OrbitalHub

October 31, 2012

Soyuz-U/Progress M-17M Rollout and Launch

Posted by dj

On October 31, 2012, a Soyuz-U launch vehicle lifted off from Baikonur with the Progress M-17M cargo spacecraft. Progress will dock with the Zvezda service module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station, and will deliver more than 2,500 kg of cargo.

Credit: Roscosmos

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October 29, 2012

SpaceX CRS-1 Unberthing and Splashdown

Posted by dj

SpaceX dixit:

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft returned to Earth from the International Space Station, safely splashing down approximately 250 miles off the coast of southern California. “This historic mission signifies the restoration of America\’s ability to deliver and return critical space station cargo,” said SpaceX CEO and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk. “The reliability of SpaceX’s technology and the strength of our partnership with NASA provide a strong foundation for future missions and achievements to come.” Dragon departed the station early this morning with 1,673 pounds of return cargo including hardware, supplies, and a GLACIER freezer packed with scientific samples. Dragon is the only craft capable of returning a significant amount of supplies to Earth, and this mission marks the first time since the space shuttle that NASA has been able to return research samples for analysis. The SpaceX recovery team is now transporting Dragon by boat to a port near Los Angeles, where early cargo will be delivered to NASA. Dragon then will be transported to SpaceX\’s facility in McGregor, Texas for processing. There, the remaining cargo will be delivered to NASA. The mission, called CRS-1, began October 7, when the Falcon 9 rocket launched Dragon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX and NASA are currently investigating an anomaly that occurred with one of Falcon 9\’s first-stage engines during the launch. Analysis to date supports initial findings: the engine experienced a rapid loss of pressure and Falcon 9\’s flight computer immediately commanded shutdown, as it is designed to do in such cases. The team will continue to meticulously analyze all data in an effort to determine root cause and will apply those findings to future flights. This mission is the first of at least 12 to the International Space Station that SpaceX will fly under NASA\’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

Credit: NASA / SpaceX

STEREO Captures Solar Prominence

Posted by dj

The solar prominence was captured by the STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft instruments on October 14, 2012.

Credit: NASA STEREO

Soyuz TMA-06M Docking

Posted by dj

Soyuz TMA-06M arrived at the International Space Station on October 25, 2012.

Credit: NASA/Roscosmos

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October 25, 2012

The Sun As Seen By NASA\’s SDO

Posted by dj

The gradient filter used to record these images of the Sun enhances the regions of contrast. The coronal loops are accentuated by using this technique.

Credit: NASA SDO / Goddard Space Flight Center

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October 24, 2012

Lynx

Posted by dj

XCOR Aerospace dixit:

“The Lynx is XCOR\’s entry into the commercial reusable launch vehicle (RLV) market. This two-seat, piloted space transport vehicle will take humans and payloads on a half-hour suborbital flight to 100 km (330,000 feet) and then return safely to a landing at the takeoff runway.”

Credit: XCOR Aerospace