Start 2014 By Going Deep Into The Last Space Shuttle Launch (STS-135 Video)

 Well here we are turning another number over on our way toward the end of time. I hope your new year is off to a good start... or should I say a good launch? As a unique way to fight the gravity of the day, I'm sharing a video I found this morning on youtube that's full of fabulous views of Atlantis on her final flight, STS-135, the Shuttle-era-ending journey into the lesser heavens back in July of 2011. You'll notice that some of the sequences are also from STS-134, Endeavour's last flight.

 If your ADD is stronger than your avgeekery, I expect you'll move on after just a minute or so. What a pity. This video is an hour long and is full of views that'll stir your soul, and most of them are directly related to the final shuttle flight.

If you doubt me, after you watch several of the close-up launch views in slow motion in the first few minutes, hop to the 19:45 mark and watch the slow motion ascension that starts with a view of the top of the main fuel tank. Or the unique launch perspective at 29:08. Or maybe the infrared view at 36:00... or maybe the stunning fused imagery experiment at 39:00. 

 It's a new year... and sometimes one of the best ways to look forward is to take a look back.

Video screenshot of Atlantis at launch on the final Shuttle mission in July 2011

CoolPix: Looking Back At Shuttle Endeavour (Looking Over Earth)

(click pic for hi-res)  Shuttle Endeavour during one of her 25 missions: 1992-2012

 I could say a lot about the decline of the United States of America since the 1960's... the decline in our accomplishments in the space program, along with the dramatic weakening of our wealth and super-power status. I could also say a lot about the diminished prospects for our future as we continue turn our back (under the influence and manipulation of the government and the mainstream media) on nearly all of the qualities and characteristics that made us stand apart from (and above) the other countries of the world. I could, but I won't. With the game nearly over, what's the point of it now?

 So instead, I'm just taking time to point out something beautiful. While the Space Shuttle Program seems a rather simple achievement compared to Apollo's moon mission, it was still a remarkable human accomplishment. This hi-res NASA image of Shuttle Endeavour during one of her 25 missions (1992-2012) definitely speaks to the wonder and beauty of putting the shuttle into orbit. And, now that I've seen Shuttle Discovery up close and personal at the NASM Udvar-Hazy facility during the recent AirPigz Museum MeetUp, seeing this image of Endeavour has a far greater impact on me.

 I miss the days when the United States of America was sending shuttles into space.

 I, miss America.

CoolPix: Space Shuttle Discovery Up Close At The Udvar-Hazy Center

(click pic for hi-res)  The unique textures of the skin on Space Shuttle Discovery 

 The first day of the AirPigz National Air and Space Museum MeetUp was agreat success! 13 people in all gathered today at the Udvar-Hazy Center to enjoy a fabulous collection of great aircraft. It was a great start to three days of avgeekery and friendship that should see several more people join the event as we move into Washington DC to tour the legacy NASM facility on the National Mall tomorrow. It's sure to be another fantastic day!

 I had hoped to have the energy to post several pix from today, but I'm just a bit too tired for that... but I have selected what I think is a very interesting look at one of the star exhibits at the Udvar-Hazy, Space Shuttle Discovery. This CoolPix gives you the opportunity to see the unique textures of the some of the shuttle's outer skin. I was surprised to see that there's A LOT of texture on the surface of the shuttle. Much of the white-colored areas of the orbiter are actually somewhat quilted fibrous silica batting material. I think it's fascinating to see these textures and other details up so close when you click the pic to open it up big.

 It was an incredible experience walking around Discovery and seeing her in such detail up close. Despite her well-used appearance, she is a stunning beauty! The 10 hour drive over here from Indiana was worth it just to be able to stand in the presence of this significant space traveler. I'll be posting more detailed pix later of Discovery, but now it's off to sleep with dreams of seeing the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St Louis, the Bell X-1 and so much more at the National Mall building tomorrow!

Video: Fabulous Time-Lapse Of Shuttle Endeavour Thru The Streets Of LA - Mission 26!

 The last three weeks have been a pretty amazing for awesome avgeekery... we had the first flight of the incredible Avspecs Mosquito (eight years in restoration and the only Mosquito in the world now flying)... and of course there was Felix Baumgartner and that record setting Red Bull Stratos spacedive that we're still talking about... and, the Space Shuttle Endeavour made her final journey from LAX to the California Science Center last weekend. 

 This fabulous time-lapsed video labeled 'Mission 26' (Endeavour had 25 missions in space, this is Mission 26) shows that 12 mile journey in HD and with great beauty. And I'm really glad to see that the people of the LA area came out in large and very supportive numbers to catch a look of Endeavour on her way to her resting place. It looks like a job very well done by everyone : )

Amazing screenshot of Endeavour on her way thru the streets of L.A. last weekend

Watch Shuttle Endeavour's Last Journey Live... Low And Slow Thru Los Angeles

Endeavour 'crossing' thru LA today (photo: Jeff Gritchen/Getty Images: via LA Times)

 Los Angeles TV station KTLA is providing some live coverage of the Shuttle Endeavour slowly making its way from LAX to the California Science Center in Exposition Park where it will be put on display. Watch the live feed here.

 I don't know how long the journey will take, but when I posted this live at 5:49pm EDT (Saturday 10-13-12), the Shuttle was still making the slow 12 mile journey.

 It's great to see from the media coverage (like the string of LA Times stories where the pic above came from) how much the locals are enjoying and appreciating their opportunity to see Endeavour up close like this. It's a great day in LA!

More LA Times Endeavour coverage

Video: Welcome Home (I Think) - X-37B Lands After 469 Days In Space

 Do you remember the launch of an Atlas V rocket back on March 5, 2011 that was carrying the second Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on its first flight? Well unless you're an uber space geek then you probably don't remember that launch. You're more likely to remember the return from space of the first X-37B back on December 3, 2010. Well anyway, the point is that early this morning, Saturday June 16, 2012, X-37B OTV-2 landed autonomously (pre-programmed making its own decisions) at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:48 am local time after spending 469 days in space circling the Earth.

Video screenshot: X-37B landing rollout early this morning after 469 days in space
 

 The mission appears to have been very successful. Great launch, great landing. It's what happened in between that stirs up all kinds of crazy talk. I haven't dug very deep to try to learn what the micro shuttle spacecraft might have been up to, but so far it appears to all be classified, including what the payload was. China seems to think it's a weapon and the U.S. Air Force (who actually operates the mysterious X-37B) says it's just a technology testbed for future satellites. Time will tell. Well, maybe it will.

 I put up a post with some background info on the X-37B (Getting To Know Discovery’s Runt Cousin: The Air Force X-37B) a little over a year ago. What I didn't know at the time was that Boeing also envisions the X-37C, an enlarged version of the X-37B (sized between 165% and 180%) that could actually be used to transport up to six astronauts and some cargo into space. That's pretty impressive as a people hauler given that the X-37C is still quite tiny compared to the Space Shuttle. You can learn more about the X-37C at Space.com: Secretive US X-37B Space Plane Could Evolve to Carry Astronauts.

X-37B, X-37C and Space Shuttle size comparison (illustration: Boeing)
 

 I find it all a remarkably encouraging actually... from the recent success of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the SpaceDev Dream Chaser making steady progress toward aerodynamic drop tests, we are seeing an amazing collection of ideas and realities for future manned space exploration. Almost makes me feel like a kid again : )

Video: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) Successful Falcon 9 Launch May 22, 2012

 At a time when many of the forward-thinking people in America have been kicking around dust with the toe of their shoe wondering what really is next for the United States and space exploration (Shuttle Program retired, Constellation Program termination) - today brings some sunlight out from behind a darkened planet... SpaceX has successfully launched their ambitious, unmanned Falcon 9 spaceflight launch system. Liftoff came at 3:44 am EDT at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Congratulations to Elon Musk and the hardworking people who have made this day a reality!

 The real work in developing a truly viable space launch system is really just beginning, but today's successful launch will fuel both the desire and the drive to keep pushing forward toward complete success.

 This video gives a good view of the launch (1:13) and continues on thru main engine cutoff (4:19) - secondary engine cutoff (10:51) - Dragon Spacecraft separation (11:19) - and then solar array deployment (12:52). The best moment comes directly after as you hear thunderous applause and great cheering from the people involved in making it all happen.

 This, this is a good day.

Video screenshot of the successful SpaceX Falcon 9 launch May 22, 2012

Video: Shuttle Enterprise Being Lifted Off Of The 747 At JFK

 When I posted the video of Shuttle Discovery being mounted on top of the 747 for transport to the National Air & Space Museum (5th and last video in that post) I noticed the rather massive structure that's used in lifting the Shuttle into place onto the back of the 747. I wondered right then about what's used when they move a Shuttle to a random location such as a museum. So I was really interested in seeing this silent video that shows the Shuttle Enterprise (the glide test Shuttle that never went into space) after it has been moved out of the Air & Space Museum (to make room for Discovery) and was transported to JFK to eventually work its way to the deck of the USS Intrepid WWII aircraft carrier, the foundation for the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

 The crane and associated apparatus used here seems nicely simplified compared to that massive scaffold structure, but also easily up to the task of safely lifting the Shuttle off of the 747 and then down to the ground. A job well done I'd say.

 If you're interested in checking out Enterprise in her new home, the Space Shuttle pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is scheduled to open on July 19, 2012.

Shuttle Discovery Makes Final Flight To Air And Space Museum (5 Videos)

Yesterday (April 17, 2012) while I was at the 70th Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders at the Air Force Museum getting pictures of the 20 B-25's gathered there, the Space Shuttle Discovery made its final flight... this one atop the 747 repositioning it from Florida to Dulles Airport. You probably already saw all about this in the news, but I thought I'd find a good collection of videos from the event and post them here. So here are the five videos I found that I think are worth your time to check out.

 The first one above is short and has a good views of the takeoff in Florida, plus some close in passes made with this interesting pair of flying machines.

 This video shows the pair making several passes over the Washington D.C area and is presented without any narration or other distractions. The destination of Dulles Airport brings Discovery to the Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy facility to replace the Shuttle Enterprise (the glide test Shuttle) that has been on display there for many years. Enterprise will soon be moved to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.

 This video is a GoPro style view from the chase plane as Discovery and the 747 made their passes over the D.C. area. Definitely some pretty amazing views even if we never really get up as close as we'd all like to see.

 Video number 4 has the landing at Dulles and taxiing on the airport to the stopping point. It's not a fast pace after the touchdown but it does offer many great views of the pair while moving around the airport.

 This final video is actually my favorite even tho we never see the pair in the sky. It shows the loading of discovery onto the 747 prior to making the final flight to Dulles. This video is not fast paced either but if you're any kind of geek for Shuttle details then I think you'll find it a really interesting one to watch.

 I'm looking forward to the day when I can get to Udvar_Hazy and see Discovery up close and personal. I'm actually beginning to plan an AirPigz meetup sometime late in the fall of 2012 at the Air and Space Museum, so maybe I'll see you there too : )

Video: To The Edge Of Space & Back On The Solid Rocket Boosters (Must See)

 This video has been very popular in the last week but with my vacation to California I didn't get around to posting it here. In fact, I didn't even get around to watching it myself until just now. Wow. This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in a long time. You just never know how people will react to an experience like this, but for me, seeing video images from multiple cameras (and truthfully from two different launches) that show both the ascent and the descent of the Solid Rocket Boosters is simply stunning. It amounts to a real-time experience to the edge of space and back (about 145,000 feet) while getting to see the Shuttle and Main Tank from several points of view as well as the other separated SRB at times.

Video screenshot showing the Shuttle and main tank after SRB separation
 

 The standout visual for me in the video is the deployment of the three recovery parachutes. I really enjoyed seeing some of the reefing process used on the parachutes to control the rate at which they fully inflate. As a parachute guy in a past life, that's really cool stuff. This is just something you never get to see from this perspective... and actually, the whole SRB recovery process has been a bit of a mystery thru the Shuttle era. It's really cool to have so much of the process shown in this video.

Screenshot of the awesome SRB recovery parachutes deploying
 

 For more interesting SRB info check out my post from a year ago: NASA Releases First-Ever HD Footage of SRB Recovery Mission that includes another great video.

 And for this video, it doesn't hurt that the sounds accompanying it have been tweaked by the folks at Skywalker Sound (Lucasfilm) to maximize the experience. According to the video description tho, these are the actual sounds picked up by the camera mics, they've just been optimized to take it all to a much higher level. Anyway, I hope you take the time to experience all eight and a half minutes of this spectacular video!