Jun 8, 2009

Ex-Apollo launch pad becoming ex-shuttle launch pad

Historic pad 39B, used for Apollo launches, and more recently launches of the space shuttle is being prepared for a new role.

Changes are being made to the pad so it can be used with Ares 1-X, the initial version of NASA’s newest launch vehicle for manned spaceflight. The first Ares 1-X test flight is scheduled for late August.

NASA’s own press release says the test flight will take place “no earlier” than August 3ost. And with the difficulties this new vehicle has had, I would expect the test to take place much later.

Space plane slated for early 2010

A new kind of space vehicle, 27.5 feet long with a 15 foot wingspan, will be launched next year—possibly in January—if all goes well. Drone space plane It will be NASA’s X-37B unmanned space plane, designed by Boeing. As a test vehicle, NASA hopes it will be the forerunner of future space planes. An earlier [...]

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Paul Calle, space artist

Some of the artists selected for the NASA Art Program in the 1960s went on to big things. Jamie Wyeth and Peter Hurd became prominent artists…after producing artworks about the early development of America’s space program. Another participant, Paul Calle, went on to small things. Calle designed postage stamps—including some very wonderful space-themed ones. The [...]

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NASA’s ex-teachers in space

We lost our first “teacher-in-space,” Christa McAuliffe, when the Challenger blew up in 1986. McAuliffe’s backup, Barbara Morgan, became a full-fledged astronaut and had a successful flight aboard STS-118 in 2007. The next 2 teachers in space Now, we’re going to have our first flight with 2 (former) teachers. Joseph Acaba and Richard Arnold II [...]

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Ex-Apollo launch pad becoming ex-shuttle launch pad

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Space plane slated for early 2010

Paul Calle, space artist

NASA’s ex-teachers in space