A video recap of flight day 4 of the STS-133 mission of space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Grappling With a MAD Space Future
The Diplomat, an international current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region, provides an article by Richard Weitz, "Its new space strategy calls for the US to reach out to allies in Asia. But will differences with China undermine progress?" The Weitz article is worthy of time inasmuch as it sets forth the policy issues the United States faces in building international partnerships in military, civil and commercial space. New Mexico Gov Appoints Christine Anderson Executive Director of Spaceport Authority
New Mexico 
Governor Susana Martinez announced today that the Spaceport Authority Board of Directors has named Christine Anderson as Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. Anderson previously served for 30 years in civilian positions with the United States Air Force, including several years at New Mexico’s Kirtland Air Force Base.
Upon making the announcement, Governor Martinez commented, “I am pleased that the Spaceport Authority Board of Directors has chosen an exceptionally qualified individual to oversee operations at the Spaceport. With proper management and the right approach, the Spaceport project has the potential to create jobs, spur economic development, and make New Mexico a leader in space travel. My administration is committed to working closely with Ms. Anderson and the Board of Directors to attract private investment and see the project through to its full potential.”
Before retiring from the Air Force, Anderson was a member of the Senior Executive Service, the civilian equivalent of the military rank of General officer. Anderson was the founding Director of the Space Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. She also served as the Director of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland, and as the Director of the Military Satellite Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles where she directed the development, acquisition and execution of a $50 billion portfolio. She is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Anderson earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Maryland, and completed the National Security Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University and the Senior Management in Government Program at Harvard University.
After hearing of the Board of Directors’ decision, Anderson remarked, “I am excited for the opportunity to lead a project that has such a high potential for success. I look forward to working with Governor Martinez and the Board of Directors to ensure that the Spaceport is developed into an economic engine that can drive development and job creation in New Mexico.”
Governor Susana Martinez announced today that the Spaceport Authority Board of Directors has named Christine Anderson as Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. Anderson previously served for 30 years in civilian positions with the United States Air Force, including several years at New Mexico’s Kirtland Air Force Base.Upon making the announcement, Governor Martinez commented, “I am pleased that the Spaceport Authority Board of Directors has chosen an exceptionally qualified individual to oversee operations at the Spaceport. With proper management and the right approach, the Spaceport project has the potential to create jobs, spur economic development, and make New Mexico a leader in space travel. My administration is committed to working closely with Ms. Anderson and the Board of Directors to attract private investment and see the project through to its full potential.”
Before retiring from the Air Force, Anderson was a member of the Senior Executive Service, the civilian equivalent of the military rank of General officer. Anderson was the founding Director of the Space Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. She also served as the Director of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland, and as the Director of the Military Satellite Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles where she directed the development, acquisition and execution of a $50 billion portfolio. She is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Anderson earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Maryland, and completed the National Security Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University and the Senior Management in Government Program at Harvard University.
After hearing of the Board of Directors’ decision, Anderson remarked, “I am excited for the opportunity to lead a project that has such a high potential for success. I look forward to working with Governor Martinez and the Board of Directors to ensure that the Spaceport is developed into an economic engine that can drive development and job creation in New Mexico.”
Anderson replaces Rick Homans as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. More from The Las Cruces Sun-News.
the integral of the moon and venus
just before the sun rises for the next couple days, you can see the crescent moon close to a bright venus. we had clouds for most of our observing tonight, but they cleared for just a few minutes this morning, long enough to see the spectacle in our solar system!
while out on the catwalk, i also noticed a sign in the clouds... what looked to me to be an integral sign! ;)
while out on the catwalk, i also noticed a sign in the clouds... what looked to me to be an integral sign! ;)
Saguaro National Park Plus My New Art Studio
After I was done purchasing items for the museum's gift shop at the Tucson gem show, Helen and I headed west of Tucson and visited the Saguaro National Park. There is a five-mile loop drive that we took to get some good cacti photos, plus we parked and walked up Signal Hill to see the petroglyphs etched into the rock by the Hohokam Indians. I've included two pictures of the interpretive signs. If you click (or double click depending on your computer's mouse settings) you can enlarge these photos to better read the interpretive information.
This past fall when I was telling one of my friends that I'm tired of working on my mineral art in a confined space with my inventory of parts and raw materials all over my house -- due to lack of space in my "art room" -- my friend suggested that I swap rooms in my house. I've moved my bedroom into one of the smaller rooms, and my former larger bedroom has now been transformed into my new art studio. It was a huge amount of work, but I am very pleased with the result. I cannot wait to create mineral art in my new space.
This past fall when I was telling one of my friends that I'm tired of working on my mineral art in a confined space with my inventory of parts and raw materials all over my house -- due to lack of space in my "art room" -- my friend suggested that I swap rooms in my house. I've moved my bedroom into one of the smaller rooms, and my former larger bedroom has now been transformed into my new art studio. It was a huge amount of work, but I am very pleased with the result. I cannot wait to create mineral art in my new space.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Haleakala telescope locates 19 asteroids
On the night of Jan. 29, the astronomers at the Pan-STARRS PS1 (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System)telescope atop Haleakala decided to "run it flat out" in killer-asteroid hunting mode, and despite uncooperative weather, they bagged a record 19 "near-Earth objects" in one night, reports The Maui News in Hawaii.Space.com noted, Pan-STARRS astronomers picked up 30 potential asteroids on the night of Jan. 29. They sent their discoveries to the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Mass., which collects and distributes data about asteroids and comets, allowing other astronomers to re-observe the objects.
Scientists at the Pan-STARRS PS1 telescope on Haleakala, Maui, said the record demonstration of the year-old telescope's capabilities was made possible by recent software improvements and refinements in observational techniques, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
While the chance of near-Earth asteroids actually colliding with Earth is remote, roughly a 1-in-1,000 chance, knowing their whereabouts will allow governments to act should the unlikely actually develop into a real threat.
STS-133 and Expedition 26 Crews Interviewed by TV-Stations
Aboard the International Space Station, the STS-133 and Expedition 26 crews, in a joint event, speak with reporters from the Weather Channel, WBZ Boston, WSB Atlanta and WTVE Tampa about their missions and the Monday and Wednesday spacewalks.
Alyssa Rhoden Cracks the Ice of Europa
Europa's surface records a complex history of geologic activity including fracture systems driven by tidal stress, which varies daily as Europa executes its eccentric orbit around Jupiter. Obliquity, physical libration, and non-synchronous rotation would also contribute to the pattern of tidal stress on Europa. Hence, we can use observed fracture systems to constrain these rotational parameters. Using cycloids and strike-slip faults, Dr. Rhoden has been able to probe Europa's rotation state and uncover the first geologic evidence of non-negligible obliquity. Dr. Rhoden will present this case for obliquity and physical libration and implications for non-synchronous rotation and polar wander. In addition, she will present a model she has developed for a fault's response to tidal stress that accurately predicts the slip direction of 75% of strike-slip faults identified in an extensive survey of Europa imagery.
STS-133 Day 3 Highlights at ISS
A video recap of flight day 3 of the STS-133 mission of space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. The recap shows the inspection of the shuttle, docking, hatch opening of the ISS and shuttle, transfer of equipment for spacewalks Monday and Wednesday and operation of the robotic arms.
Tucson Show
The morning after we climbed up the Grand Canyon, friend Fhylster had to get up early and leave to catch her plane in Flagstaff. We had breakfast, packed the car, and hit the gift shops to buy a few souvenirs. Then we drove to Flagstaff to drop Wendy off, who had a 5:30 a.m. train the next day. Here is a shot of Humphreys Peak located in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, which is the tallest point in Arizona at 12,643 feet.
Helen and I continued south to attend the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. If you count all of the satellite shows that have sprung up in the area, there are more than 40 venues which make it the largest gem show in the world. This event has grown from a "club show" to a major exhibit for collectors and enthusiasts from around the country and the world. Showcased here are the best gems, minerals, jewelry, lapidary and publication dealers from around the world. Also displayed are items from private collections and renowned museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
It all started in 1955 when a group of mineral collectors and rock hounds from the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society held a free exhibition at a local elementary school, open to the public. This show was an immediate hit, prompting organizers to make it an annual event.
The most important factors in building the show's early reputation were the variety and quality of the specimens on display. The show is known for bringing in prominent gem, mineral and fossil displays from major museums. Each year, a mineral or group of minerals is designated as the show's theme mineral. In the recent past, the show has highlighted minerals from Asia, Africa and China.
As a result of the interest generated by the original show, satellite shows have proliferated all over the city. These shows cater to the interests of the growing number of people coming to town. First-time visitors to the show are amazed at the number of dealers and variety of things available for sale. We only went to two of the more than 40 venues. In total the showcase attracts an estimated 55,000 people to Tucson in a two-week period.
Amazing mineral statues.
The discoverer and owner of the Ocean Jasper mine, as well as the first Polychrome Jasper mine, had these incredible tables made. They are too expensive for me to hold in inventory, but if anyone is interested in placing a special order, the retail cost is between $1,200 and $1,600 each, plus shipping (and sales tax if you live in Michigan. The first two are made from Polychrome Jasper.
This table top is made from Ocean Jasper.
Ocean Jasper specimens for sale by Paul, the owner of the Ocean Jasper mine. The original deposit has been mined out for several years, but Paul still has some left in his warehouse. The price keeps going up, up, up. This year I only bought 3 or 4 museum quality specimens and one sphere -- all of which are for sale.
One of my other favorite vendors had some amazing Labadorite specimens. I do have several of these that I bought and have available for sale.
I also purchased some new Polychrome Jasper specimens -- not the big one, though, that is the second picture below. That specimen is three feet tall. It didn't even have a price tag on it.
More miscellaneous shots from around the Electric Park venue.
Helen and I continued south to attend the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. If you count all of the satellite shows that have sprung up in the area, there are more than 40 venues which make it the largest gem show in the world. This event has grown from a "club show" to a major exhibit for collectors and enthusiasts from around the country and the world. Showcased here are the best gems, minerals, jewelry, lapidary and publication dealers from around the world. Also displayed are items from private collections and renowned museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
It all started in 1955 when a group of mineral collectors and rock hounds from the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society held a free exhibition at a local elementary school, open to the public. This show was an immediate hit, prompting organizers to make it an annual event.
The most important factors in building the show's early reputation were the variety and quality of the specimens on display. The show is known for bringing in prominent gem, mineral and fossil displays from major museums. Each year, a mineral or group of minerals is designated as the show's theme mineral. In the recent past, the show has highlighted minerals from Asia, Africa and China.
As a result of the interest generated by the original show, satellite shows have proliferated all over the city. These shows cater to the interests of the growing number of people coming to town. First-time visitors to the show are amazed at the number of dealers and variety of things available for sale. We only went to two of the more than 40 venues. In total the showcase attracts an estimated 55,000 people to Tucson in a two-week period.
Amazing mineral statues.
The discoverer and owner of the Ocean Jasper mine, as well as the first Polychrome Jasper mine, had these incredible tables made. They are too expensive for me to hold in inventory, but if anyone is interested in placing a special order, the retail cost is between $1,200 and $1,600 each, plus shipping (and sales tax if you live in Michigan. The first two are made from Polychrome Jasper.
This table top is made from Ocean Jasper.
Ocean Jasper specimens for sale by Paul, the owner of the Ocean Jasper mine. The original deposit has been mined out for several years, but Paul still has some left in his warehouse. The price keeps going up, up, up. This year I only bought 3 or 4 museum quality specimens and one sphere -- all of which are for sale.
One of my other favorite vendors had some amazing Labadorite specimens. I do have several of these that I bought and have available for sale.
I also purchased some new Polychrome Jasper specimens -- not the big one, though, that is the second picture below. That specimen is three feet tall. It didn't even have a price tag on it.
More miscellaneous shots from around the Electric Park venue.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Solar Flares Contiune Toward Maximum
This composite movie shows hot solar plasma in red (1.5 million Kelvin, observed in Fe XII 19.3 nm) and green (~1 million Kelvin, Fe IX 17.1 nm) and "cool" solar plasma (60,000-80,000 K, He II 30.4 nm) in blue, all observed with the AIA instrument on SDO on Feb 24, 2010. The real time step between frames is 36 sec, and the movie plays at 25 frames/sec. The duration is 4 1/2 hours, from 06:00 UT - 10:30 UT.
Discovery Docks with International Space Station for The Final Time
At 4:16 p.m. EST Saturday, February 26, 2011, the hatches were opened between the International Space Station and space shuttle Discovery, beginning the joint phase of the STS-133 mission. The STS-133 crew were greeted and welcomed aboard the orbiting complex by members of Expedition 26.
Aerial Views of STS-133 Launch Revealed
Cosmic Log has revealed unique views of the STS-133 Discovery launch from a commercial airliner flying from Orlando, Florida and the first images captured by a high-altitude balloon flight conducted by Quest for Stars and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. Amazing!
"Blue Sky" Wins NASA Wake-Up Song Contest
Following months of public voting, NASA announced the two winners of the "Top 40 Song Contest," which will awaken space shuttle crew members during their ongoing mission. The agency also released the final tally of submissions to the Space Shuttle Program's "Face in Space" campaign. Participants cast almost 2.5 million votes for the song contest and submitted more than 292,000 photographs for the Face in Space campaign.
"Blue Sky" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the most requested song to wake up shuttle Discovery's crew during the STS-133 mission, collected 722,659 votes. The song received 29.3 percent of the total votes. Finishing second was the "Theme from Star Trek" (original series), which also will serve as a wake up song. It received 671,133 votes, or 27.2 percent of the votes. To see the results for all 40 songs, visit: https://songcontest.nasa.gov
There were 2,463,521 votes cast during the contest that ran from Aug. 20, 2010, through Nov. 1. Participants voted from a list of 40 songs that have previously awakened shuttle crews.
"Blue Sky" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the most requested song to wake up shuttle Discovery's crew during the STS-133 mission, collected 722,659 votes. The song received 29.3 percent of the total votes. Finishing second was the "Theme from Star Trek" (original series), which also will serve as a wake up song. It received 671,133 votes, or 27.2 percent of the votes. To see the results for all 40 songs, visit: https://songcontest.nasa.gov
There were 2,463,521 votes cast during the contest that ran from Aug. 20, 2010, through Nov. 1. Participants voted from a list of 40 songs that have previously awakened shuttle crews.
Hawaii Looks at New Spaceport License
The Hawaii Senate is considering a bill that would authorize the state to pursue a Federal Aviation Administration spaceport license that could launch the state into the multibillion-dollar space exploration and tourism business, [KHON].
Senate Bill 112 would enable the state’s Office of Aerospace Development to conduct the environmental and safety assessments that are required for the license, said Sen. Will Espero, D-Ewa Beach-Waipahu, author of the bill. A similar measure was passed by the Legislature in 2009, but funds were not released by then-Gov. Linda Lingle.
Senate Bill 112 would enable the state’s Office of Aerospace Development to conduct the environmental and safety assessments that are required for the license, said Sen. Will Espero, D-Ewa Beach-Waipahu, author of the bill. A similar measure was passed by the Legislature in 2009, but funds were not released by then-Gov. Linda Lingle.
A presentation on a Hawaii spaceport was made by Rocketplane Global's Chuck Lauer in 2009.
shuttle launch from airplane
its a bird, its a plane, no... its the shuttle discovery launching into space as viewed by a passenger on an airplane!
this week the world saw the final launch of the shuttle discovery. its been a good run!
this week the world saw the final launch of the shuttle discovery. its been a good run!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Robonaut-1 Returns to Earth on High-Altitude Balloon Mission of Discovery
QUEST FOR STARS: After a flight to the edge of space and capturing the last flight of Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-133), Robonaut-1 falls to earth by parachute following the balloon ride through the atmosphere over Florida. The team retrieved and opened it live on camera. The digital pictures and videos are now being downloaded by the project managers.
Space Shuttle Launch PLUS Australian Agates
I have always been a NASA fan. I remember sleeping out in the back yard at night to glimpse peeks at what ever NASA was kind enough to orbit over Michigan. Yesterday I took a few minutes from my construction task of painting my art studio to watch the launch. This was the 133rd launch in the space shuttle era. The space shuttle was the first reusable space craft in history. The first launch was on April 12, 1981. There have been five craft including Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor. Yesterday the Discovery took off for her 39th time. The first was in 1984. By the end of this 11-day mission, she would have flown 143 million miles, spent 363 days in space, and orbited the earth 5,800 times. The total distance flown would be equivalent to going to the moon and back 300 times!
There have been shuttle launches every year since 1981, except for 1987 and 2004 after the two shuttle accidents. The most launches took place in 1985 (9), but there were at least six launches in ten different years.
Here are some pictures I took off my TV screen. I am hoping one day to see a launch in person, but at least the TV pictures were outstanding.
One of my Australian contacts, John Nedwich, recently sent me these photos of what he calls Potato Patch agates from Queensland.
There have been shuttle launches every year since 1981, except for 1987 and 2004 after the two shuttle accidents. The most launches took place in 1985 (9), but there were at least six launches in ten different years.
Here are some pictures I took off my TV screen. I am hoping one day to see a launch in person, but at least the TV pictures were outstanding.
One of my Australian contacts, John Nedwich, recently sent me these photos of what he calls Potato Patch agates from Queensland.
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