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O-Ring failure in Challenger Disaster: A Case of Corruption
The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster occurred on January 28, 1986. The shuttle launch was only 73 seconds in progress, when the Y-shaped explosion occurred. NASA, for the first time in its history, lost its crew members as the world watched on. It began as a state of shock before the horror and grief began to settle in. The failure to stop the Challenger flight went along with the failure to address the engineers’ concerns about the O-Ring. Their concerns were reported long before the catastrophic flight took off. Following the disaster NASA appointed the Roger’s Commission to investigate. Theoretical physicist Dr. Richard Feynman was one of the members. His involvement…
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Neil Armstrong’s Death at 82
I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the mission of Apollo 11. Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone. Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot…
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Buzz Aldrin Made History in 1969 with Walk on Moon
Buzz Aldrin along with Neil Armstrong on this day in history, July 20, back in 1969, accomplished the amazing journey to the moon. Here are some interesting facts about his life. Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name was Moon. The first plane he ever flew in belonged to Standard Oil and was completely covered with a painting of an eagle. The name of the craft that Aldrin and Armstrong used to break away from the Apollo 11 rocket and land on the moon was Eagle. The eagle is also featured on a patch on Aldrin’s spacesuit. As a child, Aldrin enjoyed underwater diving and collecting rocks. As an adult, Aldrin trained for his…
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The Oldest Surviving US Shuttle
Discovery on Thursday(April 20, 2012) became the first spaceship of the retired US shuttle fleet to enter its permanent home as a museum artifact, marking a solemn end to the 30-year manned spaceflight program. The oldest surviving US shuttle, Discovery flew 39 missions to space beginning in 1984 and its transition from space-flying giant to tourist attraction drew mixed emotions from NASA veterans and space fans alike. Discovery ended its last mission to space in March 2011, and the return to Earth of Atlantis in July 2011 marked the end of the US shuttle program, leaving Russia as the only nation capable of sending astronauts to space. “The space shuttle…
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Apollo 13 Astronauts Return Safely on April 17, 1970
1970: Critical explosion cripples Apollo 13 An explosion on board Apollo 13 has caused one of the most critical situations in American space history and put the lives of the three astronauts on board in severe jeopardy. The explosion happened in the fuel cells of the spacecraft’s service module approximately 56 hours after lift-off. This resulted in the loss of Apollo 13’s main power supply which means oxygen and water reserves are now critically low. The safety of the three astronauts, Captain James Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, is uncertain although Nasa is hoping emergency contingency plans will ensure their safe return. Certain death The cause of the explosion…
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John Glenn on the 50th Anniversary of His Historic Flight
Earthlings count down to 50th anniversary of the first American flight to orbit the Earth © 2012 NOLA.com. All rights reserved. Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 10:00 AM By The Associated Press The Associated Press John Glenn fever has taken hold in the U.S. once again. Three days before the 50th anniversary of his historic flight, the first American to orbit the Earth addressed employees at Kennedy Space Center. The NASA auditorium was packed Friday with hundreds of workers hoping to see the space legend. NASA, via The Associated Press Astronaut John Glenn was photographed Feb. 20, 1962, during his space flight in the Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft, weightless and…
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Preserving the Moon
January 9, 2012 To Preserve History on the Moon, Visitors Are Asked to Tread Lightly By KENNETH CHANG California’s catalog of historic artifacts includes two pairs of boots, an American flag, empty food bags, a pair of tongs and more than a hundred other items left behind at a place called Tranquillity Base. The history registry for New Mexico lists the same items. That might be surprising, since Tranquillity Base is not in New Mexico or California but a quarter of a million miles away, in the spot where Neil A. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon in 1969. But for archaeologists and historians worried that the next generation of people…
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Final Space Shuttle Launch; End of 30-year Space Program
Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch: NASA Coverage Watch live news stream from ABC News. NASA’s Last Space Shuttle Blasts Into History ABC News photo By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. July 8, 2011 (AP) Atlantis and four astronauts rocketed into orbit Friday on NASA’s last space shuttle voyage, dodging bad weather and delighting hundreds of thousands of spectators on hand to witness the end of an era. It will be at least three years — possibly five or more — before astronauts launch again from U.S. soil, and so this final journey of the shuttle era packed in crowds and roused emotions on a scale not seen since…
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Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off on its final mission
Injured US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords sees husband Mark Kelly take the helm as Nasa shuttle nears retirement Endeavour has blasted off on its final space shuttle flight as the mission commander’s wounded wife, the US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, watched along with an exhilarated crowd well into the thousands.Nasa is winding down its 30-year-old shuttle programme before embarking on something new. The event generated the kind of excitement seldom seen near Kennedy Space Centre on such a grand scale, despite a delay of more than two weeks because of an electrical problem.Just before the launch, commander Mark Kelly said: “It’s in the DNA of our great country to reach for the…
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How Do Astronauts Go to the Bathroom in Space?
It is a common question people have about astronauts. There must be complications at zero gravity when it involves this highly personal activity that everyone, even those in the highest ranks of power, must do, the act of visiting the John, as we have nicknamed the necessary room, named after inventor of the flushable toilet was named Sir John Harrington. According to a Time magazine article, going to the bathroom in space, involves a complicated invention known as “WCS” or “waste collection system.” To learn more visit Time magazine online.
