With the world turning their eyes skyward tonight to look for space debris, the FAA has issued a NOTAM that I don't think I ever even considered a possibility before. I did write an article on it here. However, this is just too cool, odd and well kinda scary to pass up writing about it again.
NASA's UARS satellite is expected to come crashing back to Earth tonight, mostly burning up in the atmosphere; however, a few large chunks of the half-ton satellite are expected to make it all the way to sea-level. Granted, with the majority of Earth being water, the sea is most likely where UARS will end up, it's still a very news worthy event. There are thousands of pieces of space junk out there and some of these are constantly re-entering our atmosphere. Almost all burn to oblivion as they streak through the atmosphere.
The UARS isn't expected to burn up completely, and is posing a danger to people, places and the FAA worries, airplanes. As astronomically remote a possibility, it's still a possibility. I'm almost 99.9% certain anyone flying tonight is safe (the night hours have very low air traffic). The primary purpose of the NOTAM I believe is to assist the FAA, NASA and the US Department of Defense in identifying where the UARS comes to rest and to try and pinpoint the location of any recoverable debris. So, if you haven't yet, here's the latest FAA NOTAM as of 8:30 PM CST.
!FDC 1/2720 FDC .. SPECIAL NOTICE .. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL 1109252359 UTC. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED THAT A POTENTIAL HAZARD MAY OCCUR DUE TO REENTRY OF SATELLITE UARS INTO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. FAA IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND NASA TO ENSURE THE MOST CURRENT RE-ENTRY INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO OPERATORS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. FURTHER NOTAMS WILL BE ISSUED IF SPECIFIC INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE INDICATING A UNITED STATES AIRSPACE IMPACT. IN THE INTEREST OF FLIGHT SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL PILOTS/FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS REPORT ANY OBSERVED FALLING SPACE DEBRIS TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY AND INCLUDE POSITION, ALTITUDE, TIME, AND DIRECTION OF DEBRIS OBSERVED. THE DOMESTIC EVENTS NETWORK /DEN/ TELEPHONE 202-493-5107, IS THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.
So, if you piloting an airplane tonight and see flaming space debris streaking by, please put your camera down and kindly notify the ATC controller your on frequency with as directed, or if you work at an airport, etc, you can call the FAA Coordination facility at the number provided. Oh... and post those pics and vids of the space debris as seen from your plane as soon as possible for us!
Even with the Blue Angels having canceled, Rockford Airfest organizers keep putting out press release after press release, announcing more and more amazing plans for this coming weekend. I will be there on Sunday to cover the event as 'media' so stay tuned for some great articles and photos from Airfest. In the meantime, here are some of my most recent articles on what's planned for the weekend. (add in 60+ static aircraft on display as well as over a dozen military and civiliat aerial performers and the event is still sure to please any aviation fan!)
Embry-Riddle University and Aircraft to be displayed at Airfest 2011
Rockford announced today that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) will have a static display during this years Airfest. ERAU already maintains an Embry-Riddle Worldwide campus on the airport grounds and will be honoring it's first graduate during the air show weekend.
ERAU is also still looking at Rockford Airport as one of the finalists for their third residency campus with a decision hopefully coming soon. Initially, the decision was supposed to have been made by November of 2010; however, ERAU had delayed the decision indefinitely. They stated they are still looking to add the third campus and are expecting to make an announcement sometime this year.
NASA Astronauts to appear at Rockford's 2011 Airfest
Earlier today, just prior to Airfest organizers discovering that the Blue Angels had cancelled their appearance, Rockford announced that NASA will have also have a presence at the 2011 Airfest air show. With the help of U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, Rockford Airfest organizers were able to secure the attendance of two astronauts as well as NASA's “Journey to Tomorrow” trailer.
The two astronauts, Serena M. Aunon and G. Reid Wiseman, will be making an appearance on the first day of the air show on Saturday, June 4th. The inclusion of NASA in the Rockford Airfest continues on NASA's public outreach initiative. Both were selected in 2009 at 2 of the 14 astronauts that are part of the 20th NASA astronaut class. Their appearance helps to show the public that there is still a NASA astronaut program even with the shuttle program coming to an end.
For this post, I'm once again moving away from normal aviation, and focusing on an important day in aerospace. A pair of anniversary's in human spaceflight as well as the end of an era, with the announcement of the retirement homes for the space shuttle fleet.
The decision was made on a historic day in Space Flight history. April 12, 2011 is the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight into space, becoming the first human to break the bonds of Earth, and soar in the beauty of space for 108 minutes. It is also the 30th anniversary of the first shuttle flight, STS-1, Shuttle Columbia.
The commemoration of the 30th anniversary was held in front of the Orbital Processing Facility for Shuttle Atlantis, currently undergoing preparations for her final flight, STS-135, no earlier than June 28, 2011.
This was also when NASA Administrator, was due to announce the final resting place as I call it for the current shuttle fleet and the test prototype orbiter, Enterprise. It is what I consider a very premature retirement.
These craft are still well within their functional worklife, still capable of carrying man and machine into space. It is a shame the program is ending as early as it is. The shuttle should continue to carry NASA astronauts to the ISS and low earth orbit for at least the next decade.
The ceremony began with an amazing video of the Space Shuttle Program, narrated by none other than William Shatner (or as space geeks will always refer to him, Captain James T. Kirk).
The video summarizes the shuttle program beautifully, though it almost plays as a eulogy, the end of an era. When Bolden spoke, he was nearly overcome by emotion a few times, choking back tears, his voice cracking when praising the shuttle program and the hard work and dedication of all those that made, and make, each and every flight possible.
The first announcement was for Shuttle Atlantis, displayed proudly sitting in her orbital processing facility behind the stage. She would remain here at her home, Kennedy Space Center, on the 'Space Coast'. She will move to what will be a newly constructed exhibit building at the KSC Visitor Center.
It's fitting for KSC VC to retain a flown shuttle, the location where every shuttle lifted off from, and where the majority ended their missions. KSC has seen all US manned space launches, and will most likely see more in the future. The retention of a shuttle at Kennedy Space Center is a fitting final resting place for Atlantis. She will remain near the Saturn V rocket, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules, not to mention all the rockets in the rocket garden. It will be a great destination for those heading to KSC to experience the history of NASA, but also the future commercial launches of companies like SpaceX.
Discovery, as expected, will be headed to the Smithsonian. She will reside in the current resting place of the Shuttle Enterprise, the National Air and Space Museums, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. The facility is located on the outer perimeter of Dulles International Airport.
Discovery will join the dozens of other space craft between the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall campus and the Udvar-Hazy center, including such notables the lunar modules, Mercury capsules, multiple military rockets, satellites and other notable airplanes as well. The museum, between its two campuses boasts one of the largest aviation and aerospace collections.
With Florida and Washington D.C. being very popular vacation destinations, for both domestic tourists and international visitors, the locations will provide tremendous exposure for both vehicles. Both locations offer multiple educational opportunities, interactions with schools and other organizations providing multiple opportunities for children to be introduced to the topics of science, engineering and mathematics.
The next two selections were probably the most controversial. Johnson Space Center in Houston was left off the final selections, upsetting many who work there as well as aerospace enthusiasts across the country. Johnson Space Center can be considered the brains and heart of NASA spaceflight. With the Mission Control Centers for ISS and STS located there, along with the astronaut offices and residences along with multiple training facilities. It was almost a given that a shuttle should be awarded to the Space Center there; however, the goal of the museum awards wasn't based on historical or current NASA usage. NASA stated in the beginning, the decision would be based on the ability of the location to provide as much domestic and international exposure for the shuttles along with a focus on education. This was intended to expose as many people, young and old to the program and hopefully encourage and entice the next generation to pursue engineering, science and aerospace studies.
I understand the disagreement (and in some cases utter hate) for the next two decisions by some in Houston, Ohio and other locations that missed out, but please understand the initial purpose of the Shuttles being sent to museums like I said above. No matter what arguments I, or anyone else, provide, there will always be theories of political intervention, bribes, etc.
The third shuttle, Endeavour, the newest in the fleet, is being sent to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. At first, I was a little thrown off by the decision until NASA explained the reasoning. Southern California is obviously where Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards Air Force Base and Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards are located. In addition the shuttles themselves were constructed/born at the Rockwell (and then Boeing) facilities in Downey, CA among other companies and facilities involved in the lives of the orbiters. With the location on the West Coast, it will also provide a shuttle for visitors for that half of the country, along with international visitors from Central and South America and the asian and pacific countries, including Australia.
Finally, the most hushed response from the crowd, and the announcement that sent ripples across social media sites, web forums and new outlets, came stating that the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York was getting the Enterprise, currently displayed at the Udvar-Hazy museum where Discovery will be going. The backlash almost started immediately, with employees from JSC immediately posting comments feeling snubbed and ignored by NASA. Ohio politicians called for an investigation into the selection process as the Air Force museum was skipped as well.
The Intrepid aircraft carrier does itself have a history with NASA. It was used as the recovery craft for the Mercury and Gemini programs. The astronauts, after landing their capsule in the Atlantic Ocean, were brought aboard the Intrepid for their return home to the States. The museum will not leave Enterprise exposed to the elements like their other displays like Concorde, but is scheduled to build a hanger next to the carrier to house the Enterprise and her associated exhibits.
In addition, New York is the location of Grumman that constructed the shuttle wings, and Fairchild/Republic that constructed the rudder and speed brakes. There isn't as much connection and NASA history (not even close!) as Houston, but there is a small connection. Add in the fact that New York is THE tourist destination, holding the number 1 spot for many years, it will provide the largest opportunity to showcase the shuttle to the greatest number of people, from across the US, Europe and just about every other country. If there is ONE city that someone from another country will know, it's New York.
So let's get over the political arguments, the disagreements with the decision and let's support the organization that even made any of this possible in the first place, NASA. We have a long hard road ahead for a replacement vehicle, a HUGE political battle for funding and continued support of NASA by the US government. Let's support the museums that have received the honor of hosting such a tremendous, capable. vehicle.
Finally, it's been discussed and mentioned during the press conference that the shuttles will have the opportunity for a 'farewell' tour of the US prior to arriving at their final destination. It would be amazing to see the orbiter, piggybacked atop the modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
Imagine, the combination pictured here, landing at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Atlanta Hartsfield, Boeing Field and many other airports. I for one will stand by and watch, and bid our orbiters (for they truly belong to the people) farewell. and plan a trip to all the museums as well. God Speed Enterprise, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour and a great flight to STS-134 and STS-135.
I saw a tweet with this video and had to share it. I initially posted it on Facebook and Twitter as well, but after watching it again with my family, I needed to share it further and link to it. The description talks about NASA needing a social media department; however, they have already created it and are growing it dramatically. From the first FourSquare checkin from the International Space Station, to twitter account among multitudes of employees and even astronauts. My own personal experience has been with what I think is their best social media outreach program to date, the NASA Tweetup.
I had the pleasure of experiencing a truly remarkable event, one that actually touched people emotionally, sometimes in ways that changed their lives. Some of my fellow tweetup attendees have made life altering decisions such as moving halfway across the world, literally. I look forward for the launch of Discovery, STS-133 at the end of February, mainly because I am eager and excited beyond words to witness a shuttle launch, one of the last ever, but also to reconnect with the people of the tweetup.
Watch this video, and listen closely to the word, let them sink in. Truer words were never spoken. I wish I could see where we, as a species, will be in a hundred years, much less another millenia. I can only hope that we will continue to explore, to reach out to new frontiers. The last 100 years have shown exactly how capable humans are, advancing more then the prior thousand years before that.
The FAA today has announced that they have grantedSpaceX a license for spacecraft reentry. The license will allow Space X to continue testing of it's Dragon capsule and perform reentry back into the Earth's atmosphere.
Per the SpaceX website, the Dragon is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft that can be utilized to transport cargo and possibly crew-members into low earth orbit. The capsule was developed under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, beginning in 2005.
I know I haven't posted much in the last week, after the vacation. Had a lot to catch up on and been trying to sort all the information for a series of posts on the STS-133 Tweetup. Add in the entire family being sick (except for me, I was the only one to get a flu-shot!) and my time has gone out the window. I have a few aviation posts I will be making as well
As for the launch of Discovery, the next earliest date for launch if November 30 with the window extending to December 6th. If it holds based on analysis of the leaking plate and two cracks in the external tank, then I will only be able to make the first two nights of the window as I only have two vacation days left. We'll see, stay tuned here for more updates.
I plan on having a few articles up today and throughout the coming weekend. Stay tuned!
Well, the vacation is coming to a close and the NASA Tweetup for the STS-133 launch ended yesterday. This has been one of the best vacations I've had in a long time, and probably the most emotional. The constant highs and low of the pending launch and the subsequent delays and final scrub took a toll.
The emotion driving to KSC on Friday was even more pronounced than even the start of the #NASATweetup. As I drove to the center, seeing the VAB and Shuttle Discovery on the pad was breathtaking. All looked go for launch, no tech concerns, only wind concerns with no other weather issues. As I approached the 'Twent' as our tent came to be called, I started to hear word of a 'leak' once again. At first their pressure increases staved off the flow and maintained it under limits, but shortly after, the hydrogen leak resulted in sensors pegging at over 60,000 PPM which violated launch limits and resulted in a scrub. That was the final chance to watch Discovery launch for me and many others in the group and some people couldn't withdhold their emotions and tears began to flow. I 'MAY' get to see it in November if I can work out some vacation scheduling at work and also depending on the cost of a flight.
As I'm about to board my flight back to Chicago, I'll leave the full details of the Tweetup for later posts this weekend. Stay tuned, lots of awesome details, pictures and videos! Even without the actual launch, the event was a huge success and we did and saw things that even a lot of KSC employees have not had the opportunity for.
Now listening to Astronaut Ron Garan who's flown on Shuttle Discovery previously and is now training for a March launch on a Soyuz capsule. He will be spending 6 months on the International Space Station. In response to my question, most difficult aspect transitioning to the Soyuz was not going from a shuttle to a capsule, but the language. Everything in the launch, landing, etc is in Russian. Capsule more cramped, but otherwise, not dramatically different in the experience or training.
Best comment was that after landing with the shuttle, was told not to look up at the tiles. Being naturally curious like everyone, he did, and realized it was because as you lean back, the return to gravity will make the body want to keep falling back. He luckily caught himself in time before hitting the ground.
Just finished a demonstration of the 'Robonaut' Demo. Will have video of that off my iPhone later.
Currently going over the ACES (Advanced Crew Escape Suit) spacesuit demo, showing the suit up process that the crew will go through on Wednesday morning in preparation for launch. G-Suit and a environmental layer (provide cooling and heating to the astronaut) make up the first layers.
Once the main suit is on, it's pressurized to settle in, but pressurization to 3.5 lbs. is done only in cases of cabin pressure loss. The helmet actually has an anti-suffocation valve if locked without being on air. Contains water and 2 3,000PSI oxygen canisters, along with life preservers and attachable parachutes. Crew would bailout down an escape pole that would drop them clear of the leading edge of the wings and activate the pilot chute and deploy a drag chute. Main chute would activate around 14,000 feet.
Safety of a bailout only 'theoretically' possible around 40K or lower in altitude. Suite certified for 100k, but would most likely be impossible.
Listening the the second speaker, Stephanie Stilson (NASA Flow Director).
She was preceeded by Bill Gerstenmaier who discussed a lot of the issues experienced by NASA with Discovery's launch. He also answered a lot of questions about shuttle and ISS operations.
Here's a view of the outside of the tent:
Inside view of the tent
Now listening to the Twitter VP of Product, Jason Goldman @goldman, who actually has a degree in astrophysics! Never thought he'd be on a podium at KSC, talking about a shuttle launch and twitter's involvement.
I'm at the press site at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-133 Discovery launch on Wednesday. Tested the 50-500mm Sigma (Bigma) Pentax lens that I rented from Camera Lens Rentals in Indiana. Awesome pics so far, and all handheld at the moment. Got a cheap tripod so may handhold the whole launch. Here's a sample pic:
The Tweetup tent is air-conditioned, commercial floor (no fire ants! yay!)
Stay tuned for more pictures, posts and explanations.
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