Fourth Time The Charm for SpaceX!
Elon Musk's Falcon 1 rocket with the Merlin engine finally succeeded in getting to orbit. September 28, 2008, is a important day in space history because a private venture company has gone where only government agencies have gone before. A live webcast of the launch was available for internet surfers could view.
The Falcon 1 is a two-stage rocket. First stage uses the Merlin 1c engine and the second stage uses the Kestral engine. SpaceX plans on a heavier, two stage model known as the Falcon 9 that can loft heavier playloads including the planned Dragon capsule. First flight of Falcon 9 is expected in 2009.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Politics and Current Space News
(Picture of Chinese spacesuit from China National Space Administration).U.S. Senate Approves NASA Legislation:
(based on an article by Brian Berger posted on Space.com on September 28, 2008)
As reported by Brian Berger in his Sept. 28, 2008 article for Space.com, the U.S. Senate approved a NASA authorization bill on September 25 that gives Congress permission to spend up to $20.2 billion on the space agency in fiscal year 2009 and included in that bill is new conditions on the planned retirement of the space shuttle. If it becomes law, then NASA would be directed to take NO steps prior to April 30, 2009 that would PRECLUDE to option of flying the space shuttle past the 2010 retirement date. The authorization also has $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle) along with its launch vehicle – the Ares 1 rocket. There is also $100 million set aside for the development and demonstration of a commercial crew vehicle. The later is welcome news to this blogger.
Both presidential candidates (Barack Obama and John McCain) have paid lip service to the fact that NASA needs to keep its options open as far as when the shuttle actually retires. Mr. Berger points out in his article that this is about $2.6 billion more than what the White House requested – and also that it provides no actual money.
NASA Administrator Mike Griffin had already order a assessment on putting off the shuttle retirement and will make that report available to Congress. Unless order to do so by Congress, he will not release that information out to the general public. Which is wrong, this information does need to be out in the light of public scrutiny.
The language in the bill also sets things up for the next administration that enters office that NASA will be on track for a return to the Moon in 2020 using the Orion/Ares series of rockets.
China takes its next Bold Step in Space Flight-
(based on an article by Clara Moskowitz posted on Space.com Sept. 26 2008)
The Chinese were expected to make their own first walk in outer space on September 27, 2008 with 42-year old Taikonaut (astronaut) Zhai Zhigang. His fellow crew mates Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng will remain in the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft. He will be testing China new spacesuit design called “Feitian” which when translated means “fly the sky”. Liu Boming will stay in the orbital module wearing a Russian-built Orlan spacesuit. This will be China's first EVA (extravehicular activity).
The Shenzhou 7 reentry module is expected to land somewhere in Inner Mongolia on Sunday.
(based on an article by Brian Berger posted on Space.com on September 28, 2008)
As reported by Brian Berger in his Sept. 28, 2008 article for Space.com, the U.S. Senate approved a NASA authorization bill on September 25 that gives Congress permission to spend up to $20.2 billion on the space agency in fiscal year 2009 and included in that bill is new conditions on the planned retirement of the space shuttle. If it becomes law, then NASA would be directed to take NO steps prior to April 30, 2009 that would PRECLUDE to option of flying the space shuttle past the 2010 retirement date. The authorization also has $1 billion to accelerate the development of the Orion CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle) along with its launch vehicle – the Ares 1 rocket. There is also $100 million set aside for the development and demonstration of a commercial crew vehicle. The later is welcome news to this blogger.
Both presidential candidates (Barack Obama and John McCain) have paid lip service to the fact that NASA needs to keep its options open as far as when the shuttle actually retires. Mr. Berger points out in his article that this is about $2.6 billion more than what the White House requested – and also that it provides no actual money.
NASA Administrator Mike Griffin had already order a assessment on putting off the shuttle retirement and will make that report available to Congress. Unless order to do so by Congress, he will not release that information out to the general public. Which is wrong, this information does need to be out in the light of public scrutiny.
The language in the bill also sets things up for the next administration that enters office that NASA will be on track for a return to the Moon in 2020 using the Orion/Ares series of rockets.
China takes its next Bold Step in Space Flight-
(based on an article by Clara Moskowitz posted on Space.com Sept. 26 2008)
The Chinese were expected to make their own first walk in outer space on September 27, 2008 with 42-year old Taikonaut (astronaut) Zhai Zhigang. His fellow crew mates Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng will remain in the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft. He will be testing China new spacesuit design called “Feitian” which when translated means “fly the sky”. Liu Boming will stay in the orbital module wearing a Russian-built Orlan spacesuit. This will be China's first EVA (extravehicular activity).
The Shenzhou 7 reentry module is expected to land somewhere in Inner Mongolia on Sunday.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Japan Gets on the Space Elevator Band Wagon
In another article that I found on the TimesOnLine from England, Japan is pouring lots of money into the research program for a elevator to space (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4799369.ece). Please check it out.
First envisioned by famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke in his 1979 work The Fountains of Paradise, the idea of a cable 22,000 miles high along which platforms can cheaply transport people and supplies up out of the gravity well of planet earth and on out to the rest of the solar system. One end of the cable is anchored on the earth, the other end is anchored on a asteroid. Carbon Nanotube Fibre is the leading candidate for fulfilling the role of bringing the space elevator to reality from the pages of science fiction.
First envisioned by famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke in his 1979 work The Fountains of Paradise, the idea of a cable 22,000 miles high along which platforms can cheaply transport people and supplies up out of the gravity well of planet earth and on out to the rest of the solar system. One end of the cable is anchored on the earth, the other end is anchored on a asteroid. Carbon Nanotube Fibre is the leading candidate for fulfilling the role of bringing the space elevator to reality from the pages of science fiction.
Chavez's Venezuela To Buy Chinese K-8 Trainers
Dictator Hugo Chavez is on a tour of China recently where it was announced that Venezuela will purchase 24 of the Chinese K-8 trainers for the Venezuelan Air Force. The new trainers could start to appear in Venezuelan skies in the next year. The Chinese will also help build a new shipyard to build new oil tankers for trading Chavez's oil with the Chinese. Current exports as of April 2008 was in the 250,000 barrels per day and by next year, that figure should be closer to 500,000 barrels per day in 2010. In addition to that, three oil refineries, to be located in the Orinoco region which is in the eastern part of that South American country.
Chavez calls China a "Strategic Ally." Especially since the PRC will contribute 4 billion dollars of a 6 billion bilateral investment fund. Chavez's Venezuela provides the remaining balance to that fund.
Russia sent some Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela as well as some naval ships including the big missile cruiser Peter the Great, to begin "training runs" in the Caribbean. This is to counter the "threats" that the USA has been making by "supporting" Georgia. Also tensions have risen over the US being able to get countries like Poland to go along with the missile defense shield prgram. The Tu-160 kinda looks like the American B-1B bomber. The Times On Line from the UK had a good article by Tony Halpin (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4804157.ece) that gives more detail on the ships involved. Peter the Great carries 20 nuclear tipped cruise missiles and hundreds of surface to air missiles for defense. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin has courted Venezuela and Cuba as tensions developed between Russia and the USA.
Russia gets to use the useful puppet Chavez and let the puppet make more anti-American noise than ever before. This also lets ole Hugo's ego get bigger and bigger. Does it take a rocket scientist to determine what is going to be facing the United States of America in the next decade as long as ole Hugo remains in power?
Chavez calls China a "Strategic Ally." Especially since the PRC will contribute 4 billion dollars of a 6 billion bilateral investment fund. Chavez's Venezuela provides the remaining balance to that fund.
Russia sent some Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela as well as some naval ships including the big missile cruiser Peter the Great, to begin "training runs" in the Caribbean. This is to counter the "threats" that the USA has been making by "supporting" Georgia. Also tensions have risen over the US being able to get countries like Poland to go along with the missile defense shield prgram. The Tu-160 kinda looks like the American B-1B bomber. The Times On Line from the UK had a good article by Tony Halpin (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4804157.ece) that gives more detail on the ships involved. Peter the Great carries 20 nuclear tipped cruise missiles and hundreds of surface to air missiles for defense. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin has courted Venezuela and Cuba as tensions developed between Russia and the USA.
Russia gets to use the useful puppet Chavez and let the puppet make more anti-American noise than ever before. This also lets ole Hugo's ego get bigger and bigger. Does it take a rocket scientist to determine what is going to be facing the United States of America in the next decade as long as ole Hugo remains in power?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Fifth Dwarf Planet Named & Cuba Gets a Space Center
International Astronomical Union (IAU) News published via AP and by Comcast.net was that the International Astronomical Union in Paris has named the fifth Dwarf Planet in our solar system. Once known as 2003 EL61, it is now named after the Hawaiian goddess Haumea, it joins former planet Pluto, Ceres, Eris, and Makemake as the newly classified category of dwarf planets. The elongated egg shaped world was first discovered back in 2005. It is thought that Haumea is composed almost entirely of rock with a pure ice crust. It has 32 percent of the mass, but is the same diameter of Pluto . The dwarf planet has a rotation of four hours which experts think help to create its odd football shape. Haumea, also has two small moons orbiting it, named Hi'iaka and Namaka. According to Hawaiian mythos, the two children (Hi'iaka and Namaka) were born to the goddess Haumea.
In other space news, Russia will help Cuba build it's own space center. This is seen as a counter to the perceived encroachment of the United States and the western allies of NATO, into the Ukraine and Georgia region of the former Soviet Union.
(News Articles from Comcast.net and AP (Sept 19, 2008).)
(Edited on 09/23/2008)
In other space news, Russia will help Cuba build it's own space center. This is seen as a counter to the perceived encroachment of the United States and the western allies of NATO, into the Ukraine and Georgia region of the former Soviet Union.
(News Articles from Comcast.net and AP (Sept 19, 2008).)
(Edited on 09/23/2008)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
RAF Radar Chief Reports Seeing UFO Fleet in 1971
I have noticed of late that I have not had very many UFO type stories published to my blog and with this story, I intend to correct that problem. Read it via the link provided by Coast to Coast AM website. Original article comes from the Monday, Sept 15, 2008 edition of the British newspaper, The Sun. It was written by Virgina Wheeler.
Alan Turner, age 64 and who was a Wing Commander in the British Royal Air Force reported to The Sun that “he was stunned when 35 super-fast vessels appeared on their radar screens.”
Wing Commander Alan Turner who has been a chief radar operator for 29 years, stated that the craft were equally spaced and shot from an altitude of 3,000 feet to 60,000 feet at a rate of speed of 300 mph. Operators at Heathrow also spotted the UFO fleet east of the Salisbury Plain. This incident took place back in 1971 at RAF Sopley base in Dorset. Alan Turner drew a map of the key sites that spotted the UFOs (and readers and click on the link to see the original article plus the map and photographs).
The Ministry of Defense visited those radar sites and instructed the staff to never speak about that night again. Turner who is now retired from the RAF in 1995 told Ms. Wheeler “UFOs are a fact-I tracked them on military radar units.”
“What I saw defied all logic and was quite frankly, extraordinary. It wasn't just me. More than 30 pairs of eyes of RAF staff and radar operators at Heathrow Airport witnessed the same thing."
“It's arrogant to believe that we're the only ones in this universe.”
Wing Commander Turner added that the only aircraft back then that would have that rate of climb were the supersonic Lightnings, but that they wouldn't have been able to hold such a perfect formation. They also make a lot of noise.”
Ms. Wheeler contacted Philip Mantle of UFO Data magazine who told her (about Wing Commander Alan Turner's story), said: “His testimony is remarkable.”
(Ref. Coast to Coast Am News with a link to The Sun, Monday, Sept 15, 2008 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/ufos/article1682846.ece)
Alan Turner, age 64 and who was a Wing Commander in the British Royal Air Force reported to The Sun that “he was stunned when 35 super-fast vessels appeared on their radar screens.”
Wing Commander Alan Turner who has been a chief radar operator for 29 years, stated that the craft were equally spaced and shot from an altitude of 3,000 feet to 60,000 feet at a rate of speed of 300 mph. Operators at Heathrow also spotted the UFO fleet east of the Salisbury Plain. This incident took place back in 1971 at RAF Sopley base in Dorset. Alan Turner drew a map of the key sites that spotted the UFOs (and readers and click on the link to see the original article plus the map and photographs).
The Ministry of Defense visited those radar sites and instructed the staff to never speak about that night again. Turner who is now retired from the RAF in 1995 told Ms. Wheeler “UFOs are a fact-I tracked them on military radar units.”
“What I saw defied all logic and was quite frankly, extraordinary. It wasn't just me. More than 30 pairs of eyes of RAF staff and radar operators at Heathrow Airport witnessed the same thing."
“It's arrogant to believe that we're the only ones in this universe.”
Wing Commander Turner added that the only aircraft back then that would have that rate of climb were the supersonic Lightnings, but that they wouldn't have been able to hold such a perfect formation. They also make a lot of noise.”
Ms. Wheeler contacted Philip Mantle of UFO Data magazine who told her (about Wing Commander Alan Turner's story), said: “His testimony is remarkable.”
(Ref. Coast to Coast Am News with a link to The Sun, Monday, Sept 15, 2008 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/ufos/article1682846.ece)
My Other Blog
Just a quick update, more for myself than anything else. I have created a new blog to deal with my hobbies such as model airplanes and collecting G.I. Joe action figures (the 1/6th scale versions that is). This is the link ( http://flash255bunker.blogspot.com/ ). It has already been added to my blogs of interest.
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