Posts tagged tech
Kudos on the camera angles, China
The launch was well served throughout by some nice clear footage. At one point, we were under a fairing just in time to see it separate, but I didn’t get a picture of that one.
Sea Launch
It somehow escaped my notice until now, but there’s a company that specialises in launching stuff from a converted oil rig at the equator. This is simply too cool.
Less fuel is required to make orbit from the equator, thanks the Earth’s spin being amplified, making for cheaper launches. And also, it’s just ace.
(Source: BBC)
Nose to nose
Endeavour and Discovery, swapping places in the decommissioning process, passed each other by this week at the Kennedy Space Centre.
It’s a shame that these multi-billion dollar pieces of technology will never fly again, except on the back of NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Looking forward to getting to see one in a museum, though.
More images here.
Endeavour: A round 25
Endeavour is being rolled back to an orbiter processing facility after completing her 25th and final mission.
The US sections of the ISS are now complete, and the alpha magnetic spectrometer (AMS), the main reason this mission was approved, is working great. Other mission highlights included a chat with the Pope, the installation of another Express Logistics Carrier, and a couple of chats with American schools.
The process of removing Endeavour’s critical systems and engines has begun, but instead of testing and reinstalling them, Endeavour will be sent to California for museum display.
Endeavour is the newest of the space shuttle fleet, constructed to replace the lost Challenger. Structural spares from Discovery and Atlantis’ construction were used to reduce costs. Her first launch was in 1992.
