Landing a rocket

Summary: In case your Twitter feed was not just lighting up as much as mine was, Space X just made space history. In the upgrade to their Falcon 9 rocket, the booster did more than just separate, it landed itself back on earth, right where it was supposed to.

In a beautiful video, I just watched a great ball of fire slowly descend to the landing pad and then fade out to reveal a booster rocket standing as straight as you please. Absolutely incredible. The whole of mission control was throwing a party. 

The rest of the rocket went on to deploy six more satellites to complete the constellation arrangement. 

I'll update this post with a link to the video of the launch and further details as I get them.

SpaceX launch video (I suggest starting at about 21:00)
The above link will also give more mission details.

Background on the launch

Long exposure of the launch and landing of the rocket

    
The booster rocket safely on the landing pad

LightSail Test Sucess

Summary: Launched on the 20th of May, the final step of preparation for the LightSail was launched. This was a test sail that would practice unfurling the sail and send back pictures to Earth. I am incredibly excited by this mission and have been ever since I saw the concept art nearly fifteen years ago as a possible design for futuristic spacecraft.

The LightSail is designed to work just like a sailboat; only instead of the wind filling the sail, it is light from the sun. Photons emitted from the sun will push the sail outward and the spacecraft will sail happily along. Even when it has passed beyond the reach of the sun's light, momentum will keep the craft going, even if not as fast.

This would not be a design intended for human travel since it is so slow, but more as a method of sending data gathering probes out into space with no power needed for propulsion beyond adjusting the sail. Furthermore, I believe this sail is not going to be able to tack and sail into the headwind. It will be a one-way mission.


Planetary Society

A few Updates regarding Mars and Space Travel

Martian Fashion:
Because eventually humans may colonize Mars (despite that one Doctor Who episode that clearly warned us against it), NASA has begun planning what its astronauts would need to wear. And they are trying to make it fashionable. Personally, they look like Cybermen from the '70s but I suppose as long as they keep our scientists safe, I'm okay with it.

BBC News


Curiosity:
The rover has begun drilling into the surface of Mars again. Just as a test right now,  but this does mean more data is on its way down to us.

BBC News


The Future of Space Travel:
The UK government has backed plans that would expand its space industry four-fold. This includes possible plans of a bigger space tourism industry. Already the ESA have had a major part to play in outer space exploration, but with more money being available, their part should expand and more can be accomplished. It seems to be good news for everyone.

BBC News

Chasing Our Dreams

Summary: The replacement for the shuttles, now has a predicted launch date. The Dream Chaser, looking like a mini space shuttle, will liftoff on top of an Atlas V rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on November 1st, 2016. The first mission will be an unmanned flight although the space craft is designed to carry seven astronauts into low-Earth orbit. This is one of three models being developed for future space travel and although it may not continue to be funded by NASA, the company says they will continue developing their design. Personally, I am excited and think it will do well, but I wish they were more creative in their design. It does look almost exactly like a mini shuttle.


BBC News

E-Sail: The Solar Sail for your Interstellar Needs

Summary: If I haven't mentioned it before, the solar sail is my favorite method for interstellar travel in the future. I've been excited about this nearly my whole life so I tend to jump up and down with excitement when new details are released. The most recent development is in the wires that would tether the sail to the ship without over loading it.



Physics Today

One Step Closer to Mars

Summary: NASA's Orion spacecraft passed it's electronics test last week at Kennedy Space Center. This spacecraft is designed to carry a four-person crew to near-Earth asteroids and eventually to Mars. The first test launch will be in the fall of next year for a brief unmanned journey up into space before falling back down into the ocean.


Popular Science
Physics World

Upcoming Science news

Hank Green made a wonderful video outlining exciting space events in this upcoming year including new launches, rare eclipses, and comets. Check it out!

http://youtu.be/AfQdi07LNF8


(100 posts!)

Space X update

Summary: Space X expects to be able to ferry astronauts to the ISS by 2015.


BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20964826

Update to Future Space plans in Europe

Summary: Many new things were agreed on as the esa member states concluded their meeting, the biggest news being that not only would the UK supply the propulsion mechanism for NASA's Orion rocket, it would also contribute £2m to the project. The UK has typically stayed out of contributing funds, but as their economy seems to be looking up, they have decided to invest monetarily as well. Check out the article for other decisions that were agreed upon during this meeting.



BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20424858

Apollo 11 lost engines

Summary:

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says he has found the F-1 engines that carried Apollo 
11 to the first Moon landing, and will try to raise them from the sea bed.

BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17544565 

Dead stars 'to guide spacecraft

Summary:

German scientists have hypothesised a way to use pulsars to locate spacecraft 
like a GPS. However the technology is far off until engineers can miniaturise 
the necessary X-ray detecting technology. 

BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17557581