Spacevidcast - Space News and Launches » Space Shuttles http://www.spacevidcast.com Making Space Commonplace Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:27:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Making Space Commonplace Spacevidcast - Space News and Launches no Making Space Commonplace Spacevidcast - Space News and Launches » Space Shuttles http://www.spacevidcast.com/svcrss.png http://www.spacevidcast.com/space-shuttles/ The final shuttle launch http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/04/the-final-shuttle-launch/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/04/the-final-shuttle-launch/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:42 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5566

After 30 years America’s Space Transportation System or Space Shuttle will be coming to a close. If everything goes as planned, on July 8th, 2011 Space Shuttle Atlantis will lift off from launch pad 39/A one last time signaling an end to an era.

Some people are upset by the change. How could NASA let this happen? How will we send astronauts to our $100 billion dollar space station? We should keep flying the shuttle until we have a replacement! Each space shuttle was designed for 100 flights, after all! We’ve only had less than 1/2 of that per vehicle. Heck, Atlantis will have only flown 33 times by the time we retire the vehicle. That leaves 67 more flights by design.

Others feel the shuttle retirement is long overdue. While it is true that each orbiter was designed to fly 100 missions, it was also designed to fly around 25 times per year. Originally the shuttle program was supposed to have over 100 flights per year with a fleet of 4 vehicles making space much more accessible and inexpensive in the process. That means that the shelf life of a space shuttle is really only around 4 to 5 years, not the 25 that we have been running them at. Because of that some parts are no longer available. Some elements of each orbiter are old and need replacing. It’s time to let them retire before we have another catastrophic accident.

As we watch NASA gear up for the final flight, it is hard to not want to keep the status quo. To keep the orbiters flying. Change is always hard. But the cold harsh reality of the situation is that while the Space Shuttle is beautiful, majestic and an awe of engineering it also never lived up to its promise of inexpensive flight to space. Humanity and more specifically America has been locked to Low Earth Orbit due in no small part because of the space shuttle. Funding required to send humans back to the moon, on to Mars and beyond is tied up in this amazing yet inefficient vehicle.

I’ll be sad to see the fleet retire. Heck, I grew up with the space shuttle. Born in 1978 I never knew Apollo or even saw humans set foot on the moon. And at this stage, over 1/2 the planet shares that experience. It is time to change that. I want to be a part of a generation that doesn’t accept Low Earth Orbit as good enough. I want to be part of a generation that goes out there and conquers space flight to other alien bodies in the sky. I want to explore the moon again. I want to go Mars. I want to go beyond! The shuttle can’t do any of that.

The question now is not if we should retire the shuttle. That is all but set in stone. The parts required to fly the orbiter are no longer available, we simply can’t easily fly it again. Now the question is where do we go from here? This is the tipping point. This is the moment in time where we get to decide our future. Will we pony up and fund amazing projects coming out of SpaceX, Blue Origin, Orbital, Masten Space, Armadillo and other innovative space companies? Or will we return to the status quo and have our elected officials try to force NASA to build yet another unsustainable rocket designed by senators rather than scientists.

This is the point were we can choose positive yet difficult change, or we can choose to go back to Low Earth Orbit and leave the exploration to another generation. I choose change. How about you?

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/04/the-final-shuttle-launch/feed/ 1 Using space to help humanity – Live Show 4.17 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/03/using-space-to-help-humanity-live-show-4-17/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/03/using-space-to-help-humanity-live-show-4-17/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:28:32 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5563 Spacevidcast’s Kennedy Space Center reporter Jason Rhian and his wife Marisa Rhian join us to talk about ‘Countdown for the Cure’. This is a silent auction to raise money for leukemia research. Space has a long history of helping to find solutions for humanity and on-orbit cancer research is no exception.

After the break we take a look at the upcoming final flight of the space shuttle. Where you can watch it, how you should watch it and what to do before and after the shuttle flight.

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/07/03/using-space-to-help-humanity-live-show-4-17/feed/ 2 Lessons Learned – Live Show 4.16 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/29/lessons-learned-live-show-4-16/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/29/lessons-learned-live-show-4-16/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:48:50 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5548 Sometimes launching rockets isn’t as easy as it may seem. Armadillo Aerospace is a NewSpace company looking to take you and me to the stars. Led by fearless leader John Carmack this amazing little startup is cranking away at next generation vehicles. Sometimes things don’t always go according to plan. We take a peek at a couple of crashes and big bada booms.

Speaking of NewSpace, Virgin Galactic is looking beyond sub-orbital tourist flights to LEO and even uber short trips between continents. Beyond just awesome space trips, it is possible that Virgin Galactic will change how we fly and make the world an even smaller place.

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/29/lessons-learned-live-show-4-16/feed/ 0 STS-135: The final flight of the Space Shuttle http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/13/sts-135-the-final-flight-of-the-space-shuttle/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/13/sts-135-the-final-flight-of-the-space-shuttle/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:59:03 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5539 The final flight of NASA’s Space Transportation System is slated to take off from pad 39/A on July 8th, 2011. This is a promotional clip Spacevidcast has created for our extended coverage of this historic event. If you can’t be there to watch Atlantis lift from the pad in person, then join us live at Spacevidcast.com. We’ll have an amazing community you can chat with, live HD coverage sponsored by Perforce and of course you can call in via Skype and ask your questions in real time! This will be a moment to remember. How will you create that memory?

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/13/sts-135-the-final-flight-of-the-space-shuttle/feed/ 2 Amateur Rocketeers and Beautiful Space – Live Show 4.15 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/11/amateur-rocketeers-and-beautiful-space-live-show-4-15/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/11/amateur-rocketeers-and-beautiful-space-live-show-4-15/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 04:15:40 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5533 For the full show notes, links and awesome stuffs check out our wiki page at http://wiki.spacevidcast.com/en/4.15

We may spend a lot of time talking about the larger NewSpace companies such as SpaceX, but in this episode we look at a couple of the smaller entities that are doing some amazing things with next to zero budget.

NASA has returned some beautiful videos of the shuttle attached to the ISS while ESA wants to make sure we don’t go stir crazy during our ride to Mars.

All that, a bit of Spacevidcast crazy and your questions answered on this Jun 10th, 2011 edition of Spacevidcast Live.

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/11/amateur-rocketeers-and-beautiful-space-live-show-4-15/feed/ 0 A tour of Atlantis and the launch pad – SpacePod 2011.06.07 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/07/a-tour-of-atlantis-and-the-launch-pad-spacepod-2011-06-07/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/07/a-tour-of-atlantis-and-the-launch-pad-spacepod-2011-06-07/#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:52:51 +0000 Jason Rhian http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5520 KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Fla. – As the end of the shuttle program fast approaches it seems that the pace of events taking place at the space center have reached a fever pitch. Just a week after Atlantis was rolled from her OPF to the VAB and then lifted into the air and mated to the last External Tank – the next STS-135 milestone took place – rollout. As with the 24 period around rollover, rollout would also prove to be frenetic.

Within a thirteen-hour period Kennedy Space Center saw the final rollout of the shuttle program as Atlantis headed to Launch Complex 39A, the final landing of space shuttle Endeavour as well as Endeavour’s tow back to her OPF. However for members of the media this was just the start of the day.

Atlantis’ rollout kicked off around 8 p.m. EDT with the lumbering crawler-transporter carrying its precious cargo out to the pad at a blistering mile an hour. Workers and their families formed a precession that escorted the venerable orbiter to her date with history. The crew of the final shuttle mission was all on hand as well and conducted interviews across from the Vehicle Assembly.

The press either hunkered down or went to go get something to eat before Commander Mark Kelly and the crew of STS-134, Pilot Greg Johnson and Mission Specialists Greg Chamitoff, Mike Fincke, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori landed Endeavour one last time.

For photojournalists present the night landing wasn’t what they were waiting for. The orbiters are towed back to their OPFs and photographers are allowed to shoot images as the shuttle moves by. Most want to get a shot of the shuttle as it passes by a small pond along the route providing for beautiful reflection shots.

NASA also has what is known as a “Sunrise Photo Opportunity” where reporters are taken out to periphery of the launch pad and shoot video and pictures.

I had to leave a little early and returned to my hotel room to begin uploading video and images as well as file stories. I skipped being at KSC for the landing as; in all honesty, there really isn’t much I can do. Having covered the sunrise opportunity on a number of occasions I passed on this as well. I was waiting for what I’ve dubbed “Sunrise Photo Op – on Steroids.”

Whereas with the sunrise event takes you at the base of the launch pad, for this tour you go onto the pad itself, and are taken to various destinations on LC39A, in short, you get to walk in the footsteps of the astronauts themselves. However, if you have a fear of heights – one should not go on this tour. To add to the drama a storm blew in dousing the pad with rain and sending photographers scrambling to save their equipment.

Most (myself included) of the journalists that attended this were honored to be allowed to be included on this historical event. On the way back one photographer mumbled and grumbled about how bad it was and how he felt cheated due to the rushed nature caused by the weather. I held my tongue, but was glad when another journalist looked at him and asked him point blank, “Are you high?”

The pace takes its toll. The changing and odd hours mean little sleep, a lot of junk food and stress. A couple key themes have emerged as this period unfolds, you will get the common expressions of irritation – until the media has the opportunity to see what they have collected – and then that frustration turns to joy. But one theme although not openly stated is openly acknowledged – this must be done – history is taking place and we must chronicle it. What we are living now – is just the storm before the calm.

The tour of the launch pad was short, but some of the interviews, lift and mate as well as rollout has additional content that hit the cutting room floor. Sign up for Spacevidcast epic today for your chance to see exclusive footage only for members as well as industry interviews and additional tours. Spacevidcast epic helps us pay for the show and keeps the great content coming. Entertain your inner space geek and sign up today — http://www.spacevidcast.com/epic

The epic enhanced version of this SpacePodis in the large video window above. If you would like to see the public version of this video, it i embedded below:

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/07/a-tour-of-atlantis-and-the-launch-pad-spacepod-2011-06-07/feed/ 2 The tides are changing – Live Show 4.14 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/04/the-tides-are-changing-live-show-4-14/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/04/the-tides-are-changing-live-show-4-14/#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2011 02:26:54 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5512 The worlds largest space agency is in the midst of change. The Space Shuttle is retiring this year. NASA is shifting its focus to build a space industry and spur a new space enconomy rather than just run a single manned space program. Of course with this change comes some pain, and people resistant to new things. In this live show we cover ways you can participate in the ending of the Space Shuttle Program as well as why you shouldn’t fear change. The future for manned space exploration has never been brighter, we just have to illuminate the path for those who don’t see it yet.

Want to help us spread the message? Subscribe to Spacevidcast epic today! You’ll get a Google Ad free experience as well as exlusive member-only content. Spacevidcast epic subscriptions start for as little as $8.33/mo and if you’re uber cool you can even be a part of our affiliate program! Sign up today at http://www.spacevidcast.com/epic

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/04/the-tides-are-changing-live-show-4-14/feed/ 0 OldSpace can be NewSpace too – Live Show 4.11 http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/04/25/oldspace-can-be-newspace-too-live-show-4-11/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/04/25/oldspace-can-be-newspace-too-live-show-4-11/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:46:20 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5351 STS-134 is going to be awesome, busy and more awesome! NASA Awards over a quarter billion to next generation space companies to develop spaceships capable of sending humans to the International Space Station. Lockheed Martin details plans to go to Mars, well, close to Mars. China may get Space Race 2.0 going, but is that a good thing?

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/04/25/oldspace-can-be-newspace-too-live-show-4-11/feed/ 3 STS-133 The Final Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery including T-5 hold http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/03/09/sts-133-the-final-launch-of-space-shuttle-discovery-including-t-5-hold/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/03/09/sts-133-the-final-launch-of-space-shuttle-discovery-including-t-5-hold/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:29:00 +0000 Benjamin Higginbotham http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=5275 This video includes clips starting at L-28 minutes showing the computer problems, additional T-5 hold added to the count, Go/No-Go statuses and ascent information for OV-103 or Space Shuttle Discovery. Launch was on Feb 24th, 2011 and this is the last time Space Shuttle Discovery will ever fly.

]]> http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/03/09/sts-133-the-final-launch-of-space-shuttle-discovery-including-t-5-hold/feed/ 0 STS 133 epic Downloadables http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/02/21/sts-133-epic-downloadables/ http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/02/21/sts-133-epic-downloadables/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:14 +0000 Jeffrey Alles http://www.spacevidcast.com/?p=4025 STS-133: The Final Flight of Space Shuttle Discovery
After decades in service to NASA, Space Shuttle Discovery embarks on her last flight, STS-133.
As always, Spacevidcast will bring you the best launch coverage and keep you updated throughout the mission. More epic content is on it’s way, stay tuned!

Total size of STS-133 epic content: 20+GB
Last updated: 2011.03.09 03:34 UTC
To download the content, right click and select “Save as…” (or “Download Linked File As,” or “Save Link As”) and save them to your computer.

Documents
Anything and everything you want to know about the last mission of Space Shuttle Discovery.

NASA Press Kit
Space Shuttle Discovery Fact Sheet
NASA Flight Summary and Info Sheet
NASA TV Schedule (Current as of 2011.03.09 03:34 UTC) (XLS) (PDF)
Remaining Missions Fact Sheet

Flight Data Files
Everything runs on checklists these days, especially Space Shuttle Missions. Now you can get the same checklists the Astronauts use.

Flight Plan
Ascent Checklist
EVA Checklist
Orbital Operations
PDRS Operations Checklist
Photo & TV Checklist
Post Insertion Checklist
Shuttle/ISS Rendezvous Checklist
Entry Checklist

Execute Packages
The day’s agenda, in space.

Flight Day 02
Flight Day 03
Flight Day 04
Flight Day 05
Flight Day 06
Flight Day 07
Flight Day 08
Flight Day 09
Flight Day 10
Flight Day 11
Flight Day 12
Flight Day 13

Video
Animations and footage from STS-133

Discovery Heads to the Pad and Into History
STS-133 Crew Sign the Shuttle Tribute Wall
NASA Tribute to Space Shuttle Discovery
Discovery’s Last Ride
Robonaut 2 Readied for Launch
Robonaut 2 Packed for Launch
Robonaut 2 to join Station Crew
STS-133 Robonaut 2 Movie Trailer
Expedition 26 Observes a Moment of Silence for Tuscon Victims
Discovery Retrospective
Shuttle Era: Launch Directors
Covering the Space Shuttle Program
ISS Assembly (with titles)
ISS Assembly (without titles)
Behind the Scenes: Bowen starts STS-133 Training
Behind the Scenes: STS-133 Gets a “Pinch Hitter”
President Obama Speaks with Discovery’s Final Crew

Welcome to Launch Day!
STS-133 Crew Heads to the Pad
STS-133 Astronauts Aboard!
STS-133 Discovery Launch is GO!
Discovery’s Last Launch: A Spectacular Sight
STS-133 Booster Camera Views
Discovery Is In Orbit
Discovery Performs Terminal Initiation Burn
STS-133 Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver
This Week @ NASA: 25 Feb 2011
This Week @ NASA: 01 Mar 2011

Flight Day Recaps
Flight Day 01 Recap
Flight Day 02 Recap
Flight Day 03 Recap
Flight Day 04 Recap
Flight Day 05 Recap
Flight Day 06 Recap
Flight Day 07 Recap
Flight Day 08 Recap
Flight Day 09 Recap
Flight Day 10 Recap
Flight Day 11 Recap
Flight Day 12 Recap


Spacevidcast epic only content:

Documents
STS-133 Space Reporters Handbook (Revision A) (Original Revision)
STS-133 Boeing Notepad
STS-133 SpaceCalc (Mac) (Windows)

Posters
We can’t have a space flight without some posters, can we?

STS 133 Popup (High Resolution Print, 39MB) (Low Resolution Print, 313KB)
STS 133 Poster (High Resolution Print, 597.5MB) (Low Resolution Print, 403KB)

Video
Pre-Mission Briefing Animations

STS-133 Launch from L-28 minutes to MECO without graphics.
STS-133 Launch from L-28 minutes to MECO with the lower third graphics.
Overview: Payload
Overview: EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 4
Overview: Permanent Multi-Purpose Module
FD02: OBSS Scan of Discovery Port Side
FD02: OBSS Port Survey
FD02: OBSS Port OMS Survey
FD02: OBSS Scan of Port OMS
FD02: OBSS Starboard Survey
FD02: OBSS Heat Sheild Survey
FD03: Discovery Approach to Station
FD03: Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver (RBar)
FD03: Discovery Docks to Station
FD03: Unberthing and Install of ELC-4
FD04: Relocation of Mobile Transporter
FD04: OBSS Grapple
FD04: OBSS Unberthing
FD04: OBSS Handoff
FD05: EVA 1 Activities
FD05: Relocation of Mobile Transporter
FD06: Unberthing and Install of PMM
FD06: Late Inspection of OV TPS
FD07: EVA 2 Activities
Discovery Undocks from ISS

Kelly Brothers Interviews (Parts 4-8) coming soon!

Mission Audio
It’s all talk…

Full Air to Ground Loop 24 Jan 2011 (T-1 Day) (zip)
Full Air to Ground Flight Loop Flight Day 1 (zip)
Full Air to Ground Flight Loop Flight Day 2 (zip)
Full Air to Ground Flight Loop Flight Day 3 (zip)
Full Air to Ground Flight Loop for further flight days are coming by mid-mission 134!

Preflight Audio:
Preflight EVA Overview (21 Oct 2010) (wav)
Preflight Mission Overview (21 Oct 2010) (wav)
Preflight Program Overview Briefing (21 Oct 2010) (wav)
Preflight Robotics Overview Briefing (21 Oct 2010) (wav)
Preflight Countdown Status Briefing (22 Feb 2011) (wav)
Flight Day Audio Files
Flight Day 2: Crew Wakeup (mp3) (wav)
Flight Day 2: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 3: Crew Wakeup (mp3)
Flight Day 3: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 4: Crew Wakeup (mp3) (wav)
Flight Day 4: Inflight News Interview (wav)
Flight Day 4: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 5: Crew Wakeup (mp3) (wav)
Flight Day 5: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 6: Crew Wakeup (mp3) (wav)
Flight Day 6: Inflight News Interview (wav)
Flight Day 6: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 7: Crew Wakeup (mp3) (wav)
Flight Day 7: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 8: Inflight News Interview 1 (wav)
Flight Day 8: Inflight News Interview 2 (wav)
Flight Day 8: Mission Status Briefing (wav)
Flight Day 8: Call from President Obama (wav)

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