2013 year in review - national space societychapters.nss.org/ok/2013/1312 whats happening.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
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2013 Year in Review
Quote of the Year:
“...We are either a multi-planet species out there exploring the stars, or we are a single planet species waiting around for some eventual extinction event.”
Quote: Elon Musk February, 2013 TED.Com Interview
Elon Musk
SpaceX Founder and Chairman Screenshot Credit: SpaceX Video.
Oklahoma Space Alliance
A Chapter of The
National Space Society
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Oklahoma Space Alliance
What’s Happening
2013 Year in Review
Copyright © 2014 Oklahoma Space Allianace
Editor Stephen Swift
405-496-3616
The Oklahoma Space Alliance What’s Happening is a presentation in each monthly meeting of the Oklahoma Space Alliance. Oklahoma Space Alliance is a chapter of the National Space Society, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The address of OSA is 102 W. Linn, #1, Norman, OK 73071. Unless otherwise noted, all contents of articles herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of anyone but the editor or the originating source. Reprint rights are granted to recognized chapters of NSS and to any non-profit organization for education or information purposes only provided credit is given.
.OSA Officers for 2014 President Stephen Swift
Update Editor
405-496-3616
Vice President David Sheely
405-821-9077
Secretary & Syd Henderson
Outreach Editor
405-321-4027(H)
405-365-8983(C)
Treasurer Tim Scott
405-740-7549(H)
NSS Headquarters 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20005 Exec Director TBD
[email protected] 202-429-1600
Event of the Year
SpaceX Launches Itself into Commercial Market
Falcon 9 Liftoff with SES-8 Communications Satellite
Credit: USAF Courtesy Photo
With the Falcon 9 v1.1 launch of SES-8 into geosynchronous transfer orbit, SpaceX created a new cost paradigm for the space industry. With dramatic savings of $45 to $145 million per launch, SpaceX shook the space industry to its roots and boldly launched itself into the commercial satellite business.
See article on page 6 for sources and more information.
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Table of Contents
Quote of the Year: ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Event of the Year........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
SpaceX—Top Story of the Year .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
SpaceX Resupplies the International Space Station ............................................................................................................................. 5
SpaceX Raises Ante in Commercial Space with Upgraded Falcon 9 ..................................................................................................... 5
SpaceX Grasshopper Successfully Returns to Launch Pad.................................................................................................................... 5
SpaceX Makes History Changing Launch—Shakes UP Launch Business ............................................................................................... 5
SpaceX Acquires $4 Billion Backlog ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
SpaceX Selected by NASA for Pad 39A ................................................................................................................................................. 6
SpaceX Plans to Test a Very Large Engine ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Russian Meteor Exposes Risks to Earth ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Chris Hadfield Produces Space Videos ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Canadian Astronaut Hadfield Presents Fascinating Demonstrations ................................................................................................... 7
Chris Hadfield Records Music Videos from Space ................................................................................................................................ 8
China is Active in Space and Sends Rover to the Moon ............................................................................................................................. 8
China Sends three Astronauts to Tiangong-1 Space Station ................................................................................................................ 8
China Launches Rover to the Moon—First Soft Lunar Landing in 37 Years ......................................................................................... 9
China Launches Communications Satellite for Bolivia on Dec. 20 ........................................................................................................ 9
India is Active in Space and Launches Satellite to Mars .......................................................................................................................... 10
India Launches Navigation Satellite .................................................................................................................................................... 10
India Launches Seven Satellites at Once ............................................................................................................................................ 10
India Launches Mars Orbit Mission .................................................................................................................................................... 10
General Space News ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Deep Space Industries Formally Announced ...................................................................................................................................... 11
The Moon’s Tycho Peak Compares to Greenhorn Mountain ............................................................................................................. 11
Earth at Night 2012: The Black Marble by NASA ................................................................................................................................ 11
Americans Are Motivated and Want to Send Humans to Mars. ........................................................................................................ 11
Oklahoma Space Supporter Jim Bridenstine Takes Seat in Congress. ................................................................................................ 11
Grail Spacecraft Takes Video of Moon Prior to Planned Crash .......................................................................................................... 12
Curiosity Rover Photos Are Input for Panorama of Mars ................................................................................................................... 12
ISS Astronaut Took Photo of New York City ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Planetary Resources Uses Crowdfunding for Space Telescope .......................................................................................................... 13
Photographer Bruce W. Berry Creates Time Lapse Video .................................................................................................................. 13
National Space Society Releases Illustrated ‘Roadmap’ ..................................................................................................................... 13
Karen Nyberg Washes Her Hair in Space ............................................................................................................................................ 14
After 36 Years and 12 Billion Miles, Voyager 1 Left the Solar System ................................................................................................ 14
Mattel Launched Mars Explorer Barbie .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Japan Launches Its ‘Affordable’ Epsilon Rocket for the First Time ..................................................................................................... 14
INTERSTELLAR Movie Trailer Inspires Space Enthusiasts ................................................................................................................... 15
Communications with LADEE Satellite Break Data-Rate Record ........................................................................................................ 15
European Space Agency Active in French Guiana .................................................................................................................................... 15
For Information and Videos Visit ESA Spaceport Website ................................................................................................................. 15
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ESA’s Vega launcher Places Two Satellites into Orbit ........................................................................................................................ 15
Arianespace Launched Alphasat and Insat-3D ................................................................................................................................... 15
European Space Agency Resupplies International Space Agency ...................................................................................................... 16
ESA Lunches Gaia—Billion Star Surveyor ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Orbital Sciences Has a Great Year ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Antares rocket launches from Wallops Island. ................................................................................................................................... 17
Orbital Sciences Minotaur Rocket Launches LADEE Lunar Satellite ................................................................................................... 17
Orbital’s Antares Launches Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft to ISS .............................................................................................................. 18
Research, Technology and Invention Thrive in 2013 ............................................................................................................................... 18
Oklahoma University Students Participate in Space Apps Challenge ................................................................................................. 18
Oklahoma State University Selected by NASA .................................................................................................................................... 18
Satellite Built by Colorado Students Set for Launch from California .................................................................................................. 18
MIT Scientists Unveil Cubes Designed to Self-Assemble Robots and Shapes..................................................................................... 19
San Diego Students Design and Test a 3-D Printed Rocket Engine .................................................................................................... 19
NASA Test Fires 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Injector ........................................................................................................................... 19
Origami Used to Design Compact Solar Arrays .................................................................................................................................. 19
Virgin Galactic Moves toward Tourist Flights .......................................................................................................................................... 20
SpaceShipTwo Drop Test .................................................................................................................................................................... 20
SpaceshipTwo Breaks Sound Barrier on First Powered Flight Test .................................................................................................... 20
Spaceship Two Flight Highlights Virgin Galactic Video ....................................................................................................................... 20
Virgin Galactic Inks Reality Show Deal with NBC ................................................................................................................................ 20
Russia Continues an Active Space Launch Program ................................................................................................................................. 21
Russia Sends Multiple Progress Resupply Cargo Craft to ISS ............................................................................................................. 21
Russia Sends Crews to International Space Station ............................................................................................................................ 21
ISS Crew Replacement Launches on Soyuz ................................................................................................................................... 21
Soyuz Rocket Blasts Astronauts to ISS on Express Route ............................................................................................................. 21
Russia Launches 3-Man Crew to ISS on Express Trip .................................................................................................................... 21
Expedition 38/39 Crew Take Olympic Torch to Space Station ...................................................................................................... 22
Russian Proton-M Rocket Launches SES-6 Satellite ........................................................................................................................... 22
Unmanned Russian Proton-M Crashes in Kazakhstan ........................................................................................................................ 22
Russia Puts European Telecoms Satellite in Orbit with Proton Rocket .............................................................................................. 23
Soviet Era Russian Ballistic Missile Launches Satellites from Silo ....................................................................................................... 23
200,000 Apply to Mars One for Mars Colony .......................................................................................................................................... 23
Atlas and Delta Provide Heavy Duty Launches ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Sierra Nevada Drop Tests Dream Chaser ................................................................................................................................................. 25
Boeing Makes Progress on CST-100 Spacecraft ....................................................................................................................................... 25
XCOR Is in the News ................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
XCOR Announces New Rocket Propellant Piston Pump ..................................................................................................................... 26
Netherlands Tourism Company Offers XCOR’s Lynx Flights to Chinese ............................................................................................. 26
XCOR and United Launch Alliance Test Liquid Hydrogen Engine ....................................................................................................... 26
Blue Origin and Lockheed Test Liquid Hydrogen Engine ......................................................................................................................... 27
Bigelow Expandable Module Planned for ISS .......................................................................................................................................... 27
Dr. Mae Jemison Speaks at International Space Development Conference ............................................................................................ 28
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SpaceX—Top Story of the Year SpaceX makes history with amazing performance in 2013. See following SpaceX articles.
SpaceX Resupplies the International Space Station Falcon 9 launches Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral March 1, 2013.
Falcon 9 Launch with Dragon Resupply Spacecraft
Credit: SpaceX
ISS Astronauts Capture Dragon with Robot Arm
Credit: NASA
Launch Credit: NASA / YouTube SpaceX Dragon Launch - Liftoff to Separation - YouTube
SpaceX Raises Ante in Commercial Space with Upgraded Falcon 9 A Falcon 9 v1.1 launched from Vandenberg AF Station, CA on September 29. The upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 has engines that are 60 percent more powerful than previous versions, longer fuel tanks, new avionics and new software. Source: Reuters SpaceX Falcon 9 blasts off from California | Reuters
SpaceX Grasshopper Successfully Returns to Launch Pad Through the year, SpaceX performed several test flights of the Falcon1 Grasshopper increasing altitude achieved each time. For the tests, the Grasshopper has one Merlin engine, a partial load of fuel and a set of ‘legs’ attached for landing. The Grasshopper lifts off, rises to the planned altitude and descends to land at the launch site. These tests help SpaceX progress toward a reusable first stage of their Falcon 9 launch vehicle. On October 7, a Grasshopper completed its highest leap to date, reaching a height of 2,400 feet and then successfully landed. See full article. Source: NSS Blog Grasshopper Takes Final Leap | National Space Society Blog
SpaceX Makes History Changing Launch—Shakes UP Launch Business On December 3, a SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 launched SES-8, a 7,000-pound communications satellite, into geosynchronous transfer orbit at a cost of $55 million—about $50 to $150 million less than competitors charge for a similar launch. ”Let me put this very clearly and maybe not too dramatically: The entry of SpaceX into the commercial market is a game-changer,” said Martin Halliwell, chief technology officer for SES. “It’s going to really shake the
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industry to its roots.” Sources: Daily Clubhouse News / Business week See full articles at following links: DCN SpaceX satellite launch will change the industry - Clubhouse News, BW Let the Space Price War Begin - BusinessWeek
Falcon 9 with SES-8 Liftoff Credit: SpaceX
Assembly with 9 Merlin 1D Engines Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX Acquires $4 Billion Backlog SpaceX has a backlog of about $4 billion worth of launches, many for commercial customers that it can now begin to serve. Source: Business Week Let the Space Price War Begin - BusinessWeek
SpaceX Selected by NASA for Pad 39A NASA selects SpaceX to use the currently inactive historic launch pad 39A—the site of many Apollo and Shuttle launches. SpaceX and NASA are negotiating terms for a 5-year contract. SpaceX achieved this recognition through launch successes and by having a substantial backlog of satellite launch orders. SpaceX’s selection assures that the rich heritage of Launch Pad 39A will continue with new, exciting, historic launches. Source: NASA NASA Selects SpaceX to Begin Negotiations for Use of Historic Launch Pad | NASA
Saturn V with Apollo 11 on Launch Pad 39A
Photo: Courtesy NASA
Shuttle Atlantis STS-129 Liftoff from Launch Pad 39A
Photo: Courtesy NASA
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SpaceX Plans to Test a Very Large Engine SpaceX reaches agreement with Stennis Space Center to upgrade a test stand for testing a methane engine with 600,000 lbs. of thrust. The engine is 4 times larger than SpaceX’s Merlin 1D that currently powers the Falcon 9. “SpaceX intends to build a methane/liquid oxygen (Lox) engine, said founder Elon Musk, in a shift away from the highly refined kerosene rocket propellant (RP-1) that has powered the company’s previous engines”. Source: NSS Blog Clues to the SpaceX “Big Rocket” | National Space Society Blog Additional Source (Flight Global) SpaceX’s Mars rocket to be methane-fuelled - 11/22/2012 - Flight Global
Russian Meteor Exposes Risks to Earth On February 15, 2013, an asteroid weighing an approximate mass of 11,000 tons and moving at an estimated 40,000 mph entered Earth’s atmosphere over Russia. It created a dazzling fireball before exploding with a force 20 to 30 times the force of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. This was the largest object to enter the atmosphere since the 1908 Tunguska event. Source: Wikipedia Chelyabinsk meteor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Credit: RT / YouTube
Credit: Nerd Alert / YouTube
Credit: AP / Fox News
Scientists studying the terrifying meteor that exploded without warning over a Russian city last winter say the threat of space rocks smashing into Earth is bigger than they thought. Source: Fox News Russian fireball shows meteor risk may be bigger than once thought | Fox News
Chris Hadfield Produces Space Videos
Canadian Astronaut Hadfield Presents Fascinating Demonstrations APOD: 2013 April 24 - Wringing a Wet Towel in Orbit Source: CSA / NASA / APOD Chris Hadfield Brushes his Teeth in Space - YouTube Source: CSA / YouTube How to Steer the Space Station: Chris Hadfield Explains Source: CSA / NASA / Universe Today
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Chris Hadfield Records Music Videos from Space
Hadfield Recording in ISS Cupola Credit: Chris Hadfield / YouTube
Hadfield in ISS Recording with BNL and Wexford Gleeks
Credit: CBC / BNL / YouTube
While orbiting the Earth, Chris Hadfield, Canadian Astronaut, records a revised version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity. Source; CSA / YouTube Space Oddity - YouTube Hadfield records from space with BNS and Wexford Gleeks from Wexford College. Source: CSA / BNL /YouTube Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies: I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) - YouTube
China is Active in Space and Sends Rover to the Moon China Sends three Astronauts to Tiangong-1 Space Station The crew spent 15 days in orbit in a mission working toward a capability for long-term missions in the space station. The launch was June 11. Source: Space Daily China launches its longest-ever manned space mission . See the link to a Wikipedia article for more information on Tingong-1. Tiangong-1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Launch Video: Source CCTV News. Screenshot from same video. See full video at following link China successfully launches Shenzhou-10 spacecraft - YouTube
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China Launches Rover to the Moon—First Soft Lunar Landing in 37 Years
China launches Lunar rover Dec. 14 Source: Xinhuanet / CCTV America /
YouTube China's Chang'e-3 Lunar Probe Launch - YouTube
Screenshot from same video. See full video at above link.
China’s rover Yutu drives off the Lunar lander after soft landing on the moon.
Photo Source: Newswatch.nationalgeographic
Panorama view of the Moon including the rover Yutu Photograph taken from Lunar
lander. Source: CCTV / Space Industry News
See all pictures at following link. First panorama photos of China’s moon rover from
Chinese Television. | Space Industry News
China Launches Communications Satellite for Bolivia on Dec. 20
Photo: ChinaNews.com
China Launches Bolivia Satellite Source: Spaceflight 101
Chinese Long March 3B/E launches Bolivia's first Communication Satellite - SPACEFLIGHT101
Launch: Cuenta Reresiva/YouTube Liftoff of Bolivian comsat 'Tupac Katari' on a
Chinese Long March-3B from Xichang - YouTube
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India is Active in Space and Launches Satellite to Mars
India Launches Navigation Satellite India launched their Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) July, 1 carrying IRNSS-1A, the first satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. Source: NASASpaceFlight.com Indian PSLV successfully launches IRNSS-1A navigation satellite | NASASpaceFlight.com
Liftoff on PSLV with navigation satellite Launch Video Source: SpaceVids / YouTube. Image captured from video. [PSLV] Launch of Indian PSLV C22 Rocket with IRNSS-1 - YouTube
India Launches Seven Satellites at Once
Credit: Indian Space Research Organization
India Launched Seven Satellites on Feb. 25 Source: Times of India
PSLV-C20 launches seven satellites, Pranab witnesses event - Times Of India
Launch: ISRO / YouTube Rocket Launch - ISRO PSLV-C20 (25 Feb 2013) -
YouTube
India Launches Mars Orbit Mission India’s first mission to Mars launched of November 5, 2013. The 2,980-pound vehicle should reach Mars on September 24, 2014. Source: Space.com Liftoff! India's First Mars Probe Launches Toward the Red Planet | Space.com
Mars Mission Liftoff Photo Credit: Indian Space Research
Organization
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General Space News
Deep Space Industries Formally Announced “Deep Space Industries, or DSI, is a privately-held American company in the asteroid mining
sector with plans to offer general utility commercial space services beginning in approximately
2016. The company was formally announced on January 22, 2013.” Source: Wikipedia Deep
Space Industries - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Promotional Video Source: DSI / NSS
Deep Space Industries Promotional Video | National Space Society Blog
The Moon’s Tycho Peak Compares to Greenhorn Mountain Tycho crater's central peak complex casts a long, dark shadow near local sunrise in this spectacular lunarscape. Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day 01/04/2013 APOD: 2013 January 4 - Sunrise at Tycho
Tycho Peak at Sunrise
Located in center of Tycho Crater Credit: NASA
Moon with Tycho Crater Located lower center
Credit: NASA
Greenhorn Mountain, CO elev. 12,352 ft. Rises 2km above ground
Credit: Karen Swift
Similar in size to Greenhorn Mountain, Tycho Peak rises about 2km above the crater floor.
Earth at Night 2012: The Black Marble by NASA NASA created an image of the nighttime Earth from multiple photos taken by astronauts in the ISS. Observers may zoom into details while browsing the picture. Source: NASA / GigaPan Earth at Night 2012: The Black Marble
Americans Are Motivated and Want to Send Humans to Mars. Sixty-seven percent of Americans agree that the USA should send people and robots to Mars. Source: SpaceRef Demographics Have No Impact on Americans' Confidence That Humans Will Go to Mars Within Two Decades | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference
Oklahoma Space Supporter Jim Bridenstine Takes Seat in Congress. Source: Wikipedia Jim Bridenstine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Grail Spacecraft Takes Video of Moon Prior to Planned Crash See article on Spaceref. Video Source: NASA JPL / SpaceRef Low Altitude Video of the Moon Taken by GRAIL Spacecraft Shortly Before Impact | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference
Curiosity Rover Photos Are Input for Panorama of Mars Photographer Andrew Brodov has prepared a panorama from Curiosity’s photographs.
Source: Universe Today New Ginormous 4 Billion Pixel Panorama from the Curiosity Rover
ISS Astronaut Took Photo of New York City Picture is a 400-millimeter night image taken March 23, 2013. Source NASA
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Planetary Resources Uses Crowdfunding for Space Telescope $1.5 million raised in first crowdfunded space project. The Asteroid Company, invited private citizens and organizations to contribute $25 each and fund a space telescope for public and educational use. Source: Planetary Resources / Space.com Planetary Resources Raises $1.5M for Crowdfunded Space Telescope | Space Telescopes | Space.com
Planetary Resources ARKD 100 Telescope Image Credit: Planetary Resources
Photographer Bruce W. Berry Creates Time Lapse Video
See Video of Earth created from videos taken by Astronauts on the International Space Station. Identify sights including Volcano Eruption, Atlanta, US East Coast, Nile Delta, Israel, England, Paris, lightning and northern lights. Source: NASA / Bruce W. Berry / Universe Today Time-Lapse: Earth
National Space Society Releases Illustrated ‘Roadmap’ NSS released an illustrated and updated ‘Milestones to Space Settlement’. The road map describes major steps needed for advancement to space settlement. See following link to read the roadmap or order an illustrated version. Source: NSS The NSS Roadmap to Space Settlement
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Karen Nyberg Washes Her Hair in Space Karen Nyberg, an American astronaut and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, demonstrates how to wash hair in the International Space Station. Source: NASA / YouTube Karen Nyberg Shows How You Wash Hair in Space - YouTube
After 36 Years and 12 Billion Miles, Voyager 1 Left the Solar System Sept. 12, 2013: NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is officially the first human-made object to venture into interstellar space. The 36-year-old probe is about 12 billion miles (19 billion kilometers) from our sun. Source: NASA Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space - NASA Science
Mattel Launched Mars Explorer Barbie On Mars Curiosity’s 1-year anniversary, Mattel introduced a new Barbie Doll showing continued space interest within popular culture. Image Credit: Mattel
Japan Launches Its ‘Affordable’ Epsilon Rocket for the First Time A Japanese rocket designed to be affordable and cheaper for medium sized LEO payloads launched Sprint-A, a compact telescope, into orbit on September 14. The telescope mission is to study the impact of solar wind on other planets in the solar system. Epsilons design specification is to place up to 2800 lbs into LEO for about $38 million. Source: Spaceflight Now Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Japan's 'affordable' Epsilon rocket triumphs on first flight See full article and image in above link.
Image Credit: JAXA/ SpaceflightNow
Epsilon liftoff September 14 from Uchinoura Space Center in southern Japan's Kagoshima prefecture. Credit: JAXA Launch Video: JAXA / YouTube Launch of New Japanese Rocket - Epsilon, With SPRINT-A Onboard - YouTube
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INTERSTELLAR Movie Trailer Inspires Space Enthusiasts Movie scheduled for release in November 2014 has inspirational trailer. Source: Interstellar / YouTube Interstellar Movie - Official Teaser - YouTube
Communications with LADEE Satellite Break Data-Rate Record Ladee, in orbit around the Moon, communicated with a ground station at White Sands, NM, through a laser beam and broke the data-rate record for satellites and spacecraft beyond Earth Orbit. Source: NASA / Space Flight Now Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Laser communications test breaks data-rate record
European Space Agency Active in French Guiana
For Information and Videos Visit ESA Spaceport Website
Ariane 5 Launch Pad at ESA Spaceport in South America Image Credit: ESA
Europe's Spaceport / Europe's Spaceport / Launchers / Our Activities / ESA
ESA’s Vega launcher Places Two Satellites into Orbit The Vega launcher—ESA’s newest and smallest rocket—is successful on its second launch May 7, 2013. Source: ESA / Space Travel ESA's Vega launcher scores new success with Proba-V Launch Credit: ESA / YouTube Lancio del Vega / Vega launch VV02 - 6/7 maggio/May 2013 - YouTube
Arianespace Launched Alphasat and Insat-3D Alphasat for Inmarsat is Europe's largest ever communications satellite and will provide L-Band capability for mobile users all over Europe. Insat-3D for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will provide satellite search and rescue capabilities through imaging sensors. Source: SpaceVids / YouTube [Ariane 5] Launch of Mighty Ariane 5 Rocket with Alphasat and Insat-3D - YouTube
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European Space Agency Resupplies International Space Agency On June 5, ESA sent its fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-4 named Albert Einstein) with 22 tons of cargo and fuel to resupply the ISS. The ATV was launched atop ESA’s heavy-lift vehicle the Ariane 5. This launch was the 55th success in a row for the Ariane V.
Prior to launch, Ariane V on launch pad in French Guiana Source: Arianespace / YouTube ATV-4 Albert Einstein Heads to Space - YouTube Screenshot from this video Credit: ESA
ESA Lunches Gaia—Billion Star Surveyor On December 19, ESA launched Gaia atop a Soyuz rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Gaia is destined to create the most accurate map yet of the Milky Way. Gaia will orbit the Sun in Earth’ lagrange point L2. Source: ESA Liftoff for ESA’s billion-star surveyor / Gaia / Space Science / Our Activities / ESA Liftoff Picture Credit: ESA
Soyuz In Route with Gaia Credit: ESA
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Orbital Sciences Has a Great Year
Antares rocket launches from Wallops Island. Antares is successful on first test mission. A test payload was put into orbit April 21, 2013. Source: Space Travel Orbital Sciences launches Antares rocket
Credit: NASA
Liftoff of Antares from Wallops Island, VA Launch Credit: NASA / YouTube [Antares] Launch Replays of First Antares Rocket from Wallops Flight Facility - YouTube
Orbital Sciences Minotaur Rocket Launches LADEE Lunar Satellite
Credit: NASA Wallops/Chris Perry
On September 6, 2013, Orbital, using a 5-stage Minotaur rocket, launched a satellite in route to the moon from Wallops Island, VA spaceport. The LADEE satellite investigates dust previously observed in lunar atmosphere by Apollo astronauts.
Source: Orbital / NASA NASA's LADEE Mission | NASA Launch Video: NASA / YouTube
LADEE Launches! - YouTube
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Orbital’s Antares Launches Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft to ISS A new commercial spacecraft built to haul cargo to the International Space Station for NASA made its debut delivery to the orbiting lab early Sunday September 29. Source: Space.com Private Cygnus Spacecraft Makes Historic 1st Rendezvous with Space Station | Space.com
Antares Launch from Wallops Island, VA Sept. 18
Credit: Orbital Sciences
Cygnus Captured with ISS Robot Arm
Credit: NASA
Launch Video: Orbital / NASA / Dark SkyWatcher 74 / YouTube Orbital Science Corp: Historic Antares/Cygnus Spacecraft Launches To ISS 09-18-2013 - YouTube
Research, Technology and Invention Thrive in 2013
Oklahoma University Students Participate in Space Apps Challenge Oklahoma Space Alliance member David Sheely assists OU students in designing a CubeSat to measure radiation while in Mars orbit. Source: OU / YouTube 2013 International Space Apps Challenge - Oklahoma to Mars - Video Proposal - YouTube
Oklahoma State University Selected by NASA STILLWATER, Ok—A team of undergraduate students from Oklahoma State University has
been selected by NASA to participate in the 2014 Exploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic
Innovation Challenge. Source: Oklahoma Welcome July 16, 2013 / NASA NASA Selects Seven
Projects for 2014 X-Hab Innovation Challenge | NASA
Satellite Built by Colorado Students Set for Launch from California A team of University of Colorado students built a satellite to investigate the thermosphere—a region of space about 200 to 300 miles above the Earth. Their intent is to investigate density changes that affect drag on satellites. Source: SpaceDaily Satellite built by Colorado students set for launch from California
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MIT Scientists Unveil Cubes Designed to Self-Assemble Robots and Shapes Palm-sized cubes use flywheels and magnets to snap together with future applications in emergency repairs, components and robots. Source: The Independent / YouTube Video: Video: Self-assembling robots cubes jump and snap together - News - Gadgets & Tech - The Independent
San Diego Students Design and Test a 3-D Printed Rocket Engine Students in chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space designed an engine to power the third stage of a rocket carrying Nano-Sat satellites. Source: USCD Jacobs School of Engineering See static fire test and full article. Source: USDC Jacobs Students test one-of-a-kind, 3D-printed rocket engine
NASA Test Fires 3D-Printed Rocket Engine Injector 3D-printing technology reduces manufacturing lead-time for space industry. See article at Source: Product Design and Development RapidFIRE: Hydrogen Rocket Injector Built with Non-Traditional Tech.
Origami Used to Design Compact Solar Arrays BYU engineers have teamed up with a world-renowned origami expert to design solar arrays minimizing space required during launches. See full article and video at Source: NSS Blog Origami used to design ultra-compact solar arrays | National Space Society Blog.
Image credit: BYU
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Virgin Galactic Moves toward Tourist Flights
SpaceShipTwo Drop Test On April 3, 2013, Virgin Galactic conducted a drop test. SpaceShipTwo was released at high altitude from its mothership, the WhiteKnightTwo, and glided to the ground in what's called a drop test. The suborbital SpaceShipTwo touched down at the Mojave Air and Space Port, completing a milestone that moves the craft closer to its first hot-engine flight. Source: Space.com. See full article at the following link. During the test, photographer Bill Deaver snapped a great picture of SpaceShipTwo with the Moon in the background. Copyrights keep us from showing the picture here, but it may be seen in Space.com posted on April 5. See the photo at the following site. Source: Space.com Commercial Spaceship Soars in Test Flight Over California | SpaceShipTwo Feathered Glide Test | Space.com
SpaceshipTwo Breaks Sound Barrier on First Powered Flight Test
Photo Credit: Virgin Galactic
Image Credit: Virgin Galactic
See Virgin Galactic April 29 press release and video: News – VIRGIN GALACTIC BREAKS SPEED OF SOUND IN FIRST ROCKET-POWERED FLIGHT OF SPACESHIPTWO | Virgin Galactic
Spaceship Two Flight Highlights Virgin Galactic Video Sir Richard Branson promotes spaceflights with footage of historical space events and Spaceship Two flight. Source: Virgin Galactic / Space.com Virgin Galactic Promos Sub-Orbital SpaceShipTwo Flights | Video | Space.com
Virgin Galactic Inks Reality Show Deal with NBC NBC and Virgin Galactic agreed to produce a TV reality show “Space Race” in which contestants compete to win a ride into space in Spaceship Two. Source: NBC / Virgin Galactic / Space.com Virgin Galactic, NBC to Launch 'Space Race' Reality TV Show | Space.com
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Russia Continues an Active Space Launch Program
Russia Sends Multiple Progress Resupply Cargo Craft to ISS
Progress takes more than 3 tons of food, fuel, supplies and hardware to ISS on each launch. Feb 11, Apr 24, Jul27 Source: Universe Today Launch Video Credit: Roscosmos / Universe Today. Progress Cargo Ship Launches to Space Station Screenshot of the Progress 51 launch. Via NASA TV.
Russia Sends Crews to International Space Station
ISS Crew Replacement Launches on Soyuz Two Russians and one American embark on 5-month stay in space—March 28, 2013. Source: Space Travel Three astronauts blast off on express ride to ISS
Misurkin, Vinogradov and Cassidy Credit: NASA
Soyuz TMA-08M Liftoff Credit:NASA
Launch Video Credit: YouTube Soyuz TMA-08M Launch: March 28, 2013 - YouTube Soyuz Rocket Blasts Astronauts to ISS on Express Route Three astronauts from America (Karen Nyberg), Russia and Italy took the fastest route ever (six hours) to the ISS atop a Russian Soyuz rocket on May 29, 2013. Source: Roscosmos / Mail Online Soyuz capsule successfully drops off the new crew of the International Space Station for their six-month mission | Mail Online Russia Launches 3-Man Crew to ISS on Express Trip A Russian Soyuz rocket launched a new U.S.-Russian crew on an "express" flight to the International Space Station Wednesday (Sept. 25), kicking off a six-hour sprint to the orbiting laboratory. Source: Space.com Soyuz Rocket Launches 3-man Crew on Express Space Station Trip | Space.com
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Expedition 38/39 Crew Take Olympic Torch to Space Station November 7: New crewmembers onboard a Soyuz spacecraft took an unlit Olympic Torch to the ISS. The astronauts took the torch out of the ISS in a spacewalk. It was returned to Earth a few days later by returning crewmembers. Source: Universe Today Crew Launches to Space Station with Olympic Torch
Screenshot from launch video: Universe Today / YouTube
Russian Proton-M Rocket Launches SES-6 Satellite SES operates a fleet of 52 geostationary satellites. SES-6 serves Latin America and the Caribbean with C-band for video. Source: Spaceref SES-6 Satellite Launched Successfully - SpaceRef Business Liftoff of the Proton-M rocket with SES-6 from Baikonur cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan on June 3 Launch Video: SpaceVids / YouTube [Proton] Launch of SES-6 on ILS Proton-M from Baikonur - YouTube Screenshot from launch video. Seeabove link to full video.
Unmanned Russian Proton-M Crashes in Kazakhstan
Pictures are screenshots from crash video. Credit: Rossyia 24 television / YouTube. See video with link below.
July 2, an unmanned Russian Proton-M rocket crashed just seconds after its launch from the Russian Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan. The rocket was carrying three satellites for Russia's Glonass (global) navigation satellite system. Source: BBC News
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BBC News - Unmanned Russian rocket crashes in Kazakhstan
Crash Video: Rossyia 24 television / YouTube Russian Rocket Crash Video. Explosion of rocket Proton-M. Сosmodrome "Baikonur" (02.06.2013) - YouTube
Investigation determined that angular rate sensors on the Proton-M were installed upside down. Source: Moscow (Voice of Russia) July 22, 2013
Russia Puts European Telecoms Satellite in Orbit with Proton Rocket Russia successfully launches Proton rocket only 3 months after July 2 failure. See full article and video: Astronomy and Space News - Astro Watch: First Proton-M Rocket Launch After July Failure
Soviet Era Russian Ballistic Missile Launches Satellites from Silo A Soviet-era ballistic missile shot out of an underground silo in southern Russia and rocketed into orbit Thursday (Nov. 21) with 32 satellites for students, corporations and government agencies from 18 countries on five continents. Source: Space.com Silo-Launched Dnepr Rocket Delivers 32 Satellites to Space | Space.com See missile come out of the ground at Source: Sky Box Imaging / YouTube Successful Dnepr Launch on November 21, 2013 - YouTube
200,000 Apply to Mars One for Mars Colony The first round of the Mars One Astronaut Selection Program has now closed for applications. In the 5-month application period, Mars One received interest from 202,586 people from around the world, wanting to be amongst the first human settlers on Mars. Source: Mars One Over 200,000 apply to first ever recruitment for Mars settlement - Press Releases - News - Mars One
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Atlas and Delta Provide Heavy Duty Launches Atlas and Delta launch vehicles of United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed and Boeing, completed eleven major launches of satellites to orbit during 2013. These include the Maven spacecraft, which was launched into a trajectory taking it to investigate the atmosphere of Mars. They also include a launch of the Delta IV Heavy—the world’s largest launch vehicle. Source: Orbital Sciences See following combined video. Launch Video: United Launch Alliance. :::: United launch Alliance, LLC :::: In addition ULA edited a great video for the August 7 Delta IV launch with the WGS-6 satellite. Launch Video: ULA / YouTube Stunning Launch of United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket with WGS 6 Spacecraft - YouTube
Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the second Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-2) satellite for the United States Navy lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Space Station Launch Complex-41 on July 19, 2013.
Credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-6. Designated NROL-65, the mission is in support of national defense. This is ULA’s eighth launch in 2013, the 24th Delta IV mission and the second Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
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Sierra Nevada Drop Tests Dream Chaser Dream Chaser passes another milestone in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. On October 26, despite failure of one landing gear resulting in damage to the spacecraft, Dream Chaser successfully completed all flight requirements in the drop test. Source: Spacenews / SNC SNC: Mission Accomplished in Dream Chaser Test, Despite Crash Landing | SpaceNews.com Dream Chaser completes unmanned drop test with flare before touchdown. Note: only one landing wheel is down. See full article and flight video in above link to Spacenews.
Credit: SNC ScreenShot / SpaceNews
Boeing Makes Progress on CST-100 Spacecraft The CST-100 is Boeing’s spacecraft for commercial crew transport. Along with SpaceX’s Dragon and Sierra Nevada’s Dreamchaser, NASA funds development of commercial crew transport spacecraft to replace use of the more expensive Russian Soyuz. Boeing Unveils CST-100 Interior: CST-100 has no panels of lights and switches. Status displays and some interactive control are indicated, but the interior is clearly designed for transportation of crew not for test pilot type astronauts. Source: Boeing / Space.com Boeing Unveils New Commercial Space Capsule Interior | CST-100 | Space.com
Credit: Boeing / NSS.Blog
Boeing completes first half of commercial crew milestones for CST-100 spacecraft. Source: Parabolic Arc Boeing Completes Half of Commercial Crew Milestones at Parabolic Arc
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XCOR Is in the News
XCOR Announces New Rocket Propellant Piston Pump The XCOR piston pump works with both kerosene and liquid oxygen reducing the need for heavy high-pressure tanks. The test-firing image shows the XCOR Lynx spacecraft engine operating with the piston pump. Source: XCOR press release XCOR Aerospace Announces Significant Propulsion Milestone on Lynx Suborbital Vehicle Video Source: XCOR / YouTube XCOR Aerospace 67 second pump fed rocket engine firing on Lynx fuselage - YouTube
Credit: Mike Massee / XCOR
Netherlands Tourism Company Offers XCOR’s Lynx Flights to Chinese Chinese travelers will be able to take space trips by the end of 2014 thanks to an agreement signed on Friday in Beijing between a Chinese travel agency and Netherlands-based space tourism firm Space Expedition Corporation (SXC). Source: Space Travel See full Article at the following link to Space-Travel.com. Space trips open to Chinese travelers
XCOR and United Launch Alliance Test Liquid Hydrogen Engine Nov. 19, 2013, Mojave, CA and Centennial, CO - XCOR Aerospace and United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced a significant milestone today, the first successful hot fire of the subscale 2500 lb. thrust XR-5H25 engine in the XCOR and ULA liquid hydrogen (LH2) engine development program. Source: XCOR Hot Fire: XCOR Aerospace and United Launch Alliance Achieve Major Milestone in Liquid Hydrogen Engine Program
XCOR XR-5H2 Hot Fire Test Credit: Mike Massee / XCOR
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Blue Origin and Lockheed Test Liquid Hydrogen Engine The secretive Blue Origin surfaces from silence with announcement of successful test firing of the BE-3 their new liquid hydrogen / oxygen engine. Source: Blue Origin / Space Review http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2417/1
Credit: Blue Origin
Blue Origin test of BE-3 rocket engine See Test Video. Source: NASA / YouTube Secretive Blue Origin Company Test Fires New Rocket Engine | Video - YouTube
Bigelow Expandable Module Planned for ISS
Credit: Bigelow Aerospace
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver announced January 16 a newly planned addition to the International Space Station that will use the orbiting laboratory to test expandable space habitat technology. Source: NSS Blog http://blog.nss.org/?p=3925
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Dr. Mae Jemison Speaks at International Space Development Conference Physician, Astronaut Founder and Director of the ‘100 Year Starship Project’ expresses her thoughts on space exploration, her commitment and the 100 Year Starship Project. The video is 61 minutes in length—an hour well spent. Video Presentation Source: National Space Society 2013 ISDC Video: Mae Jemison, physician astronaut Introduction in video is by Oklahoma Space Alliance member Claire McMurray.
Photo Credit: NSS
Dr. Mae Jemison—Entered Stanford at age of 16, Earned BS in Chemical Engineering while meeting requirements for BA in African and Afro-American Studies, Obtained Doctor of Medicine from Cornell, Studied modern dance and has choreographed shows of modern jazz and African dance, Served in the Peace Corps, Joined NASA, Accepted as astronaut, Flew shuttle as Mission Specialist on STS-47, Joined faculty at Cornell as Professor, was first real astronaut to appear as actress in a Star Trek TV show, Founded and directs 100 Year Starship Project. Source: Wikipedia