Posted on 04/14/2013 6:41:29 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. (AP) — On one of Virginia's small barrier islands, a NASA facility that operates in relative obscurity outside scientific circles is preparing to be thrust into the spotlight.
On Wednesday, Orbital Sciences Corp. plans to conduct the first test launch of its Antares rocket under a NASA program in which private companies deliver supplies to the International Space Station. If all goes as planned, the unmanned rocket's practice payload will be vaulted into orbit from Wallops Island before burning up in the atmosphere on its return to Earth several months later.
The goal of the launch isn't to connect with the space station, but to make sure the rocket works and that a simulated version of a cargo ship that will dock with space station on future launches separates into orbit. Orbital officials say that should occur about 10 minutes after liftoff.
In that short period of time, Wallops Island will transition from a little-known launch pad for small research rockets to a major player in the U.S. space program.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Mission status center:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/antares/demo/status.html
Do we hate this company too?
Is it me or does it seem like we are going in reverse.
Compared to?
Orbital Sciences Corporation? Why would we do that?
I don’t know, Spacex gets a lot of grief here, and this company is working under the same program to resupply the space station that Spacex is. Privitation of space access is something people disagree with here, although it seems like it should be supported.
I fully agree with the privatization of the space industry. The private sector can launch cargo, satellites, and people much faster and cheaper than NASA can.
I just look at the naybobs of SpaceX as trolls.
Its not happening as quickly as I would like but I’m glad to see private industry taking these steps even if they are operating under government contracts.
I look forward to the day when private launch companies launch private missions to the moon, mars, asteroids etc.
Like Rocketdyne or Boeing don't.
/johnny
2) He created PayPal.
3) When the Boeing 787 had battery problems, he explained that that is why the Tesla batteries are separate neglecting to mention the IP he has in its design.
4) When Top Gear had trouble with not one but two Teslas, did he send engineers over to determine the problem? No, he sent attorneys.
5) This article makes Musk's statement on the 787 look even more self serving that it was.
6) He 'borrowed the real Tesla's brilliance by using his name for his car company.
7) Their engineers couldn't come up with a two speed tranny so now the Tesla roadster is a one speed and if you're an engineer and can't design a two speed tranny, give back your degree and ask for your tuition back.
8) The Tesla is what, around $100k? Musk gives power to the people by allowing a regular Joe to buy the car and people complain about the cost of the Volt. You don't hear much complaints about the Leaf though, it just works.
Don’t add dinitrogen tetroxide and get all hypergolic on us.
I remember when James May drove the Tesla for Top Gear (Brian Johnson of AC/DC also drove it on that show).
He actually liked the car but pointed out the obvious flaws of electric cars.
Thanks Jack Hydrazine.
LOL!
I’ll try not to!
Another launch tomorrow (MONDAY, 15APR2013)
Rocket: Proton M
Cargo: Anik G1
Date: April 15, 2013
Time: 1836 GMT
(11:36 a.m. PDT/2:36 p.m. EDT)
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Mission status center (with live video coverage):
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/proton/anikg1/status.html
Not those of us who live here. This means jobs and economic growth in this relatively poor county.
There is a 3 day window for this launch - hotel rooms have been booked and restaurants are getting new business.
44 years ago when we sent a man to the moon.???????????????
Give it some time. Commercial space will be on the Moon and Mars before you know it.
I hope so. I am all in favor of private enterprise taking the lead in space exploration but it seems like we went back in time as a nation. Slow reverse I call it.
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