For the first time in seven years, and possibly the last time ever, NASA has two space shuttles sitting atop both launch pads at Kennedy Space Center at the same time. Workers retracted the massive rotating service structures around the shuttles Friday night and, on Saturday, NASA took members of the media on a tour around the launch complexes to get photos and video of this unique and special event. Click on the links below to watch video clips of the scene around the space center today.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Rare Sight: Two Shuttles On Launch Pads At The Same Time
For the first time in seven years, and possibly the last time ever, NASA has two space shuttles sitting atop both launch pads at Kennedy Space Center at the same time. Workers retracted the massive rotating service structures around the shuttles Friday night and, on Saturday, NASA took members of the media on a tour around the launch complexes to get photos and video of this unique and special event. Click on the links below to watch video clips of the scene around the space center today.
FOUR FLORIDA COMPANIES HELP NASA BUILD, TEST, FLY AMERICA'S ARES I LAUNCH VEHICLE
The Ares I rocket, America's next flagship in space, is now in development by NASA and its industry partners, and soon will carry human explorers and new missions of discovery to the moon and beyond. And Florida workers are helping make it happen.
Planning and building the Ares I, the first launch vehicle in NASA's robust, next-generation Constellation Program fleet, is truly a national effort, supported by more than 200 companies in 32 states and Puerto Rico -- including Florida firms Honeywell International Inc. in Clearwater; Parker Hannifin Corp. in Jacksonville; Tara Technologies Corp. in Daytona Beach; and The Bernd Group Inc. in Dunedin. All four companies support NASA's Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project.
Florida-based Ares I contracts have a combined value of more than $1.4 million.
"Like these Florida companies, contributors across the nation are providing critical engineering expertise, hardware and materials fabrication and testing and a wide spectrum of support services," said Steve Cook, manager of Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "Their work ensures that NASA will, in the next decade, successfully fly the Ares I rocket to orbit to support the International Space Station and send Americans back to the moon, preparing the way for rewarding new journeys of discovery throughout the solar system."
The 84-foot-long Ares I upper stage is propelled by a J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The J-2X is an evolved variation of two historic predecessors: the powerful J-2 engine that propelled the Apollo-era Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, and the J-2S, a simplified version of the J-2 developed and tested in the early 1970s but never flown.
Approximately 133 seconds and 36 miles into flight, after the Ares I first stage expends its propellant, the first stage is jettisoned. The J-2X ignites, burning for approximately 465 seconds to consume more than 302,200 pounds of propellant as it pushes Ares I to an altitude of roughly 83 miles. The Orion crew exploration vehicle then separates from the upper stage, and its own engine fires to insert the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The upper stage reenters Earth's atmosphere and splashes down in the Indian Ocean.
NASA's Constellation Program fleet -- now more than four years into development -- includes the Ares I, the Ares V heavy cargo launch vehicle and the Orion spacecraft. The Ares V will serve as NASA's primary vessel for safe, reliable delivery of large-scale hardware to space, including the Altair lunar lander, also now in development, and supplies needed to establish a sustained human presence on the moon. The Orion will safely ferry a crew of four to six astronauts to a variety of destinations in space.
The first Ares I test flight, called Ares I-X, is scheduled for 2009.
The first crewed launch of the Ares I rocket is planned for no later than 2015, and NASA plans to send the first missions back to the moon around 2020.
"We're proud to help continue the nation's tradition of leadership in space," Cook said. "Since NASA's creation 50 years ago, our endeavors have yielded or inspired technology innovations that enrich nearly every commercial industry and benefit Americans and people around the world in countless ways. Our team effort on Ares I will continue that legacy, and also help to stimulate our economy and reignite the country's passion to journey to worlds beyond our own.
"It takes a nation to build a rocket," Cook added. "And this is the rocket that will inspire our nation."
The Marshall Center manages Ares Projects for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. The Constellation Program Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston leads the next-generation launch vehicle development program.
Three prime contractors lead NASA's Ares I effort for industry. NASA awarded the contract to lead the Ares I First Stage Project, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Minneapolis in August 2007. The Boeing Co. of Huntsville, Ala., was awarded Ares I contracts valued at approximately $2 billion -- $1.2 billion for the Upper Stage production contract, awarded in September 2007, and $800 million for the Ares I Upper Stage Avionics Unit, awarded in December 2007. The contract for the Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project, valued at approximately $1.2 billion, was awarded to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., in June 2006.
Planning and building the Ares I, the first launch vehicle in NASA's robust, next-generation Constellation Program fleet, is truly a national effort, supported by more than 200 companies in 32 states and Puerto Rico -- including Florida firms Honeywell International Inc. in Clearwater; Parker Hannifin Corp. in Jacksonville; Tara Technologies Corp. in Daytona Beach; and The Bernd Group Inc. in Dunedin. All four companies support NASA's Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project.
Florida-based Ares I contracts have a combined value of more than $1.4 million.
"Like these Florida companies, contributors across the nation are providing critical engineering expertise, hardware and materials fabrication and testing and a wide spectrum of support services," said Steve Cook, manager of Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "Their work ensures that NASA will, in the next decade, successfully fly the Ares I rocket to orbit to support the International Space Station and send Americans back to the moon, preparing the way for rewarding new journeys of discovery throughout the solar system."
The 84-foot-long Ares I upper stage is propelled by a J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The J-2X is an evolved variation of two historic predecessors: the powerful J-2 engine that propelled the Apollo-era Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, and the J-2S, a simplified version of the J-2 developed and tested in the early 1970s but never flown.
Approximately 133 seconds and 36 miles into flight, after the Ares I first stage expends its propellant, the first stage is jettisoned. The J-2X ignites, burning for approximately 465 seconds to consume more than 302,200 pounds of propellant as it pushes Ares I to an altitude of roughly 83 miles. The Orion crew exploration vehicle then separates from the upper stage, and its own engine fires to insert the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The upper stage reenters Earth's atmosphere and splashes down in the Indian Ocean.
NASA's Constellation Program fleet -- now more than four years into development -- includes the Ares I, the Ares V heavy cargo launch vehicle and the Orion spacecraft. The Ares V will serve as NASA's primary vessel for safe, reliable delivery of large-scale hardware to space, including the Altair lunar lander, also now in development, and supplies needed to establish a sustained human presence on the moon. The Orion will safely ferry a crew of four to six astronauts to a variety of destinations in space.
The first Ares I test flight, called Ares I-X, is scheduled for 2009.
The first crewed launch of the Ares I rocket is planned for no later than 2015, and NASA plans to send the first missions back to the moon around 2020.
"We're proud to help continue the nation's tradition of leadership in space," Cook said. "Since NASA's creation 50 years ago, our endeavors have yielded or inspired technology innovations that enrich nearly every commercial industry and benefit Americans and people around the world in countless ways. Our team effort on Ares I will continue that legacy, and also help to stimulate our economy and reignite the country's passion to journey to worlds beyond our own.
"It takes a nation to build a rocket," Cook added. "And this is the rocket that will inspire our nation."
The Marshall Center manages Ares Projects for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. The Constellation Program Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston leads the next-generation launch vehicle development program.
Three prime contractors lead NASA's Ares I effort for industry. NASA awarded the contract to lead the Ares I First Stage Project, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Minneapolis in August 2007. The Boeing Co. of Huntsville, Ala., was awarded Ares I contracts valued at approximately $2 billion -- $1.2 billion for the Upper Stage production contract, awarded in September 2007, and $800 million for the Ares I Upper Stage Avionics Unit, awarded in December 2007. The contract for the Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project, valued at approximately $1.2 billion, was awarded to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., in June 2006.
SpaceX Receives USAF Operational License for Cape Canaveral Launch Site
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has been granted an Operational License by the US Air Force for the use of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the Florida coast. Receipt of the license, in conjunction with the approved Site Plan, paves the way for SpaceX to initiate Falcon 9 launch operations later this year.
“We are developing Falcon 9 to be a valuable asset to the American space launch fleet,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “The support we received from General Helms and the US Air Force has been immensely helpful in developing the pathfinder processes necessary for SpaceX to realize commercial space flights from the Cape.”
“Our developments at Complex 40 continue with great speed,” added Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. “We have moved our massive oxygen storage tank into place, and expect to complete construction of our hangar later this year.”
Mosdell cited other supporters instrumental to SpaceX’s efforts including the members of the Florida congressional delegation, the USAF Space Command, Col. Scott Henderson, Commander, 45th Launch Group, Col. (ret.) Mark Bontrager, formerly Commander of the 45th Mission Support Group, the public-private partnership Space Florida, and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission.
In operation since 1965, and located south of NASA’s launch sites for the Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 has hosted numerous historic launches, including the departure of two interplanetary missions: the Mars Observer satellite, and the Cassini spacecraft now exploring the rings and moons of the planet Saturn.
“We are developing Falcon 9 to be a valuable asset to the American space launch fleet,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “The support we received from General Helms and the US Air Force has been immensely helpful in developing the pathfinder processes necessary for SpaceX to realize commercial space flights from the Cape.”
“Our developments at Complex 40 continue with great speed,” added Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. “We have moved our massive oxygen storage tank into place, and expect to complete construction of our hangar later this year.”
Mosdell cited other supporters instrumental to SpaceX’s efforts including the members of the Florida congressional delegation, the USAF Space Command, Col. Scott Henderson, Commander, 45th Launch Group, Col. (ret.) Mark Bontrager, formerly Commander of the 45th Mission Support Group, the public-private partnership Space Florida, and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission.
In operation since 1965, and located south of NASA’s launch sites for the Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 has hosted numerous historic launches, including the departure of two interplanetary missions: the Mars Observer satellite, and the Cassini spacecraft now exploring the rings and moons of the planet Saturn.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Senate Field Hearing On Life After Shuttle Draws Hundreds Of Demonstrators
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - As Florida's Space Coast, home to Kennedy Space Center, grapples with the potentially devastating impact of thousands of lost jobs brought about by the retirement of the space shuttle in 2010, the state's two U.S. Senators held a special field hearing at Port Canaveral today to highlight the problems the local community and NASA face in the coming years, and options the space agency may be able to undertake to help mitigate the losses.
Senator Bill Nelson (D - Melbourne) chaired the hearing and was the only Senate committee member in attendance, but was joined by Sen. Mel Martinez (R - Orlando) in a show of bipartisan support for an issue that crosses party lines.
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testified first during the 2-hour session. Griffin did have some good news for worried space center workers and citizens, both in terms of job losses and potential future work for the space center.
Contrasting previous worst-case estimates of up to 6,400 job losses post-shuttle, Griffin said the number will actually be between 3,000 and4,000. While still significant, it's substantially less than the earlier figure. Previous estimates didn't take into account work for contracts that hadn't been awarded yet or new work that will flow into the space center, said Griffin.
Additionally, Griffin said that engineering work for sustaining Project Constellation (Ares, Orion and the Altair lunar lander) will be based at Kennedy Space Center, which is a departure from the shuttle program, which has sustaining engineering based mainly at Johnson Space Center in Texas and Marshall Spaceflight Center in Alabama. Basing the engineering work at Kennedy will likely result in hundreds, if not more, new positions being created at the center.
Griffing remained adamant that the shuttle must be retired in 2010 in order to keep Ares and Orion on schedule, due primarily to the shifting of funds from shuttle to Constellation and the need to turn over infrastructure for modification for the new program. However, under questioning from Sen. Nelson, he admitted NASA could fly an additional shuttle mission for another $300-400 million.
Nelson, other Senators and Congressmen as well as many scientists want the additional flight in order to fly the $1.5 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer which was dropped from the shuttle manifest after the Columbia accident in order that the agency could focus on completing assembly of the space station by 2010. Griffin said that if the go-ahead were given by February 2009, that "we could execute the mission in the late summer of 2010."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill this year authorizing the additional funds, as well as an extra $1 billion to accelerate Constellation, by a whopping majority of 405 to 19. However, the Senate still has to take up the matter, and the White House has threatened to veto any budget that exceeds its request. The House authorization is $2.8 billion more than the President requested.
After the NASA Administrator finished and a short resess, a second panel of witnesses took the stand for questioning. Testifying during the session round of questioning were local leaders Lynda Weatherman of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Steve Kohler of Space Florida and Lisa Rice of Brevard Work Force Development, Inc.
Rice informed the assembled crowd that the Aerospace Career Development Council managed to obtain $1.25 million in funding for retraining aerospace workers worried about the prospect of being laid off. Affected workers can turn to Brevard Work Force Development, Inc. to explore the opportunities available for retraining.
Local agencies such as the Space Coast EDS and Space Florida are engaging in a variety of projects to attract non-NASA (commercial) space projects to the area, and also new companies outside of the space industry, as highlighted by the recent agreement with Brazilian light jet manufacturer Embraer to locate an aircraft manufacturing facility in Mellbourne, FL., bringing with it 200 highly paid jobs.
In a show of community support for the space program, a grass-roots effort called Link To Launch (http://www.linktolaunch.org/) organized a demonstration outside the hearing venue at the Canaveral Port Authority. Over 1,000 people, both space workers and community residents, gathered at 8:30 to hear Nelson and Martinez speak to the crowd.
At 9 o'clock, the assembly, numbering in excess of 1,000 demonstrators, linked hands and raised them to the sky in a symbolic show of support for NASA and the U.S. space program. The demonstration was meant to highlight the potential economic impact of the shuttle's retirement in a personal and highly visual way for the dignitaries as well as news media.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Public Invited To Join Pro-space Demonstration Before Senatorial Hearing At Cape Canaveral
Link to Launch is a movement started by people of the Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that space needs to be a priority for America.
At the request of Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a United States Senate Sub-committee field hearing on Space is meeting in Brevard, at the Port Authority, to discuss NASA's future and funding. Dozens of Space Coast residents are developing an event that will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite for a few minutes to show lawmakers, the nation and the world that we appreciate the importance of space to our nation, our state and our community, and so should they.
At the request of Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a United States Senate Sub-committee field hearing on Space is meeting in Brevard, at the Port Authority, to discuss NASA's future and funding. Dozens of Space Coast residents are developing an event that will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite for a few minutes to show lawmakers, the nation and the world that we appreciate the importance of space to our nation, our state and our community, and so should they.
Who: You and your friends, neighbors and co-workers
What: Link to Launch -- A Movement started by people of Florida’s Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that space needs to be a priority for America.
When: Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 8:30am (Participants should be in place by 8:30am. Please plan to factor in time for parking and transportation to event site.)
Where: Cape Canaveral Port Authority Grounds, George King Boulevard, Port Canaveral [MAP]
Why: This event will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite and show lawmakers the importance of space to our community.
What: Link to Launch -- A Movement started by people of Florida’s Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that space needs to be a priority for America.
When: Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 8:30am (Participants should be in place by 8:30am. Please plan to factor in time for parking and transportation to event site.)
Where: Cape Canaveral Port Authority Grounds, George King Boulevard, Port Canaveral [MAP]
Why: This event will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite and show lawmakers the importance of space to our community.
During the Event
- There will be water and shade available in designated areas.
- There will be restroom facilities available in designated areas.
- Link to Launch should last from approximately 8:30am to 10am.
- If you can, please wear Red, White & Blue to show your support.
We HIGHLY encourage you to bring family, friends, church members or anyone else interested. Children are very important to this event as they represent our future of the Space Program.
Where do I park?
Arrive by 8:30 a.m. and park in Lot # 1 Canaveral Cove Phase ll, Lot # 2 at Freddie Patrick Park, and Lot # 3 Cruise Terminal 3 parking in the port. People will be on hand to direct traffic and guide you to a bus to take you to the rally near by.
Right now, less than 1% of our Federal Budget goes to NASA, a literal drop in the bucket to keep such an important aspect of our government doing the science, engineering and exploration to advance the technologies we will need to survive into the future. Other countries are investing more in space, inspiring more youth to go into engineering and science, and are starting to overtake our position as a world economic leader. It is not a coincidence.
Link to Launch is a movement started by people in Florida to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that Space Needs to be a priority for America. Space is undisputedly a critical element in security, our culture and global economic competitiveness.
NASA exploration efforts are the reason we have satellite communications, advanced computer technology, and the jobs, entrepreneurs and commercial success that make the US a world power. Our leaders need to understand. They need to see that there is a clear link to security, our culture, or economic competitiveness and our Space Program.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Discovery Astronauts Take Part In Practice Launch Countdown
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - The crew of space shuttle Discovery's upcoming STS-124 mission boarded the orbiter on the launch pad today for a practice countdown simulation during the last major training activity before Discovery lifts off on a critical mission to deliver the largest space station component to the orbiting complex, the Japanese Kibo Pressurized Module.
Commander Mark Kelly, along with pilot Ken Ham and mission specialists Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Gregory Chamitoff and Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide awoke early this morning for breakfast and donning their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Complex 39-A at 7:45 a.m. EDT.
Read more: http://www.spacearium.com/article.php?story=20080510155718971
Commander Mark Kelly, along with pilot Ken Ham and mission specialists Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Gregory Chamitoff and Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide awoke early this morning for breakfast and donning their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Complex 39-A at 7:45 a.m. EDT.
Read more: http://www.spacearium.com/article.php?story=20080510155718971
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Launch tower at complex 40 to be toppled April 27
More than 6,500 tons of steel will crash to the surface at Space Launch Complex 40 on Sunday, April 27 when the old mobile service tower (MST) here is toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site.
Just over 200 pounds of various types of high explosives and explosive-initiating materials placed at approximately 500 locations from the 1st through 9th levels will be detonated between 9 and 11 a.m. to knock the 265-foot-tall tower down.
Complex 40 was built for the Titan IIIC program and was operated from the program's first launch in 1965 until the last TITAN IV launch on 30 April 2005. It hosted a total of 55 historic missions over the years including the Mars Observer interplanetary mission in 1992, the Cassini mission to Saturn launched in 1997, six MILSTAR communications satellite, and numerous Defense Support Program payloads.
"For almost four decades, Complexes 40 and 41 were the backbone of the Air Force's heavy-lift capability at Cape Canaveral," said Mark Cleary, 45th Space Wing historian.
Previously considered the largest moving structure in the world, Complex 40's Mobile Service Tower was replaced in 1992 and included a state-of-the-art satellite processing facility for Department of Defense and National Reconnaissance Office payloads. It housed one of the largest class 100, 000 clean room facilities in the industry and when rolling to the launch position, it moved at a stately pace of 40 feet per minute.
AMEC Earth and Environmental is managing the demolition of the SLC-40 MST under a base-wide demolition program following the end of the Atlas and Titan rocket programs.
"There is a significant amount of recyclable metals in the MST, and with the recycled values recovered from this demolition, the Air Force is able to fund this demolition and other demolitions as part of the Titan deactivation" said project officer Jonathan Vanho of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron.
The explosives sequence, from the time of initiation, is expected to take approximately 6 seconds through impact of the structure to the north, away from the facility being renovated for use by Space X.
Just over 200 pounds of various types of high explosives and explosive-initiating materials placed at approximately 500 locations from the 1st through 9th levels will be detonated between 9 and 11 a.m. to knock the 265-foot-tall tower down.
Complex 40 was built for the Titan IIIC program and was operated from the program's first launch in 1965 until the last TITAN IV launch on 30 April 2005. It hosted a total of 55 historic missions over the years including the Mars Observer interplanetary mission in 1992, the Cassini mission to Saturn launched in 1997, six MILSTAR communications satellite, and numerous Defense Support Program payloads.
"For almost four decades, Complexes 40 and 41 were the backbone of the Air Force's heavy-lift capability at Cape Canaveral," said Mark Cleary, 45th Space Wing historian.
Previously considered the largest moving structure in the world, Complex 40's Mobile Service Tower was replaced in 1992 and included a state-of-the-art satellite processing facility for Department of Defense and National Reconnaissance Office payloads. It housed one of the largest class 100, 000 clean room facilities in the industry and when rolling to the launch position, it moved at a stately pace of 40 feet per minute.
AMEC Earth and Environmental is managing the demolition of the SLC-40 MST under a base-wide demolition program following the end of the Atlas and Titan rocket programs.
"There is a significant amount of recyclable metals in the MST, and with the recycled values recovered from this demolition, the Air Force is able to fund this demolition and other demolitions as part of the Titan deactivation" said project officer Jonathan Vanho of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron.
The explosives sequence, from the time of initiation, is expected to take approximately 6 seconds through impact of the structure to the north, away from the facility being renovated for use by Space X.
(Source: USAF 45th Space Wing)
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