tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221497292012-02-02T09:26:28.420-05:00SpaceLaunch News.com multimedia news feedCharles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-69652736856344426962011-09-23T12:13:00.001-04:002011-09-23T16:15:05.217-04:00

(MACON, Ga.) -- America's space program has landed in the heart of Georgia in a corn field located on a cattle ranch. Autumn's arrival across Georgia brings with it a season for pumpkins, harvests and a huge NASA-styled corn maze located in the heart of the Peach State.The Rock Ranch, located northwest of Macon, is a member of the nationwide program Space Farm 7, and the home to a NASA sponsored

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-89503057054710075802011-09-22T09:34:00.000-04:002011-09-22T10:30:10.809-04:00

(ATLANTA, Ga.) -- A NASA science satellite will plunge back to earth on Friday raining over twenty pieces of debris over an unknown region of our planet. NASA said on Thursday the satellite will not fall toward North America due to it's orbital track. The satellite known as UARS for Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite is expected to re-enter the earth's atmosphere on Friday afternoon EDT, and

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-3525707175599952682011-09-21T18:34:00.001-04:002011-09-22T06:36:25.675-04:00

Europe's Ariane 5 lifts-off at sunset from South America. (arianespace)An Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off on Wednesday carrying two communications satellites into earth orbit to service North America and the Middle East. Launch of the sixtieth flight of an Ariane 5 occurred on time at 5:38:07 p.m. EDT, from the Guiana Space

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-58354456726712539392011-09-20T12:10:00.000-04:002011-09-20T13:00:22.882-04:00

A labor strike has delayed Today's launch of an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, South America, and Arianespace cannot confirm a possible new launch date.Countdown clocks stopped around 11:00 a.m. EDT today, nearly two hours before the loading of super cold fuels into the rocket's main stage."The Trade Union of French Guiana Workers has just started a strike action within the Telespazio company,"

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-56949190417813254992011-09-18T10:05:00.005-04:002011-09-19T17:32:37.556-04:00

The 60th Ariane 5 prepares for it's Tuesday launch. (arianespace)Europe's heavy lift launcher will make it's final flight of the year from French Guiana on Tuesday as the launch team steers toward flying two Russian Soyuz rockets from the jungles of South America before the New Year.Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket will deliver two communications satellites into geostationary orbit, one for Arabsat

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-45643287140742103692011-08-05T12:27:00.001-04:002011-08-05T12:39:18.563-04:00

Launch of a ULA Atlas V 551 rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS today at 12:25:01 pm EDT.

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-45476221853796819122011-08-03T09:00:00.002-04:002011-08-03T09:57:11.109-04:00

NASA's Juno spacecraft will reach Jupiter in 2016. (NASA)A NASA spacecraft will begin a 1700 million mile voyage on Friday from America's Space Coast as it travels to our solar system's largest and most complex planet.NASA's Juno spacecraft will study Jupiter's atmosphere for moisture and map it's magnetic fields and much more during it's one year mission around the planet.Scientists hope to

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-72543167498220944942011-07-21T13:00:00.002-04:002011-08-01T10:08:12.239-04:00

(HOUSTON) -- Orbiting 240 miles high above earth, astronauts aboard the International Space Station use huge satellites in orbit to talk with controllers back at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.On July 19, one astronaut aboard the orbiting complex called an iPhone 4 located in Mission Control to chat.NASA astronaut Ronald Garan called an employee of the space center's iPhone to chat with

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-83456715756873652772011-07-15T11:00:00.007-04:002011-07-15T13:29:55.023-04:00

Powerful typhoon Ma-on is forecast to strike Japan Tuesday. (NASA)A powerful typhoon is on a forecast path to make landfall over central Japan on Wednesday, a strike which could damage the heart of the island nation's space program.Typhoon Ma-On is currently located several hundred miles to the southeast of Japan's southern tip at 20.6 North and 140.4 East.Several tracking and communication

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-23648587808682990492011-07-14T08:02:00.005-04:002011-07-14T09:43:24.561-04:00

An unmanned rocket will deliver a next generation navigational satellite into earth orbit for the U.S. Air Force on Friday from America's Space Coast.The Air Force's 45th weather office indicated today that there is a 70% chance for favorable weather at launch time."On launch day conditions aloft will consist of an upper level high pressure center over the (southeast)", weather officials said in

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-78935987568138028162011-07-11T08:19:00.001-04:002011-07-12T08:23:17.007-04:00

Atlanta Man Tweets for NASA: MyFoxATLANTA.comBy MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta ATLANTA - One local man is sharing his view of the historic mission - one tweet at a time.Charles Atkeison of Atlanta saw the very first space shuttle launch as a boy. It's an experience he says inspired his love of space and science.He now writes about the shuttle program professionally. But for the shuttle's

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-8852981127837036622011-07-10T16:25:00.002-04:002011-07-12T08:38:07.580-04:00

NASA's Liberty Star tows home Atlantis' booster today. (Atkeison)The twin rocket boosters which launched NASA's final space shuttle mission were returned back to Cape Canaveral on Sunday.As the first booster arrived at noon, it received a heroes welcome as a small fire boat pumped water up and out in a salute to the first arriving craft, Liberty Star.Standing on a pier next to the captain's

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-83586141330482164582011-07-09T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-09T08:15:25.381-04:00

Astronauts scanned Atlantis today for thermal damage. (NASA) Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis spent Saturday surveying their spacecraft for possible damage on her thermal skin and maneuvering to a higher orbit to prepare for Sunday's docking to the International Space Station.Atlantis' commander Chris Ferguson and pilot Doug Hurley moved the ship's 50-foot robotic arm over to grapple

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-48425201408863985042011-07-08T12:20:00.009-04:002011-07-08T13:28:18.188-04:00

Space shuttle Atlantis lift-off today on 12-day flight. (NASA)Space shuttle Atlantis launched this morning to begin a twelve day mission to resupply the International Space Station.Nearly 900,000 spectators around the Kennedy Space Center and along the Space Coast witnessed the final launch of a space shuttle today.NASA's final shuttle countdown was not without a few minutes of drama in the final

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-20884298153907195122011-07-08T07:39:00.003-04:002011-07-08T10:28:17.726-04:00

Atlantis' crew boards today for the ride to shuttle Atlantis. (NASA)As NASA's launch team watches the weather, a crew of four astronauts suited for flight and departed for their spacecraft this morning for the final mission of the space shuttle program.Low clouds and a chance for more rain has the current weather chances at only 30% favorable for today.The crew departed their living quarters at 7

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-56887129569305620822011-07-06T09:00:00.010-04:002011-07-06T14:26:21.096-04:00

Final space shuttle crew stands ready for launch on Friday. (NASA)A tropical wave will bring showers and low clouds to the American Space Coast on Thursday and the system's effect will likely delay Friday's launch attempt of the final space shuttle mission.Air Force weather officer Kathy Winters and her group issued a 30% chance that weather will be favorable for Friday morning's launch attempt

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-3908498146513651482011-07-05T08:30:00.000-04:002011-07-05T08:53:08.560-04:00

Final Mission: Atlantis will fly the 135th space shuttle flight. (NASA)The theater of American space flight will change forever as NASA concludes the final space shuttle mission this month while preparing the new replacement rocket for future human space travel away from earth orbit.Following thirty years of space shuttle flights, Atlantis' mission will mark a historic benchmark as she set sails

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-85163138781461405852011-07-02T23:00:00.001-04:002011-07-02T23:00:02.869-04:00

If you are unable to attend the historic final space shuttle launch this week, north Georgia's Tellus Science Museum will host a special launch day event for the public.Tellus Science Museum showcases the sciences of astronomy, geology, prehistoric artifacts, space and aviation in beautiful exhibit halls. Tellus' Joe Schulman states that the show will begin at 11 a.m. for both members and

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-43125286905767073562011-06-30T14:28:00.005-04:002011-07-01T09:40:33.073-04:00

Europe's heavy-lift rocket heads to its launch pad. (Arianespace)A mighty European rocket will carry aloft two high definition broadcast satellites on Friday, providing direct to home television for Europe and Japan.The European ASTRA 1N and Japan's BSAT 3C/JCSAT 110R satellites will be carried into earth orbit by the mighty Ariane 5.The 165-foot white rocket was rolled to it's launch pad today,

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-2344738556844788012011-06-24T09:05:00.003-04:002011-06-24T09:26:09.674-04:00

A pair of apple iPhone 4's will launch into earth orbit in July aboard the final space shuttle flight and will be used by astronauts during a series of experiments aboard the International Space Station. Each iPhone 4 model will have a special application loaded to test the calibration of the smart phone in space, and uses for it's camera as the crew aims it toward the earth in a series of

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-58874140220410468162011-06-23T12:48:00.006-04:002011-06-23T14:56:27.704-04:00

Progress craft sails to a docking with space station. (NASA)A Russian cargo craft loaded with equipment and supplies successfully docked to the International Space Station today.The 24-foot long spacecraft spent two days traveling up to the orbiting outpost with fresh supplies for the crew of six living and working aboard.Live video sent down by the supply craft's docking camera showed a nearly

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-20825359110733391432011-06-22T09:44:00.006-04:002011-06-22T10:41:42.031-04:00

Minuteman III lifts-off from the California coastline today. (USAF)A Minuteman III missile with an unarmed re-entry vehicle was launched on a test flight this morning from Vandenberg, AFB in California.Fog and low visibility combined with a communication link issue delayed the planned night time lift-off into the early dawn giving spectators along the coastline a beautiful view.As the seconds

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-81528976709967127742011-06-21T10:54:00.007-04:002011-06-21T18:01:42.040-04:00

Russia's Soyuz U rocket lifts a cargo craft to space today. (RSA)An unmanned spacecraft filled with fresh supplies, fuel and hardware lifted off a top a Russian rocket today bound for the International Space Station.Clear skies and warm temperatures favored the rocket's departure from western Kazakhstan.The Progress M-11M supply craft -- loaded with nearly 2.6 tons of food, water and equipment,

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-70312935289357748112011-06-18T09:10:00.004-04:002011-06-18T09:15:54.888-04:00

A NASA spacecraft is speeding out and away from our solar system and will make the first leap into interstellar space at any moment according to scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.Voyager 1's exit will begin giving astrophysicists new data accounts of life outside the solar system.The planetary satellite was launched nearly 34 years ago and continues to transmit data back

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-45532658310298567152011-06-15T10:00:00.002-04:002011-06-15T10:53:44.358-04:00

Sandy Magnus will fly aboard the final space shuttle flight. (NASA)Veteran space flier Sandy Magnus is no stranger to the city of Atlanta, nor is she to living in space, and is preparing this week for her flight aboard the final space shuttle mission in July.The former aircraft engineer carried with her aspirations of becoming an astronaut, however she did not feel she was ready to apply just

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-47514939934891241382011-06-04T09:00:00.003-04:002011-06-05T08:37:10.027-04:00

New space station residents prepare for busy space flight. (NASA)The next crew members bound for the International Space Station are in their final hours before launch to begin nearly six busy months of living and working in earth orbit.Two space station veterans and a first time space flier will link up with the orbiting complex 222 miles above earth to begin a marathon mission.Russia's Soyuz

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-32395044752189438212011-06-01T02:55:00.002-04:002011-06-01T18:11:04.529-04:00

Endeavour lands in the blackness of the Florida wildlife. (NASA)Gliding out of earth orbit and into the blackness of a Florida night sky, shuttle Endeavour returned home to the Kennedy Space Center today completing her twenty-fifth and final space flight.Endeavour's all veteran crew of commander Mark Kelly, pilot Greg Johnson and mission specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-25314895317916103732011-05-31T21:09:00.002-04:002011-05-31T21:59:37.635-04:00

Shuttle Atlantis inches to her launch pad tonight. (NASA)Space shuttle Atlantis began her final trip out to her ocean side launch pad tonight in preparation for the final flight of the program's thirty year history.The roll out began later than planned due to a hydraulic leak on the leveling system on the crawler transport.Atlantis' first motion occurred at 8:42 p.m. EDT, moving out of the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-16081835110341685602011-05-30T11:20:00.006-04:002011-05-30T11:37:05.063-04:00

The crew of shuttle Endeavour continue to move the orbiter away from the International Space Station today, and prepare for their Florida homecoming early on Wednesday.The final space flight of Endeavour is set to conclude at the Kennedy Space Center with a landing in the Florida darkness and onto a three mile runway located in the middle of a wildlife refuge.Endeavour's twenty-fifth flight will

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-9513249536379698432011-05-30T00:20:00.013-04:002011-05-30T03:08:17.730-04:00

Endeavour makes her way around the space station today. (NASA)(UPDATED: 2:40 a.m. EDT) -- Completing her final mission to the International Space Station, shuttle Endeavour departed her home for the last twelve days to test a new navigation system and prepare for her voyage home.It was a busy mission filled with the delivery of an international experiment designed to study dark matter in the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-64708775325062497652011-05-29T07:40:00.002-04:002011-05-29T15:55:29.245-04:00

Shuttle and station crews gather one last time today. (NASA)The visiting crew of shuttle Endeavour said their farewells to the crew of the International Space Station today with words of hope and handshakes as they prepare to depart later tonight. Shuttle commander Mark Kelly gave parting words of encouragement as he addressed the station's commander cosmonaut Andrey I. Borisenko and his crew

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-3266433624325472642011-05-28T08:10:00.002-04:002011-05-28T20:54:13.299-04:00

Shuttle Endeavour's right wing during her final space flight. (NASA)The crew of shuttle Endeavour spent a busy Saturday aboard the International Space Station, transferring supplies to the outpost and preparing their ship for Sunday's departure and test of a high tech navigation aide.The nine astronauts and cosmonauts living and working at the space station moved the last supplies and water bags

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-77985587329431989582011-05-27T07:51:00.003-04:002011-05-27T08:02:16.075-04:00

Spacewalker Mike Fincke photographed the Cupola today. (NASA)Shuttle Endeavour astronauts ventured outside the International Space Station one final time to perform several robotic chores as they marked a few milestones outside the outpost.The fourth and final spacewalk by Endeavour's astronauts began earlier than planned at 12:15 a.m. EDT this morning, from the space station's Quest

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-4787868089753202202011-05-25T08:40:00.004-04:002011-05-25T10:14:22.426-04:00

Astronauts perform the third spacewalk aboard space station. (NASA)Shuttle Endeavour astronauts worked outside the International Space Station today stringing fiber optic cables and back-up power cables to an aging Russian segment.Astronauts Drew Feustel and Mike Fincke began the third of four planned spacewalks during Endeavour's final flight at 1:46 a.m. EDT today, and minutes later began

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-86463693186701288292011-05-24T15:02:00.004-04:002011-05-25T07:25:15.559-04:00

The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle during construction. (Lockheed)NASA unveiled today the future vehicle of American space travel which will carry humanity beyond the International Space Station and out into deep space and the moon.Based on the plans for the Orion spacecraft, a new spacecraft known as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, or MPCV, will be able to carry four astronauts on a voyage of up to

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-18837398860211775712011-05-23T18:20:00.006-04:002011-05-23T19:45:43.475-04:00

Russian craft soars near shuttle Endeavour tonight. (NASA)A Russian spacecraft departed the International Space Station tonight and captured the first in-space family portrait of the complex with a docked space shuttle.Soyuz TMA-20 commander Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli undocked from the orbiting laboratory's Rassvett module at 5:35 p.m. EDT

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-68109862162882245162011-05-21T20:41:00.002-04:002011-05-21T22:38:32.605-04:00

NASA's space shuttle mission managers on Saturday cleared several small nicks to the tiles on the belly of Endeavour, allowing the craft to land on June 1.Earlier in the day today, shuttle astronauts Roberto Vittori and Drew Feustel used the space stations robotic arm to grapple the the orbiter boom sensor on the shuttle's payload sill. They then lifted the boom into a position to allow for the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-31488624021783934742011-05-21T07:46:00.002-04:002011-05-21T12:43:39.211-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI address the space station crews today. (Vatican)His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, placed a special call to the crews aboard the earth orbiting International Space Station today, a first in Papal history.Speaking from the Foconi Room of the Vatican Library in Italy, Pope Benedict began speaking to the combined crew of twelve of the station and the docked shuttle Endeavour at 7:11

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-89559397394618913692011-05-20T16:08:00.001-04:002011-05-20T20:51:21.065-04:00

The twelve crew members aboard the combined International Space Station and shuttle Endeavour will receive a special call from his holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.The Pope, who turned 84 in April, will place the call from the Vatican in Italy.This aerospace reporter on Friday asked Endeavour's Lead Flight Director Derek Hassmann (right) to share his thoughts on the Papal call to the space station, a

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-7896287705109331842011-05-20T15:53:00.002-04:002011-05-20T20:06:34.399-04:00

A Russian rocket lifts-off on Friday from Kazakhstan. (ILS)A Russian rocket carried a new communications satellite into earth orbit todayThe workhorse of Russia's commercial launch fleet, the Proton M lifted on it's first flight of the year.An International Launch Services Proton M lifted-off on time at 3:15 p.m. EDT (1915 GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in western Kazakhstan.The rocket

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-87064268714753606552011-05-20T05:48:00.005-04:002011-05-20T09:50:15.649-04:00

Drew Feustel along the port side of space station at 5:48 a.m. (NASA)Two of shuttle Endeavour's astronauts went outside the International Space Station to perform a few chores on the first of four spacewalks planned during the shuttle's twelve day visit.Spacewalkers Drew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff began the first spacewalk of the mission at 3:10 a.m. EDT, and then left the Quest airlock to

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-72917749567678542002011-05-19T05:52:00.001-04:002011-05-19T06:57:29.673-04:00

Endeavour crew talks to media today inside space station. (NASA)The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 2, an international experiment which will study cosmic rays and dark matter in the universe over the next decade -- was attached to it new home outside the International Space Station today.The 15,251 pound spectrometer was latched down at 5:33 a.m. EDT, this morning and the job of electrical and

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-3104812467400305232011-05-18T23:02:00.007-04:002011-05-19T05:22:18.563-04:00

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer prepares for launch in Florida. (NASA) A massive international experiment designed to study cosmic rays and dark matter in the universe will be deployed from space shuttle Endeavour on Thursday for it's placement outside the International Space Station. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 2 is the prime payload of Endeavour's supply mission. It is a particle physics

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-41134586511291839192011-05-18T12:20:00.004-04:002011-05-18T12:40:26.312-04:00

Robotics in space allowed for a platform filled with spare parts and equipment to be moved from the payload bay of shuttle Endeavour over to the International Space Station today.Endeavour's robotic arm slowly lifted the Express Logistics Carrier 3 from it's bay and handed it off to the space station's arm where it guided it over for mating to the port 3 truss segment of the station.The carrier

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-44454373581009259322011-05-18T07:51:00.002-04:002011-05-18T11:51:15.109-04:00

Endeavour nears the space station this morning. (NASA)Shuttle Endeavour arrived at her port-of-call this morning to begin twelve days filled with spacewalks and the delivery of supplies including a particle physics detector which will study the dark matter in space.Endeavour's commander Mark Kelly guided the orbiter to her final docking to the International Space Station today at 6:14 a.m. EDT,

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-15289523198368270512011-05-18T05:49:00.001-04:002011-05-18T05:49:58.793-04:00

Endeavour soars near space station with the moon behind. (NASA)Shuttle Endeavour is just minutes from docking to the International Space Station at 6:16 a.m. EDT.Endeavour slowly closed in to a distance of 600 feet from the orbital outpost at 5:15 a.m. to begin an orbital ballet in space as the two spacecraft flew 240 miles high over southwestern Russia.A minute later, Endeavour began a 360-

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-36783971764293800692011-05-17T07:49:00.001-04:002011-05-17T08:02:33.433-04:00

The crew aboard space shuttle Endeavour today surveyed the ship's thermal skin for damage following launch, and prepared for their arrival tomorrow at earth's orbiting outpost in space.Endeavour is due to arrive at her port-of-call early Wednesday morning, and following the crew's wake-up to the music of U2's "Beautiful Day", they went right to work on their second day in space. Using the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-71736293539902909032011-05-16T09:07:00.005-04:002011-05-16T19:07:09.364-04:00

Endeavour lifts-off to begin a 16 day mission today. (NASA)The space shuttle Endeavour lifted-off this morning from America's Space Coast riding above a 700-foot golden flame toward earth orbit to begin her twenty-fifth and final mission.A trouble-free countdown and nearly perfect weather helped keep NASA's penultimate launch of the space shuttle program on track.Endeavour's all veteran crew of

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-53522889537676735572011-05-16T07:24:00.002-04:002011-05-16T07:44:51.162-04:00

Shuttle Endeavour sits poised awaiting her lift-off today. (NASA)The launch countdown for NASA's 134th space shuttle flight remains on schedule this morning.The only issue of concern was some slight scarring of a black tile which sits on the hatch perimeter of shuttle Endeavour at 7:00 a.m. EDT, after the shuttle's hatch was closed.A silicone puddy was applied by the close out crew to the damaged

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-20474176213175569212011-05-16T05:20:00.001-04:002011-05-16T05:21:24.285-04:00

The Astro Van departs for shuttle Endeavour with her crew. (NASA)The six man crew of the space shuttle Endeavour just departed their crew quarters at the Kennedy Space Center's industrial complex for the ten mile trip out to their spacecraft.Waving to cheering guests and space center employees, the six astronauts were all smiles as they boarded the silver van, followed by a green armored vehicle

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-76941083851798518432011-05-16T00:16:00.005-04:002011-05-16T00:16:00.239-04:00

NASA's launch team began loading super cold fuels into the space shuttle Endeavour's fuel tank tonight as the space agency prepares for the program's penultimate mission later this morning.The launch control center, located just 3 miles from Endeavour's launch pad 39-A, began a chill down of the fuel lines which lead into the external fuel tank at 11:36 p.m. EDT, Sunday night at the same time the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-67359977791106124492011-05-15T10:00:00.001-04:002011-05-16T05:30:00.818-04:00

Endeavour will soar on her final spaceflight Monday. (NASA)The penultimate launch of the space shuttle program remains on schedule for Monday morning before and estimated crowd of over a half-million spectators gathered along the Space Coast.Weather remains 70% favorable as forecasters watch for a chance of cross wind conditions at the shuttle landing facility's runway and a slight chance for low

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-32206205126397244162011-05-12T14:00:00.006-04:002011-05-13T14:35:46.226-04:00

My personal one-on-one interview with STS-133 pilot Col. Eric Boe in May 2011, just weeks following his second space flight aboard Discovery.

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-1004716172633568832011-05-10T08:50:00.031-04:002011-05-13T14:42:19.130-04:00

Col. Boe piloted shuttle Discovery's final flight. (Tony Madden/ FSC)Space shuttle astronaut Col. Eric Boe, who piloted the final flight of Discovery in March, recently returned to his hometown of Atlanta just weeks following his second trip to the International Space Station.Inside the education building at the Fernbank Science Center in east Atlanta, Col. Boe sat down for a one-on-one

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-90871285728935628882011-05-09T15:36:00.006-04:002011-05-09T23:04:59.847-04:00

Shuttle Endeavour stands poised for a May 16 launch. (NASA)NASA managers officially set May 16 for a second attempt to launch space shuttle Endeavour on a 16 day mission to install a package to research dark matter in the universe and perform four spacewalks outside earth's orbital outpost in space.Endeavour was due to lift-off on April 29, but an avionics box which controls the warming of the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-9860437087909867502011-05-05T12:00:00.000-04:002011-05-05T12:02:21.079-04:00

Astronomers from across the Peach State will celebrate National Astronomy Day on Saturday, a day set aside to promote interest with children and adults in the study of our universe.Sponsored by Astronomy magazine and Celestron telescopes, Astronomy Day will feature several observatories and museums across America participating in science themed activities, including two museums right here in

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-79909338726924928362011-05-04T10:00:00.005-04:002011-05-04T10:37:56.982-04:00

A meteor shower will speckle dots of light flashes across the clear night sky in most regions of America early Friday giving star gazers a magical celestial show.The annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower began in April, however the peak time is this week, especially in the early morning hours on Friday.The meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through the debris trail left by Halley's Comet, the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-22148710339596424652011-05-03T10:30:00.000-04:002011-05-03T11:28:59.666-04:00

As America marks the golden anniversary of the nation's first steps into space on Thursday, this aerospace journalist recalls how very fortunate he was to have known and interviewed NASA's first space explorer.On the heels of Russia launching the first human into space and returning him safely, NASA sped up work in the weeks that followed to launch astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. aboard a tiny

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-28402453982187845752011-04-27T09:18:00.006-04:002011-04-27T11:10:50.041-04:00

A Russian rocket left earth today carrying an unmanned craft loaded with fresh supplies bound for the orbiting International Space Station.The Soyuz U rocket with the Progress M-10M cargo craft lifted-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in western Kazakhstan on time at 9:05 a.m. EDT (1305 GMT), loaded with 2 1/2 tons of supplies."The new Progress is loaded with 1,940 pounds of propellant, 110 pounds

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-628707777738907672011-04-25T16:00:00.002-04:002011-04-25T18:52:40.014-04:00

Tellus Science Museum features a world of exploration. (Atkeison)Science and nature come to life as dinosaurs and space exhibits take center stage at the world-class Tellus Science Museum located in northwestern Georgia.Opened in January 2009, the science museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and home to four main exhibit areas -- the Science in Motion Gallery,

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-74190470557048450872011-04-22T18:25:00.002-04:002011-04-23T07:58:02.054-04:00

An Ariane 5 rocket lifts-off on Earth Day. (arianespace)Europe's heavy lift work horse delivered two communications satellites into earth orbit this evening as the Sun set over the South American launch site.The two satellites -- Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn -- will be placed into a geostationary orbit over the next few days to begin a fifteen year life to provide direct communications

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-27774554909023593802011-04-15T08:00:00.004-04:002011-04-15T08:40:15.852-04:00

Instructors like Cheapshot teach teamwork and confidence. (Atkeison)Integrity. Strength. Parent and child bonding. Excitement.Not just words on paper, but personal life experiences for those who pass through the gates of Aviation Challenge at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.Aviation Challenge is a program designed as a Top Gun-styled camp course teaching kids of all ages

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-21120367684005002732011-04-15T00:40:00.004-04:002011-04-15T00:59:47.965-04:00

Atlas V rocket lifts-off from California on a military flight. (ULA)An unmanned rocket successfully launched on a classified military payload delivery flight this evening from the California coastline.It was the twenty-fifth flight of an Atlas V rocket since the rocket series began in 2002.In an unusual styled launch, the Air Force used a single solid rocket booster to aide the core engine's

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-18855284607182946372011-04-12T13:43:00.009-04:002011-04-12T14:38:26.670-04:00

The planned $100 million shuttle Atlantis exhibit in Florida. (KSCVC)NASA announced today the locations in which the three surviving space shuttle orbiters will be housed following their retirement this year.In a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center to mark the 30th anniversary of the first space shuttle launch, NASA administrator Charlie F. Bolden laid out where the three space rated orbiters

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-58679972624259757762011-04-06T23:10:00.002-04:002011-04-07T08:27:40.942-04:00

Yuri Gagarin spacecraft nears space station docking. (NASA)Three new crew members arrived at the International Space Station tonight aboard their spacecraft Yuri Gagarin to begin a five month stay and join three current residents in earth orbit.The coming days mark the golden anniversary of humankind's first steps into the vastness of space.As the two crafts sped into an orbital sunset over the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-84357347406853921632011-04-05T18:09:00.000-04:002011-04-06T08:52:15.451-04:00

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp announced this afternoon that they will host their first Tweet-up for 16 lucky people to coincide with the April 29 launch of space shuttle Endeavour.The two-day Tweet-up is scheduled for April 28 and 29, and will focus on tours of nearby Marshall Space Flight Center and the Space & Rocket Center's museum and rides.Registration begins on April 7

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-82363952110432931402011-04-04T19:37:00.014-04:002011-04-04T20:29:10.287-04:00

Russia's Soyuz pre-dawn lift-off with a crew of three. (Roscosmos)A Soyuz rocket with two Russians and one American lifted-off today for the International Space Station from the same launch pad which sent the first human into space fifty years ago this week.The Soyuz TMA21 spacecraft, nicknamed Yuri Gagarin in honor of the first human to sail upon the ocean of space, lifted-off with cosmonauts

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-84695059557781574572011-04-04T08:14:00.006-04:002011-04-04T10:59:57.794-04:00

The coming and going of two Russian unmanned supply ships for the International Space Station has forced NASA to delay the final mission of space shuttle Endeavour by ten days.On Sunday, insiders from Roscosmos stated that Russia will not delay an incoming craft's arrival to the outpost, and that Endeavour would not be at the station during the craft's arrival.NASA's shuttle mission management

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-72342022992975744672011-04-03T09:00:00.005-04:002011-04-03T10:29:30.621-04:00

Russia and the world will begin celebrations Tuesday of the golden anniversary of humankind's first steps into space with the launch of two Russians and one American aboard a Soyuz bound for the International Space Station.It was April 12, 1961, in which Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin lifted-off from a then-secret launch site to become the first human ever to not only fly in space but to orbit

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-16530447276634552152011-04-01T09:00:00.000-04:002011-04-01T09:38:03.430-04:00

If there was one person who pushed NASA to ensure America could reach the moon before 1970, and save both billions of dollars and two years of time involved, it was one engineer.One man at NASA pushed his plan to have two space craft head to lunar orbit, land one and have the two redock later and return to earth in a simplified, cost saving method.In the months leading up to America's first

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-84152739595129463672011-03-31T08:56:00.003-04:002011-03-31T10:47:54.809-04:00

Commander Mark Kelly discusses Endeavour's mission. (NASA)Severe storms hammering the Florida Space Coast this morning moved the traditional media event with the crew of the next space shuttle flight from the launch pad to an indoor auditorium.As tornado sirens sounded and rain poured down at the Kennedy Space Center, the six member flight crew for Endeavour's April flight took questions from the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-74115731218412418782011-03-30T17:55:00.010-04:002011-03-30T19:39:12.908-04:00

Ariane 5 core engine ignites then is shutdown today. (arianespace)Europe's workhorse in launching commercial satellites suffered an on-the-pad launch abort today seconds before it's boosters were to ignite.The Vulcain 2 single main engine ignites in the final seven seconds before launch. During this time, computers in milliseconds checkout every aspect of the rocket to ensure it it safe to

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-37303640646704386092011-03-28T11:59:00.002-04:002011-03-28T16:16:11.195-04:00

Space station astronauts release Japan's cargo craft. (NASA)Astronauts aboard the International Space Station today released a trash-filled Japanese supply craft out into space on course for it's fiery reentry on Tuesday.Docked with the Earth-facing port on the station's Harmony node, Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle was grappled by a 58-foot robotic arm at 4:11 a.m. EDT.Sixteen bolts mating the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-39838303189827553702011-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:002011-03-26T13:09:11.840-04:00

Charles Atkeison, daughter Emily and Stephanie Wilson at Tellus.Astronaut Stephanie Wilson is no stranger to working in space, and after three space shuttle flights she looks forward to the day when she will make a fourth visit as a resident aboard the International Space Station.She has flown aboard the space shuttle Discovery on three flights beginning in 2006 in support of construction and

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-52344881634851242852011-03-25T09:00:00.007-04:002011-03-30T15:08:49.575-04:00

A European heavy lift launcher is set to deliver two communications satellites into earth orbit on Wednesday, including the first satellite built for use by the private sector of Africa.The two satellites -- Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn -- will be placed into a geostationary orbit to begin a fifteen year life to provide direct communications to the public and government's of multiple

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-34668115365533995952011-03-18T09:00:00.031-04:002011-03-19T08:45:07.788-04:00

Sunrise greets space shuttle Pathfinder at Rocket Center. (Atkeison)Spring break in the Peach State is nine days of excitement spent on the beaches of Georgia's scenic coastline or attending golf's number one tournament in Augusta, the Masters.The same drive time from Atlanta will also allow for an overnight trip to neighboring Alabama's top attraction, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-57655664916684074602011-03-16T04:24:00.004-04:002011-03-16T16:56:31.784-04:00

Soyuz TMA-01M rests in northern Kazakhstan today. (NASA)One American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts completed their day stay aboard the International Space Station this morning, departing and landing on the snowy region in Kazakhstan.Outgoing station commander and NASA astronaut Scott Kelly along with Russian's Alexander Kalery and Oleg Skripochka said their goodbyes to the new commander

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-20010876424263102782011-03-11T06:22:00.007-05:002011-03-11T08:49:41.038-05:00

Shuttle Endeavour during sunrise today a top pad 39A. (NASA)One day after space shuttle Discovery returned home from her final voyage, sister ship Endeavour was moved out to her ocean side launch pad to prepare for her final flight in April.Shuttle Endeavour left the massive Vehicle Assembly Building last night at 7:56 p.m. EST, to begin the 3 mile trek upon a gravel-covered road out to launch

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-66144771026434775582011-03-10T07:06:00.008-05:002011-03-10T07:47:37.160-05:00

A powerful Delta IV rocket will carry a classified reconnaissance satellite for the U.S. military into earth orbit on Friday from America's Space Coast.The United Launch Alliance Delta IV-medium will carry the NROL-27 for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in support of the military's national defense.Friday's launch will mark the fifteenth Delta IV launch since 2002.Launch of the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-53800136694134860722011-03-09T12:20:00.008-05:002011-03-09T13:16:37.443-05:00

Discovery rolls out on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center. (NASA)Gliding home to a landing after a successful two weeks in orbit, space shuttle Discovery completed her final space flight after twenty-seven years of service.As landing approached, Discovery performed what NASA labeled "her victory lap around the globe" as she begun her 202 and final orbit of her last flight.Discovery commander

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-70545686675186667122011-03-09T07:04:00.006-05:002011-03-09T09:22:31.066-05:00

On the heels of spending thirteen days in space on a resupply mission to the International Space Station, the space shuttle Discovery is in the final hours of her final spaceflight as her crew of six prepare for landing today.Lead by commander Steve Lindsey, Discovery's all veteran crew includes pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Mike Barratt and Nicole Stott.Light

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-38984369986213146932011-03-08T08:44:00.007-05:002011-03-08T09:15:41.718-05:00

Pilot Eric Boe practices landing Discovery today. (NASA)The six member crew aboard the space shuttle Discovery spent today powering up systems and preparing for the spacecraft for landing and closing out her thirty-ninth and final spaceflight.NASA states favorable weather is on tap for tomorrow's 11:57 a.m. EST, landing at the Kennedy Space Center.Wednesday's weather outlook for the Space Coast

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-18417117328181504972011-03-07T08:37:00.001-05:002011-03-07T09:14:12.389-05:00

A White Dove left her nest this morning and flew off into the sunset one last time.These real time images of space shuttle Discovery's departure of the International Space Station were as dramatic and breathtaking as the orbiter left her port-of-call beginning at 7:00 a.m. EST today.After performing a 360-degree fly around of the complex by pilot Eric Boe, Discovery fired her jets twice and set

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-85074190535764788602011-03-07T07:25:00.002-05:002011-03-07T09:43:31.257-05:00

Discovery's view of space station 222 miles above earth. (NASA)(UPDATED: 8:40 a.m. EST) -- The space shuttle Discovery departed the International Space Station today for the thirteenth and final time, after completing an extended stay aboard earth's outpost in space.Undocking from orbiting complex occurred on time at 7:00 a.m. EST, as the two space crafts soared 220 miles high in the darkness of

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-88504744364925359572011-03-06T08:30:00.000-05:002011-03-06T08:32:22.257-05:00

Crew's gather in the closing days of Discovery's flight to station. (NASA)Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery are spending their final hours aboard the International Space Station today as they load final experiments prior to closing the hatches for Monday's undocking.Today will see a farewell ceremony as the shuttle crew bids farewell to the space station following eight days docked to

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-51063065700809234112011-03-05T18:07:00.000-05:002011-03-05T22:53:08.889-05:00

The second Air Force X-37B mini shuttle prepares for launch. (USAF)A second space shuttle is soaring tonight upon the ocean of space, this one unmanned and half the size of NASA's orbiters, following it's lift-off today from Cape Canaveral for the Air Force.This is the second X-37B space plane which closely resembles the space shuttle to reach orbit in less than one year.The nearly ten-foot

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-87764058306315040792011-03-04T17:31:00.002-05:002011-03-04T18:01:25.160-05:00

An Atlas 5 sits through stormy weather on Friday. (ULA)Low clouds, high winds and rain scrubbed today's planned launch of an Atlas rocket which is to carry an unmanned military mini space shuttle.The launch team is now in a 24-hour launch turn around as they try again on Saturday at 4:09 p.m. EST.The weather forecast is not as promising for Saturday with only a 30% chance of favorable weather at

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-587901061030626882011-03-04T05:40:00.009-05:002011-03-04T09:06:35.137-05:00

(UPDATED: 8:10 am EST) -- A NASA satellite bound to study earth's atmosphere failed to reach orbit today when it's payload fairing failed to separate three minutes after launch."The vehicle speed error is indicating under performance, which is expected due to a fairing not separating", Launch commentator Richard Haenke reported at five minutes into the flight.Today's Taurus XL rocket launch is

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-4544790476143825252011-03-03T17:20:00.003-05:002011-03-03T18:39:11.873-05:00

Cady Coleman with the carbon dioxide removal system (NASA)As the space shuttle Discovery remains docked today with the International Space Station, twelve humans continue to live and work 222 miles high above the earth.On the heels of three days devoted to two spacewalks and the installation of a new 21-foot long pressurized storage module, the crews spent Thursday at a quieter pace as they

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-45755573874528870032011-03-03T08:22:00.002-05:002011-03-03T20:26:45.852-05:00

Space shuttle Discovery launches on STS-133, her final launch, on February 24. Watch this thirty-minute video recorded from cameras on the twin boosters and external tank. (NASA)

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-73149797679196290932011-03-02T17:20:00.002-05:002011-03-03T06:46:11.113-05:00

Astronaut Bowen performs an orbital walk in space today. (NASA)Space shuttle Discovery astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew left the International Space Station today to complete several chores on this the second planned spacewalk of the shuttle's final mission.Bowen and Drew switched their spacesuits to internal power at 10:42 a.m. EST, today and minutes later left the Quest airlock and the

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-90963280882158539542011-03-01T10:35:00.004-05:002011-03-01T11:31:28.041-05:00

A new storage module is docked to space station today. (NASA)An Italian-built pressurized storage module was plucked from the space shuttle Discovery's bay and firmly docked to the International Space Station this morning to become a permanent storage facility on the orbiting complex.The new pressurized module addition means extra storage for the crew of six living and working aboard the orbiting

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-59574526153069463332011-02-28T18:20:00.006-05:002011-02-28T22:18:40.841-05:00

Drew (left) and Bowen work outside station today. (NASA)Two spacewalking astronauts wrapped up several long awaited chores outside the International Space Station today, the first of two planned walks in space this week.Shuttle Discovery crew members Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew concluded a six hour, thirty four minute orbital walk in space this afternoon at 5:20 p.m. EST, as the station-shuttle

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-70889162850919339632011-02-28T11:25:00.005-05:002011-02-28T14:51:32.486-05:00

Discovery astronauts work outside space station today. (NASA)(UPDATED: 2:05 p.m. EST) -- Shuttle Discovery astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew left the comfort of the International Space Station this morning to perform several chores in support of earth's orbital outpost.Today's spacewalk began at 10:46 a.m. EST, and is Bowen's sixth orbital walk having accumulated 34 1/2-hours of spacewalking

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-50437049790804623862011-02-28T09:00:00.008-05:002011-02-28T10:24:16.711-05:00

The Air Force will launch their second X-37B space plane into earth orbit on Friday to begin a test flight which could last six months in space.The nearly ten-foot high, twenty-nine foot long X-37B has a wing span of fifteen feet from tip to tip, and is designed to increase the military's knowledge of reentry style vehicles which can return experiments from space.The first flight lifted-off last

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-42411520116872202352011-02-26T14:24:00.002-05:002011-02-26T14:26:26.487-05:00

Shuttle Discovery at 600 feet from space station today. (NASA)The International Space Station welcomed six astronauts and a new storage module today as shuttle Discovery docked to the outpost this afternoon.Like a white dove soaring to her nest upon the black vastness of space, Discovery cruised up to and slowly backed in to dock one last time with a space station.On this her final space flight,

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-71176905175328569772011-02-26T07:44:00.003-05:002011-02-26T12:28:17.778-05:00

Station astronauts prepare today for Discovery's arrival. (NASA)Shuttle Discovery's astronauts are fine tuning their orbit in preparation for today's docking to the International Space Station and one week of supply transfers, two spacewalks and the delivery of a new pressurized module.Discovery's all veteran crew includes commander Steve Lindsey, pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Alvin

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-89172921454005898782011-02-25T10:44:00.011-05:002011-02-26T08:54:25.529-05:00

Fred Leslie skydives as Discovery launches behind him. (Leslie)The Huntsville Times broke the story moments ago of former astronaut Fred Leslie and his perfectly timed skydiving jump as space shuttle Discovery lifted-off from Cape Canaveral on Thursday.While over Deland, Florida -- some sixty miles northeast of the Kennedy Space Center -- Leslie and his wife Kathy made a special jump at 4:45 pm

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-66125209841929591602011-02-25T10:11:00.001-05:002011-02-25T11:52:32.245-05:00

Discovery pilot Eric Boe during a engine burn today. (NASA)The crew aboard the space shuttle Discovery nudged their craft a bit higher as they prepare for Saturday's arrival at the International Space Station.Discovery fired the ship's right orbital maneuvering jet at 9:44 a.m. EST, to help adjust the craft's orbit as it trailed the station by several thousand miles.Commander Steve Lindsey and

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22149729.post-32726756883363696782011-02-24T17:03:00.007-05:002011-02-25T07:11:06.660-05:00

Discovery soars toward space on her final launch. (NASA)The space shuttle Discovery lifted-off today on one last voyage upon the ocean of space.Carrying a crew of six astronauts and one robonaut, Discovery leaped skyward and along a path up the eastern coastline of the United States."For those watching, get ready to witness the majesty and the power of Discovery as she lifts-off one final time,"

Charles Atkeisonnoreply@blogger.com0