Feb 4
SeanAstronomy & Space Space
the messenger spacecraft (mercury surface, space environment, geochemistry, and ranging) is set to launch in 3 days, 15 hours, 38 minute, 40 seconds. at least that’s what is was when i started writing this. messenger is the seventh missing from nasa’s discovery program. it’ll be interesting to see how many of the future discovery missions get tossed with the new bush space initiative. something always has to go when a president drastically changes course and typically it’s the hard science programs that go first.
Feb 4
SeanAstronomy & Space Space
seems the ansari xprize administration is planning a major announcement next week, they’ve scheduled a press conference. it’s likely that a few teams will be co-announcing their intent to attempt their qualifying flights. this is indeed good news for privatization of space. let’s just hope that if and when the prize is awarded that it doesn’t end there. nothing would hurt the privatization advocates and the opening of space launches more than not capitalizing on the media attention the xprize is receiving. i for one would be willing to pay a decent chunk of money to visit space. no, i couldn’t put a dollar amount on it but i would indeed give it a go if the price were reasonable. how about you?
Feb 4
SeanAstronomy & Space Space
a congressionally mandated panel of the nrc (national research council) recommended a few days ago that nasa keep open the option of sending another space shuttle crew to service and upgrade the hubble space telescope. this ruling comes after months and months of meetings to address the nasa chief sean o’keefe memo where he quoted safety concerns as to why there shouldn’t be another servicing mission. thankfully we live in a democratic country where one person doesn’t make all decisions in a box. many scientists have been speaking out on this issue and finally this congressional panel has given it’s ruling. let’s only hope that nasa now takes the appropriate steps to service hubble and doesn’t again attempt to railroad this great observatory.
Feb 4
SeanAstronomy & Space Space
check out this cool in flight shot of spaceshipone breaking the sound barrier during one of their recent attempts at collecting the xprize.
Feb 4
SeanAstronomy & Space Space
i came across this image on the 20/20 hindsight website and couldn’t help myself, it was hilarious. talk about motivating. i see these mock motivation posters all over the place. i own two actual motivation posters, not the mock ones, though i haven’t hung them since moving. anyhow, i thought this mars rebranding was funny, very original susan … to understand the complete context just visit her site.
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