liftoff
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Hitting the Books: Elon Musk and the quest to build a better rocket engine
Putting people safely into orbit is no small feat, especially without the seemingly limitless R&D budgets afforded to national space programs. However that has done little to dissuade a new generation of the private spaceflight companies from making the attempt.
SpaceX aborts Falcon 9 launch with rare 'Liftoff! Disregard' sequence
With both computers and human controllers cautiously watching every single rocket function, it's not unusual for SpaceX to abort a launch. However, yesterday a Falcon 9 rocket was stopped at literally the last second, confusing even the countdown commentator. As the clock hit zero, the operator enthusiastically shouted "Liftoff!" but quickly added "Disregard. We have an abort" once it was clear the rocket wasn't getting airborne.
Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off one last time (video)
NASA's Endeavour shuttle marked its final launch today, lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, a fortnight after an initial takeoff was scrubbed over concerns surrounding an auxiliary power unit heater. A six-member crew lead by commander Mark Kelly and some tiny satellites are on-board for the STS-134 mission, which involves the delivery of the massive cosmic ray-collecting Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and some spare parts to the International Space Station. NASA's 134th flight is the penultimate mission for the current fleet of shuttle -- Atlantis will liftoff for a final time in July. Video of the smoke-filled majesty after the break.
Watch a video of Richard Garriott's geeky but enviable space voyage
By now a lot of you know that Richard Garriott, creator of Ultima Online and Tabula Rasa, is in space. Sadly, since we didn't watch the live broadcast of his liftoff, we only know this through second-hand reports. But it's all going to be okay -- the NASA TV broadcast has been uploaded to YouTube, so if you missed it as we did then you too can watch an eccentric and wealthy nerd experience his lifelong dream. We've embedded it after the jump. Enjoy!Garriott lifted off on October 12th, carrying with him the DNA of Operation Immortality participants, including some Tabula Rasa players. Shortly after liftoff he displayed to the camera a Logos message to the camera on the spacecraft -- simultaneously an inspiring quote about space travel from a Russian scientist ("Earth is the cradle of humanity but mankind will not be in the cradle forever.") and a hint at upcoming additions to Tabula Rasa.[Via Joystiq]
DISH Network's EchoStar XI successfully reaches orbit
It's official: the AMC-14 debacle can be pushed aside from the rear of your mind, as DISH Network's most recent launch went off without a hitch. Sea Launch has announced this morning that EchoStar XI, which lifted off late last night, has successfully reached orbit. Shortly after cruising was complete, operators at the Gnangara ground station in Perth, Australia "acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit." It's noted that "all systems performed nominally throughout the mission," and it looks as if we should have 15 years of uninterrupted service from this one just as soon as it goes into action... which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.[Via Reuters]
Countdown to EchoStar XI liftoff begins, live webcast starting soon
Just a friendly reminder for you folks with nothing better to do on a Tuesday evening than watch a satellite get airborne: DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off tonight at around 10:21PM PT (that's 1:21AM ET on July 16 for those on the east coast), and as usual, the whole thing will be broadcast live on the web. Hopefully we won't have bad news to report on in the morning, but considering the fate of the AMC-14, we aren't crossing that possibility out entirely.[Via Spaceflight Now, thanks VANBROTHERS]
DISH Network's EchoStar XI lifts off on July 15th
For those of you who dedicate a few waking moments to tracking satellite launches (oh yes, we know you're out there), here's another one for your push-pin chart. DISH Network's EchoStar XI, which we already knew would be leaving this stratosphere in the summer, will be lifting off on July 15th. If everything goes to plan, rockets will fire just prior to 10:21PM PDT, with a two-hour window for launch. Should it make it to space (we haven't forgotten about the AMC-14 just yet), a 72-hour countdown will ensue, during which a series of tests will (hopefully) be completed. The bird has been designed to live in orbit for some 15 years and provide DISH Network subscribers with more (HD) content, though we aren't sure just yet how long it'll be before it's really put to good use. Got those fingers crossed? Good.
Watch DirecTV 11 liftoff at 6:30PM EDT today
Unfortunately, the recently rescheduled launch of the DirecTV 11 won't make our list of things to watch in HD tonight, but for those anxious to see the sat provider's next bird take flight, here's the skinny. Today at around 6:30PM EDT (3:30PM for those of you on the left coast), live coverage is slated to start on DirecTV channel 573. For those operating sans DTV (or simply not near your television), you can click here to view the launch online. T-minus four hours and counting 'til liftoff -- consider our fingers crossed that things go smoother than they did for the AMC-14.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
