What's Up? The Space Place

 Hey, Space Placers! Learn about the Orion Service Module that will power and support Artemis Astronauts to the Moon and beyond. Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! Here's a video about the Orion Service Module that is made by the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides power, propulsion and consumables necessary to keep the astronauts alive and on mission. The first uncrewed flight of Orion and NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), Artemis 1 is scheduled for next year. This may be subject to change as NASA has shut assembly and testing activities on SLS due to COVID-19. Watch for Venus and the Seven Sisters tonight - see 3/30/20 blog. Sky Guy in CLOUDY AGAIN VA

Hey Space Placers! https://wtop.com/the-space-place/2019/06/moon-musings-theres-more-than-1-lunar-landmark-anniversary-to-relive/slide/4/ But for now enjoy this great video . Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! Here are two updates from very in the know people about NASA's Orion Crewed spacecraft and the lunar Gateway. Read them to get a very comprehensive understanding of these integrated NASA programs. ORION UPDATE by former astronaut and friend Tom Jones NASA EM-1 Spacecraft Credit: Aerospace America GATEWAY UPDATE by Jason Davis THE GATEWAY (UPDATED SEPT. 2018) At the completion of Orion’s first visit in 2024, the Gateway will consist of the three right-most modules in this artist’s concept: the power and propulsion module (far right, with solar arrays), ESPRIT (covered in gold insulation), and the U.S. utilization module (with robotic arm). CREDIT: NASA IMAGE; Planetary Society caption The long pole in the tent for all of this is the successful launch and flight in 2020 of the uncrewed EM-1. If that doesn't happen on schedule and successfully all of the foregoing will be affected. It's time to go SOMEWHERE OUT THERE........ Sky ...

Hey Space Placers! Orion Spacecraft Approaching the Lunar Orbit Platform Gateway NASA I recently blogged about NASA's returning humans to the Moon  and wanted to follow up with providing you this informative article about the Lunar Orbit Platform Gateway . The most important part of the article is that the Gateway is part of NASA's budget. Things do not happen unless they are budgeted. The Gateway is such a  logical and critical element for what NASA does next in terms of its human spaceflight program. It incorporates new propulsion technology,  gives us continued access to the Moon and prepares us for beyond Low Earth Operations. The lunar future seems bright, especially when you add in all of the other space faring nations' plans for the Moon. Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! Look at this picture: The Four RS-25 Engines That Will Power The 1st Stage of Exploration Mission-1 NASA These are four upgraded Space Shuttle Main Engines powered 21 different Space Shuttle missions.   Now designated RS-25, these are the engines that will power the first stage of the very first Space Launch System (SLS) to be launched.   Called Exploration Flight-1, the SLS will put an unmanned Orion spacecraft into orbit around the Earth. Upon checkout of all systems the SLS upper stage will conduct a translunar orbital insertion (TLI) burn that will put Orion on course for its 25-day mission. Just writing this makes me excited...NASA launching its new rocket and manned spacecraft to the Moon. Wow....... I am hoping to get to see these 4 engines light on the test stand and on the launch pad. If I do, you will see it too ;-) Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! The European Space Agency (ESA) will supply a fully functional service module for the 1st Orion crewed mission set for sometime in 2021. Orion & Service Module ESA This mission will be essentially a repeat of Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) currently scheduled for 2018 which will be an unmanned Orion launched by the new Space Launch System (SLS) on a 3 week plus mission out to lunar orbit & beyond. Sky Guy in the South China Sea

Hey Space Placers! Tomorrow (3/11/15) at 11:00 a.m. EDT you will want to tune in to NASA TV to watch the live test firing of NASA's newest Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) . The test, QM-1, will last two minutes and be a full up firing of the new and improved and more powerful SRB that will be used to launch NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) . QM-1 SRB Image Credit: Orbital ATK As Al Shepard said, "Let's Light This Candle!" This will be something to hear and see as 3.6 MILLION pounds of thrust blast into the Utah desert. Sky Guy in VA - Home of Orbital ATK

Hey Space Placers! CHeck out this GREAT link and video   on NASA's new Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) for the Space Launch System (SLS). It has great info and gives you a never before seen view into making the new 3.6 MILLION pound thrust rocket. Sky Guy in Soon to Be FRIGID VA

Hey Space Placers! Check out this incredible video of NASA's Orion spacecraft re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. The view is what an astronaut aboard the spacecraft would see so you get a perspective that is rare. Also check out the picture of the spacecraft - make sure you click on the image to get the enlarged view. Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! Got back from Barbados via Toronto, Canada late last night. Sorry about the lack of blog entries but it was difficult to upload while at sea. I have been catching up on email and getting ready for the next cruise in a scant few days. I am hopeful that I will be able to stay in touch with you. There is MUCH going on next week with the roll out of NASA's first spaceflight ready Orion, the landing of Rosetta's Philae Lander on Comet 67/P and who knows what else might happen. I'll have blog posts for you, rest assured. In the meantime, enjoy this HD video of the 12/4/14 Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) mission . Sky Guy Back in VA (Temporarily)

Hey Space Placers! I got my boarding pass for Orion today: Get yours here . You have until October 31, 2014 to do so. It is really cool to know our names will fly aboard Orion on Exploration Test Flight-1 and other deep space destinations as well. Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! The Delta IV-Heavy rocket that will launch the first space-worthy Orion spacecraft into orbit is vertical and on the pad: NASA We are less than two months away from the scheduled lift off of Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) which will send the Orion spacecraft 3,600 miles out from Earth for two orbits and then come plunging back into the atmosphere at 20,000 miles an hour. EFT-1 wil test the Orion thermal tiles, heat shield, spacecraft computer and systems. The data obtained will improve the follow on Orion spacecraft and get us that much closer to a manned flight in 2021. I can hardly wait. I will have info for you on the 10/8/14 total lunar eclipse tomorrow. Sky Guy in VA

Hey Space Placers! UPDATED: NASA has announced it has selected Boeing and Space-X for the Commercial Crew Transportation Program. Get details here . This is a very important date in American spaceflight history as it sets America on the path to having its own access to space since 2011. The first manned flight for both companies is scheduled for 2017. ------------------------------------------------ Tune in today, 9-16-14 at 4 pm EDT to hear who NASA will select as the winner of NASA's Commercial Crew Transportation Program . This will be  interesting to watch   live from Kennedy Space Center, Florida as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and his senior leaders make the announcement. This is a MAJOR announcement as it will decide between Boeing, Sierra Nevada or Space-X, or a combination of these three, as to who will win the contract to deliver U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The selection will allow the winner(s) to go full speed ...

Hey Space Placers! Isn't she a BEAUTY!!! The first space-rated Orion spacecraft built: NASA  Photo Go to this link to see the full hi-res version and get more information. We are less than 90 DAYS away from the scheduled launch of Exploration FLight Test-1 (EFT-1) on December 4th. I can hardly wait. I will be at sea when the launch is scheduled but will be watching on the Internet. NASA is making steady progress towards getting back into the manned spaceflight business. The Space Launch System    NASA's new rocket it is building to launch Orion and other spacecraft into deep space. Go NASA! Sky Guy in VA

Hey SPace Placers! Check out the video of what the U.S. Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket booster will look like when launched in 2017: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=canmpG_uSow Very, very cool......maybe we will get back to the Moon and the asteroids after all. Too many years in Low Earth Orbit. Using ESA to provide the Service Module for Orion makes a lot of sense financially and politically: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv/orion_feature_011613.html Sky Guy in VA