Orion
SpaceX and Iridium, Rocket teeth and more! Live Show 3.21
SpaceX has won a contract to launch over 60 new Iridium satellites in to orbit. Did you know Iridium was actually still around and launching new birds? Me neither. The Rocket Racing League has released a new game for your iPhone and iPod touch that looks amazingly cool.
Orion becomes a liability as Lockheed Martin pull 600 engineers off the contract
Orion’s role of transporting US astronauts into space has been reduced to little more than an assumption it may one day be involved in human space exploration, after contractor Lockheed Martin effectively washed its hands of the project due to fears relating to termination liability. With key procurements cancelled, the Denver-based company ‘moved’ 600 engineers off the project, effectively leaving the vehicle in limbo.
Orion Status:
Although the Program Of Record (POR) remains in place – due to the lack of Congressional approval for the much-maligned FY2011 budget proposal – NASA managers have effectively given up on any faint hope of implementing the long-term strategy that was centered around the marriage between Ares and Orion.
Ambitious Ares test flight plan proposed for HLV demonstrations
A plan has been created for the continued use of Ares via a series of test flights, ultimately leading up to a Heavy Lift Vehicle (HLV) program in the second half of this decade. Appearing to bank on major changes being negotiated by Congress in NASA’s FY2011 budget proposal, the plan would result in three Ares I test flights being conducted by the end of 2014.
Current Status:
President Obama’s FY2011 clearly states the cancellation of the Constellation Program via an alternative path which relies heavily on the commercial sector.
In the face of heavy criticism, President Obama announced a slight refinement to the plan, which allowed Orion to survive – but only in a lifeboat role for the International Space Station (ISS) – along with a five year development plan to finalize a design for a Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV).
STS-132, Pad Abort Test, Voyager 2, Mars in 3D and more! 3.17
A look at the upcoming STS-132 mission, the Pad Abort Test conducted by NASA for the Orion escape, Voyager 2 is sending back garbled data, James Cameron wants to see Mars in 3D, Starwalker has been exposed, Bigelow Aerospace is looking to put their real inflatable space station in LEO and a MARS500 Update.
Successful Test for Orion Launch Abort System (Video)
One NASA manager maneuvers to save Constellation
I am on record as saying that I think that the Constellation rocket program should be axed, and replaced with a system that is more cost-effective and less likely to run overbudget as Constellation has. President Obama’s speech recently made it clear that Constellation’s days are numbered, and that he is urging NASA to look into a better heavy-lift vehicle.
Obama lays out bold and visionary revised space policy
President Obama gave a speech at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center today to outline his new, revamped space policy.
Obama Compromises, Brings Back Orion Capsule; Allows for Heavy Lift Sooner
Artists concept of the Orion crew exploration vehicle shown here in on a science mission in lunar orbit. Credit: NASA
Orion removed from NASA control – MOD positioning for commercial role
NASA managers are pushing through the shutdown of the Constellation Program (CxP) at a pace, with a series of memos showing all the Ares test flights have already been cancelled, along Orion ‘defunded’ and returned to the sole control of contractor Lockheed Martin. Meanwhile, MOD director Paul Hill has written to NASA administrator Charlie Bolden, requesting the Agency promotes MOD to the commercial sector.
Orion, Dragon and PDRing into Transition:
The surprise loss in the Constellation cull was Orion, when it was hoped the vehicle would survive the expected death of the Ares Program by transferring its role to another launch vehicle, such as an EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle).
Globe at Night with your kids
The Globe at Night activity, measuring light pollution by looking at Orion, is a great activity for you to do with your kids. It only takes 5 minutes IF you prime them a bit. Here's what worked great with me and my kids (aged 7 and 10).
I printed out the "family pack" at Globe at Night and left the 2 pages with 8 star charts on the kitchen counter. I asked my kids to look at them and think about the pattern in the 8 charts, "...but don't tell me yet," because one always talks for the other!
