Halfway There Just Sitting There

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/aresix2-2.gif

For those of you that like to keep up with this stuff, the next generation of manned rockets was rolled out to the pad for a 27 October test flight. As you can tell from the insert, it's just a wee bit taller than the Shuttle. The image is of the crew launcher; the payload carrier is even bigger. Still some work to do on the launch pads to get them in their new configurations, but this is generally the shape of things to come.

 

I think they change the name for Urectum to get ride of that joke.... -Futurama

 

On time and underbudget-

Way to go!!

 

Oh man, I can't wait for the launch! :cool Sad to see the beginning of the end of the shuttle but so it goes. I loved my 286 too!:cry

A wee bit taller eh, only 30 meters.:-D I hope it goes well.

 

I loo forward to the 26th with great interest. This should be the beginning of an exciting new era. Thank you for the update on this Star-Guy.)

 

roflmaoroflmaoroflmao

 

Yup, the crawler transporter is slow, but it's carrying a load. Takes about 7 hours to go 3.5 miles, or roughly the same speed as a retiree on an interstate in Florida.

Integration has gone well, some vibrations in ground tests. It might shake itself to pieces or it might fly straight and true, won't know until we send it up (it's an unmanned test flight, so no sacrificial lambs to worry about). Either case brings data, that's how you learn about these things and go on. We'll see.

 

Thanks Dave, we'll see how it goes. All pre-launch testing hoohah is complete and it's good to go Tuesday morning between 8:00 and noon.

Thought you'd like this image, has Atlantis in the background with Ares closest.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/20095726.jpg

 

Awesome, love to have these in higher resolution, for back grounds.

Also, didn't realize there were multiple launch pads.

 

HiRes:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/im...82&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2009-5726&sn=KSC-2009-5726

 

Thanks for the update, this is so kool! My sister in laws father worked at Nasa for 35 years as a engineer on the shuttles.
I still am a bit confused though as to why we " blasted" the moon a few weeks ago..'=(

 

To check for water of course. BTW, I love Bucky Fuller.

 

Been reading about this at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/aresl/index.html where the parts of the Ares 1 are based on/derived from the external parts of the shuttle - a single booster with the external fuel tank on top. The tower has much higher to go for astronauts to enter the top of the vehicle.

I'm curious, doesn't the launch vehicle look top-heavy? I guess it is not, as there is solid fuel at the bottom and liquid fuel at the top, thus lowering the centre of gravity until most of the solid fuel depletes.

 

LOL, Right Water!
Thanks, I love Bucky too and Steven Hawking is another hero of mine!
Love your Avi, love Jazz!

 

I seriously hope failure to launch is not a common issue with Babs!

 

Cool, I'll post more jazz then in the 'Watcha Listenin' to' thread.http://bestsmileys.com/evil/3.gif :-D

And now, back to NASA!!!:cool

 

I don't call her Sputnik for nuthin', you know

Trying again tomorrow, too windy for a single-stick to go anywhere (after a boat screwed us first). We also came to the conclusion we use some top-of-the-line velcro, but that's another story.

Up before the dawn patrol at 12:30am, so need to go sack out. If all goes well tomorrow will find some images to share.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/5944.jpg

Well, needless to say it's been an incredible day. To help take something that was only on paper three years ago and watch it come to life and fly straight and true is a feeling I just can't adequately describe. It was just emotional as hell, most of the team was near tears but success combined with relief will do that. I'm just so humbly proud to be a part of such a wonderful, bright and dedicated group of people as those that commit their energies to our space program. Without a doubt, it was the most beautiful rocket launch I've ever seen. It's a big, majestic and glorious rocket with a soul and it came to life today. This is the future, this is for you, this is just so damn fantastic. We can't stay down here forever; it's such a big universe, it was put here for us to go explore, not fear. I just feel so damn proud to be a part of this, you folks just have no idea.

The hi-res image is here:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/im...46&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2009-5944&sn=KSC-2009-5944

Now I'm gonna go sack out, because I've earned it!

 

That is just FANTASTIC! Here's too you all: :wine

 

I missed it

 

Tall, eerie, yet strangely majestic, yes she was a beautiful sight to behold :cool. The feeling of seeing your years of hard work and hopes and dreams fulfilled in such a huge physical statement is a feeling second to none. The sense of relief, pride and achievement must be huge reward.

W.T.G., Chris and the NASA team!)

 

Other than a parachute failure on the way down that caused a bit of a dent in the booster due to a harder-than-anticipated landing, everyone is pretty pleased with how everything went. I appreciate everyone's kind words, and Barry you are right, it was very rewarding!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/aresrec03.jpg

 

Image from last Monday's launch of Atlantis. Hi-res image is here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/sts1296358.jpg

 

Classic :-D

Dunno, I'm not too much up on the experiments; that's the scientists business. However, if it were to develop enough to hit the market, I'd buy one and put it to good use. Every time Abby says something about wanting to go shopping...bzzzzt!

I may do the image thing here similar to how I do it on the blog. Some folks here do seem to enjoy them.

 

I think we'll let the topic just fade off into oblivion

Dave, you might like this; it's pad inspection after launch. The continuous sound you hear is the wind. The pad is right on the beach and level 1 is 95 feet up. Even a breeze sounds like Dorothy's house from Oz. This is after last Monday's launch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQP6ZbyvMg

 

Usually it's as the video shows, however there have been a few launches that trashed the flame trench. The power and vibration of a launch usually does a number on selected pieces of a launch pad that is under constant corrision by a salt-filled ocean, but all things considered the pads take it pretty well.

 

Pretty much. Got to remember the pads were originally built in the 60's for the Apollo program and while there has been heaps of upgrades and mantenance on them, salt will eat anything over time. They are old launch pads, but they are tough and have held up great considering their purpose.

 

No problem, everyone asks me work questions when they see me :-D

One of the two main pads is being retrofitted for Ares. It was partially completed for the test flight, that was the pad that was used. The second pad will be modified once the shuttle program is over. One pad for the cargo launcher, one for the crew carrier but that might change. They'll work fine, the original design allowed for numerous mods if needed. Actually, the mods started with Skylab back in 1973.


The mobile launch facilities are also being retrofitted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/6223m.jpg

 

Thanks Star17 for the pics. I print them and take them to my grandsons and they just love the fact that when I tell them they were taken by you and where, their eyes light up with excitement. The middle one went to NASA Space Center on a field trip this past year and couldn't stop talking about it for days.:-D He said he wished he could have gone inside a couple of the buildings but that he understood why they couldn't. It would be nice if you could do the same here as your blog. I like watching the videos and listening to the music that you pick for them. I just listened to Codes In The Clouds music.Nice (listen to Fracture on your blog then went to their MySpace and listen to all of it there.)
Thanks
BT

 

Thanks for those great pics. and vid., Chris. Looks like we entering another exciting NASA era with the launch of Ares and associated missions.

Can't help but feel that the zapping of worms experiments might have some application for the 'worms' at D.C.

I enjoy your Blog spot as well, Chris. ~ Regards to 'she who must be obeyed', too.

 

Thanks for the kind words bigtrucks, glad you like the blog.

I wish I could take credit for actually taking the photos, but NASA has a fine heard of photographers at the Cape that do that. And most of the close shots are by remote cameras, like the one above. I work in Launch Integration/Payload Processing on several programs at KSC, including the Shuttle fleet.

Yes, many of the buildings at the Cape are Secure/No Access due to the nature of the work being done in there (it's where all the Area 51 stuff got moved to :-D).

Did your grandson get any goodies while on his field trip? If not, next chance I get I'll head over to the visitor's center and hook him up with some things.

 

Hiya Barry. Not enough phasers to kill all the worms in DC! :-D

If the funding happens, and I think it will, Ares (or whatever mutation comes from it) will be an awesome program. And the shuttle fleet may not be retired quite as soon as we thought. More on that down the road.

Abby says hi back at ya, and thanks for visiting the blog. I'm working on some updates for it now.

 

Verry cool, Star The pics are just awesome! Thank you for sharing

 

My grandsons just think it's cool that their "Mema" knows/talks to someone from inside NASArolleyes.
Yes he was able to get a couple of key chains to which he gave up one that he actually bought for himself and gave to his mom, as he over heard her mention how she liked it to one of the other parents when they were in the shop.(he rarely gives up things he likes himself. Not selfish as he will give something else of same or greater value) but thank you for your kind thoughts.

 

Sounds like a good kid

Does he like books? I've got some books here he may like if he likes to read. Not technical, but heaps of pictures.

 

As a matter of fact he has just kicked into gear with reading as did his older siblings at his age. They are all advert book worms. Don't always read knowledgeable books but at least they are reading and that helps in school.
He said would he love the books.(called him) I thank You and he thanks you.
BT

 

If you'll PM me (or email me through the blog, whichever you are more comfortable with) a mailing address, I'll send something out to you for him, or send it directly to him if he's not local to you.

 

OK I sent it via yo your PM. Once again Thank You.
BT

 

Got the PM and address Mary, will try and get to the Post Office after work Wednesday as we'll be headed out of town for Thanksgiving. I'm sure he'll enjoy the books, and will let you know when they are sent.