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NOAA/NASA/USAF Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Launching Feb. 8 to Monitor Solar Winds

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DSCOVR mission logo. Credit: NOAA/NASA/U.S. Air Force

The long awaited Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR science satellite is slated to blast off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 on Sunday, Feb. 8, from Cape Canaveral, Florida on a mission to monitor the solar wind and aid very important forecasts of space weather at Earth.

DSCOVR is a joint mission between NOAA, NASA, and the U.S Air Force (USAF) that will be managed by NOAA. The satellite and science instruments are provided by NASA and NOAA.

The rocket is provided by the USAF. SpaceX will try to recover the first stage via a guided descent to a floating barge in the Atlantic Ocean.

The weather outlook is currently very promising with a greater than 90 percent chance of favorable weather at launch time shortly after sunset on Sunday which could make for a spectacular viewing opportunity for spectators surrounding the Florida Space coast.

Liftoff atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is targeted for at 6:10:12 p.m. EST on Feb. 8, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 40.

There is an instantaneous launch window, meaning that any launch delay due to weather, technical or other factors will force a scrub to Monday.

The launch will be broadcast live on NASA TV: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

NASAs DSCOVR launch blog coverage of countdown and liftoff will begin at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

NOAA/NASA Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) undergoes processing in NASA Goddard Space Flight Center clean room. Solar wind instruments at right. DSCOVER will launch in February 2015 atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/AmericaSpace

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NOAA/NASA/USAF Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Launching Feb. 8 to Monitor Solar Winds

Solar Storm Satellite Heads for Gravitational Sweet Spot

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StarStruck

The Deep Space Climate Observatory, launching Sunday, will keep an eye on Earth from a very special perch. Called a Lagrangian point, the spacecrafts future home is part of a constellation of stable parking spots for satellites in orbit.

At one of these points, the pull of the sun and the Earth combine in just the right way to keep a satellite from being flung out of the solar system. The new satellite, also known as DSCOVR, wont be alone at its Lagrangian point. For 30 years, space agencies have been capitalizing on the unique properties of these quirky places. (See Spacecraft to Watch Earth and Warn of Solar Storms.)

A spacecraft in one of these pockets needs very little fuel to stay at a constant location relative to the Earth, helping extend the life of the mission.

Whats more, satellites that stay in this sweet spot between the sun and Earth avoid the dramatic temperature swings and periodic magnetic disruptions that Earth-orbiting satellites encounter as they pass behind the planet.

Five Lagrangian points, named for mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange, occur with any circular orbit, not just the Earths path around the sun.

The Earth and moon together create five Lagrangian points, for example. And some of the stable pockets created by Jupiters orbit have captured so-called Trojan asteroids.

Limited Real Estate

The DSCOVR satellite will travel a million miles, or roughly one percent of the way to the sun, to its home at the Earth-sun Lagrangian point known as L1. From there it will have unobstructed views of the sun and Earth.

If this is such a great location for a satellite, wont it start to get crowded?

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Solar Storm Satellite Heads for Gravitational Sweet Spot

Moon Express Continues Lander Flight Tests

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Moon Express has successfully tested acommercial lunar lander in flights at the Kennedy Space Center. MoonEx says it will continue flight tests using the newest version of its lunar lander test vehicle later this month.

The "MTV-1A" vehicle is an advanced version of the MTV-1X lander test vehicle that successfully completed a series of initial flights in December, earning the company a $1 million award from the Google Lunar XPRIZE. The MTV-1A vehicle utilizes flight software and a number of flight hardware components that will further demonstrate core features of the vehicle's innovative propulsion and avionics systems, paving the way for the company's goal of developing the world's first private spacecraft capable of landing on the Moon. The tests are being conducted at the Kennedy Space Center "Moonscape" test range located at the north end of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF).

On December 15th, 2014, NASA announced Moon Express as the first commercial user of Kennedy's SLF for vehicle flight-testing, citing it as a cornerstone moment in the transformation of the center to becoming a multi-user spaceport. NASA posted an update on January 27th, congratulating Moon Express for the successful initial flight tests.

The Moon Express team shared facilities and coordinated range operations with the NASA Morpheus lander test vehicle, built and operated by the NASA Johnson Space Center, which also had a successful flight test series. Moon Express is one of NASA's three private sector partners competitively selected under its Lunar CATALYST program designed to spur commercial cargo transportation capabilities to the surface of the Moon.

"We congratulate Moon Express on the successful flight tests of their innovative lunar lander test vehicle," said Jason Adam, NASA's Moon Express Partner Manager under Lunar CATALYST. "Moon Express is the first private company to build and operate a lander test vehicle at the Kennedy Space Center, and we look forward to working with them as they develop new U.S. capabilities to land on the Moon."

Through an increasingly complex series of tests following vehicle integration, the Moon Express "MTV-1X" proved out its fundamental guidance, navigation, and control systems. Moon Express has published a highlights video of the initial flight test campaign. The successor MTV-1A lunar lander vehicle is currently being readied by Moon Express engineers at the Moon Express SLF hangar for the next series of flight tests.

"NASA has been a remarkably helpful and proactive partner supporting our goals," said Bob Richards, Moon Express co-founder and CEO. "The NASA Lunar CATALYST team is outstanding and our direct collaborations with Ames Research Center, Kennedy Space Center & Marshall Space Flight Center are providing us additional access to key resources that will help us reach the Moon."

Later this year Moon Express will expand its lunar lander development and test flight operations to Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 36 through an agreement with Space Florida, announced earlier this year. The company seeks to become the first private company to reach the Moon with an inaugural mission in late 2016. The company's first MX-1 lunar mission will carry a number of scientific instruments and other payloads to the Moon, attempt to win the $30M Google Lunar XPRIZE, and be followed by an ongoing series of robotic missions supporting commercial and government customers and in search of valuable resources.

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Moon Express Continues Lander Flight Tests

NASA honors Amelia shipyard for work on barge

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NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen (right) views the controls of the Pegasus barge Thursday at Conrad Shipyard in Amelia. The company is modifying the barge to hold hardware and parts for the Space Launch System, NASA's new heavy-lift rocket that will carry future explorers to deep space.

Conrad Industries Shipyard in Amelia was recognized today for its work on one of NASA's barges.

The shipyard has been refurbishing the Pegasus, a barge that used to transport external space shuttle tanks from New Orleans to Florida, since September 2014.

NASA awarded the company the Space Flight Awareness of Excellence Award.

Steve Doering, director of center operations for Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., said he was thankful for the work the shipyard has put into this project.

A lot of what people think NASA does is rocket science, Doering said.

While that's true, the space program requires lots of other skills too.

The barge was lengthened from 260 feet to 310 feet to hold hardware and parts for the Space Launch System, NASA's new heavy-lift rocket that will carry future explorers to deep space. Doering said this made the barge 500,000 pounds heavier, requiring significant reinforcements.

The shipyard will complete the barge in summer 2015.

Steven G. Bowen, NASA astronaut, made the trip to the shipyard Thursday to express his appreciation.

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NASA honors Amelia shipyard for work on barge

Moon Express Continues Lander Flight Tests Under NASA Lunar CATALYST Program

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Moon Express, Inc. (MoonEx) has announced that it will continue flight tests at Kennedy Space Center using the newest version of its lunar lander test vehicle later this month. The MTV-1A vehicle is an advanced version of the MTV-1X lander test vehicle that successfully completed a series of initial flights in December, earning the company a$1M awardfrom the Google Lunar XPRIZE. The MTV-1A vehicle utilizes flight software and a number of flight hardware components that will further demonstrate core features of the vehicles innovative propulsion and avionics systems, paving the way for the companys goal of developing the worlds first private spacecraft capable of landing on the Moon. The tests are being conducted at the Kennedy Space Center Moonscape test range located at the north end of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF).

Moon Express MTV-1X during a tethered flight test at NASA KSC in December 2014. The rocket system is fueled by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) so its exhaust is invisible super heated steam. (Image: Moon Express)

On December 15th, 2014, NASAannouncedMoon Express as the first commercial user of Kennedys SLF for vehicle flight-testing, citing it as a cornerstone moment in the transformation of the center to becoming a multi-user spaceport. NASA posted anupdateon January 27th, congratulating Moon Express for the successful initial flight tests.

The Moon Express team shared facilities and coordinated range operations with theNASA Morpheuslander test vehicle, built and operated by the NASA Johnson Space Center, which also had a successful flight test series. Moon Express is one of NASA's three private sector partners competitively selected under its Lunar CATALYST program designed to spur commercial cargo transportation capabilities to the surface of the Moon.

"We congratulate Moon Express on the successful flight tests of their innovative lunar lander test vehicle," said Jason Adam, NASAs Moon Express Partner Manager under Lunar CATALYST. "Moon Express is the first private company to build and operate a lander test vehicle at the Kennedy Space Center, and we look forward to working with them as they develop new U.S. capabilities to land on the Moon."

Through an increasingly complex series of tests following vehicle integration, the Moon Express "MTV-1X" proved out its fundamental guidance, navigation, and control systems. Moon Express has published ahighlights videoof the initial flight test campaign. The successor MTV-1A lunar lander vehicle is currently being readied by Moon Express engineers at the Moon Express SLF hangar for the next series of flight tests.

"NASA has been a remarkably helpful and proactive partner supporting our goals," said Bob Richards, Moon Express co-founder and CEO. "The NASA Lunar CATALYST team is outstanding and our direct collaborations with Ames Research Center, Kennedy Space Center & Marshall Space Flight Center are providing us additional access to key resources that will help us reach the Moon."

Infrared (IR) image of the Moon Express MTV-1X lander test vehicle during hot fire test at the Kennedy Space Center. (Image courtesy: NASA)

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Moon Express Continues Lander Flight Tests Under NASA Lunar CATALYST Program

QinetiQ technology on board first European space taxi

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QinetiQ technology will be responsible for guiding the European Space Agencys IXV space taxi safely back to earth on its maiden test flight, due for launch on 11 February 2015.

QinetiQs space division has supplied the onboard computer, core of the flight control system with a reliability rate of 99.997 per cent, which will ensure IXVs fully automated return to Earth. This powerful computer supplies the spacecraft with the intelligence necessary for a safe return flight, calculating the optimum angle for re-entering the atmosphere and making a controlled landing possible.

Koen Puimge, business development manager for QinetiQs space division, said: We were selected thanks to our strong track record of pioneering roles in the development of similar systems. This project is an exciting opportunity to transfer our existing expertise in onboard computers for high-reliable autonomous satellites into the domain of high-reliable autonomous re-entry vehicles. Its a fascinating emerging market that challenges todays technology. The delivery of this contract further strengthens our position as a global supplier of important control systems for critical space applications.

The IXV space taxi is the first European initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA) to build a smaller alternative to the American Space Shuttle. The smaller format means lower costs linked to its construction and launch, while the controlled return to Earth, enabled by QinetiQs powerful and reliable system, means the spacecraft can be re-used. IXV could be a suitable alternative to expensive space missions in the future, transporting cargo as well as astronauts into space and back again more economically. Possible future uses include increasing the lifespan of existing satellites, monitoring the Earth, testing new technologies and performing fundamental research in space.

The spacecraft is scheduled for launch from Kourou in French Guiana on 11 February and demonstrate its new technologies before parachuting into the sea, where it will float until a boat picks it up. In a follow-on programme the craft will land on an airfield landing strip. QinetiQ has been commissioned for the ESA project by the Italian aerospace company Thales Alenia Space and Alenia-Aermacchi.

You can download pictureshereandhere, additional informationhere.

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QinetiQ technology on board first European space taxi

Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Program Adds 13 Educators in India

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Since its inception in 2002, the Space Foundation's elite Teacher Liaison program has expanded worldwide, and with the addition of 34 educators for 2015, including 13 from India, has grown to 20 international representatives and 150 active participants.

The 34 new Teacher Liaisons will serve as advocates for space-themed education, and will use Space Foundation-provided training and resources to further integrate space principles into the classroom.

Each January, Teacher Liaison applications are reviewed by a panel of experienced Teacher Liaisons and representatives from the space industry and the military. A criterion for selection is active promotion of space and science education.

The program helps teachers with a passion for space education to connect with other like-minded educators around the globe to share ideas for bringing space themes into the classroom. Teacher Liaisons may be public, private and homeschool teachers, or school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers, or others who deliver education to students.

The new 2015 Teacher Liaisons are:

Maharashtra, IndiaJoyeeta Adhikari, Vidya Valley School, Pune Rajeshwari Bindra Vidya Valley School, Pune Jyoti Bodhe, DES Secondary School, Pune Sneha Devarhubli, Vidya Valley School, Pune Anindita Ghosh, Vidya Valley School, Pune Swaroop Gokhale, Vidya Valley School, Pune Nidhi Jain, Dolphins International School, Pune Liesle Megan, Vidya Valley School, Pune Reshma Shaikh, Vidya Valley School, Pune Pallavi Sharma, Vidya Valley School, Pune Nilima Shett, Vidya Valley School, Pune Reshmi Sinha, Global Indian International School, Chinchwad, Pune Pallavi Surana, Vidya Valley School, Pune

USA Alaska T. Jerome Baxter, Pearl Creek Elementary, Fairbanks

Arizona Rebekah Kienenberger, Arete Preparatory Academy, Gold Canyon

Colorado Jennie Anderson, Rocky Mountain Classical Academy, Colorado Springs Mary Gordan, Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen, Evergreen Nicole McWright, STEM Launch, Thorton Debbie Penny, Skyview Middle School, Colorado Springs Heidi Ragsdale, West Middle School, Grand Junction Sandi Smith, STAR Academy, Colorado Springs

Connecticut Christina Messner, Hamden Public Schools, North Haven

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Space Foundation Teacher Liaison Program Adds 13 Educators in India


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