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.

Ares I-X launch attempt!

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

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!!

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

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.

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!

On my way to another building.....

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

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 Fun Day Photo!!!

How would you like that view out your window?!

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 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!!!

STS-129's External Tank and Solid Rocket Booster Assembled!!

Last week the External Tank that will be used for Atlantis’s next flight (STS-129), was assembled with the Solid Rocket Boosters stacked on the Mobile Launch Platform. STS-129 is targeted to launch Nov. 12th. Atlantis is still undergoing final closeout work before it can be transferred from its Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building, which is targeted for the beginning of October.

What have I been up to? For the past two weeks, I was in training with our Vehicle Project Manager for Endeavour. It was really cool because I was able to be involved with the integration of the other systems with the Orbiter. It involved coming into work at 5am and understanding what was (or wasn’t) completed on 3rd shift, how it effected the schedule with other groups, testing that was planned, or issues that arose during certain work that was performed. Integration and communication is very key for us to stay on track for a launch. It was a great experience being involved in this and I learned so much more of what goes on outside of the Thermal Protection Systems group. In December, I will be get to do this again, but it will be when Endeavour is transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building and ready to be integrated in the vertical position with the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.

Aside from that, I’ve been busily keeping up with the combustion course I’m taking and studying for my first exam coming up on Tuesday! I've also been training for some races in October that I'll be participating in.

Discovery lands at KSC!

Discovery begins trip back to KSC tomorrow

Discovery and the modified 747 will depart Edwards Air Force Base at 6:20 a.m. local time (9:20 a.m. EDT). The first refueling stop is planned at the Rick Husband International Airport in Amarillo, Texas. The second stop is for fuel is expected later in the day and NASA intends to have Discovery stop in Louisiana on Sunday for an overnight stay at Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport.

Arrival at Kennedy Space Center is targeted for 10:30 a.m. EDT on Monday.

Discovery to leave California Sunday!

Discovery's cross-country piggyback ride atop a modified Boeing 747 jet from Edwards Air Force Base in California to Kennedy Space Center in Florida will begin Sunday. The exact time of departure has yet to be set because of changing weather conditions which will be assessed tomorrow. For the latest status about ferry flight, you can call 321-867-2525 or 661-276-2564.

Some blog readers asked how they could view a take off from Edwards AFB. The following was all I could find, so I hope this helps. Takeoff occurs from the main runway (Runway 04) toward the northeast, although a wind shift could mandate a change to Runway 22 to the southwest.

"The main base area of Edwards Air Force Base will not be open to the public for viewing of the shuttle's ferry flight takeoff. However, the 747-shuttle combination may be visible after a Runway 04 takeoff just north of the base in the Boron and North Edwards areas. The east lakeshore viewing site off Mercury Boulevard on the east side of Rogers Dry Lake will also be open to the public, although it is some distance from the takeoff point."

STS-127 Crew Visits KSC

The STS-127 crew came to visit Kennedy Space Center and talk about their experience during their mission. They thanked everyone for their hard work on the hardware and processing that made the mission possible. Below is a photo I got to take with CSA Astronaut Julie Payette. She’s waaaayy cool. 

Discovery Lands!

Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Touchdown occurred at 8:53 p.m. EDT. I'm glad the STS-128 crew made it home safely! To get Discovery back to Kennedy Space Center, a ferry flight atop a 747 carrier jet will occur in about a week. Given the heavy weight of the orbiter with the Leonardo module in its payload bay, four refueling stops and at least one overnight stop are planned.

Discovery to land in California tonight!

We will not be landing at Kennedy Space Center today due to unfavorable weather conditions. Instead...we're California bound!! The deorbit burn is scheduled for 7:47:37 p.m. EDT, leading to touchdown at 8:53:34 p.m. EDT on Runway 22.

STS-128 Landing Attempts

UPDATE: No Landing for today! Thanks a lot, rain clouds. Tomorrow's weather doesn't look so great either, but they'll still give it a try. The next landing opportunity for tomorrow will start with a deorbit burn at approximately 4:45 p.m. and touchdown at 5:48 p.m. EDT. There would be another chance to get into KSC on the next orbit too (6:21pm deorbit burn and 7:23pm landing), followed by two shots to the backup site at Edwards Air Force Base in California. At this point, the formal decision to call up Edwards' support on Friday has not yet been made.

UPDATE: Unstable weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center have left no choice but to scrub today's first landing opportunity. Discovery will remain in space for one more orbit and target a 7:35 p.m. EDT deorbit burn and a nighttime touchdown at 8:40 p.m. EDT.

Discovery will attempt to land at Kennedy Space Center today. The first landing attempt is at 7:05 p.m. EDT and the second at 8:42 p.m. EDT. There are no technical issues with Discovery, but weather forecasters are predicting rain showers and possible thunderstorms in the area that could cause problems for a landing today or tomorrow. There is always Edwards Air Force Base in California as an option for landing, which shows acceptable weather for several days in a row. However, hopefully the weather will cooperate for a landing at Kennedy Space Center today!