1- Back to the Moon and Beyond - September 12, 2009

- Back to the Moon and Beyond -
NASA Ares I First Stage Motor Gets First Test Firing
Post date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
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NASA is already at work developing hardware and systems for the Ares I rocket that will send future astronauts into orbit. Built on cutting-edge launch technologies, evolved powerful Apollo and space shuttle propulsion elements, and decades of NASA spaceflight experience, Ares I is the essential core of a safe, reliable, cost-effective space transportation system -- one that will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system.
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Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket configuration topped by the Orion crew vehicle and its launch abort system. In addition to the vehicle's primary mission -- carrying crews of four to six astronauts to Earth orbit -- Ares I may also use its 25-ton payload capacity to deliver resources and supplies to the International Space Station, or to "park" payloads in orbit for retrieval by other spacecraft bound for the moon or other destinations.
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During launch, the first-stage booster powers the vehicle toward low Earth orbit. In mid-flight, the reusable booster separates and the upper stage's J-2X engine ignites, putting the vehicle into a circular orbit.
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Crew transportation to the International Space Station is planned to begin no later than 2014. The first lunar excursion is scheduled for the 2020 timeframe.
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Ares I First Stage
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The Ares I first stage is a single, five-segment reusable solid rocket booster derived from the Space Shuttle Program's reusable solid rocket motor, which burns a specially formulated and shaped solid propellant.
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A newly designed forward adapter will mate the vehicle's first stage to the upper stage, and will be equipped with booster separation motors to disconnect the stages during ascent.
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Ares I Upper Stage / Upper Stage Engine
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The J-2X is an evolved variation of two historic predecessors: the powerful J-2 engine that propelled the Apollo-era Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, and the J-2S, a simplified version of the J-2 developed and tested in the early 1970s but never flown.
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On July 20, 2009, NASA and ATK unveiled the completed Ares I first stage five-segment solid rocket booster in Promontory, Utah. The completed solid rocket booster was installed horizontally in a test stand that was modified from the Space Shuttle's four-segment configuration to fit the new five-segment Ares I booster. The first major ground test of the NASA Constellation program was originally set for August 27th but was postponed until September 10th... which turned out to be a HUGE success. Watch the video below...

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Above info/photo from the NASA.gov website
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Ares Development Motor 1 Test

September 10th...

About this video: NASA and industry partners lit up the Utah sky on September 10, 2009, with the initial full scale, full-duration test firing of the first motor for the Ares I rocket. ATK Space Systems conducted the successful stationary firing of the five-segment solid development motor 1, or DM-1. ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, is the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage. Engineers will use the measurements gathered from the test to evaluate thrust, roll control, acoustics and motor vibrations. This data will provide valuable information as NASA develops the Ares I and Ares V vehicles. Another ground test is planned for summer 2010.
Above video posted on YouTube by NASAtelevision.
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AubreyJ.........

Photo for the Day - September 12, 2009

* Photo for the Day * About above image: Space Shuttle Discovery makes a picture perfect landing at 8:53pm EDT Friday, September 11, 2009 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Image credit: NASA/Tom Tschida
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WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!
Congratulations on having such a VERY Successful Mission.
AubreyJ..........
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In case you missed the landing last night...
You’re in luck... Click it out below...

This video posted on YouTube by NASAtelevision

DoD Identifies Marine, Army Casualties

No. 704-09 September 11, 2009
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Fowlkes, 20, of Gaffney, S.C., died September 10th from wounds sustained September 3rd while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the II MEF public affairs office at 910-451-7200.


No. 705-09 September 11, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Lt. Tyler E. Parten, 24, of Arkansas, died September 10th in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at (719) 526-7525; after hours (719) 526-5500.

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

8- Discovery Planned for a Thursday Evening Landing

Note: This post moved on top this evening from its original post date - Scroll below for latest updates on this post - Scroll below this post for latest news postings

(Note: THEY'RE COMING HOME TONIGHT -Friday's updates below...)

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Discovery 1st Landing Attempt planned for...
7:05pm EDT Thursday evening
Post Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2009
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File photo by NASA TV
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Discovery Crew Prepares for Thursday Landing
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As they wind down their mission, Space Shuttle Discovery’s crew members will focus on landing preparations today. Landing opportunities begin Thursday with a first possible touchdown about 7:00pm EDT at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The crew will spend the day preparing the vehicle for re-entry and ensuring its systems are operational for landing. Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford will perform a checkout of the flight control systems. Later they are expected to conduct a hot fire test of the Reaction Control System..

Meanwhile, mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang will pack and stow items throughout the cabin. They also will set up and install a recumbent seat that will be used by Mission Specialist Tim Kopra for entry and landing. He is returning to Earth after more than 50 days in space.
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Discovery Ready for Landing
Wednesday - 9:51pm EDT
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Space Shuttle Discovery underwent the Flight Control System checkout and Reaction Control System hotfire using all the primary jets. A piece of debris jarred loose from the shuttle during the checkout, though it was determined not to be a piece of the thermal protection system. Late inspection results cleared the Discovery's wing leading edge and nose cap and the shuttle is ready for landing.
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Thursday's landing opportunities begin with a planned deorbit burn at 5:59pm EDT and a daylight landing at 7:05pm. The next opportunity is one hour after sunset with the deorbit burn at 7:36pm EDT and a landing at 8:42pm EDT.
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POST UPDATE:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
12:08pm EDT
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Discovery Performs Orbital Adjustment Burn
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Space Shuttle Discovery performed an orbital adjustment burn at 12:02pm EDT to avoid an unidentified piece of debris. Although unclear, the object is believed to be from the mission's third spacewalk.
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STS-128 Crew Prepares for Landing
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The astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery are ready to wrap up a nearly 13-day flight with a landing this evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The first task for Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow was to make ready for an orbital adjustment engine firing to move Discovery out of the path of a piece of orbital debris. That burn of Discovery’s orbital maneuvering system engines was performed at 12:02pm. EDT. The maneuver will not alter the scheduled landing opportunities today.
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Mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Tim Kopra join Sturckow and Ford to begin deorbit preparations about 1:00pm. as they get themselves and their ship ready for the ride home.
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The deorbit burn for today’s first landing opportunity today, on orbit 202, is at 5:59pm. Discovery would cross above southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, skirt west of Cuba and cross the Florida coast above Sarasota, with landing at Kennedy’s Runway #15 at 7:05pm. A second landing opportunity at Kennedy today would put the shuttle and crew on the ground at 8:42pm. The weather forecast for both opportunities today calls for a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Crew to Begin Fluid Loading, Suiting Up
5:04pm EDT
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Mission control has given the crew a "go" to start fluid loading. It involves drinking large amounts of liquids and salt tablets to help readapt to gravity. The astronauts also are beginning to get into their launch/landing pressurized suits.
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Flight controllers continue to closely watch the weather, which is considered very dynamic. Currently, we are observed and forecast NO GO for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility tonight.
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Because of the debris avoidance maneuver conducted this afternoon, the deorbit burn now would be at 5:57pm EDT for a landing at 7:04pm EDT.
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SORRY GANG!
First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
5:26pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for the first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity tonight, the deorbit burn would occur at 7:35pm EDT with landing at 8:40pm EDT.
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Not Coming Home Today!
2nd Landing Opportunity Waved Off Due to Weather
7:29pm EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" for the 2nd and final landing opportunity today at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Try again Friday afternoon...

First landing attempt Friday will be late afternoon at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and should happen around 4:48pm EDT.
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Friday's Landing Strategy
9:14pm EDT
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Capcom Eric Boe informed the crew that if weather looks unfavorable for Friday’s first Kennedy Space Center landing opportunity, the entry team will focus early on the 2nd landing opportunity. If weather prevents landing on the 2nd Kennedy opportunity, Boe said the shuttle will land Friday at Edwards Air Force Base.
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Better update on times and landing site in morning.
But for now... you can always keep up-to-date with the mission at links below...
AJF
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POST UPDATE:
Friday, September 11, 2009
10:00am EDT
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Friday Landing Opportunities in Florida and California
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Mission Control called off Thursday's final Space Shuttle landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center due to unstable weather conditions.
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Two more Discovery landing opportunities are available Friday at Kennedy Space Center. The first begins with a de-orbit burn at 4:41pm EDT and ends with landing at 5:48pm. The second opportunity begins with a de-orbit burn at 6:17pm with a landing at 7:23pm.
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> View landing ground tracks HERE
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However, the Florida weather forecast is not any better than Thursday's. For that reason, Entry Flight Director Richard Jones has decided to call up Edwards Air Force Base in California as an alternate landing site for Friday.
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The first landing opportunity in California begins with a de-orbit burn at 7:47pm with a landing at 8:53pm. The final landing opportunity of the day would start with a de-orbit burn at 9:23pm ending with a landing at 10:28pm.
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First Landing Opportunity Waved Off
Update: 1:56 EDT
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The weather forecast is "no go" today for Friday’s first landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If the weather cooperates for the second Kennedy landing opportunity, the deorbit burn would occur at 6:17pm EDT, with landing at 7:23pm.
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Kennedy Landings Waved Off, Discovery to Land at Edwards
3:43pm EDT
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable. The deorbit burn is timelined to begin at 7:47 p.m. EDT for an 8:53 p.m. landing at Edwards. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent.
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Second Opportunity Waved Off; Edwards Targeted

Weather conditions forced flight controllers to pass on both landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Mission Control has decided to target Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for today's landing since the weather at Kennedy is unstable.
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The first landing opportunity in California has a deorbit burn time of 7:47pm EDT with landing at 8:53pm. The second opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 9:23pm and end with a landing at 10:28pm.
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A landing today will complete a two-week flight for Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, and mission specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang. Today is the 58th day in space for their crewmate Tim Kopra, who launched on shuttle mission STS-127 in July and spent two months on the International Space Station as an Expedition 20 crew member.
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They’re Coming HOME!!!
Discovery "Go" for Deorbit Burn
7:18pm EDT
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Mission Control has given Space Shuttle Discovery a "go" for the deorbit burn. The burn lasts three to four minutes, slowing Discovery enough to begin its descent. The deorbit burn will occur at 7:47pm EDT, leading to an 8:53pm EDT landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
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Deorbit Burn Complete
At 7:53pm EDT

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Space Shuttle Discovery completed its deorbit burn successfully and has begun the descent towards Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for an 8:53pm EDT landing.
This will be the 54th Shuttle landing at Edwards.
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* OK -- Time to start watching it LIVE on NASA TV

Click it out below...

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Another picture perfect landing!
WELCOME HOME DISCOVERY!!!
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Well... That’s it for me...
Keep up with the wrap-up of this mission at links below...
Note: We only have SIX Shuttle Missions left until retirement
* POST CLOSED *
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* Read Latest News & Updates

at NASA.gov
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* Watch Landing & Mission LIVE
At NASA TV
Click HERE to view

ENJOY!!!
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GOD's SPEED to the Crew of STS-128 Discovery on having a successful, event free, Safe Landing...
AubreyJ.........
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All info in this post taken from the NASA.gov website unless otherwise stated

9/11... Eight Years Ago Today

9/11... Eight Years Ago Today

No matter what your political views might be...
one thing is for certain.
In these days of fast news and even faster life styles,
we all seem to have forgotten those moments in history
that so abruptly and tragically changed
this beloved Country of ours.

9/11... How soon we forget.

Eight years ago today-
In memory of...

By AubreyJ..........
9-11-09
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NEVER...
About Photo: This above expression was included among the flags, ribbons, candles and other expressions left at a spontaneous memorial created near the Pentagon to honor those killed in the terrorist attack there September 11, 2001.
DoD photo by Rudi Williams-Taken in September, 2006

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From the U.S Department of Defense
Remembering September 11, 2001
Well worth clicking out with lots of images, info and video
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Taking a Moment to Honor Our Fallen Heroes

Taking a Moment to Honor our Fallen Heroes Since that tragic day on 9-11-2001… many of our bravest have given their all while fighting for this great country of ours. Please take a moment to thank them, in your own way, for all they have done and were willing to do for you -- me and this great country of ours. May God bless each and every one of these fallen Heroes, all of those who have been wounded, all of their families, friends, loved ones and their comrades in arms who were at their side.
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Never forget those that protect us
Each and every day
Not only the ones overseas

But all those back here at home

AubreyJ.........

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DoD Identifies Navy, Marine and Army Casualties

No. 694-09 September 09, 2009
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Capt. Joshua S. Meadows, 30, of Bastrop, Texas, died September 5th while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-450-6499.


No. 696-09 September 10, 2009
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petty Officer 3rd Class James R. Layton, 22, of Riverbank, Calif., died September 8th in Kunar province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to an embedded training team with Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan.
For more information they may contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Bases Japan public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790 or e-mail them at kinawapao@usmc.mil .


No. 701-09 September 10, 2009
DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an explosive device September 8th in Baji, Iraq. They were assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Shannon M. Smith, 31, of Marion, Ohio
Pfc. Thomas F. Lyons, 20, of Fernley, Nev
Pfc. Zachary T. Myers, 21, of Delaware, Ohio

For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army, Alaska, public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.

No. 699-09 September 10, 2009
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died September 8th while supporting combat operations in Kunar province, Afghanistan:
Gunnery Sgt. Edwin W. Johnson Jr., 31, of Columbus, Ga.
1st Lt. Michael E. Johnson, 25, of Virginia Beach, Va.
Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick, 30, of Roswell, Ga.

Gunnery Sgt. Johnson and Staff Sgt. Kenefick were assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
1st Lt. Johnson was assigned to 7th Communications Battalion, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
For additional background information on these Marines, media may contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan public affairs office at 011-81-611-745-0790 or e-mail them at okinawapao@usmc.mil .

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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Photo for the Day - September 10, 2009

Photo for the DayAl Basrah Oil Terminal
The Al Basrah Oil Terminal stretches over half a mile from the south platform to the north platform. The terminal, located 30 miles off the coast of Iraq in the Persian Gulf, can host four tankers at a time and pumps over 1.5 million barrels a day.
Read the story behind the photo at link below...
Basrah Oil Terminal key to Iraqi economy

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Photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery, Multi-National Division - South