NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover

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NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover:

"NASA will begin transmitting commands to its Mars exploration rover, Spirit, on Monday as part of an escape plan to free the venerable robot from its Martian sand trap.

Spirit has been lodged at a site scientists call 'Troy' since April 23. Researchers expect the extraction process to be long and the outcome uncertain based on tests here on Earth this spring that simulated conditions at the Martian site."

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Poisk Poised For Live NASA TV Space Station Docking

Poisk Poised For Live NASA TV Space Station Docking

"The Mini Research Module-2, known as "Poisk," which means "explore" in Russian, will deliver 1,800 pounds of cargo to the station. Poisk is scheduled to automatically dock to the station's Zvezda Service Module at 9:44 a.m.

"The 8-ton module is scheduled to launch at 8:22 a.m. Nov. 10 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The combination docking port and airlock will ride atop a Soyuz booster rocket. The Soyuz launch will not be broadcast on NASA TV.

"The module will be used as an additional docking port for Russian vehicles, as an airlock for Russian-based spacewalks and as a platform for external science experiments. Its first use will be as a docking port during the relocation of a Soyuz crew vehicle in January."

Norfolk Southern's Electric Loco

Batteries ARE Included: Norfolk Southern Unveils Experimental Electric Locomotive

"NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and with zero exhaust emissions. The plug-in locomotive also can regenerate dynamic braking energy through a system provided by Brookville Equipment Company. The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operations. The batteries are carefully monitored and controlled through an elaborate battery management system to assure safety and maximum battery life, and when fully charged NS 999 is able to operate three shifts before recharging is required."

NASA Tests Alternate Launch Abort System for Astronaut Escape

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NASA Tests Alternate Launch Abort System for Astronaut Escape:

"WALLOPS ISLAND, Va., July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has successfully demonstrated an alternate system for future astronauts to escape their launch vehicle. A simulated launch of the Max Launch Abort System, or MLAS, took place Wednesday morning at 6:26 a.m. at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va."

New NASA Missions to Reach Moon Tuesday

New NASA Missions to Reach Moon Tuesday, Sending Back Live Video:

"After a four and a half day journey to the moon, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, will be captured by the moon's gravity and prepare for the commissioning phase of its mission on June 23. NASA TV live coverage of LRO's orbit insertion begins at 5:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday, with the actual engine burn to begin orbit insertion starting at 5:47 a.m."

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Lockheed Martin's HIMARS Launcher Successfully Fires Air Defense Missile

Lockheed Martin's HIMARS Launcher Successfully Fires Air Defense Missile:

"DALLAS, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- A Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher successfully fired two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) during a U.S. Army 'common launcher' feasibility demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, NM. U.S. Army and industry representatives conducted the 'proof of concept' firing to examine the viability of firing an air defense missile from the currently-fielded HIMARS.

"The demonstration featured two modified AMRAAMs, which were rail-launched from a modified Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) enclosure assembly launch pod mounted on a HIMARS launcher. The test, in which all objectives were met, included the operational test missiles (configured from excess AMRAAM assets); integration of modified Surfaced Launched AMRAAM launch rails into an empty ATACMS pod; and the launch of the AMRAAMs using the HIMARS fire control system with modified software.

"The Army is evaluating HIMARS as a potential solution for a light 'common launcher' for future air defense, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and ATACMS munitions. In addition to its capability to support multi-mission munitions, the HIMARS launcher offers tactical flexibility, high reliability and C-130 transportability."

Raytheon Awarded $27 Million for Missile Defense Support

Raytheon Awarded $27 Million for Missile Defense Support:

"TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 23, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $27 million contract by The Boeing Company to support the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program.

This six-month bridge effort for the follow-on GMD Core Completion Contract allows for the continued evolution, maturation, test, and verification of the Raytheon-built X-Band Radar aboard the Boeing-developed Sea-Based X-Band Radar vessel, the Upgraded Early Warning Radars at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and at Fylingdales, England, and the Cobra Dane Upgrade Radar at Shemya, Alaska, in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS)."

New ISS Solar Arrays Online

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Final Pair of Massive Lockheed Martin Solar Arrays Begin Providing Power to International Space Station:

"SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth and final pair of massive solar arrays, built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) at its Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, have been installed on the International Space Station by the crew of the space shuttle Discovery. The two new arrays have been deployed and are generating electricity."

Yahoo! News Story - NASA hopeful repairs will permit Sunday launch

Ron Bailey (rj_bailey2000@yahoo.com) has sent you a news article.
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NASA hopeful repairs will permit Sunday launch
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090315/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle

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ATK and NASA Conduct Successful Ground Test of Ares I Igniter

"MINNEAPOLIS, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) successfully conducted the first test firing of the igniter that will be used on NASA's Ares I first stage. Today's test at ATK's Promontory, Utah facility generated a flame almost 200 feet in length. When ignited inside the world's largest solid rocket booster, this flame will trigger the liftoff of the rocket that will send future astronauts into orbit. Today's test prepares the way for the first ground test of the fully-developed Ares I first stage, a five-segment derivative of the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor, scheduled for next fall.

The Ares I igniter is the same flight-proven design used on the Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). This igniter, however, takes advantage of upgraded materials to provide higher performance in the liner and insulation. The new liner thermal properties are equivalent to those of the shuttle, but its stress/strain capability is 100 percent greater. The new insulation is also 20 percent lighter than the insulation currently on the Space Shuttle fleet, providing valuable weight savings and higher performance. Initial data showed the igniter performed as expected."

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Broadcom Extends chumby(R) Platform to Internet-Connected TVs, Set-Top Boxes and Blu-ray Disc(R) Players

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Broadcom Extends chumby(R) Platform to Internet-Connected TVs, Set-Top Boxes and Blu-ray Disc(R) Players:

"IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM) and chumby(R) today announced the integration of the chumby rich media Internet platform into Broadcom's latest digital television (DTV), set-top box (STB) and Blu-ray Disc(R) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions delivering cost effective, high quality and personalized user experiences to Internet-connected TVs. The collaboration will enable users to access chumby's extensive library of entertaining, compelling and interactive Internet content across a variety of personal interest categories as well as a vast offering of Internet radio streams and podcasts. This will give users the ability to view individually customized channels of streaming Internet and personal digital content on devices enabled by Broadcom solutions, delivering an enhanced interactive consumer experience across multiple connected screens in the home."

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ATK and AFRL Successfully Test Development Motor for Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology Program

ATK and AFRL Successfully Test Development Motor for Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology Program:

"MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base have successfully tested a developmental solid rocket motor -- designated Phase II -- as part of the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program.

"The IHPRPT program is a research and development initiative for government and industry designed to improve U.S. solid rocket propulsion systems for multiple applications. The program helps keep the nation on the cutting edge of solid rocket motor technology to ensure that U.S. defense systems have the highest performing, most cost effective propulsion capabilities."

NASA Awards Construction Contract for Rocket Engine Testing

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NASA Awards Construction Contract for Rocket Engine Testing:

"WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA signed a contract Thursday with American Tank and Vessel Inc. of Mobile, Ala., for the installation of a test cell diffuser and associated systems in the A-3 test stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract's value is not to exceed $45 million."

From PR Newswire: Aerojet Fires Advanced Development Roll Control Thruster Targeted for Ares I Application

Aerojet Fires Advanced Development Roll Control Thruster Targeted for Ares I Application:

"The Ares Roll Control System Advanced Development Program was awarded in the spring of 2007 for development based on Aerojet's heritage MR-80 600 lbf-class monopropellant rocket engine. The MR80 had previously flown on the NASA Viking missions to Mars, where it provided throttling of greater than 70:1 for a terminal descent and soft landing. The thruster was redesigned for pulsing application with the new valve and Aerojet also implemented a series of product improvements to reduce the recurring unit costs of the engines. The design improvements were obtained using the Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) process which is part of Aerojet's overall Operational Excellence initiative."

ULA Delta II Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Successful NOAA-N Prime Launch

ULA Delta II Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Successful NOAA-N Prime Launch:

"VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A United Launch Alliance Delta II successfully launched the NASA NOAA-N Prime spacecraft at 2:22 a.m. PST, today. Rocketing from Space Launch Complex-2, the launch took place during the 20th year anniversary month of the first Delta II launch. The program's first launch took place Feb. 14, 1989, from Space Launch Complex-17, Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., carrying a Global Positioning System satellite.

NOAA-N Prime, following a 65 minute flight, was deployed on its mission to improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. It's the last in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities. Additionally, NOAA-N Prime carries instruments that support the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT), which relays emergency distress beacon information from mariners and aviators to rescue teams. Since SARSAT was established in 1982, more than 24,500 lives have been saved."

-- from PRNewswire

General Dynamics Awarded $12 Million for MK47 STRIKER40 Weapon System Production

General Dynamics Awarded $12 Million for MK47 STRIKER40 Weapon System Production:

"CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $12 million contract from the U.S. government for production of the MK47 STRIKER40(R) Weapon System.

"'The MK47 is a lightweight grenade launcher capable of firing airbursting munitions. Integrating the latest sensing, targeting and computer-programming technology, the MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade weapon system suited for mobile, tactical combat soldier units. It provides forces with a decisive technological advantage over enemies equipped with older crew-served weapons,' said Jeff Gramse, program manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products."

SPACE.com -- New Moon Rocket Could Launch Giant Space Telescopes (via delicious)

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SPACE.com -- New Moon Rocket Could Launch Giant Space Telescopes (via delicious)

delicious SPACE.com -- New Moon Rocket Could Launch Giant Space Telescopes 18 hours ago - Comment - Like "Slated to make its first test flight in 2018, the Ares V rocket is designed to stand about 381 feet (116 meters) tall and be able to launch payloads weighing almost 180 metric tons into low-Earth orbit. "(...) "But while the Ares V is designed under NASA's Constellation program to return astronauts to the moon, the rocket behemoth presents a boon for astronomers and other scientists dreaming of bigger, better space-based observatories. " - Ron Bailey

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SPACE.com -- Astronauts Watch President Obama's Inauguration from Space (via delicious)

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SPACE.com -- Astronauts Watch President Obama's Inauguration from Space (via delicious)

delicious SPACE.com -- Astronauts Watch President Obama's Inauguration from Space 18 hours ago - Comment - Like "Space station commander Michael Fincke and flight engineer Sandra Magnus, both of NASA, took some time out of their busy day to watch live TV coverage of Obama's inauguration in Washington, D.C., from their perch 220 miles (354 km) above Earth." - Ron Bailey

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NASA a Step Closer to First Flight Test of Next Crew Launch Vehicle (via delicious)

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NASA a Step Closer to First Flight Test of Next Crew Launch Vehicle (via delicious)

delicious NASA a Step Closer to First Flight Test of Next Crew Launch Vehicle 17 hours ago - Comment - Like "(...)Rocket hardware critical for the test, known as Ares I-X, was completed this week at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. The flight of Ares I-X will be an important step toward verifying analysis tools and techniques needed to develop Ares I, NASA's next crew launch vehicle." - Ron Bailey

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First ULA Delta IV Heavy NRO Mission Successfully Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral

Image via WikipediaFirst ULA Delta IV Heavy NRO Mission Successfully Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral:

"United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office successfully lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37 at CCAFS at 9:47 p.m. EST today. This was the first Delta IV Heavy mission for the NRO. Designated NROL-26, the mission is in support of national defense. This was the third Delta IV Heavy launch in Delta program history. A Delta IV Heavy demonstration flight occurred in December 2004, and the first Air Force operational mission was launched in November 2007."

from PRNewswire release

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