NASA launches robotic explorer to moon from Virginia

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NASA's newest robotic explorer rocketed into space late Friday in an unprecedented moonshot from Virginia that dazzled sky watchers along the East Coast.

But the LADEE spacecraft quickly ran into equipment trouble, and while NASA assured everyone early Saturday that the lunar probe was safe and on a perfect track for the moon, officials acknowledged the problem needs to be resolved in the next two to three weeks.

S. Peter Worden, director of NASA's Ames Research Center in California, which developed the spacecraft, told reporters he's confident everything will be working properly in the next few days.

LADEE's reaction wheels were turned on to orient and stabilize the spacecraft, which was spinning too fast after it separated from the final rocket stage, Worden said. But the computer automatically shut the wheels down, apparently because of excess current. He speculated the wheels may have been running a little fast.

Worden stressed there is no rush to "get these bugs ironed out."

The LADEE spacecraft, which is charged with studying the lunar atmosphere and dust, soared aboard an unmanned Minotaur rocket a little before midnight from Virginia's Eastern Shore.

"Godspeed on your journey to the moon, LADEE," Launch Control said. Flight controllers applauded and exchanged high-fives following the successful launch. "We are headed to the moon!" NASA said in a tweet.

It was a change of venue for NASA, which normally launches moon missions from Cape Canaveral, Fla. But it provided a rare light show along the East Coast for those blessed with clear skies.

NASA urged sky watchers to share their launch pictures through the website Flickr, and the photos and sighting reports quickly poured in from New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New Jersey, Rhode Island, eastern Pennsylvania and Virginia, among other places.

The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer or LADEE, pronounced "LA'-dee," is taking a roundabout path to the moon, making three huge laps around Earth before getting close enough to pop into lunar orbit.

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NASA launches robotic explorer to moon from Virginia

NASA lunar probe hits snafu, but still on track to moon

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The NASA LADEE spacecraft was spinning too fast after Friday night's launch. But NASA says it has two or three weeks to fix the problem before the craft reaches the moon.

NASA's newest robotic explorer rocketed into space late Friday in an unprecedented moonshot from Virginia that dazzled sky watchers along the East Coast of the U.S.

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But the LADEE spacecraft quickly ran into equipment trouble, and while NASA assured everyone early Saturday that the lunar probe was safe and on a perfect track for the moon, officials acknowledged the problem needs to be resolved in the next two to three weeks.

S. Peter Worden, director of NASA's Ames Research Center in California, which developed the spacecraft, told reporters he's confident everything will be working properly in the next few days.

LADEE's reaction wheels were turned on to orient and stabilize the spacecraft, which was spinning too fast after it separated from the final rocket stage, Worden said. But the computer automatically shut the wheels down, apparently because of excess current. He speculated the wheels may have been running a little fast.

Worden stressed there is no rush to "get these bugs ironed out."

The LADEE spacecraft, which is charged with studying the lunar atmosphere and dust, soared aboard an unmanned Minotaur rocket a little before midnight.

"Godspeed on your journey to the moon, LADEE," Launch Control said. Flight controllers applauded and exchanged high-fives following the successful launch. "We are headed to the moon!" NASA said in a tweet.

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NASA lunar probe hits snafu, but still on track to moon

1988 – Commercial – Liberty Mutual Payroll Deduction – Liberty for all! – Video

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1988 - Commercial - Liberty Mutual Payroll Deduction - Liberty for all!
Brought to you by http://www.videoarcheology.com Follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/videoarcheology Do you have a favorite memory pertaining to this v...

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1988 - Commercial - Liberty Mutual Payroll Deduction - Liberty for all! - Video

Liberty Leopards bounce back for Cylar’s first win

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By Steve ruman

sports @vindy.com

LIBERTY

Niles vs Liberty

It is often suggested that high school football teams show their biggest improvements between Weeks 1 and 2.

Liberty coach Kevin Cylar admits that perhaps it was the Leopards coaching staff which needed to step up Friday in a non-conference showdown with Niles.

Last week our kids, they came to play and they put everything out there, Cylar said. We (coaches) needed to step up our game.

Last week, it was just stupidity on our part. As coaches, we learned our lesson.

Cylar was referring to the lack of carries freshman Lynn Bowden received in the Leopards Week 1 loss to Salem. On Friday, Bowden got 23 touches, gained 132 yards, caught a 26-yard pass for a touchdown and had a 75-yard kickoff return.

Bowdens heroics, combined with an outstanding all-around effort by Asim Pleas resulted in a Liberty 42-33 home win over the Red Dragons (1-1).

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Liberty Leopards bounce back for Cylar’s first win

Lindsey Graham: I respect the Libertarian wing of the GOP but Fortress American won’t work – Video

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Lindsey Graham: I respect the Libertarian wing of the GOP but Fortress American won #39;t work
In front of the WH today, Lindsey Graham said that he respect the Libertarian wing of the GOP - *cough* Rand Paul *cough*. But he said a Fortress America att...

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Lindsey Graham: I respect the Libertarian wing of the GOP but Fortress American won't work - Video

Discover Greece Greek Islands Vol 2 SANTORINI FOLEGANDROS AMORGOS IOS KOUFONISIA – Video

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Discover Greece Greek Islands Vol 2 SANTORINI FOLEGANDROS AMORGOS IOS KOUFONISIA
WE WELCOME YOU TO GREECE!!! THE LAND OF GODS AND BEAUTY!!! In this video-documentary you will have the chance to discover Santorini,Folegandros,Ios,Koufonisi...

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Discover Greece Greek Islands Vol 2 SANTORINI FOLEGANDROS AMORGOS IOS KOUFONISIA - Video