Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Ares I-X launches!!!!!








Successful launch of Ares I-X!!!!!!!

NASA launch commentator George Diller says there will be a press conference at 1:30 p.m. EDT to confirm what occurred with parachute deployment. There is still a lack of formal information on recovery.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ares I-X launch attempt!



Ares I-X is scheduled to launch today! It has been rescheduled to 11:30am!!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K


Last night I ran the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K. It was an 8.1 mile nighttime road race that ended at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios™. The course took the runners through the Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex and then through Disney's Hollywood Studios™. It started at 10:30pm and after the run there was a post-race celebration where we had access to some of the attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ until 2am!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans


Since June 2009, The Augustine Committee has been reviewing the U.S. plans for human spaceflight to offer possible alternatives. In doing so, it assessed the programs within the current human spaceflight portfolio; considered capabilities and technologies a future program might require; and considered the roles of commercial industry and our international partners in this enterprise. From these deliberations, the Committee developed five integrated alternatives for the U.S. human spaceflight program, including an executable version of the current program. The considerations and the five alternatives are summarized in the following report.

Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Report

Website: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/hsf

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Ares I-X Rolls Out to Launch Pad 39B




Today, the 327-foot-tall Ares I-X rocket, secured to a mobile launcher platform, was transferred out to Launch Pad 39B. The test rocket left the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at 1:39 a.m. EDT on its 4.2-mile trek to the pad and was secured on the launch pad’s pedestals at 9:17 a.m EDT.

Various modifications have been made to transform the launch pad from supporting space shuttle to Ares rocket launches. The modifications have included removal of unique subsystems, such as the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, along with the installation of three 600-foot lightning towers, access platforms, environmental control systems and a vehicle stabilization system.

The Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct. 27 at 8:00 am EDT.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Tour de KSC! 23 miles COMPLETE!




Yesterday, NASA held a Tour de KSC event for employees. It was a cycling event to promote cancer awareness and the benefits of exercise and good health. There were three different tours of different lengths (12 miles, 23 miles and 37 miles) and I managed to complete the 23 mile tour which took us up the road passing the Vehicle Assembly Building and around the perimeter of launch pad B.

This was the first year NASA held the Tour de KSC and it looks like they are going to try to make this an annual event!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

On my way to another building.....


Space Shuttle Atlantis is making its way to the launch pad!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Ares I-X Test Launch - October 27th




Ares I-X is the first test vehicle in the Ares I development program for future human spaceflight. On October 27th, the Ares I-X vehicle will be used for a suborbital test flight and will be similar in shape, weight and size to the planned configuration of later Ares I vehicles.

The Ares I-X flight profile will closely approximate the flight conditions that Ares I will experience through Mach 4.5, at an altitude of about 130,000 feet.



Provided the Ares I vehicle design is not cancelled after the options presented by the Augustine Review, it is currently NASA's launch vehicle of choice to carry the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. On Monday morning, the Ares I-X vehicle will roll out to launch pad 39B.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Friday Fun Day Photo!!!


How would you like that view out your window?!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Atlantis moves to the Vehicle Assembly Building




Yesterday morning, Atlantis made its way over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from the Orbiter Processing Facility. Now that Atlantis is in the VAB, the next step is to lift the Orbiter over a transom and lower it where it will be attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. Rollout to launch pad 39A of Space Shuttle Atlantis is planned for October 13.

Launch of Atlantis on its STS-129 mission is targeted for 4:04 p.m. EST on November 12.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Friday Fun Day Photo!!!



...and yeah, this Buzz flew on the last mission! :)

Atlantis to Move to VAB Tuesday morning!



Here's a shot of the Orbiter Transfer System (OTS) slowly moving in under Atlantis. The OTS will transport Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building, which is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday Oct. 7!!!