SciFi films can be pretty scary, but it always helps to know that you’re watching fiction. Here are frightening facts from space that are anything but fictional.
Space Corpses in the Sky: Space exploration research has claimed a number of animal lives, and while the idea of sacrificing monkeys and dogs on the altar of science is rather disheartening, the notion that there are dead simian and canine space explorers in orbit RIGHT NOW just adds to the creepiness.
Several early space missions involved re-entry procedures, but not every spacecraft was recovered. This leads many to theorize that perhaps dozens of mummified animals are still making the orbital rounds up there. Think about that the next time you wish upon a star.
Nearly 270 rocks were given as gifts to 130 countries by the Nixon administration from both the Apollo 11 flight in 1969 and Apollo 17 flight in 1972.
Today, the whereabouts of these souvenirs are unknown. According to the Associated Press,
Of 135 rocks from the Apollo 17 mission given away to nations or their leaders, only about 25 have been located by CollectSpace.com, a Web site for space history buffs that has long attempted to compile a list.
That should not be taken to mean the others are lost - just that the records kept at the time are far from complete.
The AP reviewed declassified correspondence between the State Department and U.S. embassies in 1973 and was able to locate ten additional Apollo 17 rocks - in Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Barbados, France, Poland, Norway, Costa Rica, Egypt and Nepal.”
Guy Laliberté is the founder of Cirque du Soleil, the world-famous circus troupe that renewed a whole industry. In conjunction with his non-profit organization, the ONE DROP Foundation, Laliberté is traveling to space in September 2009 to help promote the idea that everyone in the world should have access to clean and drinkable water. He has had to undergo rigorous training to prepare for his space mission, and his 12 days aboard the International Space Station helping with – and trying not to be a hindrance – on the space mission. In this video, WatchMojo.com learns more about Laliberté’s intensive training.
Apropos of nothing, but worth a read, is Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s tale of one of the most unusual things he saw during his 1969 mission to the moon. Aldrin was on a TCA panel for National Geographic Channel’s Expedition Week.
Here’s a lightly edited version of Aldrin’s story:
I guess the discovery that really baffled me started the first night en route to the moon beyond the Van Allen Belts. We closed the windows and turned out the lights and Mike Collins had the headset on to listen to Houston and Neil [Armstrong] and I were under the couch.
All of a sudden I saw a flash, and then another flash. And before I could move my eye to see what it was, it was gone. And then maybe a streak. And I kept seeing these, until I decided I wanted to go to sleep.
Astronauts Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen completed the first of four spacewalks scheduled for Endeavour’s mission to the International Space Station yesterday.
This spacewalk was the 115th in support of ISS construction. The majority of the six hour and 52 minute spacewalk was spent focusing on one of the station’s Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJ).
NASA has put off the planned launch of its next-generation Orion spacecraft for a year, a setback to efforts to fly a successor to its aging space shuttles, the space agency announced Monday.
“September 2014 is when we are saying we will launch the first crew on the Orion,” program manager Jeff Hanley told reporters in a conference call Monday.
NASA officials plan to wrap up assembly of the International Space Station and retire the space shuttle fleet in 2010, freeing up money to build and fly the new spacecraft. Cost concerns are at the root of the delay, but NASA is also giving itself wiggle room to deal with the unforeseen technical problems that will inevitably crop up, Hanley said. Read more…
According to www.cnn.com
You, too, could pull a Homer Simpson and become an astronaut. Canada is looking for two people to start work in August, 2009. All you need to do is apply (and be somewhat qualified, presumably). It’s worth looking into. Read more…
POWAY, CA–(Marketwire - March 20, 2008) - SpaceDev, Inc. has been awarded a contract from IHI-Aerospace (Japan) to manufacture multiple flight ship-sets of precision space mechanisms for the H2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV). Included are low-shock release devices used to restrain the HTV’s exposed cargo pallet during launch, and release it on orbit for transfer to the International Space Station. The contract also calls for SpaceDev to supply high-output paraffin release mechanisms and a brush motor. Hardware for operational HTV spacecraft will be delivered over the next six years.
“We are very pleased to announce this contract win which is one of the Company’s largest in recent years. Our release mechanisms utilize our exclusively licensed Fast Acting Shock-less Separation Nut (FASSN) technology,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, SpaceDev’s Chairman and CEO. “Our FASSN has the ability to release very high loads with low shock levels, and we believe it has already proven itself as the technology of choice for spacecraft/launch vehicle separations, being adopted by launch vehicle suppliers such as United Launch Alliance, Sea Launch, and most recently Arianne. With the upcoming retirement of the Shuttle, alternate sources of resupply to the International Space Station are becoming increasingly important, which we believe will lead to a long life for this program. We are honored to be supporting IHI-Aerospace (Japan) in this effort.”
About SpaceDev
SpaceDev, Inc. is a space technology/aerospace company that creates and sells affordable and innovative space products and mission solutions. For more information, visit www.spacedev.com.
POWAY, CA–(Marketwire - January 7, 2008) - SpaceDev, Inc. recently completed its second milestone under the Space Act Agreement that was signed with NASA in June 2007. The significant milestone completed is the Flight Test Plan for the Dream Chaser™ space vehicle. The plan provides a detailed approach for the Dream Chaser™ to conduct numerous suborbital flight tests in preparation for its first orbital flight later this decade.
SpaceDev entered into the Space Act Agreement with NASA to facilitate its development of reliable, safe and affordable transportation of passengers and cargo to and from Earth orbit. As part of the agreement, NASA is providing support regarding ISS visiting vehicle requirements and processes as well as ongoing quarterly milestone review meetings.
“The on schedule completion of our second milestone reaffirms our commitment to the development of the Dream Chaser™ and to the value of NASA’s Space Act Agreement program. SpaceDev and NASA teams are continuing to work well together to advance the Dream Chaser™ launch vehicle,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, SpaceDev’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “SpaceDev is excited about completing another significant technical milestone which enables us to forward our development schedule.”
The SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ space vehicle is a derivative of the HL-20 Launch System developed by NASA Langley. The vehicle has on-board propulsion utilizing SpaceDev’s patented and patent-pending hybrid motor technology. This unique space transportation system is designed to effectively, reliably and safely carry crew/passengers and cargo in both the suborbital and orbital flight regimes. The SpaceDev Dream Chaser™ Space Vehicle can be adapted to various mission configurations including carrying all passengers; pressurized or unpressurized cargo or, various combinations of crew and pressurized cargo. It is a piloted space solution which launches vertically and lands horizontally on conventional runways.
About SpaceDev
SpaceDev, Inc. is a space technology/aerospace company that creates and sells affordable and innovative space products and mission solutions. For more information, visit www.spacedev.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Walt Disney World today hosted the first official appearance of the entire crew of NASA space shuttle mission STS-118 following their return to Earth on Aug. 21. The day was dedicated to honoring the Endeavour crew and recognizing the inspirational achievement of teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan.
Disney’s Epcot and Magic Kingdom theme parks were the backdrop as cheering park guests and school children interacted with the astronauts and witnessed history in the making. One highlight, fittingly at the Epcot attraction Mission: SPACE presented by HP, paid tribute to the STS-118 crew - Commander Scott Kelly, Pilot Charles Hobaugh and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Richard Mastracchio, Dave Williams, Barbara Morgan and Alvin Drew Jr.
With a countdown of “three … two … one … liftoff!” Morgan, back from her first space mission, unveiled a new addition to the Mission: SPACE attraction - a space-themed plaque featuring a quote from her reading, “Reach for your dreams . . . the sky is no limit.” Morgan’s inspirational message permanently joins sentiments from other visionaries such as Neil Armstrong, John F. Kennedy, Carl Sagan, Charles Lindbergh, Stephen Hawking and Galileo.
Morgan was teacher in space Christa McAuliffe’s back-up for the 1986 Challenger mission. Their quotes are displayed side-by-side at the Mission: SPACE attraction - an enduring reminder of their friendship and each woman’s dedication to teaching and inspiring students - for millions of future Epcot guests to see.
“This event honors all of us teachers by helping children dream,” said Barbara Morgan.
Following the plaque dedication and crew recognition ceremony the astronauts took part in a special education session with local students at Epcot’s Base21 Siemens VIP Center. Participants in the session were Oak Ridge High School Aviation and Aerospace Academy Magnet Program students, Osceola High School Aviation Academy students and Orlando area fourth and fifth grade students invited by Siemens, some of whom are involved in the Siemens Science Days program.
The session with students was broadcast live via the NASA and Walt Disney World Web sites. A replay of the one-hour webcast is available at www.disneyworld.com/NASA until Sept. 25.
Later in the day, the astronauts were to answer questions from Epcot guests at the Mission: SPACE attraction, then move on to Magic Kingdom to take part in a procession down Main Street, U.S.A., greet guests and serve as Honorary Grand Marshals of the afternoon parade.
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