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Tag: Space Shuttle

  • NASA Space Shuttle Carrier Being Reassembled in Houston

    NASA Space Shuttle Carrier Being Reassembled in Houston

    For decades the space shuttle program was the crown jewel of NASA’s space initiative. Dozens of astronauts were launched into orbit inside the reusable space shuttles, returning weeks later inside the shuttles, which were designed to glide in for a plane-like landing. After landing, the space shuttles were carried back to Kennedy Space Center on one of two specially-modified Boeing 747s.

    With the remaining space shuttles now retired in favor of private space contractors, these planes no longer serve a purpose. Like the space shuttles they carried, the 747s will now be put on display for visitors to space museums.

    One of these carriers, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 905, is currently in the process of being reassembled after being transported to Space Center Houston in pieces. All 318,000 pounds of the carrier were transported 8 miles from Houston’s Ellington Airport last week with the help of 30 different public and private agencies. The move was a success and the craft is now being reassembled live on Space Center Houston’s Ustream channel.



    Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

    The shuttle carrier is centerpiece of a new $12 million exhibit planned for Space Center Houston. The carrier will be joined by Space Shuttle Independence, a scale replica of the original space shuttles, which will be strapped to the top of the carrier the same way real shuttles were for transportation in years past. According to Space Center Houston the attraction, an international landmark, will include interactive exhibits and allow visitors to tour the inside of both the carrier and the space shuttle. The eight-story tall exhibit is expected to open in 2015.

    “We’re so excited to work with Space Center Houston and have this unique display available for everybody to see,” said Ellen Ochoa, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “It will help tell the story of the whole shuttle program and of course the part that the shuttle carrier aircraft played. It will bring people all over the world to Space Center Houston.”

    Image via Space Center Houston

  • Challenger Disaster: Amazing New Photos

    On January 28, 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle was launched on a live broadcast. 73 seconds after the shuttle was launched, it broke apart and killed all 7 crew members. A recovery operation was able to locate many pieces of the shuttle and an investigation determined that the disaster had been caused by a faulty O-ring seal.

    The Challenger disaster is ingrained in the memories of anyone who watched it happen on TV, listened to the launch on the radio, or learned about it in a classroom. Although the disaster was caught on film and camera, a new set of photos that were recently discovered by the grandson of a NASA contractor show the entire disaster, clip by clip.

    The new photos seem to show a normal space shuttle launch, but a few photos in, it’s easy to see that something isn’t right. Separate streams of smoke can be seen and then what appears to be an explosion. The photos belong to Michael Hindes, who shared them on Reddit.

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    Hindes recalled watching the launch on television as a child and said,

    “I watched this happen live on TV in with my class in fourth grade, and anyone who knows what that was like also knows that it’s something that will stick with you forever.”

    Many other Reddit users commented on the photos and shared their memories of the launch and disaster.

    Although many people recall watching the launch live on television, the disaster itself was shown on a taped relay. Many people recalled seeing the ship explode, as a fire ball fell to the earth. Investigators were able to determine that the shuttle did not really explode, and the fire ball was caused by propellant tanks. Investigators also determined that although the shuttle broke apart at the 73 second mark, the crew members were not killed instantly and likely survived until the Challenger fell 65,000 back into the water, 2 minutes and 45 seconds after breakup.

    Do you remember the Challenger disaster and what do you think of the new photos?

    Images via YouTube.

  • Space Shuttle Atlantis Lands in $100m Museum

    Space Shuttle Atlantis has landed in its final resting place. Well, technically, it’s suspended three stories up, so, absent some disaster, it won’t be touching down again any time soon.

    The last of the shuttles to go into orbit, Atlantis is now on display in a $100 million dollar facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft is suspended 30 feet above the main floor and mounted at a 43 degree angle, cargo bay door open and robot arm extended, to allow visitors to see it from a variety of perspectives.

    Bob Cabana, a former astronaut and current director of the Kennedy Space Center says the facility is about more than just this craft: “We showcase Atlantis, but it tells the 30-year history of the shuttle program and the amazing team that made it all happen. I think we display Atlantis like no other orbiter, and folks are going to get to see it as only a very few have on orbit. It truly looks as if it’s flying in space.”

    The Atlantis facility features more than 60 interactive exhibits, including a full-scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope, shuttle landing and space station docking simulators, and a space station mockup designed for kids.

    Making the experience exciting for young visitors is key, says Cabana: “It will capture the imagination of another generation, it will continue to inspire as it starts off on its second mission in life. It was a phenomenal spaceship, it helped us explore and discover, and now it’s going to lead a mission of inspiration to future scientists, engineers and explorers.”

    Atlantis finished its 33rd and final mission on July 21, 2011, having logged over 125 million miles and having orbited the Earth over 4,800 times.

    The other two existing shuttles are also either on display or set to be—Endeavor at the California Space Center and Discovery, the oldest remaining shuttle, at the Smithsonian in Washington.

  • NASA to Remember Fallen Astronauts on February 1

    NASA to Remember Fallen Astronauts on February 1

    NASA announced today that its yearly “Day of Remembrance” for fallen astronauts will be held on February 1. The date marks the 10th anniversary of the day the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Flags at NASA facilities will be flown at half-staff on that day.

    The tribute will be used to honor the astronauts who died while working with the space program. Astronauts from the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well Apollo 1 will be a part of the remembrance. An observance will take place at Arlington National Cemetary on February 1, with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and other senior NASA officials in attendance.

    A wreath-laying ceremony will also take place that day at 10 am EST at the Space Mirror Memorial in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The Space Mirror Memorial was dedicated in 1991, to honor astronauts who lost their lives in the space program. It has been declared a National Memorial by the U.S. congress and is maintained by the non-profit Astronauts memorial Foundation, which is also hosting the observance on Friday.

    The Kennedy ceremony will be streaming live on NASA Television. A tribute video for fallen astronauts prepared by NASA can be seen below, and an interactive slideshow is also available.

  • NASA And Craig Technologies Sign 5 Year Space Act Agreement

    Today it was announced that NASA and Craig Technologies have signed a five-year, non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement which will have NASA loaning 1,600 pieces of space shuttle era equipment to Craig Technologies. The agreement will have Craig Technologies maintain an inventory of unique processing and manufacturing equipment for future mission support at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    “This is an innovative way to ensure that space shuttle era technology and tools are reused for other hi-tech, private sector purposes along the Space Coast,” said David Weaver, NASA’s associate administrator for the Office of Communications.”This is all part of NASA’s plan to support the transition to the next era of exploration, creating good-paying American jobs and keeping the United States the world leader in space.”

    Craig Technologies will have use of the equipment starting in 2013 when the current partnership between NASA and United Space Alliance ends. The equipment, which is currently being held the NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot in Cape Canaveral, Fla, will be available for Craig to use with 2 restrictions. One being that they can use the equipment until NASA needs to use it. And two, they must store the used equipment within a 50 mile radius of Kennedy Space Center.

    “Kennedy continues to work with the commercial community to find inventive ways to share our unique capabilities,” said Joyce Riquelme, manager of the Kennedy Center Planning and Development Office. “This partnership benefits new customers who will use the equipment now, and keeps it close for our use in future spaceflight projects.”

    NASA has really been focusing on outsourcing the things it does as its budget continually dwindles. This deal, partnered with the deal they struck with SpaceX shows that NASA is capable of moving forward in these rough financial times.

  • A Brief History of the Space Shuttle Discovery

    The space shuttle Discovery arrived at the Smithsonian today after a short flight from Dulles Airport. NASA officially handed over the shuttle to the National Air and Space Museum in a symbolic end to an era of federal funded American space exploration.

    As you can see from the infographic by FedTech, Discovery flew in 39 missions into outer space. It’s last mission in 2011.

    “As NASA transfers the shuttle orbiters to museums across the country, we are embarked on an exciting new space exploration journey,” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement. “Relying on American ingenuity and know-how, NASA is partnering with private industry to provide crew and cargo transportation to the International Space Station, while developing the most powerful rocket ever built to take the nation farther than ever before into the solar system.”

    NASA says the remaining fleet will retire to locations in New York Virginia, California, and Florida. The Space Shuttle Endeavor will go to the California Science Center. Atlantis will stay at KSC.

    Shuttle Enterprise will go from the Smithsonian to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York. It is scheduled to fly over New York City on April 23 between 9:30 and 11:30 before landing at JFK.

    The final flight of the space shuttle Discovery.

  • Video of The Last Atlantis Landing

    Video of The Last Atlantis Landing

    STS-135, otherwise known as the Atlantis Shuttle, made its final landing early Thursday morning around 6:00am. It was a successful mission that ended on a sad note, because it signified the end of the space shuttle era, one that lasted more than 30 years. With that in mind, it’s hard not to feel a sense of melancholy. Granted, we should be happy Atlantis made it back safely, but the landing also signifies a passing that will not soon be forgotten.

    Over at NASA’s YouTube page, they posted a 30-minute video of the Atlantis landing that’s about as comprehensive as you can ask for. The video is embedded at the top of this post, but there are others worth sharing as well. Before that, however, we should take a moment and acknowledge the significance of Atlantis and the space shuttle program as a whole. Over at NASA’s Space Shuttle site, they have quotes from the Atlantis crew, which helps frame the moment even more:

    “Although we got to take the ride,” said Commander Chris Ferguson on behalf of his crew, ” we sure hope that everybody who has ever worked on, or touched, or looked at, or envied or admired a space shuttle was able to take just a little part of the journey with us.”

    And:

    “They have come to be known as the ‘final four.’ They did an absolutely incredible job,” said [NASA Administrator Charles] Bolden. “They made us very proud.”

    The report also indicates a welcome home ceremony will be held on Friday, July 22 at Ellington Field. The ceremony will be open to the public.

    As our way of acknowledging the crew of Atlantis, and its last flight, as well as the end of the space shuttle era, here are a few more videos of the landing, just in case you can’t sit through the entire 30-minute video provided by NASA. It’s WebProNews’ way of saying thank you:


    If you need a reminder of the finality of the space shuttle program, take a look at NASA’s upcoming launch schedule, which includes 2012 launches as well. It’s a few satellites and another Mars rover. Let’s just hope NASA’s incredible intellectual resources aren’t being squandered while the US government continues to fight over money.

  • Philly Inquirer Confuses Atlantis With Challenger on Twitter

    Earlier today space shuttle Atlantis launched into space, which marked the end to NASA’s 30-year space program. As with anything else, people flocked to social media to discuss the monumentos, yet sad, event.

    Mere moments after the countdown clock hit all zero’s, and Atlantis was on it’s way, the Philadelphia Inquirer made a head scratching mistake. They confused Atlantis with a pervious shuttle… the Challenger. The doomed shuttle that exploded on January 28, 1986, which was less than two minutes into its flight.

    @PhillyInquirer
    PhillyInquirer    The Challenger has lifted off for the last mission by an U.S. space shuttle 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    The Inquirer was quick to delete the tweet, updating their status with the following message:

    @PhillyInquirer
    PhillyInquirer    Correction: Atlantis has lifted off for last mission by American space shuttle. 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    Before they could even get the tweet deleted… Twitter users had already seen it. As I’m sure you can imagine, some were astounded at the typo:

    @MarkScheuern
    Mark Scheuern    And they wonder why newspapers are dying. RT @PhillyInquirer: The Challenger has lifted off for the last mission by an U.S. space shuttle 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    @TheAkronHammer
    Adam Reisinger    I believe this is what kids today call a “FAIL” RT @PhillyInquirer The Challenger has lifted off for the last mission by a US space shuttle. 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    @palvar
    Terry Nicol    @PhillyInquirer Pretty tasteless joke. 58 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    @gplefka
    Greg Plefka    WOW…just wow…RT @PhillyInquirer: The Challenger has lifted off for the last mission by an U.S. space shuttle 2 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    @BrianKal
    BMK    Lots of media #fail today. AP too RT @PhillyInquirer: The Challenger has lifted off for the last mission by an U.S. space shuttle 3 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto

    You can read more Twitter reaction here.

    To stay up-to-date on all things Atlantis be sure to check out NASA’s site, you can even read tweets from the astronauts

  • NASA Will Fly Your Face In Space

    NASA is inviting people to send photos of their faces into orbit aboard one of the final remaining space shuttle missions.

    Visitors to the "Face in Space" website can upload their picture to fly with the astronauts aboard shuttle Discovery’s STS-133 mission or Endeavour’s STS-134 mission. Participants will receive a special certificates from the Face in Space website once the mission is over.

    "The Space Shuttle Program belongs to the public, and we are excited when we can provide an opportunity for people to share the adventure of our missions," said Space Shuttle Program Manager John Shannon.

    NASA-Face-in-Space

    "This website will allow you to be a part of history and participate as we complete our final missions."

    Anyone without a picture can skip the image upload option, and NASA will fly their name.

    Discovery and Endeavour’s missions are the final two flights remaining until the retirement of the space shuttle fleet. They are targeted to launch in September and November, respectively.
     

     

  • NASA Invites Twitter Followers To Space Center In Houston

    NASA is offering its Twitter followers a chance to personally get an up close look of a space shuttle mission at the agency’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.

    NASA is hosting a Tweetup on Wednesday, May 19 during Atlantis’ STS-132 mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, May 14 at 1:20 p.m. CST.

    "We’re inviting the public to share in the excitement of human spaceflight during one of the last three scheduled space shuttle missions," said Stephanie Schierholz, social media manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

    NASA-Tweetup "NASA is providing this behind-the-scenes access to give our Twitter followers an understanding and appreciation of all the work that goes into a successful shuttle launch and mission."

    NASA randomly selected 100 individuals on Twitter from a pool of registrants who signed up on the Web. The event will start at Space Center Houston (SCH) where participants will have the opportunity to meet astronaut Jeff Williams (@Astro_Jeff) and tweet about NASA hardware. 

    After lunch, Twitter followers will take a tour of JSC; view mission control and astronauts’ training facilities; and speak with flight directors, trainers, astronauts and managers.