Loading ...
Here is a marvelous sight that makes space flight seem more than fantastic. Seeing things like this make me want to go off planet.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) when the Space Shuttle retires. The $1.6 billion contract represents a minimum of 12 flights, with an option to order additional missions for a cumulative total contract value of up to $3.1 billion.
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation – Dragon
October 30 set your DVR to the science channel to see their presentation of LDRS 2011
Here’s your teaser
The Blaze has an article in their science section today about ROCKETS. Derek Deville got mention for his attempt to reach 100,000 feet at black rock with his 320 lb Qu8k.
You have to watch this incredible video.
Qu8k – BALLS 20 – Carmack Prize Attempt – High Altitude Rocket On-board Video
China successfully launched its first space lab module into orbit in an impressive nighttime display today (Sept. 29).
The unmanned Tiangong 1 module lifted off on a Chinese Long March 2F rocket at 9:16 p.m. Local Time (1316 GMT/9:16 a.m. EDT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The spacecraft launched just days before China’s National Day holiday, which occurs Saturday (Oct. 1).
“It’s absolutely an accomplishment,” said Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation, an organization dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space. However, Samson, director of the foundation’s Washington office, added that the launch of Tiangong 1 represents an achievement that other countries, including the United States, managed decades ago. [Gallery: Tiangong 1, China's First Space Laboratory]
“They’re doing their version of Spacelab, but that’s something we did back in the ’70s,” she said.
The Tiangong 1 module, which is expected to remain in orbit for two years, is considered an important steppingstone in the country’s effort to construct its own crewed space station. The prototype space lab measures 34 feet (10.4 meters) long and 11 feet (3.35 meters) wide and weighed about 8.5 metric tons on Earth.
“The main tasks of [the] Tiangong 1 spaceflight include: to provide a target vehicle for space rendezvous and docking experiment; to primarily establish a manned space test platform capable of long-term unmanned operation in space with temporary human attendance, and thus accumulate experiences for the development of the space station; to carry out space science experiments, space medical experiments and space technology experiments,” China‘s Manned Space Engineering office spokeswoman Wu Ping told reporters yesterday (Sept. 28) at the launch site, according to a translation provided by the office.
Tiangong 1, which translates to “Heavenly Palace,” will test docking technology in conjunction with three spacecraft — Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 — that will be launched at a later date, according to state media reports. These planned robotic maneuvers will be China’s first dockings in orbit.
The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft will launch in early November, with Shenzhou 9 to follow in 2012. Both flights will be unmanned docking trials. The Shenzhou 10 mission, also in 2012, may carry a crew to Tiangong 1, a team that could also include China’s first female astronaut, Chinese space officials said.
Tiangong 1 is also carrying medical and engineering experiments into space, according to state media. It is packed with 300 flags from the International Astronautical Federation, to commemorate the mission.
While Chinese space officials have indicated that the launch of Shenzhou 8 could occur in early November, but it’s possible the unmanned mission could lift off sooner, said Dean Cheng, a research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank.
“The Chinese have put up launches within days of each other,” Cheng told SPACE.com. “But we don’t have a good indication as to exactly when it will go up.”
The launch of Tiangong 1 is considered a milestone for China and its burgeoning space program. It is particularly important for China’s space program after last month’s failure of a Long March 2C rocket, which malfunctioned shortly after liftoff and did not reach orbit. [Related: US & China: Space Race or Cosmic Cooperation?]
“It’s probably going to be a big deal in China, with lots of news coverage,” Cheng said. “You’d probably have to make an effort to avoid it. Once this is launched, you are going to have just a huge amount of hoopla from the state-run media to remind the people of what is going on.”
An investigation into the Long March 2C malfunction delayed plans to launch Tiangong 1. Today’s successful launch using a similar booster, the Long March 2F, marks an important step toward fulfilling the country’s goal of building a 60-ton manned space station by the year 2020. [Infographic: How China's First Space Station Will Work]
China is only the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to independently launch humans into orbit. China’s first manned mission, Shenzhou 5, was piloted by Yang Liwei on Oct. 15, 2003. Two more manned missions followed, in 2005 and 2008.
You can follow SPACE.com staff writer Denise Chow on Twitter @denisechow. SPACE.com senior writer Clara Moskowitz (@ClaraMoskowitz) contributed to this report. Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Tripoli South Florida is a prefecture without a field. At the end of 2010 the land owner came to us during a launch and kicked us off the property. We are no longer welcome on the fields because of his concerns about liabilities. What these are exactly we have not discussed. In spite of several overtures to try to work out these differences, I have not had the fortune to bridge the gap to allow re use of the field.
So far nothing much has been happening. I know that it must seem awfully slow going. Personally the days and weeks go by so quickly it is hard to think march is almost here. I wrote a letter to Mr. Strano and will be doing a follow up call in the coming days. I asked that he contact me at his convenience but that hasn’t happened yet. Trouble with calling is that he hasn’t been in and so I can’t get an answer. Rey R has designed a beautiful Certificate of Appreciation for him thanking him for over 10 years of allowing us to use his property.
Danny Rodriguez with Tripoli Ft. Myers has extended an invitation to all our members to come out to their field. The next launch is on Saturday, 03/05/2011 from 10 – 4 PM at our LaBelle location. All power levels may be flown. Danny is the on-site vendor Rockets R Us there so if you’re looking to get parts or a motor and fly with them he is the one to call.
If you’re looking to go a little farther, Tripoli Tampa is doing their launch on the 19th
The December launch was cut short when the land owner who allows us to use his field dropped by in a rather angry mood and kicked us off the field. He said that this would be permanent. This comes as very bad news as we have been flying there for over ten years without incident and he has always been cordial and we have been cooperative. But this is something new. I don’t know if it had something to do with the field conditions with the small corn plants growing out there, he did say something about mud but the reference was lost on me and that apparently we should have called first. I have never called and he never mentioned it before. Maybe he was upset about freeze damage that happened out there.
So – at this points I am not making plans to fly rockets this month. I am planning to go down to homestead to talk with him and see if there would be a set of circumstances in which he would allow us to fly there. A quick google earth survey puts his land as the only surface that isn’t populated or swamp.
If you are itching to fly or expose yourself to rocket exhaust there are some alternatives but Florida is a big state.
Tripoli Tampa is having a launch coming up on the 15th.
Broward Area Rocketry Society, BARS NEXT BARS LAUNCH: Saturday February 5th, 2011 at 9:00AM at Vista View Park
I’ll let you folks know what’s happening as soon as I can
The November launch was nice with cool weather and blue sky even though it was a bit much in the wind department. Those of you who weren’t there missed an awesome launch of Chris’ new HAWK missile as well as the launch and immediate loss of Mike’s little D region Tomahawk as it blasted out of sight.
The end of year is coming so Tripoli will expect us to have a meeting and vote for the club president and secretary. Nominations are welcome. Tripoli will also be wanting money as well for our annual charter dues.
December launch is on the 19th
I received a report from NEFAR saying that they will be postponing the 2 day launch. They MAY be having the normal launch provided the drought index does not top out at the threshold but it looks a little too iffy for a 4-5 hour drive to me.
The 2 day is postponed until next month, December. Unfortunately I already have plans for that weekend and will not be able to go. 8^(
The TSF launch is still on for the 21st!
