Tag: Shuttle
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Safety first: Ten years since STS-114’s return to flight misssion
Ten years ago today, the Space Shuttle Discovery left the Kennedy Space Center on STS-114. The flight, filled with hopes, aspirations, and emotions, marked the first step in returning the Shuttle to flight following the loss of Columbia and marked the beginning of a new journey and vision for NASA. But getting to launch day for STS-114 was a difficult…
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Hubble anniversary honors Shuttle’s important legacy
The Space Shuttle achieved many historic milestones during its 30 year career, with Friday marking one of the more famous – the 25th anniversary of Discovery launch with the Hubble Space Telescope. Over the following years, Discovery’s achievement was backed up by serving missions involving her sisters, allowing for Hubble to continue on with discoveries of…
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Hubble anniversary honors Shuttle’s important legacy
The Space Shuttle achieved many historic milestones during its 30 year career, with Friday marking one of the more famous – the 25th anniversary of Discovery launch with the Hubble Space Telescope. Over the following years, Discovery’s achievement was backed up by serving missions involving her sisters, allowing for Hubble to continue on with discoveries of…
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ESA involved in effort to improve the eyesight of spacecraft
The European Space Agency (ESA) will test new rendezvous sensors on their next Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-5) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Laser InfraRed Imaging Sensors (LIRIS) will provide another example of the continuing improvements to the “eyesight” of spacecraft, as they conduct rendezvous and docking operations. Rendezvous: The successful rendezvous and docking of spacecraft…
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From Shuttle to SS2 – Sturckow joins Virgin Galactic
Space Shuttle veteran Frederick “CJ” Sturckow has joined Virgin Galactic’s commercial flight team. The retired U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel has been joined by retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel Michael “Sooch” Masucci as additional pilots to fly the company’s SpaceShipTwo. SS2 Pilots: Virgin Galactic are ramping up their operations, with one powered test…
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STS-107: Remembering the accomplishments of the Columbia crew
It was a Space Shuttle mission like none other in the 21st century. It was a mission that went nowhere near the International Space Station or the Hubble Space Telescope. It was a mission of pure science. It was a mission five years in the making, a mission of international inspiration. It was the STS-107…
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Endeavour leaves KSC for the final time, years before her time
The youngest orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet has departed from her home port of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the final time, for an early retirement in California. The world famous spaceport now only has one orbiter in its care, Atlantis, with no real prospect of human launches returning until the next decade.…
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SCA arrives at KSC ahead of Endeavour’s final departure
The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), NASA 905, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on Tuesday, ahead of its role of carrying Endeavour on a cross-country farewell tour. The duo will depart next Monday for a three-day tour that will take in numerous centers and facilities that have played a role in the Shuttle Program,…
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Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 3 platform removal begins for SLS
The giant High Bay 3 (HB-3) platforms – previously used during the stacking and mating of Space Shuttle hardware – are being dismantled and removed from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The giant facility at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is being transitioned from Shuttle operations to accommodate the Space Launch System (SLS). VAB High…
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ASAP insist on NASA certification amid praise for SpaceX success
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) have written to Administrator Charles Bolden with their latest overview from their recent quarterly meeting, praising the success of SpaceX’s C2+ mission with Dragon, before noting “a few successes” should not detract from pushing commercial companies through NASA’s strict certification requirements for upcoming crewed missions. ASAP: Vice Admiral Joseph…