New Visions for Space

February 5, 2013 TopSpacer 1 Comment

Here’s an announcement about an event on Google+ on Wednesday, February 6, 6:00 PM PST: New Visions for Space – Google+

“New Visions for Space” will feature young voices from NASA Academy, Yuri’s Night, AIAA Young Professionals Committee, The Moon Society and others to talk about how exciting all of the new developments in space are, and how all of us are making a real difference in our space future. Guests include:The BIL Conference – Carter Gibson (Moderator)
The Moon Society – Ken Murphy (Organizer)
Liftport – Michael Laine (Co-Organizer)
Yuri’s Night – Brice Russ
Starstryder – Pamela Gay
SEDS – Michael Zwach
NASA Academy – Will Pomerantz
ISU-USA – Laura Burns
AIAA YPC – Alison Lauderbach

Please tune in on Wednesday, and be sure to let all of your friends know on Facebook, Twitter and other social media! Let’s show the world how awesome space is!

General

This Week @NASA: Feb 5, 2013 program

February 5, 2013 TopSpacer

Here is the latest episode of This Week @NASA:

NASA honors the 17 astronauts and other NASA family members who’ve given their lives for exploration and discovery.

Also, Orion’s Photo-op; TDRS-K Social: RapidScat; Small Sats, Big Numbers; Electrolysis Power; Skylab Saluted: Stardust memories; and more!

Rockets

Videos: Launch of the Naro rocket by South Korea

February 5, 2013 TopSpacer

Via the Spaceports blog comes this video news report of last week’s successful launch of the South Korean Naro rocket (powered by a Russian first stage) and the release of the SK STSAT-2C technology demonstration satellite:

http://youtu.be/artwhtwX7oA

Here is a full video of the stage separation events and the release of the satellite (via Innerspace.net):

http://youtu.be/GAQI6HBxVDM

Space Models

Virgin Galactic models

February 5, 2013 TopSpacer 1 Comment

Virgin Galactic has licensed a set of “Limited Edition” models of the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo combo. They are available in 1/400 and 1/200 scale die-cast models at B4 YOUR FLIGHT.

Don’t see any SpaceShipTwo models at Amazon yet but there are several SpaceShipOne models, e.g.

Space Science

Curiosity tests drilling techniques, takes self-portrait, spotted from orbit

February 5, 2013 TopSpacer

Curiosity has been getting ready to do its first serious drilling into Mars rocks.

This image shows the results of one test:

The bit in the rotary-percussion drill of NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity left its mark in a target patch of rock called “John Klein” during a test on the rover’s 176th Martian day, or sol (Feb. 2, 2013), in preparation for the first drilling of a rock by the rover.