CRS-5 Launch Date: NET Jan. 6
On December 16 a static test firing of a Falcon 9 engine shut down early (though not catastrophically), and SpaceX wants time to investigate the anomaly.
Dec 192014
Dec 182014
Because why not:
[youtube dA_WCfN4yp4]
Dec 172014
The latest releases in the “US Aerospace Projects” line (see the full library HERE):
US Bomber Projects #12 contents:
- Boeing Model 464-41: A turboprop B-52 predecessor
- Boeing “Big Bird”: a long-durational, low-speed, low-altitude missile carrying loiterer
- Douglas MX-2091-E: A 1950’s canard configured missile carrier
- Boeing Model 701-238: A supersonic design on the road to the B-59
- Northrop Nuclear Flying Wing: Atomic power with two crew pods
- Martin Model 223-12: the final design in the XB-48 design series
- Rockwell MRCC: An airplane that could be tossed into space atop an RSRM
- Lockheed CL-820-8: A Mach 3 variable-geometry design
USBP #12 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4:
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New: American Nuclear Explosive Devices #01
This is a prototype issue for what may become a series but which I hope to turn into a Real Book. The plan is to eventually document via accurate and detailed diagrams every nuclear explosive device produced by the US (obviously some are a little lean on declassified data). This includes bombs, Re-Entry Vehicles, a few actual “physics packages” and some stand-alone test devices. ANED01 contains information and diagrams of the first three atom bombs worked on by the US: the Thin Man and Little Boy air-droppable bombs and the Trinity “Gadget” test device. The American Nuclear Explosive Devices webpage is HERE.
ANED01 is formatted for 11X17, so the diagrams are good and large.
ANED #01 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4:
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Dec 162014
Was supposed to be today, but now it’s scheduled for 1:20 PM Friday. (presumably Eastern time).
Dec 162014
A NASA propaganda film from the very early 1970’s looking ahead to 1985, using the very latest in computer animation technology to depict a space shuttle in orbit.
[youtube 98pthkn9A6M]
This film was excerpted and used in an interview of sorts with Maxime Faget circa December 1972, and was posted and discussed around four years ago HERE.
Dec 152014
NASA diagrams showing the different forms of insulation originally applied to Shuttle orbiters.
Dec 122014
At the Hill Aerospace Museum, an unrestored old Titan IIIc display model. Provenance unknown.
Dec 102014
Next two releases in progress. Note that one is a little different…
Dec 082014
Some good photos of the Orion capsule being recovered by the US Navy. Just think… in another four or five years or never, we may get to see this again.
Amazing images show the moment Orion was safely retrieved from the Pacific Ocean and taken aboard USS Anchorage after its groundbreaking mission
Dec 072014
If SpaceX can pull this off… the historic importance of the launch in 9 days should put the recent Orion flight to shame:
First rocket landing in Space Coast history could happen in weeks
The plan is to land the Falcon 9 on an oceangoing platform for return, refurb and relaunch. After the process is proved out, SpaceX plans on landing the boosters not on platforms out at sea, but back on land near the launch site.
*IF* this works (and there is the distinct possibility that it won’t… and I really hope the FBI is on the lookout to make sure that hijinks from Russia and China are minimized), then we’re looking at a possible whole new era of manned and unmanned spaceflight.