A still from a NASA video about the transit of Venus.

The planet Venus appears to dance across the face of the Sun on June 5/6 (the exact date depends on where you live). Astronomers — both professional and amateur — are getting ready to observe, photograph, and measure this rare event.  Across our planet — and even from above it — they’re ready to watch as Venus slips between Earth and the Sun in its orbit. From the work of astronaut Don Pettit, who will be photographing the event from the International Space Station, to scientists setting up telescopes in Hawai’i, the Arctic, Japan, Arizona, and other sites, to folks who visit planetariums, science centers, and public observatories (such as Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles) to glimpse the event, the world’s skywatchers are ready.

Why all the fuss? Transits are RARE.  Why is this?  It’s orbital mechanics.  The planets all orbit the Sun, and each planet has a specific orbital inclination (that is, its orbit is tilted with respect to the Sun.).  Venus’s orbit is inclined with respect to Earth’s orbit as well. Usually this means that when Venus passes between Earth and the Sun, it appears a little above or below the Sun (if we could see it through the glare).  But, occasionally, the orbits line up at just the right time, place, and angle so that from Earth, we can see Venus silhouetted against the Sun.

This doesn’t happen very often. Transits of Venus occur in pairs — each separated by eight years, but each pair is separated from the  next by more than a century. The last transit was in 2004; the next one after the June 5/6 transit won’t occur until the year 2117.

There are a couple of good scientific reasons (among many) for observing the transit with specialized tools and instruments. One has been described in a press release from Williams College, which has sent a team headed by Dr. Jay Pasachoff to Hawai’i to participate. It’s called the Venus Twilight Experiment, and is deploying special instruments around the world to study the Venus atmosphere in much more detail as it appears as an arc around the trailing side of Venus as it enters the Sun, and around the leading side as Venus exits. The resulting data will be studied together with observations made at Venus itself with the European Space Agency’s Venus Express spacecraft. The wide range of Venus’s atmosphere seen at the transit complements the narrow range of observations made at the same time from the spacecraft, each set of data helping understand the middle level of the planet’s atmosphere better than either alone. With Venus Express at the planet, this will also be the first transit of Venus to take place with a spacecraft in orbit around it.

The other major reason the transit is of so much interest is that it is a good simulation of searching out distant planets as THEY transit their stars. This is what the Kepler spacecraft does, of course, so being able to watch this as it happens in our own solar system is a scientific boon.

Overall, the transit of Venus will last just seven hours and will not be visible in every part of the world. If you’re planning to observe the transit, it is essential NOT to look at the Sun (even wearing sunglasses) without using an approved solar filter. This goes double for trying to observe the transit directly through binoculars or a telescope. You could do serious damage to your eyes. So, be smart and safe and never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.

Where to Observe

If you happen to be in the western Pacific, eastern Asia and eastern Australia, you’ll get to see the entire event from start to finish.  North and Central America, and northern South America get the beginning of the transit (on June 5), but the Sun will set before the event ends. Europeans, as well as those watching in western and central Asia, eastern Africa and western Australia will get a glimpse at the tail end.

For more information on the transit of Venus, historical transits,  and safe methods to observe this one, check out the following resources:

http://venustransit.nasa.gov/transitofvenus/

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/transit12.html

www.transitofvenus.org

Science Cast Video: Don Pettit, the ISS and the Transit of Venus

Clear skies and happy viewing!

We’ll start by looking at the Moon and planets, and then we’ll talk about a special sky event happening this month.  After that, we’ll take a closer look at some familiar star patterns in the northern and southern skies that you can see around 10 at night. Be sure to dress for the weather, and bring along a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to enhance your view.

Credit: Astrocast.TV

(LAS CRUCES, NM)—Spaceport America congratulates Virgin Galactic on their receipt today of an experimental launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for powered flight of the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft.

Christine Anderson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA), said, “This is another major milestone for Virgin Galactic as they progress toward powered flight testing of their spaceflight system.”

NMSA is in the final stages of the completion of the 110,000 sq. ft. “Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space” terminal hangar building located at Spaceport America. Virgin Galactic is set to begin their final fit-out work in the facility this year before their commencement of commercial operations.

More information on Virgin Galactic powered flight permitting can be found at:

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/faa-launch-permit-gives-virgin-galactics-space-vehicles-the-green-light-for-powered-flight/

ABOUT SPACEPORT AMERICA:

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. It is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the US Army White Sands Missile Range. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Company is the spaceport’s anchor tenant. Spaceport America has been providing commercial vertical launch services since 2006.  Phase One of the spaceport development is expected to be complete in 2012. Phase One includes the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space
Terminal Hangar Facility, the Spaceport Operations Center, the 10,000-foot runway and supporting infrastructure.

Phase Two activities have begun and include improvements to the vertical launch complex, 2,000 ft. runway extension, additional road access to the spaceport, and the development of a world-class Visitor Experience that includes two Welcome Centers and a Visitor Center designed to delight and inspire spaceport guests.

To date, there have been 15 vertical launches at Spaceport America. Customers include Armadillo Aerospace, UP Aerospace, MOOG FTS and Lockheed Martin.

The economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America is already delivering on the promise of economic development to the people of New Mexico. Over 1,000 jobs for New Mexicans have been generated to date.

For
more information, please visit:
www.spaceportamerica.com

For more information on Preview Tours of the Spaceport, please visit: www.ftstours.com

Facebook: Spaceport America, or follow us on Twitter: @Spaceport NM

Advanced Vehicle Provides Expanded Options for Operator of the World’s Largest Satellite Fleet

Washington, DC / Hawthorne, CA May 29, 2012 – Today, Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of satellite services, and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the world’s fastest growing space launch company, announced the first commercial contract for the Falcon Heavy rocket.

“SpaceX is very proud to have the confidence of Intelsat, a leader in the satellite communication services industry,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer. “The Falcon Heavy has more than twice the power of the next largest rocket in the world. With this new vehicle, SpaceX launch systems now cover the entire spectrum of the launch needs for commercial, civil and national security customers.”

“Timely access to space is an essential element of our commercial supply chain,” said Thierry Guillemin, Intelsat CTO. “As a global leader in the satellite sector, our support of successful new entrants to the commercial launch industry reduces risk in our business model. Intelsat has exacting technical standards and requirements for proven flight heritage for our satellite launches. We will work closely with SpaceX as the Falcon Heavy completes rigorous flight tests prior to our future launch requirements.”

This is the first commercial contract for SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. Under the agreement, an Intelsat satellite will be launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).

About the Falcon Heavy

Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket in the world and historically is second only to the Apollo-era Saturn V moon rocket. Capable of lifting 53 metric tons (117,000 pounds) to low Earth orbit and over 12 metric tons (26,000 pounds) to GTO, Falcon Heavy will provide more than twice the performance to low Earth orbit of any other launch vehicle. This will allow SpaceX to launch the largest satellites ever flown and will enable new missions. Building on the reliable flight proven architecture of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, Falcon Heavy is also designed for exceptional reliability, meeting both NASA human rating standards as well as the stringent U.S. Air Force requirements for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, making it an attractive solution for commercial, civil and military customers.

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. With a diverse manifest of 40 launches to deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit, SpaceX is the world’s fastest growing launch services provider. In 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to put a spacecraft into orbit and return it safely to Earth. With the retirement of the space shuttle, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are carrying cargo, and one day astronauts, to and from the space station for NASA. Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has over 1,800 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit SpaceX.com.

About Intelsat

Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of High Definition, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far. For more information about Intelsat, visit intelsat.com. Intelsat is the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services. With Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.

NASA News Release

Wed, 30 May 2012 01:17:19 PM EDT

The Expedition 31 crew of the International Space Station spent much of the day Tuesday working with the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle, reviewing procedures for the departure of the first commercial spacecraft to visit the station and packing it with items for return to Earth.

Credit: NASA

Dragon, which delivered 1,014 pounds of non-critical cargo on its demonstration flight to the station, was cleared unanimously Tuesday by the station’s Mission Management Team for unberthing early Thursday. In reverse order of how Dragon was captured and berthed Friday, the crew will use the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to detach the vehicle from the Earth-facing port of the station’s Harmony node at 4:05 a.m., move it away from the station and release it at 5:35 a.m. for return to Earth. The SpaceX team in Hawthorne, Calif., will run Dragon through about five hours of orbital operations before commanding it to a splashdown for recovery off the California coast.

Read more: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/spacex_index.html

Credit: NASA , ESA, STScI, and A. Feild and J. Kalirai

Unfortunately, stars don’t have birth certificates. So, astronomers have a tough time figuring out their ages. Knowing a star’s age is critical for understanding how our Milky Way galaxy built itself up over billions of years from smaller galaxies. But Jason Kalirai of the Space Telescope Science Institute and The Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Astrophysical Sciences, both in Baltimore, Md., has found the next best thing to a star’s birth certificate.

Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI and A. Feild and J. Kalirai

Using a new technique, Kalirai probed the burned-out relics of Sun-like stars, called white dwarfs, in the inner region of our Milky Way galaxy’s halo. The halo is a spherical cloud of stars surrounding our galaxy’s disk. Those stars, his study reveals, are 11.5 billion years old, younger than the first generation of Milky Way stars. They formed more than 2 billion years after the birth of the universe 13.7 billion years ago. Previous age estimates, based on analyzing normal stars in the inner halo, ranged from 10 billion to 14 billion years. Kalirai’s study reinforces the emerging view that our galaxy’s halo is composed of a layer-cake structure that formed in stages over billions of years.

Read more:

• Release Text
• See All the Images

When asked for his initial thoughts on Dragon’s capture and move into the history books, Elon Musk stated, “just awesome.” Broadcast quality videos, including video inside of the SpaceX factory, may be downloaded at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. High-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com. SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk will join NASA Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini, NASA COTS Program Manager Alan Lindenmoyer and NASA Flight Director Holly Ridings for a press conference to discuss the remarkable achievement at 1:00 PM Eastern.

This is SpaceX’s second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.
Mission Highlights:
• May 22/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
• May 23: Dragon orbited Earth as it traveled toward the International Space Station.
• May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems were subjected to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle was ready to berth with the space station; these tests included maneuvers and systems checks in which the vehicle came within 1.5 miles of the station.
• May 25: NASA gave Dragon the GO to attempt berthing with the station. Dragon approached. It was captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station.
Coming up next:
• May 25 – 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
• May 31: Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

Most Difficult Challenges Still Ahead

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May 24, 2012

Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft completed key on-orbit tests as part of a historic attempt to be the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

In the days since SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the vehicle has steadily completed one task after another as it prepares to berth with the International Space Station. Only minutes after the spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, its solar arrays successfully deployed, providing power to the spacecraft. The door that had been covering sensors needed for proximity operations opened successfully.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Dragon traveled in orbit, firing its thrusters to catch up to the space station. During that time, the vehicle hit a series of milestones. Dragon showed its Absolute Global Positioning System (GPS) is in good working order. The vehicle demonstrated both a pulsed and a full abort. It also demonstrated free drift, floating freely in orbit as it will when grappled by the space station’s robotic arm. And its proximity operations sensors and SpaceX’s COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) are up and running.

Early this morning, Dragon’s thrusters fired, bringing the vehicle 2.4 kilometers below the International Space Station. The vehicle completed two key tests at that distance. Dragon demonstrated its Relative GPS and established a communications link with the International Space Station using CUCU. Astronauts commanded on Dragon’s strobe light to confirm the link worked.

A video of Dragon as seen by the space station is available at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=144472261

With these tests complete, Dragon has started the trip flying around the space station, returning the spacecraft to its original approach location.

Dragon has been performing well, but the most difficult aspects of the mission are still ahead.

 

FRIDAY MORNING – Final Approach, Dragon Grapple

Around 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern NASA will decide if Dragon is GO to move into the approach ellipsoid 1.4 kilometers around the space station. If Dragon is GO, after approximately one hour Dragon will move to a location 250 meters directly below the station. Dragon will then perform a series of maneuvers to show systems are operating as expected. If NASA is satisfied with the results of these many tests, Dragon will be allowed to perform the final approach to the space station.

Sometime around 6:00 AM Pacific/9:00 AM Eastern, astronauts on the space station will grapple Dragon with the space station’s robotic arm and the spacecraft will attach to the station.

 

SATURDAY MORNING – Hatch Opening

If all goes well, at approximately 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern, the crew will start procedures to open Dragon’s hatch. It will take around 2 hours to complete all operations leading to the hatch opening. Once the hatch is opened, astronauts will enter Dragon for the first time in space.

All dates and times are approximate and could easily change.

This is SpaceX’s second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

]]> http://astrocast.tv/blog/?feed=rss2&p=4463 0 http://astrocast.tv/blog/?p=4463 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Astrocasttv/~3/OYws21Hj8iM/ http://astrocast.tv/blog/?p=4456#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 15:45:41 +0000 rcm@astrocast.tv (Midnight Rider Productions, LLC) http://astrocast.tv/blog/?p=4456

Hawthorne, CA – Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft to orbit in an exciting start to the mission that will make SpaceX the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station – something only a handful of governments have ever accomplished.

At 3:44 a.m. Eastern, the Falcon 9 carrying Dragon launched from SpaceX’s launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.  Now Dragon heads toward the International Space Station.  On that journey it will be subjected to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the station.

Broadcast quality videos, including video inside of the SpaceX factory, may be downloaded at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com.

At a press conference held after the launch, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk began, “I would like to start off by saying what a tremendous honor it has been to work with NASA.  And to acknowledge the fact that we could not have started SpaceX, nor could we have reached this point without the help of NASA… It’s really been an honor to work with such great people.”

The vehicle’s first stage performed nominally before separating from the second stage.  The second stage successfully delivered the Dragon spacecraft into its intended orbit. This marks the third consecutive successful Falcon 9 launch and the fifth straight launch success for SpaceX.

“We obviously have to go through a number of steps to berth with the Space Station, but everything is looking really good and I think I would count today as a success no matter what happens with the rest of the mission,” Musk said.

He continued by expressing his gratitude to the more than 1,800 SpaceX employees.  “People have really given it their all.”  Describing the scene inside of SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, he said, “We had most of the company gathered around SpaceX Mission Control.   They are seeing the fruits of their labor and wondering if it is going to work. There is so much hope riding on that rocket.  When it worked, and Dragon worked, and the solar arrays deployed, people saw their handiwork in space operating as it should.  There was tremendous elation.  For us it is like winning the Super Bowl.”

Explaining the significance of the day, Musk stated, “This mission heralds the dawn of a new era of space exploration, one in which there is a significant commercial space element.  It is like the advent of the Internet in the mid-1990s when commercial companies entered what was originally a government endeavor.  That move dramatically accelerated the pace of advancement and made the Internet accessible to the mass market.  I think we’re at a similar inflection point for space.  I hope and I believe that this mission will be historic in marking that turning point towards a rapid advancement in space transportation technology.”

This is SpaceX’s second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

Mission Highlights: During the mission, Dragon must perform a series of complex tasks, each presenting significant technical challenges (dates subject to change):

• May 22/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
• May 23: Dragon orbits Earth as it travels toward the International Space Station.
• May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems are subjected to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests include maneuvers and systems checks in which the vehicle comes within 1.5 miles of the station.
• May 25: NASA decides if Dragon is allowed to attempt berthing with the station.  If so, Dragon approaches. It is captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station, a feat that requires extreme precision.
• May 25 – 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.
• May 31: After approximately two weeks, Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft.  With a diverse manifest of 40 launches to deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit, SpaceX is the world’s fastest growing launch services provider.  In 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to put a spacecraft into orbit and return it safely to Earth.  With the retirement of the space shuttle, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft will soon carry cargo, and one day astronauts, to and from the Space Station for NASA.  Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has over 1,800 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit www.SpaceX.com.

 

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]]> http://astrocast.tv/blog/?feed=rss2&p=4456 0 no Hawthorne, CA – Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft to orbit in an exciting start to the mission that will make SpaceX the first commercial company in history to attempt toMidnight Rider Productions, LLC Hawthorne, CA – Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft to orbit in an exciting start to the mission that will make SpaceX the first commercial company in history to attempt to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station – something only a handful of governments [...]Astronomy,Space,Science,NASA,ESA,Stars,Planets,Solar,System,Cosmology,Astrophysicshttp://astrocast.tv/blog/?p=4456http://astrocast.tv/all_enabled.swf (C) 2008 Midnight Rider Productions, LLCMidnight Rider Productions, LLCnonadultAstronomy News