an Atlas E/F) would take place in 1995! Atlas E launches would fly from Cape Canaveral pads LC-11 and LC-13.

50 YA - ICBM Testing

2011-07-26T06:28:00.001-07:00

Titan 1 liftoff from Cape Canaveral.

FIfty years ago the Cape was a whirlwind of activity. NASA had just completed the launch of Freedom 7, with astronaut Gus Grissom. Despite the loss of the capsule in the Atlantic, other projects continued as planned. On July 25, the Air Force successfully launched a Titan-1 Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM. Using its own internal guidance, the rocket travelled 5,000 miles out over the Atlantic Missile Range.

Titan 1 on a test pad.

The Titan project would develop to become one of our most important rocket programs, not just for military purposes, but also for NASA. The space agency had just completed its second manned suborbital flight, and would now prepare for a launch of a man into orbit. The Soviets had already completed this task, because their A-7 rocket had greater thrust and could lift a heavier capsule. NASA's choice for lifting the Mercury capsule (1-man) into orbit would be the Atlas ICBM rocket, modified for safely carrying a human. There were still problems with this rocket, which had failed many times on the test launches. But looking even further, NASA planned to develop the Gemini program to launch a two-person craft into space, and for that NASA would need a very powerful rocket. Titan would end up serving that purpose years after Liberty Bell 7.

Minuteman-1 at a museum.

On July 27, 1961, the Air Force successfully launched another new ICBM rocket. The Minuteman-1 lifted off from the Cape Canaveral from its pad and continued downrange about 4,000 miles. This was the third test of this new ballistic missile. Minuteman would eventually add to, and later replace the Titan as our main silo-based nuclear deterrent. The advantage a Minuteman missile had over the Titan, was that Minuteman had a solid-fuel rocket engine and could thus be launched more quickly.

At the Cape, the Air Force used pads LC-15, 16, 19 and 20 for the Titan 1 program launches. The Minuteman LGC-30 Minuteman-1 program performed launches from Launch Complex 31. This complex would become famous many years, later, as the resting site of the remains of the space shuttle Challenger after its explosion and wreckage recovery.

LC-31 in 1961, with Minuteman-1 in place.

Lowering the remains of Challenger into the silo that would be constructed at LC-31. This site is visible today from the bus tour at the Cape Canaveral Air Force complex.

50 YA - America's Second Space Flight!

2011-07-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

MR-4 launch from Pad 5.

Mercury-Redstone 4 launched from Cape Canaveral on July 21, 1961. Perched atop the Redstone rocket was Mercury spacecraft #11, affectionately nicknamed "Liberty Bell 7" by its occupant, astronaut Virgil I. Grissom.

Air Force Captain Gus Grissom.

Captain Grissom was known to the world as Gus. He didn't like his name Virgil, and certainly didn't want to be known by his middle name, "Ivan" - especially during the Cold War with the Soviets! He had flown 100 combat missions flying the F86F Sabrejet fighter, and later became a test pilot. He was NASA's second choice to fly into space.

Technicians servicing Mercury spacecraft #11.

The capsule Gus would fly into space was modified from the one Captain Shepard flew on the first flight. This model had a centerline window and had an improved attitude control system for easier spacecraft maneuvering. Technicians painted a simulated crack on the exterior, after Gus had named the capsule "Liberty Bell 7."

Gus enters the capsule, a tight fit for anyone.

Backup astronaut for the mission was John Glenn, Jr. He was scheduled to fly the next mission. In the small preparation room surrounding the capsule at the top of the tower, John helped technicians squeeze Gus into the spacecraft and then sealed the hatch shut. At this time, the hatches were bolted shut with 70 small bolts. This would make exiting the capsule a difficult thing were it not for emergency explosive devices that when activated would disconnect the bolts and propel the hatch some 25 feet. Normal procedure would be for the astronaut to exit through the top hatch in the antenna compartment. During final preparations, one bolt on the hatch failed to line up properly, and after a 30 minute wait, technicians decided that 69 bolts wouold have to do the job.

Launch occurred a little after noon on July 21st. Because they were using the Redstone rocket, there was insufficient thrust to place the capsule into orbit, so the flight was only planned for a 15-minute suborbital journey over the Atlantic ocean. Gus experienced about 6 G's, or six times the force of gravity during the ascent into space. He noted that the blastoff was smoother than he expected, but some vibration increasing toward the end of acceleration.

The craft separated from the rocket and Gus had control of the craft. During tests of the control system Gus discovered that the controls were more sluggish in reality than he had experienced in the simulators. He activated the new rate control system, which then performed flawlessly.

Having reached an altitude of 118 miles, Gus prepared for re-entry and positioned the capsule so the heat shield faced forward. The retrorockets jettisoned on time and the craft decelerated at about 3 G's. Parachutes deployed fine and he landed the spacecraft in the ocean 486 miles from his launch site. The carrier USS Randolph stood by to recover astronaut and capsule.

Unexpectedly, the hatch explosive bolts activated and the hatch was thrown from the craft. Water began entering the hatch from wave action and the capsule began to sink. GUs had to preform his own emergency egress from the craft and enter the water as the helicopters arrived. At first his suit kept him floating fine in the water.

Attempting to hook up to the capsule.

The helicopters ignored the floating Gus and focused on attempts to hook up the capsule and lift it from the water. Unfortunately, the increasing weight of the capsule, now filling with seawater, put an increased strain on the helicopter engines and warning lights began to show in the cockpit. Metal chips from the engine were entering the oil system and the second helicopter had to be assigned to grab the capsule. Meanwhile, Gus noticed that his suit had a hole and was filling with water also. He was sinking too.

Gus is lifted from the water.

Additional attempts to lift the capsule were failing. Gus reached a "collar" lowered from the helicopter, slung one arm into it and was pulled to safety. The pilot of the second helicopter decided against further risk to his craft and cut the cable to the capsule. Liberty Bell 7 sank to an estimated depth of 28oo fathoms.

Last view of the Liberty Bell 7 before it takes the plunge.

Safely aboard the carrier, Gus went through an intense debriefing and medical examination. The mission was considered a failure because of the loss of the spacecraft. Engineers familiar with the explosive bolts system would blame Gus for the accident, claiming he must have deliberately or accidentally "blown" the hatch. Gus always insisted that the hatch detonated by itself without any reason. Later, Gus would be cleared of wrongdoing by an investigation court.

Gus escorted from the flight deck of the carrier.

For Gus, there would be no grand welcoming like that received by Alan Shepard. Rumors abounded about the reason of the hatch release. Eventually, astronaut Wally Schirra performed an experiment on his capsule after landing, to see how the explosive hatch reacted. His hand injury from the detonation was quite apparent. Gus received no such injury, indicating he had been correct and had not accidentally hit the explosive hatch release. Gus was vindicated by his fellow pilots. Gus would stay with the program and would later play an important part in the development of both the Gemini and Apollo programs.

STS135: Atlantis rolls safely to a stop

2011-07-21T06:30:00.001-07:00

Heads up display inside Atlantis cockpit.

At 3: 57 a.m. MDT Thursday, July 21, shuttle orbiter Atlantis touched down on the long runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The drogue chute deployed, slowing the craft while it braked to ensure it didn't roll right off the tarmac. When it came to a stop, so did the STS program.

Well at least you can see the drogue chute.

The landing took place just before the first rays of dawn hit the East Coast, so it was still pretty dark. The shuttle's arrival was first announced by the twin sonic booms as it entered Florida airspace faster than the speed of sound. NASA infrared cameras picked up the falling orbiter, glowing in infrared from its fiery journey through the atmosphere. The astronauts guided the craft through a series of turns, bleeding off excess speed while dropping like a huge brick from the sky.

Infrared view of the end of the journey.

Once stopped, the orbiter released pent-up gases and heat while astronauts began shutting down systems. When the shuttle was off and the gases safe enough, the hatch was opened and the astronauts released to the ground, gaining their Earth-legs again.

Move along, folks. It's all over. Nothing to see here.

STS135: Atlantis prepares for final landing

2011-07-20T06:57:00.001-07:00

Atlantis undocked and free of the station.

The astronauts on board shuttle Atlantis have been preparing their ship for its final return to Earth scheduled for Thursday. After undocking from ISS and moving the shuttle away from the station, astronauts used the robotic arm to take a final inspection of the heat tiles underneath the orbiter, ensuring they had no problems with the protective shield.

In the flight deck: Commander Chris Ferguson (back left) and pilot Doug Hurley. In front are mission specialists Sandy Magnus (left) and Rex Walhelm.

The crew also checked out the craft's landing and thruster systems, and the commander and pilot simulated landing procedures using a laptop computer simulator program.

Expedition 28 astronaut Mike Fossum took this beautiful picture of Atlantis just before the undocking sequence. Perfect view of the Raffaello logistics module in the shuttle cargo bay.

Milestone alert: The crew also found time to launch a small micro satellite, named PicoSat. This remarkable little explorer, under 10 inches in largest dimension, is designed to test some new solar cells during its time in orbit. This launching marks the 180th payload to be deployed during the shuttle program.

It was also the Last. Bon Voyage, PicoSat!

STS-135: Packing for trip home

2011-07-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

ISS camera shows Raffaello cargo module in shuttle cargo bay.

Just about an our ago astronauts used the robotic arms to disconnect the Raffaello logistics module from the ISS and attach it back into the cargo bay of shuttle Atlantis. The Raffaello is packed with finished experiments and garbage that is designated for return to Earth for studies.

Raffaello at the end of the CanadArm 2.

Final supplies have been stored and prepared aboard the space shuttle and all systems are ready for undocking this morning. The last step is to perform a final shuttle undocking ceremony for the cameras and then close the hatch. The ISS crew gave astronaut Mike Fossum of the Atlantis crew a model of the shuttle, representing a small monument if you will, in honor of all those whose spirits soared with the shuttle on each flight. Another item passed along is a special flag, which had originally flown on the very first shuttle mission, STS-1 with shuttle Columbia. The challenge to the ISS astronauts is that it should be returned on the next US spacecraft to visit the ISS, hopefully not too far away in our future. The flag was presented to astronaut Ron Garan.

Closing Ceremony.

The closing ceremony was fairly touching, besides the exchange of momentos, there were words of thanks and congratulations on a mission well done. The ISS now stands ready to begin its lonely vigil in the outpost of Earth Orbit, with only cargo pods and Soyuz ferry rockets to look forward to. We will miss the shuttle and its unique ability to transfer huge cargos and pieces of the station. Not only that, but the shuttle offered the only other airlock useable for conducting maintenance spacewalks and offered unique safety capabilities for the station.

In the airlock tunnel, ISS astronauts close the Atlantis hatch.

With the end of the ceremony, the crew of Atlantis floated through the hatch and the ISS astronauts helped them secure the airlock. Atlantis will depart from ISS tomorrow.

Ron Garan closing the hatch in Node 2 airlock on ISS. The special Flag is affixed to the hatch out of picture.

STS-135: Update

2011-07-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Joint crew of STS135 and Expedition 28.

My employers unexpectedly required me to be in San Diego for a work conference last week, and so I was unable to make a few mission blogs covering the launch of shuttle Atlantis and the crew of STS-135. By now you all should be aware that the launch was successful, and that operations on the ISS are proceeding as planned.

Launch from Pad 39A.

Despite some concerns about possible weather delays, the shuttle took off last Friday on the official last mission of a space shuttle to the ISS. Its four member crew performed visual checks of the shuttle heat tiles the next day, and docked to ISS on Sunday. DUring the next couple of days the ground controllers monitored potential danger from nearby Russian space junk.

View from spacewalking astronaut Ron Garan.

On Tuesday, Astronauts Ron Garan and Mike Fossum conducted the last spacewalk during a shuttle mission to ISS. During the six-and-a-half hour EVA, they Retrieved a failed pump for return to Earth, installed a couple of experiments, and constructed a new base for the station's robotic arms.

Astronaut Sandy Magnus floats amidst supply packs.

Astronauts also continued to unload cargo from the Rafael resupply module stored in the shuttle's cargo bay. This task was made easier by using the robotic arms to pick up the cargo pod and move it into docking with the station itself! During all the resupply operations, astronauts also conducted interviews with reporters and took a special phone call from President Obama.

Time alone to ponder. Sandy Magnus in the Observation cupola.

Atlantis is scheduled to return in four days.

STS-135: Atlantis prepares for Last Shuttle Launch

2011-07-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

Flight Deck view of technician helping astronauts get seated.

This is it.

Time has passed quickly this summer, and we've reached the last mission of the Space Transportation System, or STS. Atlantis is preparing for a launch from Cape Kennedy at 9:26 a.m. MDT. Weather is not looking good, and there is a good chance that the mission will be scrubbed this morning. However, the window of opportunity for launch to the ISS is open and the crew is anxious to begin the mission they were trained for.

Atlantis ready on the pad, fueled up and all systems being checked.

On this last mission of the shuttle program, Atlantis will carry four astronauts, supplies, and the Raffaello logistics module to be installed on the station. One spacewalk is planned during their stay. The crew is Commander Chris Fergusson, Pilot Doug Hurley, with Sandy Magnus and Rex Walhelm serving as mission specialists.

50 YA - Nuclear Powered Triple Shot

2011-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

Thor-Able Star with the Transit IV satellite.

Fifty years ago, the US Air Force launched yet another Thor rocket, but this one had a different second stage, Ablestar. The new stage allowed a heavier payload, which in this case included three different satellites! Transit IV-A was the predecessor of today's navigation satellites, and was powered by nuclear elements, making it the first satellite to be nuclear-powered. The second and third satellites were the Injun (gathering data on radiation belts around the Earth) and Greb III (gathering data on X-rays from the Sun). The satellites were successfully launched from the LC-17 pad at the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Asteroid 2011MD Buzzes By the Earth

2011-06-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hunker Down in the Bunker!

Asteroid 2011 MD zipped by our planet this morning at about 7:30 am this morning, according to NASA. Definitely a Near Earth Asteroid encounter. Scientists have estimated the rock's size at about 5 to 20 meters in diameter, small enough that it would definitely have broken up and mostly burned up in our atmosphere if it had connected with the Earth. Might have made a nice episode on the Meteorite Men TV series. However, the asteroid passed by without mishap and continued on its way in space.

Orbital components.

From the Bunker: The war with the Interstellar Comet Empire continues. Safely protected in the bowels of our Command Bunker, I waited patiently for zero-hour to pass. Finally the time had come, and the danger was over. Once again, the inept fire controllers of the enemy had failed to send their meteor bombs on the correct trajectory. No doubt several technicians will be executed by the OverLord for their lack of skill. Meanwhile, most citizens of the Earth go about their morning business as usual, blissfully unaware of the mortal danger we face from outer space bombardments...

Expedition 28: Goings and Comings

2011-06-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

Kepler undocks from the ISS.

It's been a week of logistics at the ISS. After a stay at the station for almost four months, it was time to bid farewell to the European SPace Agency's Johannes Kepler, also designated ATV-2. The ATV is a robotic supply cargo ship with plenty of room for cargo. Once the cargo was removed and stored, the ATV was gradually filled with trash and disposable equipment. On June 20, the ATV was undocked and piloted remotely into a lower orbit. Before it left however, the remaining fuel was spent pushing the ISS into a higher, safer orbit.

ATV or X-wing? You decide.

On tuesday, the ground controllers used the ATV thrusters to position it into a plunge from low orbit into the atmosphere. No heat shield is included in the ATV equipment, so as it encountered the upper atmosphere it began to heat up. The craft burned up and broke up over the Pacific Ocean.

The end of the Johannes Kepler.

While the ATV headed for its fiery demise, more supplies were on their way to the ISS. The Russians launched a Progress resupply vessel to the station on June 21st.

Beautiful launch of a Progress resupply mission.

Progress 43 launch from the Kazakhstan facility on June 21st. The actual Russian listing for the operation is M-11M. The launch went well and the supply ship was soon in orbit on its way to the station.

Progress 43 visible on the right.

The Progress rose in orbit to the height of 245 miles above the surface, the new orbital level of the ISS. Docking completed on the 23rd. The Progress is docked at the Zvezda service module.

50 YA: Discoverers 24 and 25

2011-06-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Thor-Agena B at Vandenberg AFB.

Fifty years ago, the US Air Force continued to launch Corona spy satellites disguised as the Discoverer Program. Discoverer 24 launched on June 8, but I have found another source that lists the 16th as the launch date. Considering that Discoverer 25 was also launched on June 16, 1961, leads me to believe the first date of June 8 is probably more correct for D-24. That particular flight launched a KH-5 spay satellite, but as I reported earlier, the mission failed for an unknown reason. By the way, if anyone finds out the correct reason and shows me the facts, I'll be happy to give you credit!

Discoverer 25 is also listed as launching from Vandenberg AFB on June 16, 1961 on a Thor-Agena B rocket. This launch turns out to be successful. In this case, the satellite was the KH-2 model camera system but also included some design changes to the payload. Sensors on the payload tested for cosmic radiation, atmospheric pressure, and micro-meteor impacts. The payload body was an elongated fuselage that had the capability of being re-oriented to face downward with a detachable cone facing the Earth. Once detached, the cone would be tested for retro-rocket slowing and maneuvering. The payload successfully deployed the cone and it was recovered in the Pacific Ocean on June 18th, and the payload structure itself burned up in re-entry on July 12th of 1961.

ISS Reaches new heights, docks Soyuz.

2011-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

Soyuz TMA-02 on final approach to ISS.

NASA had some great footage of the docking of the Soyuz TMA-02 craft on Friday, June 10th. We could clearly see the thrusters firing as the pilot gently nudged the craft into the correct position to advance slowly and dock.

Soyuz view with data superimposed on tv image.

In fact for the first time I got a greater appreciation of just how many thruster firings are necessary to perfectly align with a docking port. At first I thought the pilot must be as bad as I am with a docking video game.

Yours Truly at Kennedy Space Center, attempting to virtually dock the Orion capsule to the ISS. MUCH MUCH harder than it looked!

Fortunately the Russian pilot was better at docking than I turned out to be. The Soyuz made a successful docking and the crew opened the hatches a couple of hours later after all systems had been set for the stay at the station.

Swallowed by the Earth's shadow, the Soyuz is feet away from the docking port.

The Gang's All Here. Expedition 28 crew is now complete.

View of Endeavour docked with ISS from departing Soyuz with Expedition 27 crew. The Eurpoean ATV "Johannes Kepler" is at the right end of the assembly.

More good news for ISS: It's orbit got boosted! During a series of maneuvers, the ATV cargo module (docked at the opposite end of the station from where the shuttle docked) used its thrusters and fuel surplus to accelerate the station and raise it into a higher orbit. This boosting will keep the station farther away from the thin traces of atmosphere which can actually cause enough drag to lower the station closer to the Earth. This boosting also means less fuel will be required to be transported to the ISS for future boosting, thus giving more room for experiments and supplies on future cargo runs to the station.

50 YA: Discoverer XXIV Failure

2011-06-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Thor-Agena rocket at Vandenberg AFB, California. This was the rocket type used for the launch of Discoverer XXIV.

With the success of Alan Shepard's flight, the Space Race was really heating up. Meanwhile, the Cold War between the USA and the USSR continued at full speed. Advancements in space technology were eagerly sought by both sides to gain a military of intelligence advantage over the other. For the USA, the Corona spy satellite program still had its own teething problems. Discoverer XXIV was another in the series of secret Corona missions to fly a camera over the Soviet Union, take pictures of secret facilities, and send the film back to Earth.

Discoverer XXIV never made it to orbit.

I've been trying to find out a little more of the mission and why it failed, but no info so far. I do know that the rocket launched was a Thor-Agena B model, from Vandenberg AFB in California, on June 8, 1961 (although another date was also listed). The Corona version used was the KH-5 camera system. No reason for the failure has been found yet by me.

Expedition 28: Soyuz TMA-02M Blasts off for ISS

2011-06-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

Crew Patch for mission TMA-02M.

The second half of the Expedition 28 crew lifted off in their Soyuz rocket from Baikonur at about 2:15 p.m. MDT yesterday. The crew consists of Soyuz Commander cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, and Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. The rocket took off at night, making a brilliant display of rapid ascent to Earth orbit. Russian video being what it is, however, means we did not have great video of the stage separations. We did, though, get good video feed of astronaut preparations and views of the crew inside the capsule on their journey to space.

Russian Soyuz rocket on pad.

The crew started their trip with a traditional autographing of the doors of their rooms at Star City. Then, after suiting up, technicians adjusted their suits and they were transported to the pad. Notable was the presence of legendary cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, first man to walk in space. He looked to be in good health and spirit as he wished the crew well on their trip.

Astronaut Furukawa signs his door.

The crew leaves their quarters to go suit-up.

Astronauts take turns getting their suits adjusted for the flight. The position of the cosmonaut in the adjusting chair gives you a great image of how cramped they will be in their capsule.

Atop the rocket, the Capsule and escape tower.

Mike Fossum in the right seat (left in view). Waiting for launch.

On their way! Glare from rocket flames makes it hard to see the rocket in the center.

Shaky Cam. Fossum gives a thumbs up during ascent.

Volkov in center seat, Furukawa to the right (left seat). Microgravity in effect, as witnessed by the pen floating above the checklist.

Russian mission control outside of Moscow. The Soyuz will dock with ISS on Thursday.

Expedition 28: Second Group Readies for Flight

2011-06-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Reinforcements for Expedition 28 outside a Soyuz capsule.

Three more crew for Expedition 28 get ready for their flight this week to the ISS. In the picture you'll see astronaut Mike Fossum (left) then cosmonaut Sergei Volkov, and on the right is Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa. Volkov will be the Soyuz commander for the flight to the ISS. They will join Commander Andrey Borisenko, Alexander Samokutyaev, and American Ronald Garan who are already manning the station. The Soyuz flight should take place Tuesday, with a docking at the station on Thursday.

Expedition 28: View from the Cupola

2011-06-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

Astronaut Ronald Garan at the entrance to the Cupola.

What's the largest window ever used in space? That would be the Cupola on the International Space Station. Built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and installed on the ISS during mission STS130 in 2010. The purpose of the cupola was to give a fantastic viewing area for the operation of the robotic CanadArm-2, operations outside the ISS, docking of visiting spacecraft, and of course a magnificent view of the Earth, the stars and the universe.

View of Docked Progress, and at end of structure, the ATV cargo ship. To the left is the Rassvet science module. on the bottom from left to center is the Zarya, followed by Zvesda .

During the recent mission STS134, astronaut Ron Garan got some help making a 360 degree pan through the many windows of the cupola.

2nd Window. Leonardo module. Much of the station is hidden behind the foreground structure.

3rd window. Destiny, harmony and Kibo modules. The Endeavour is docked to the Harmony Node 2 module.

4th. End of Japanese Kibo module with the experiment "porch."

5th. Looking along the length of the Truss segments to the solar panels.

Aaaaand... we're back where we started.

One more module remains to be attached to the ISS, and that is the Russian Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. It is scheduled to be launched from Kazakhstan in 2012.

Now look up.... Wow!

Endeavour is so big you have to look through the top window to see the engines and stabilizer.

STS135: Atlantis Roll Out

2011-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

From inside the VAB: Atlantis heads for the pad.

A few hours before shuttle Endeavour touched down on the long runway at Kennedy Space Center, the great doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) began to open. For the last time, a space shuttle was taking the long drive on the giant crawler out to the launch pad. Held firmly in place by giant clamps, the crawler moved Atlantis out of the building and along the trackway at a stately rate of less than a mile per hour. The trip would take about six hours to cover the 3.4 mile journey.

Earlier in May: Atlantis lifted up to attach to the stack.

While the media focus had rightly been on the last launch of shuttle Endeavour and the adventures of mission STS134, the shuttle Atlantis was driven to the VAB. Clamped into a giant lifting cradle, the orbiter was lifted up and oriented 90 degrees to vertical, then slowly brought to its position on the "stack"; that is the External Tank (ET) with its attached Solid Rocket Boosters (SRM's). Once all attachments were complete, systems checked, and safety tests confirmed, it was time for the rollout.

Once in place on Launch Pad 39A, the crawler disengaged from the launch platform itself and began the return trip back to the VAB area. If there are any problems or dangers, as from a hurricane, the crawler will return to the pad and bring the shuttle back. However, that is a very rare event.

The shuttle is scheduled to launch July 8th.

STS134: Touchdown!

2011-06-01T05:07:00.001-07:00

Infrared camera view of Endeavour about to land.

STS 134 came to an end this morning at 12:34 a.m. MDT when Endeavour landed perfectly on the giant runway built for shuttles at the Kennedy Space Center. This was the final landing for Endeavour, which will now be retired to a museum.

This great shuttle, built to replace the loss of the Challenger, has completed a remarkable series of 25 missions since 1992. The mileage rackup just for this mission is impressive: 6,510,221 miles around the Earth in low orbit, preforming science and helping to build the ISS.

The total mileage for all of its missions now stands at a whopping 122,883,151 miles. Wow!

In addition to mileage, Endeavour has completed 299 days in space, making 4,671 orbits around the Earth. Its next numbers goal will be how many visitors it will receive in a museum.

STS134: Endeavour headed home.

2011-05-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Departing Shuttle from ISS Camera.

Endeavour undocked from the ISS about 11:55 p.m. MDT Sunday night. It slowly moved away and around the station. Then came the encore! The shuttle approached the station again, on a practice docking maneuver, in order to test a new sensor installed on the station. The new sensor will help future docking attempts by spacecraft carrying supplies and crew to the ISS.

Endeavour's mission will end late tomorrow night when the orbiter touches down in darkness at the Kennedy Space Center. Landing is scheduled for about 12:35 a.m. Wednesday morning.

STS134: Time to go home.

2011-05-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Endeavour cockpit.

Well, the time has come and gone. It was time for the crew of STS134 to say goodbye to the crew of new Expedition 29 on the ISS. After loading items onto the shuttle that needed to be returned from ISS for study, the crews met together for the last time for a farewell ceremony.

STS134 and Expedition 28 crews.

After a brief conference the crew of Endeavour headed down into their spacecraft and hatches were secured at about 7:20 a.m. EDT. Time to power up the old gal for one last ride through the bumpy atmosphere. Undocking is scheduled for 11: 50 something EDT tonight.

View of Endeavour, and Earth below. Time to go home.

STS134: The Mundane Stuff?

2011-05-28T05:55:00.001-07:00

Endeavour's crew gather for a crew picture.

With the 4th and last spacewalk complete, what does the shuttle crew do now? The picture above gives one clue. They are assembled in the Japanese science module KIBO for a picture. Lots of photos get taken in the ISS. This is amazing technology, and the crew is on an exciting adventure. These pictures get placed in newsppapers, magazines, the internet, and books. The publicity efforts of the astronauts inspire kids and adults alike to pay more attention to science and technological developments going on in orbit overhead. It helps promote the goals of not only NASA, but also the National Science Foundation, corporation interests like Boeing, medical companies and technology companies. NAd more.

Today the astronauts are helping the current 3-man crew of the ISS to maintain the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly, which is essential for keeping the life support system functional and making for living, breathing astronauts. Actually, this makes me chuckle, because as a flight director for the CMSEC simulator Magellan, I often cause the CO-2 scrubbers to malfunction to see how a crew responds to that emergency. Shades of Apollo 13.

The crew is also making a number of public appearances through the communications network, talking with reporters from television stations from Michigan and Ohio today.

And last but not least, there is still plenty of cargo to move from the shuttle to the ISS, and placing important garbage and items from the station into the shuttle for return to Earth. Not everything is burnt up in the atmosphere, some of it goes back to NASA for scientists to examine for scientific research.

All in a day's work for six guys who get TO FLY AROUND IN ZERO-G. Geesh. They look like it's so much fun!

STS134: Final Shuttle Spacewalk

2011-05-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Spacewalking.

Astronauts Chamitoff and Fincke completed the 4th and last spacewalk for the STS134 mission last night. Even as Early as I get up, the walk was already over and the suits were being stored as I quickly turned on NASA TV. Thanks to NASA TV, I'll be able to watch the highlights of the EVA later today. With no spacewalks planned during STS135, this concludes shuttle program EVAs for the ISS.

The spacewalkers stowed away the boom extension for the CanadArm2, and placed another grapple and power fixture point on the station so the arm can have greater reach along the truss. Once several other smaller procedures were completed, they headed for the airlock.

According to NASA figures, the astronauts reached a special milestone during the EVA. There have now been over 1,000 hours of EVA spent building and maintaining the International Space Station, shared between the United States and Russia primarily. It was the 118th time astronauts have used the ISS airlocks. No doubt there will be many more as the shuttles end their trips to ISS and will not be able to bring up supplies and crews.

Today also marks a special notice for astronaut Mike Fincke, who now stands at nine spacewalks and 48 hours in EVA. Today he will pass the 377 day record of time in space set by Peggy Whitson. Go Mike!

STS134: Third spacewalk complete

2011-05-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

247th US spacewalk.

During the third spacewalk of the STS134 mission, mission specialists Drew Feustel and Mike Fincke completed a series of modifications to the station that will allow the ISS to perform more efficiently when the shuttles are retired.

Modifications were made to the Russian Zarya module so that a bcakup solar power system is available, and a new base was created for attaching the station's CanadArm-2 to the module, thus extending its reach. The two astronauts also completed some communications maintenance on the exterior of the station.

50 YA - Kennedy Promises the Moon

2011-05-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

The President before Congress.

Has it really been fifty years?

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy arrived at the Capitol to address Congress about the most momentous decision he would make so far in his presidency. Broadcast on television, radio and printed in the newspapers, the president declared in bold terms that we were going to the Moon.

"First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."

America was behind in the Space Race with the Soviet Union. The Russians were boldly proclaiming the superiority of their technology and their communist agenda alongside their successes in launching the first satellite, the first dog, and then the first man into space. The Cold War was in full swing and many worried about the advance of communism across the globe. Kennedy felt that America could compete against the Soviets and win the propaganda fight, but he needed a project he felt America could beat them with. The space program became his chosen sword.

Kennedy and Von Braun.

With the recent success of launching Alan Shepard into a 15-minute suborbital flight, Kennedy selected this moment to do something dramatic. His advisors counseled him that because the Russians had a rocket more capable of heavy lift, they would remain in the lead for a time. Kennedy wanted to know how we could beat them. He was advised that nothing would be more dramatic than a man planting the American Flag on the Moon, and we could probably get there before the Soviets. The President made his decision.

"No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more

important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or

expensive to accomplish."

At NASA the administrators, engineers, technicians and astronauts listened to the radio with rapt attention. This was it. The operation was GO. Apollo would be the program to get us there.

We were going to the Moon.

Expedition 27: The Voyage Home

2011-05-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

TMA-20 Soyuz docked at the Rassvet module.

At 3:35 p.m. MDT the Last crew of Expedition 27 to the ISS undocked from the station, LEaving the Rassvet module in their SOyuz TMA-20 spacecraft, they backed away from the docking port at about 1/10 meter per second. When safely away from the station, they used thrusters to maneuver the craft to perform a special duty this time.

Backing away from the hatch.

This is the first time that a Soyuz undocked from the ISS while a shuttle was parked there, and this is Endeavour's last trip into space. Russian planners therefore agreed to have the departing Expedition 27 crew make a fly-around of the station and shuttle complex for a special photo shoot!

TMA-20 on left, Endeavour on right.

Once the craft was some 600 feet away, cosmonaut Paulo Nespoli then opened the interior hatch of the Soyuz to move into the cargo module to take the pictures and video. The station rotated about 130 degrees to give him the best views possible.

Undocking view from Soyuz.

Because of the nature of the camera equipment, the crew won't be able to transmit the images to Earth. They will have to wait until they get safely on the ground when engineers will rush to get the views on line and distributed to the agencies involved.

Passing through Endeavour's shadow.

The crew will perform a deorbit burn at about 9:36 EDT and head for home. Estimated arrival time is 10:26 p.m. in Kazakhstan.

Another view of the two spacecraft.

Soyuz Camera view of ISS in orbit. A rare view of a shuttle parked at the station.

TMA-20 reaches camera position. Soon it''s back to Earth for them.

Expedition 27: Change of Command

2011-05-22T09:36:00.001-07:00

Kondratyev hands over command to Borisenko (right).

Expedition 27 will officially end Monday when Soyuz TMA-20 undocks from the ISS and heads for Earth. Dmitry Konratyev, Paulo Nespoli and Catherine Coleman have finished their stay aboard the station and will return back to their boring lives on the surface. If it were me I'd head straight to a Pizza restaurant.

For the first time, the Soyuz has been permitted to make a special fly around the ISS in order to get a last opportunity photo of space shuttle Endeavour docked with the ISS.

With the Soyuz undocking, command of ISS goes to Andrey Borisenko, who leads Expedition 27 continuing with astronaut Ronald Garen and cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev. New Expedition 28 crewmembers will arrive June 9th in another Soyuz crew capsule.

STS134: Heat shield OK'ed for landing

2011-05-22T09:31:00.001-07:00

Small chunk missing from tiles under the orbiter.

NASA engineers have examined the photos of Endeavour's heat shield and determined there is no danger for the orbiter to re-enter the atmosphere on it's last return to Earth. The damage was probably cause by a piece of falling insulation from the External Tank during liftoff. It was larger damage than this that caused shuttle Columbia to lose integrity during re-entry and its destruction.

Expedition 27: Chess in Space!

2011-05-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Greg Chamitoff and the ISS chess board.

It's Greg vs. Greg in a space chess match on the ISS. STS134 astronauts Greg Chamitoff and Greg Johnson are competing. Their space moves are being covered on Twitter, which you can follow on http://twitter.com/#!/chessmagnet. The game will be played in between the busy schedule of the astronauts during Endeavour's 14-day stay at the ISS. You can join the game yourself! Go to the United States Chess Federation website at http://www.uschess.org/content/blogcategory/301/629/ and suggest moves to the players!

STS134: Spacewalk 2: Check

2011-05-22T09:09:00.001-07:00

Placing a container back in the airlock.

Astronauts on Sunday completed a record-making spacewalk. SPacewalk 2 of the STS134 mission, this walk lasted eight hours and twenty minutes! According to NASA, it was also the 246th spacewalk completed by American astronauts, as well as the 116th made from the ISS airlocks. There have now been 157 spacewalks made in order to build or maintain the ISS. Astronauts Drew Feustel and Mike Fincke performed the duties this time. They refueled cooing loops for the station with a new supply of ammonia and lubricated the joints for one of the huge solar panel arrays.

STS134: First Spacewalk done, Important Call

2011-05-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

ISS Airlock module.

Early Friday astronauts on board the ISS completed the first spacewalk of the mission, replacing a couple of experiments and performing maintenance. On Saturday, astronauts made a closer inspection of possible damage to the heat tiles underneath the shuttle Endeavour. Ground experts will examine the new pictures.

STS134 crew (dark blue) and ISS Expedition 27 crew.

Both crews gathered together for a space first: Pope Benedict XVI called the crews on a special call to praise them for their hard work and important missions performed on behalf of the people of Earth.

The next spacewalk is scheduled for Sunday.

STS134: Here's Your AMS...

2011-05-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Artist version of AMS being removed from cargo bay.

Using the CanadArm on the shuttle and the CanadArm2 on the ISS, astronauts removed the Alpha Magentic Spectrometer 2 from the cargo bay of Endeavour and attached it to its new home on the ISS. The AMS is designed to detect and bend cosmic rays using a powerful magnet to search for evidence of dark matter. The AMS was built in Europe and is the culmination of efforts from 60 countries! Oh, and it cost about $2 billion. In my opinion, if it doesn't detect some dark matter than that is a serious matter... Ahem.

Computer image showing new location for AMS.

Computer image credits from NASA TV as usual. Currently, the astronauts are preparing for the first spacewalk of the mission, which should start about 1:16 am Friday and last about six and a half hours. Drew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff will perform the first spacewalk to retrieve two experiments, set out two more, and perform maintenance on the station. Three other spacewalks are planned for this mission after this one.

Astronauts prepare the EVA suits.

STS-134: Endeavor Docks w/ISS

2011-05-18T15:39:00.001-07:00

Endeavour Prepares for the RPM.

The shuttle Endeavoour has successfully docked early this morning at the International Space Station. Efforts are already beginning to prepare the offloading of the Alpha SPectrometer and other supplies. Several spacewalks are planned to prepare the station for a lack of visits by the shuttle teams.

Robotic CanadArm prepares to inspect shuttle bottom.

Yesterday the crew used the robotic arm to move a camera around the underside of the shuttle, inspecting the protective tiles needed for re-entry at the end of the mission. Today, after the arrival of the shuttle at the station, Commander Kelly flew the shuttle in the Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver. Basically the shuttle flipped over onto its back and upright again so the ISS crew could photograph the entire shuttle exterior. Engineers on the ground will examine the data and determine if it is safe for the astronauts to return Endeavour to the Earth at the end of the mission.

STS-134: Blast off success for Endeavor!

2011-05-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Endeavor lifts off Pad 39A.

After a frustrating series of delays and repairs, Endeavor has finally been launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is Endeavor's last mission to space, and you couldn't ask for a more perfect launch this morning.

Closest permitted viewing area on hold at 9 minutes.

I remember being at a previous shuttle launch (which for me ended in a delay-arrg!). No doubt today there were thousands and thousands of spectators lining the roads and approaches to the space center waiting for this particular launch. The orbiter Endeavor has held a special place in American's hearts as it was the shuttle built to replace the loss of Challenger in the 80's. The shuttle was named in honor of HMS Endeavor, the ship made famous by the travels of Captain Cook in the Pacific and his crew's discoveries of many islands.

Camera view from the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Testing the swivel of the main engines before liftoff.

Removing the ET gas collector cap.

Activating ignition of the main engines.

Blast-off! The power of the SRBs is quite evident in this standard camera angle.

SRB separation after burn out. Main Engines continue to provide thrust.

ET separation. The External Tank will break up during re-entry over the Indian Ocean and sink to the bottom of the sea.

Mission Flight Control in Houston.

STS-134 marks the 25th mission for the shuttle Endeavor. The shuttle is now on the way to correcting its attitude and orbit in preparation for docking with the ISS in a couple of days.

STS-134: Endeavor set for launch May 16

2011-05-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Endeavor prepared for launch.

The LCA-2 was removed from the shuttle Endeavor is being replaced. This unit fed power to the fuel line heaters and malfunctioned, endangering the liftoff. With the problem resolved and the repairs underway, NASA has given a green light to start the countdown again for the last launch of Endeavor on Mission STS-134. Blastoff is now scheduled for May 16th, Monday, at 6:56 am MDT.

Load Control Assembly-2. Bad thingy.