CoolPix - Amazing View Of Space Shuttle Atlantis

(click pic for hi-res) Incredible view of Shuttle Atlantis from the VAB roof (photo: NASA)

 I just love a perspective that you don't normally get, and this CoolPix view looking down on Atlantis is definitely not your normal view. The pic is from several years back, and it's not actually at the launch pad but rather it's just beginning the journey from the massive Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) out to the pad. It is sitting on the Mobile Launcher Platform tho, which serves as the actual platform for launching. You can see the holes in the platform for the engine exhausts. This is a great photo to study and see things from a different point of view. I love it!

 With only the fast approaching April 19th (scheduled) launch of Endeavour on STS-134, and then the final scheduled Shuttle flight of Atlantis on STS-135 in late June, now is the best time ever to be paying close attention to what these fantastic flying machines can do. Don't miss it!

NASA Releases First-Ever HD Footage of SRB Recovery Mission

PRESS RELEASE:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time, NASA has released high-definition video taken during the retrieval of solid rocket booster segments from the Atlantic Ocean. The solid rocket boosters provided 144 million horsepower for the final launch of space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission.

After each shuttle launch, crew members of the Liberty Star and Freedom Star retrieval ships pull the spent boosters out of the ocean and return them to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. After they are processed, the boosters are transported to Utah, where they are refurbished and stored, if necessary.

The video includes high-definition video footage from the recovery ships and time-lapse footage of recovery efforts on Freedom Star.

The footage was captured with a Panasonic HPX 3700 high-definition, cinema-style camera with 1080 progressive scanning at 24 frames per second.

 While the video above is very cool for showing the process by which the SRB's are recovered, it doesn't show them with their parachutes deployed for the soft landing in the ocean. This 2009 photo from the flickr page of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center gives a good view of what an SRB under parachutes looks like. The main body of the SRB has the three massive, 136 foot diameter parachutes, but the tapered section at the nose (not shown) descends under the smaller drogue chute that is used to initially stabilize the SRB, and then, when it separates from the SRB, it is the action by which the main parachutes are deployed.

 The weight of the empty SRB is about 200,000 pounds! Learn more at the Shuttle SRB wiki.

Getting To Know Discovery’s Runt Cousin: The Air Force X-37B

Watch the X-37B (Atlas V) launch March 4, 2011 at ulalaunch.com
(launch period begins at 3:39pm EST)

Fast facts on the Boeing X-37B unmanned OTV (Orbital Test Vehicle)

(5 pix and 1 video)

 With the Space Shuttle program only one landing and two full flights away from retirement, and with the Constellation manned program effectively pulled over to the side of the road, we’re likely to see a lot more emphasis on unmanned space vehicles. It’s interesting that as unmanned aircraft are just now becoming a significant part of aviation, ‘unmanned’ space vehicles have been part of space exploration for decades. Sure, it’s a little different controlling a flying machine in the atmosphere with real people for traffic compared to coasting along in the vast expanse of space with no one around, but expanding our efforts in space with more emphasis on machines-only isn’t such a bad idea.

 Enter Boeing’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle operated by the U.S. Air Force. This very scaled down shuttle-like spacecraft is only a little over 29 feet long with a wingspan just short of 15 feet, but it’s still likely to be a pretty capable spaceplane. If only we really knew what it was being used for. That seems to be a bit of a mystery yet. And while it’s easy to imagine all kinds of shifty covert intentions, I must admit that I’m glad to know it exists and is operational in light of the fact that Shuttle is almost retired.

 This is also a very interesting time as the second ever space flight for the X-37B is scheduled to launch out of Cape Canaveral on top of an Atlas V rocket on March 4, 2011. It’s actually the first flight for this particular vehicle, OTV-2, the second airframe to be built. The timing seems to fuel some thoughts about the fact that both Shuttle Discovery and the X-37B will be in space at the same time. Coincidence? You decide.

Click to read more ...

Videos: Multiple Views Of STS-133 - Final 'Discovery' Launch

 Discovery's final launch a few days ago on February 24th went extremely well, which was a great sight to see on her last launch ever. With just Endeavour and Atlantis left to fly one last mission each, this is the perfect time to pay close attention to what's going on with the Shuttle program details. One great way is to monitor the live stream at nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv. This is an amazing resource of live action and fresh recorded material that takes you up close to the inner workings of launch control, mission control, and the astronauts on both the Shuttle and the ISS. Obviously a great resource for re-entry and landing as well... you can also keep an eye on this STS-133 page for landing schedule updates.

 I've pulled together 4 different videos worth checking out, especially if you enjoy looking at the details of the launch process like I do. The first three offer different views of the launch of Discovery last Thursday, and the last one is a short but very close and loud IMAX segment of a previous launch.

 The first one above is pretty amazing actually. It's taken from an airliner that was passing by that provided a great view and perspective of the rapid ascent of the Shuttle. I especially like how the cockpit makes the anouncement about the launch saying: "people on the right side of the airplane can see the Space Shuttle, and those of you on the left side of the aircraft can probably see the people on the right side of the aircraft looking at the Space Shuttle" (!)

3 more videos below

Click to read more ...

Stellar NASA Video On The Life & Times Of Shuttle 'Discovery'

 This outstanding video on the history of the Orbiter Discovery is a perfect lead-in to tomorrow's scheduled launch at 4:50 pm EST for her last flight. Discovery is a special member of the Space Shuttle fleet, and seeing her embark on her final flight is sure to be a very emotional time for the thousands of people who have made her a reality, and the many more of us who have watched her serve this nation since her first flight in 1984.

 This nearly 16 minute video is a 'must see' if you have any interest at all in the Space Shuttle program. If you can't watch it now, come back when you have time. It's almost surely better than what you're likely to watch on TV tonight.

 With Endeavour and Atlantis scheduled for their final flights later in the year, it won't be long before the Space Transportation System is fully retired. It seems we're still left wondering: what then?

Discovery, the oldest of the three remaining Space Shuttles

Looking Back As Shuttle Discovery Readies Her Last Flight

(4 videos)

 As Space Shuttle Discovery prepares for her final launch into space on this coming Thursday February 24th (STS-133), this is a great time to take a video look back at some of her travels. These videos are all from STS-121 that launched very patriotically on July 4, 2006. The first video of the launch has a nice collection of camera views and it gives a really good feel for the massive sound the Shuttle generates at liftoff.

 The video below is the same launch, but viewed from inside the cockpit of the Orbiter. It begines a few minutes before launch, with main engine start right at the 3 minute mark. It's really interesting to see the crew during the launch sequence... and the initial bumpy ride that sitting on top of nearly 7 million pounds of thrust provides! 

Click to read more ...

Super Guppy Fuselage Cross Section... It's Umm, Really Big!

(click pic for hi-res) NASA Super Guppy super-size cargo transport at Edwards AFB in 2000

 A total of eight Guppy aircraft were built by Aero Spacelines in the 1960's to haul oversized cargo, including many large parts related to the Apollo space program. In fact, those specific parts were the inspiration for airplanes that could relatively affordably transport pieces that were huge in size but not really all that heavy. The Pregnant Guppy, the Mini Guppy, as well as the Super Guppy that's seen here at Edwards Air Force base in 2000 were a remarkable success over the years... and I believe this one, the last Super Guppy produced is still operating yet today for NASA.

 This CoolPix really shows off the massive fuselage cross section of this beast. The original Super Guppy was built by lengthening and adding the massive upper area on to a Boeing C-97J Turbo Stratocruiser which was the old C-97 that had been retrofitted with large turboprop engines. That first SG still retained the fuselage floor width of the C-97 which was just under 9 feet wide. You might have already read the story I posted that tells about the near loss of the prototype SG on one of the last flights during the certification tests. If you haven't read, I suggest you go there now, it's an amazing story: 1965 Super Guppy Dive test Goes Bad (Not A Bird Strike!)

 I would guess the lessons learned from that nearly catastrophic event played a big part in the changes made in the four additional Super Guppy's that were later built. They all had fuselages built from scratch, and Aero Spacelines took the opportuinity to widen the fuselage at the floor level to just over 13 feet. The view looking into this SG gives a bit of an idea of just how big that scratch-built fuselage is. It's a pretty stunning sight! It's an interesting shape too. This view with the nose swung out of the way really shows it off.

 It's easy to see a picture of a 'Guppy' and just chuckle at the crazy big fatness of the airplane, but these unique aircraft have been a really important part of the aerospace industry over the last 40 years. They're definitely worthy of our respect and appreciation!

1965 Super Guppy Dive Test Goes Bad (Not A Bird Strike!)

Super Guppy fuselage collapsed in a 1965 high speed dive during certification tests

 The story behind what lead to the Super Guppy having such a massive collapse of the upper fuselage is pretty amazing... and while this pic was used in Caption Contest #47, and the winning caption perfectly asked the question: "What kind of bird did you say it was ?????", in reality it was the result of a high speed dive test done during the final phase of getting the airplane certified. Birds were not involved.

 The following story, originally printed in the April 1971 issue of AIR FORCE Magazine, tells the incredible story from the perspective of being inside the airplane when it all happened. It's really interesting to see how close they came to bailing out of the prototype Super Guppy! To learn loads more about this exceedingly unique airplane, check out AllAboutGuppys.com.

THE DAY THE SUPER GUPPY BLEW HER TOP
By Lt. Col. P.G. Smith USAF (Ret.)
(illustration by Gordon Phillips) 

 MAYDAY! Mayday! Mayday! This is 1038 Victor, the Super Guppy, in flight test over the Mojave Desert. We have had a major structural failure of the upper nose section in a maximum dive and are preparing for bailout!" "1038 Victor, this is Los Angeles Center. May we help you?" "Stand by, Los Angeles, we have a large hole in the nose, and the aircraft is disintegrating and buffeting severely-Thirty-eight Victor will advise intentions." Only seconds before, we had been safely completing flight tests for the huge Guppy-confident that the converted Boeing Stratocruiser would regain from Russia the United States claim to the "world's largest airplane." Certification tests started with the Guppy's maiden flight on August 31, 1965.

 We had completed all the tests except the most hazardous maneuvers-the high-speed dives that are required of all aircraft for airworthiness certification. This portion of the flight tests was saved for the last phase and is called VD, for Velocity Dive. But now, twenty-five days later, on September 25, in clear, blue skies over the Mojave Desert, with only the final VD remaining, disaster struck!

Click to read more ...

Video: 1977 Shuttle Enterprise First Glide Test & Landing. Wow.

 It was August 12, 1977 when the Space Shuttle Enterprise made the first free flight after being carried to about 27.000 feet on the back of a modified 747. The television coverage footage here is an awesome way to watch it how it happened, live for all to see. It's an amazing way to experience both the dawn of a whole new era in spaceflight, and to see old school broadcasting.

 If you don't have the time to soak it all in realtime, jump up to about 4:30 for the actual separation. Looking back, it's great to see what success story this first flight was. It was a great time to be alive... I remember that for sure!

 This video ends while on the descent. To see the rest of the approach and the touchdown, watch the video below. Touchdown is at 2:39.

I must say, my emotions have been thoroughly stirred.

CoolPix - NASA: That’s One Jacked Up B-29! (Seriously)

(click pic for hi-res)

 OK, technically it’s not a B-29, it’s actually the B-50, which is the airplane that was going to be called the B-29D, but in the postwar WWII era, this enhanced version of the B-29 wound up with the big leap in numbers all the way up to 50. It is however, seriously jacked up here! There’s just no limit to what buckets full of money can do.

 This amazing picture is from November 1951 and shows the X-1-3, the third aircraft in the original configuration of the Bell X-1, being positioned under the lifted B-50. The X-1-3 was first used by the Air Force along with the X-1-1 and the X-1-2 for supersonic testing, but by this far into the program Bell was working on significantly upgraded X-1 designs (X-1A, B and D) and thus the Air Force cancelled the X-1-3 program. NACA then acquired the airplane for continued supersonic research to be conducted at Edwards. While this picture is incredible in that it showcases those amazing jacks used to raise the B-50, it also has a rather tragic follow up story. After the picture was taken, the X-1 was attached to the B-50 for a captive test flight, which did take place, but in the de-fueling process of the X-1 back on the ground, it exploded and caught fire, destroying both aircraft. Joe Cannon, the pilot in the X-1-3 survived the explosion but was seriously burned and spent nearly a year in the hospital recovering. The cause of the explosion, as well as several others that had taken place, was eventually traced to a compound used to treat leather that was used in some of the systems gaskets. That compound was prone to explosion when in the presence of pure oxygen and mechanical shock.

 The flight ending in the de-fueling explosion was only the second flight for the X-1-3. The first flight, a glide test also flown by Joe Cannon, was conducted in July 1951. The short video below has some excellent footage of the release from the B-50 on that flight.