Tag: Historical
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Skylab at 50 – How the United States entered the space station era
On May 14, 1973, the final Saturn V rocket lifted off to deploy Skylab, America’s first space station. Despite a troubled start to its life, Skylab pioneered long-duration spaceflight, and fifty years later lessons learned in this program are still contributing to the success of the International Space Station. With Apollo 11’s successful landing on…
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Vulcan continues path to its maiden launch as ULA turns 15
On December 14, 2006, a Delta II rocket launched from VAFB (Vandenberg Air Force Base) SLC-2 (Space Launch Complex 2) on the NROL-21 mission. This launch marked the first mission for ULA (United Launch Alliance) and the beginning of its 15-year history. The Delta rocket family has three more launches before being phased out with…
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The evolution of Thor – Delta II prepares for swansong
When United Launch Alliance’s final Delta II rocket deploys NASA’s ICESat-II satellite on Saturday, the launch will bring down the curtain not just on the Delta II’s own illustrious career, but also on a series of rockets dating back to the early days of the space race. Delta II is the ultimate evolution of the…
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Apollo 11 marks 45 years since historic launch
Wednesday marked the 45th anniversary of the launch of the most important space mission in human history. On this day, 1969, Apollo 11 lifted off from LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center (Cape Kennedy) on the mission that would succeed in landing the first humans on the surface of another world. Mission background: On 25 May…
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ESA involved in effort to improve the eyesight of spacecraft
The European Space Agency (ESA) will test new rendezvous sensors on their next Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-5) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Laser InfraRed Imaging Sensors (LIRIS) will provide another example of the continuing improvements to the “eyesight” of spacecraft, as they conduct rendezvous and docking operations. Rendezvous: The successful rendezvous and docking of spacecraft…
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Wings In Orbit – Wayne Hale Interview
In an interview with NASASpaceflight.com, former Space Shuttle Program (SSP) manager Wayne Hale spoke about the upcoming book on the history of the Shuttle, “Wings In Orbit,” his role in the project, and about what he is doing today. “Wings In Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle” is due to go on…
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Enterprise in good condition for potential SCA ferry from Smithsonian NASM
A team of engineers have completed evaluations into the condition of the test orbiter Enterprise, in preparation for a potential ferry flight to a new home – should the Smithsonian’s National Aeronautics Space Museum receive one of the current orbiter fleet as a replacement after they are retired. Those evaluations found no show stoppers for Enterprise’s…