SpaceX cargo ship blasts off to International Space Station in NASA's first commercial flight

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This story originally appeared on CNET.com

(CNET) KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - Three days after a last-second launch abort, an unmanned cargo ship designed and built as a private venture blasted off early Tuesday and streaked into orbit, kicking off a complex test flight to pave the way for commercial resupply missions to the International Space Station.

With a replacement valve installed in the engine that derailed a launch try Saturday, all nine of the booster's first stage powerplants roared to life on time at 3:44:38 a.m. EDT, throttling up to full thrust with a rush of fiery exhaust.

An instant later, after lightning-fast computer checks to verify the performance of the SpaceX-designed Merlin engines, the rocket was released from its firing stand and quickly climbed away from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

To reach the International Space Station, the Falcon 9 and the solar-powered Dragon cargo ship had to take off at roughly the moment Earth's rotation carried the launch pad into the plane of the space station's orbit. Any hiccups in the countdown would have triggered another frustrating three-day launch delay for a flight already running months behind schedule.

But as it turned out, the company did not need an extended window. There were no technical problems of any significance the second time around, the weather cooperated and a few minutes after the space station passed over the launch site, the 157-foot-tall rocket took off on a northeasterly trajectory and set off after its quarry.

"Every bit of adrenalin in my body released at that point," said SpaceX founder Elon Musk. "It's obviously an extremely intense moment. The main thing I was wondering was would we have a valve-related issue on launch, would the first stage perform nominally? But it worked perfectly. I was really glad to see that."

The first stage engines burned for three minutes, shutting down in sequence as their propellants were exhausted. The first stage then fell away and the single Merlin engine powering the rocket's second stage ignited to continue the push to orbit.

Live video from cameras mounted on the Falcon 9 showed the launch site falling away from the rapidly accelerating rocket and later, the nozzle of the second stage engine, glowing red with the heat of combustion.

The second stage engine shut down as planned 9 minutes and 14 seconds after liftoff. About 35 seconds later, the Dragon capsule separated from the second stage, visible in a forward-pointing camera as it floated away into space.

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SpaceX cargo ship blasts off to International Space Station in NASA's first commercial flight

First commercial flight to space station launched

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The Irish Times - Wednesday, May 23, 2012

AN UNMANNED rocket owned by privately held Space Exploration Technologies blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station yesterday for a mission designed to be the first commercial flight to the International Space Station.

The 54m tall Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 3.44am from a refurbished launch pad just south of where Nasa launched its now-retired space shuttles. Less than 10 minutes later, the rocket delivered its cargo a Dragon capsule with 544kg of supplies for the station crew into orbit.

Feels like a giant weight just came off my back, company founder and chief executive Elon Musk posted on Twitter after Dragon deployed its solar panels, the first of several key milestones that must be met before the spacecraft is cleared to dock at the station.

Every launch into space is a thrilling event, but this one is especially exciting because it represents the potential of a new era in American spaceflight, John Holdren, President Barack Obamas chief science adviser, said in a statement.

Nasa is counting on companies like Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, to take over the task of flying cargo and eventually astronauts to the $100 billion space station, which orbits about 390km above Earth.

Currently, Nasa is dependent on Russia to fly crew to the station, at a cost of more than $60 million per person. Russia, Europe and Japan also fly cargo to the station. If its test flight is successful, SpaceX would become the first private company to reach the space station, a microgravity research complex for biological, materials, fluid physics and other science experiments and technology demonstrations.

SpaceX and a second company, Orbital Sciences Corp, already hold contracts worth a combined $3.5 billion to fly cargo to the station. SpaceX also is among four firms vying to build space taxis to fly astronauts, tourists and non-Nasa researchers.

Separately, Nasa contributed nearly $400 million to SpaceXs $1.2 billion commercial space programme, which includes development and up to three test flights of Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon capsules. An analysis by the US government accountability office shows that a similar programme under traditional Nasa procurement would have cost four to 10 times as much, said Nasas Alan Lindenmoyer, who manages the agencys commercial spaceflight initiatives.

Yesterdays launch followed a last-second cutoff of Falcons planned liftoff on Saturday.

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First commercial flight to space station launched

Boston Red Sox rally for 8-6 win over Baltimore Orioles

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BALTIMORE The last time the Baltimore Orioles met the Boston Red Sox, they played baseballs version of the Boston Marathon a 17-inning contest at Fenway Park that completed Baltimores first sweep of Boston since 1994. And the last time Boston came to Camden Yards in September, they left with their season shattered, sent prematurely into an offseason of upheaval.

Its pretty clear that the Orioles have had the Red Soxs number of late, beating Boston in seven of their past eight. But these Red Sox arrived at Oriole Park on Monday surging, winners of eight of their past 10 games as they try to work their way out of the early-season American League East cellar.

While the key to the Orioles drive into first place in the division has been their quality pitching, Mondays series opener was far from the teams most polished pitching performance, one that ended with an 8-6 loss in front of an announced crowd of 16,392.

Starter Tommy Hunter struggled and the Orioles bullpen yielded three runs as Baltimore blew a three-run lead heading into the seventh. Baltimore allowed one run on the untimeliest of balks and another that was set up by a wild pitch.

Theres a lot more that went into that game than that, Baltimore Manager Buck Showalter said. We had some great opportunities. We had the go-ahead run at the plate. We made them get everybody up in their bullpen tonight and we only had to get two up, so hopefully we can get our sea legs back under us if theyre not.

Suddenly-dominating displaced closer Kevin Gregg who came into the night with a 91/ 3-inning scoreless streak over his last seven outings, lowering his ERA from 12.27 to 3.46 in that span allowed two runs in the seventh in a tied game.

With a Tampa Bay loss to Toronto, the Orioles (27-16) clung to their two-game lead on the second-place Rays atop the AL East.

With the score tied at 5 in the seventh, the Red Sox chipped away at Gregg. Mike Aviles hit a one-out single to left, following by a Dustin Pedroia double down the right-field line.

The Orioles then took a chance by intentionally walking David Ortiz who one inning earlier hit his second career homer onto Eutaw Street an estimated 442 feet with first base open, hoping to get an inning-ending double play ball.

But Adrian Gonzalezs sacrifice fly to left scored one run, and Will Middlebrookss single up the middle scored another to give the Red Sox a 7-5 lead.

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Boston Red Sox rally for 8-6 win over Baltimore Orioles

Natasha Poly Turns Heads in Green Gucci Gown

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Russian fashion model Natasha Poly attended Madagascar 3: Europes Most Wanted red carpet premiere during 2012 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. 26-year-old sizzling diva put her sexy long legs on display in Gucci gown and looked delicious.

The starlet was looking absolutely stunning wearing shiny green leopard-print wrap gown with thigh-high slit, plunging neckline and long sleeves from Gucci Fall 2012 collection.

The gown was so elegant with a touch of drama & sexiness and Natasha pulled off the gown quite nicely. She paired it with fancy gold sandals.

Stunning diva, Natasha Poly opted for emerald earrings and a statement ring. She rocked dark eyeliner and red nail polish.

Natasha Poly completed her look with sleek ponytail. In short, Natasha Polys 2012 Cannes look was attention-grabbing.

So, what are your thoughts about Natasha Polys red carpet gown? Hot or Not?

Share your views with FashionFame.com in comment box below and also dont forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more latest celebrity news and red carpet fashion updates.

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Natasha Poly Turns Heads in Green Gucci Gown

NASA | TDRS: Heart of Communication – Video

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21-05-2012 09:21 The most recent evaluations of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project confirmed all systems go for TDRS-K, a third generation upgrade of the orbiting communications network. TDRS-K is scheduled for launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida during the 2012 holiday season. The launch of TDRS-K will begin the replenishment of the fleet through the development and deployment of the next generation spacecraft. These satellites will ensure NASA's Space Network continues to provide around-the-clock, high throughput communications services to NASA's missions and serving the scientific community and human spaceflight program for years to come. This video is public domain and can be downloaded at: Like our videos? Subscribe to NASA's Goddard Shorts HD podcast: Or find NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on Facebook: Or find us on Twitter:

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NASA's Bold 'Plan X' Changed Spaceflight History

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On May 21, 1965, NASA released the Gemini 4 press kit. It opened with the standard mission description, in this case for a four-day orbital flight that would send commander Jim McDivitt and pilot Ed White around the Earth 62 times to evaluate "the effects of extended spaceflight on crew performance and physical condition."

Then there was an intriguing page that hinted at something bigger: "No decision has been made whether in the Gemini 4 mission the crew will engage in extravehicular activity... A decision to undertake the extravehicular test can be made as late as the day before the launch." The possibility of an EVA on Gemini 4 came as a surprise not only the American people that day, but to many within NASA as well.

PHOTOS: The Gemini Missions: Paving the Path for Apollo

EVAs, colloquially known as spacewalks, were one of the three main program goals for NASA's Gemini program designed to support the Apollo program. If NASA was going to send men all the way to the moon, there was no point in having them sit inside and look out the window. They were going outside.

The original Gemini program plan called for a tight schedule with launches every eight to ten weeks. Every mission would add something new to NASA's repertoire with EVAs expected sometime after Gemini 6; Gemini 4 was designed for a week long endurance test using new fuel cells instead of batteries around June of 1965.

But mid-way through 1964 that schedule was starting to slip. The fuel cells weren't going to be ready for Gemini 4. The US Air Force Agena target vehicle destined for orbital rendezvous practice was also too far from flight ready to be counted on for Gemini 4.

With the mission plan in tatters, Robert Gilruth, the director of the Manned Spaceflight Center, proposed that Gemini 4 be reconfigured into the first EVA flight. It was a bold plan, moving the EVA goal forward by two flights. But if all the hardware could be certified and the crew trained in time, why not?

The new mission was already percolating when White and McDivitt were announced as the crew on July 24, 1964. The astronauts were two among the very select group of people who knew about the EVA goal for their flight. As pilot, White would be the one stepping out.

ANALYSIS: The Case of the Contraband Corned Beef Sandwich

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NASA's Bold 'Plan X' Changed Spaceflight History

NASA hails SpaceX launch as 'a new era' for spaceflight

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In a pivotal moment for private spaceflight, a towering white rocket lifted a cone-shaped capsule into space early Tuesday on a mission to the International Space Station.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carried the unmanned Dragon capsule into space after a 3:44 a.m. EDT launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., marking the first time a private company has sent a spacecraft to the space station.

The mission is considered the first test of NASA's plan to outsource space missions to privately funded companies now that its fleet of space shuttles is retired. SpaceX aims to prove to NASA that its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule are ready to take on the task of hauling cargo -- and eventually astronauts -- for the space agency.

INTERACTIVE: SpaceX's demonstration mission

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in exploration; a private company has launched a spacecraft to the International Space Station that will attempt to dock there for the first time," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in a speech at the cape. "And while there is a lot of work ahead to successfully complete this mission, we are certainly off to good start."

In a separate news conference, Elon Musk,SpaceX's 40-year-old billionaire founder and chief executive, spoke at company headquarters in Hawthorne. It was there that SpaceX employees had gathered, watched and cheered as the Falcon 9 climbed toward the heavens.

"There's so much hope riding on that rocket," he said. "When it worked ... and they saw their handiwork in space and operating as it should, there was tremendous elation. For us, it's like winning the Super Bowl."

But the launch is just the beginning, and the toughest tasks in the mission lie ahead.

The Dragon capsule will rendezvous with the space station as it circles the Earth at about 17,000 mph. Once the Dragon catches up to the station, it must complete a series of complicated tests to determine if it is ready to dock.

If all goes well, the crew aboard the station will snag the spacecraft with a robotic arm and lead it in. SpaceX hopes to dock the Dragon, which is designed to carry up to seven astronauts, as early as Friday.

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NASA hails SpaceX launch as 'a new era' for spaceflight

NASA's NuSTAR gearing up for launch

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ScienceDaily (May 22, 2012) Final pre-launch preparations are underway for NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR. The mission, which will use X-ray vision to hunt for hidden black holes, is scheduled to launch no earlier than June 13 from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The observatory will launch from the belly of Orbital Sciences Corporation's L-1011 "Stargazer" aircraft aboard the company's Pegasus rocket.

Technicians at Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California are busy installing the rocket's fairing, or nose cone, around the observatory. A flight computer software evaluation is also nearing completion and should be finished before the Flight Readiness Review, which is scheduled for June 1. A successful launch simulation of the Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL rocket was conducted last week.

The mission plan is for NuSTAR and its rocket to be attached to the Stargazer plane on June 2. The aircraft will depart California on June 5 and arrive at the Kwajalein launch site on June 6. The launch of NuSTAR from the plane is targeted for 8:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT) on June 13.

NuSTAR is a Small Explorer mission led by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also in Pasadena, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The spacecraft was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, Va. Its instrument was built by a consortium including Caltech; JPL; the University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University, New York; NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.; the Danish Technical University in Denmark; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.; and ATK Aerospace Systems, Goleta, Calif. NuSTAR will be operated by UC Berkeley, with the Italian Space Agency providing its equatorial ground station located at Malindi, Kenya. The mission's outreach program is based at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, Calif. NASA's Explorer Program is managed by Goddard. JPL is managed by Caltech for NASA.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/nustar .

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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NASA's NuSTAR gearing up for launch

NASA Goddard delivers magnetometers for NASA's next mission to Mars

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ScienceDaily (May 22, 2012) Magnetometers built by scientists and engineers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. for NASA's Mars Atmosphere And Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission have been delivered to the University of California at Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory for integration into the Particles and Field Package.

"The team worked hard and completed delivery of the magnetometers on schedule," said Jack Connerney, Magnetometer Instrument Lead from NASA Goddard. "We are looking forward to launch, orbit insertion and seeing the data come back."

The pair of flux gate magnetometers measures the magnetic field at the location of the spacecraft. As part of the Particles and Fields Package, the magnetometer sensors are positioned at the outermost ends of the solar panels to keep them as far away as possible from stray magnetic fields generated by the spacecraft. Since the motion of escaping charged particles is governed by the magnetic field, this measurement is important in understanding how the solar wind interacts with the planet's atmosphere and causes loss to space.

"The geometry of the magnetic field determines where particles go to and where they come from," said Connerney."If we want to understand particle motion, we need to visualize how the magnetic field behaves throughout the Mars environment."

Scheduled for launch in late 2013, MAVEN will be the first mission devoted to understanding the martian upper atmosphere. The goal of MAVEN is to determine the history of the loss of atmospheric gases to space through time, providing answers about Mars climate evolution. By measuring the current rate of escape to space and gathering enough information about the relevant processes, scientists will be able to infer how the planet's atmosphere evolved in time.

The instrument is powered on during the spacecraft cruise to Mars. Once powered, it has a heart that beats once per second. Every second, the instrument sends a packet of data to the Particles and Fields Package. Each packet includes 32 vector samples of the magnetic field. The Particles and Fields Package accepts the data and passes it on to the spacecraft. The magnetic field vectors are also made available to the other instruments onboard the spacecraft in real time.

MAVEN's magnetometers were designed by a Goddard team that has a long and varied history with building magnetometers for space research. They have provided instruments for many previous and upcoming planetary and heliophysics missions.

The MAVEN spacecraft will carry three instrument suites. The Particles and Fields Package, built by the University of California at Berkeley with support from University of Colorado at Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (CU/LASP) and NASA Goddard, contains six instruments that will characterize the solar wind and the ionosphere of the planet. The Remote Sensing Package, built by CU/LASP, will determine global characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer, provided by NASA Goddard, will measure the composition and isotopes of neutral ions.

"The magnetometer is the first of the science instruments to be completed and delivered," said Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN Principal Investigator from CU/LASP. "It's really exciting to see the payload now starting to come together. This is an important milestone in our path toward getting to Mars and using our measurements to answer questions about the history of the martian atmosphere."

NASA Goddard manages the project and is building two of the science instruments for the mission. In addition to the principal investigator coming from CU/LASP, the university provides science operations, is building science instruments, and leads education/public outreach. Lockheed Martin of Littleton, Colo., is building the spacecraft and is responsible for mission operations. The University of California at Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory is building science instruments for the mission. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., provides navigation support, the Deep Space Network, and the Electra telecommunications relay hardware and operations.

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NASA Goddard delivers magnetometers for NASA's next mission to Mars

NASA Getting NuSTAR Ready For Her Big Day

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May 23, 2012

Image Caption: Artist's concept showing NASA's NuSTAR mission orbiting Earth. NuSTAR will hunt for hidden black holes and other exotic cosmic objects. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Final pre-launch preparations are underway for NASAs Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR. The mission, which will use X-ray vision to hunt for hidden black holes, is scheduled to launch no earlier than June 13 from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The observatory will launch from the belly of Orbital Sciences Corporations L-1011 Stargazer aircraft aboard the companys Pegasus rocket.

Technicians at Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California are busy installing the rockets fairing, or nose cone, around the observatory. A flight computer software evaluation is also nearing completion and should be finished before the Flight Readiness Review, which is scheduled for June 1. A successful launch simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket was conducted last week.

The mission plan is for NuSTAR and its rocket to be attached to the Stargazer plane on June 2. The aircraft will depart California on June 5 and arrive at the Kwajalein launch site on June 6. The launch of NuSTAR from the plane is targeted for 8:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT) on June 13.

NuSTAR is a Small Explorer mission led by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and managed by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also in Pasadena, for NASAs Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The spacecraft was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, Va. Its instrument was built by a consortium including Caltech; JPL; the University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University, New York; NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.; the Danish Technical University in Denmark; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.; and ATK Aerospace Systems, Goleta, Calif. NuSTAR will be operated by UC Berkeley, with the Italian Space Agency providing its equatorial ground station located at Malindi, Kenya. The missions outreach program is based at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, Calif. NASAs Explorer Program is managed by Goddard. JPL is managed by Caltech for NASA.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/nustar .

Source: NASA/JPL

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NASA Getting NuSTAR Ready For Her Big Day

NASA updates its iPhone, iPod app

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NASA app for iPhones and iPods. Credit: NASA

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- NASA says is has updated it mobile app offering photos and videos to iPhone and the iPod Touch users, with new features and a redesigned interface.

The NASA app, available right now on Apple's App Store, will improve the way people explore and experience NASA content on their smartphone or iPod, the agency said.

The updated app offers information and links to all NASA visitor centers and a section about NASA programs, Slashgear.com reported. It provides integrated weather forecasts in the spacecraft sighting opportunity section for users who like to try to spot NASA spacecraft orbiting Earth.

An estimated 4.7 million people have downloaded the app, NASA said.

The new version 2.0 requires 1OS 5.0 or higher to operate, the space agency said.

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NASA updates its iPhone, iPod app

Andrew Grush

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Nanotechnology was once the stuff of sci-fi stories and nothing more. Fast-forwarding to 2012 though? Nanotechnology is very real and researchers across the globe are attempting to find new ways to utilize it to its fullest potential.

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Andrew Grush

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Announces Successful Installation of Initial Projects with Major U.S. Manufacturers

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NAPLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology based energy saving and sustainable solutions announced today that they have recently completed initial installations of the Companys Nansulate thermal insulation and protective coatings with several major U.S. manufacturers in the paper and textile industries for insulation, surface protection and personnel protection.

Saving energy is now becoming a more immediate priority for U.S. manufacturers, stated Francesca Crolley, V.P. Business Development for Industrial Nanotech, Inc. While many of our previous larger projects have been overseas due to the culture of sustainability and regulatory mandates for energy savings, we are now seeing a significant increase in the focus on sustainability by U.S. companies and these initial projects are expected to expand into company wide initiatives in the very near future. Companies we have been working with in the U.S., including the most recent installations in textile facilities and a paper mill are now at a point where these types of energy saving projects are moving forward.

Crolley continues, For over eight years, Nansulate has provided significant energy savings and protective benefits for a number of industries, including global textile manufacturer Coats plc, who projected saving more than 10% in energy costs and 2% in carbon emissions throughout their plants in addition to lowering the dye house internal temperatures for improved worker safety. Henateks, a textile manufacturer for major sports apparel companies, charted an average of 20% reduction of energy consumption and reduced their liquid natural gas consumption in the first two years by over 1 million cubic meters per year. Nansulate coatings have also provided solutions at paper mills in countries such as India, and were a topic of a presentation at last years PaperTech Expo. Our coatings for building insulation are also just as popular for energy savings, reducing the internal temperature of a critical data center for Mexicos Social Security and Health Administration (IMSS) by 27% to reduce heat related server shut down, and being implemented as a sustainable building solution in the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand.

Our experience is that energy saving projects are now more important than ever for US companies, concluded Ms. Crolley, and our patented coatings offer them the ability to implement a project at an affordable cost with short payback period, typically 6-18 months. We expect to see many more projects in the future with U.S. based manufacturers, in addition to being busier than ever with overseas projects as the world continues to seek innovative paths to sustainability.

About Nansulate

Nansulate is the Company's patented product line of award winning, specialty coatings containing a nanotechnology based material and which are well-documented to provide the combined performance qualities of thermal insulation, corrosion prevention, resistance to mold growth, fire resistance, chemical resistance and lead encapsulation in an environmentally safe, water-based, coating formulation. The Nansulate Product Line includes industrial, residential, agricultural and solar thermal insulation coatings. Additional information about the Company and its products can be found at their websites, (www.inanotk.com) and (www.nansulate.com). Blog: http://www.nansulate.com/nanoblog, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NanoPioneer, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Nansulate.

About Industrial Nanotech Inc.

Industrial Nanotech Inc. is a global nanoscience solutions and research leader and member of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Company develops and commercializes new and innovative applications for sustainable nanotechnology which are sold worldwide.

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Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Announces Successful Installation of Initial Projects with Major U.S. Manufacturers