** The Official Space Flight Thread - The Space Station and Beyond **

[PermaBanned]

http://www.nightskyobserver.com/manned-space-flight/mars500-crew-returning-to-earth-soon/

Perhaps not quite as impressive as a "real" space mission, but still important. I'm not sure i could do that knowing that i'd have my feet still firmly on Earth the whole time...

 

[Cosimo]

More from Lockheed Martin. This time an Orion Spacecraft Stepping Stones Mission Animation:

​

 

[Cosimo]

Yesterday’s postponed Galileo launch will now take place this morning at around 11:30 BST. You can watch it live here:

http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

 

[Cosimo]

Don't miss it. Two minutes to go.

 

[VaderDSL]

In the pipe, five by five!

 

[Cosimo]

Away we go!

 

[Cosimo]

Launch has been successful. The upper stage is now in orbit and after another engine burn in around three hours’ time we will have the two Galileo satellite separation.

 

[VaderDSL]

So daft question time.

In terms of GPS systems, we will have :

GPS (U.S version) with 30ish? satellites
GLONASS (Russian version) with 24 satellites? I read it's more suited to the higher latitudes than GPS?
Galileo (European version) will have 30 satellites as well?

That's going to be amazing, especially if they co-operate and develop a receiver that can pickup all 3 types of satellites.

 

[Cosimo]

So daft question time.

In terms of GPS systems, we will have :

GPS (U.S version) with 30ish? satellites
GLONASS (Russian version) with 24 satellites? I read it's more suited to the higher latitudes than GPS?
Galileo (European version) will have 30 satellites as well?

That's going to be amazing, especially if they co-operate and develop a receiver that can pickup all 3 types of satellites.

US 24:

http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=119
http://www.gps.gov/

USSR: 24 (27 in orbit):

http://www.glonass-center.ru/en/

Galileo 30:

http://www.esa.int/esaNA/ESAAZZ6708D_galileo_0.html

I thought that GLONASS was good at high latitudes. The Galileo system will be interoperable with the US system.

 

[Cosimo]

Galileo launch:

​

Update:

Second burn completed. Separation has occurred and the two Galileo navigation satellites have been deployed. It will take two weeks to park them in their orbits.

 

[Cosimo]

A slection of videos taken by the crew of Expedition 29 aboard the International Space Station:

​

 

[Cosimo]

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft is due for launch on Friday (28th). It will be launched on a ULA Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California at 10:48 - 10:57 BST (02:48 – 02:57 PDT).

The NNP spacecraft aboard the Delta II rocket:

​

Mission home:

http://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/spacecraft_inst.html

 

[Cosimo]

A quick look at the 5 instruments (VIIRS, CERES, CrIS, ATMS, OMPS) on board the NPP spacecraft:

​

 

[PermaBanned]

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=117824321



Also, heads up for the NPP launch tomorrow. Can't be bothered to work out the BST time though, do it yourself. Something like 11 maybe?

 

[Cosimo]

NPP waits for launch (10:48 - 10:57 BST):

 

[Cosimo]

Weather is looking good for launch:

 

[Cosimo]

Delta 2 rocket has now been fuelled and all systems looking good.

 

[Tomcat825]

A slection of videos taken by the crew of Expedition 29 aboard the International Space Station:

SNIP VIDEOS

Those videos look almost simulated, but they're real aren't they?

 

[Cosimo]

Those videos look almost simulated, but they're real aren't they?

They are real. An orbit takes 90 minutes on average and they've been speeded up.

 

[Cosimo]

Now in the last hold, T-minus 4 minutes. Launch remains set at 10:48:01 BST. Upper level winds are now green.