NASA Clears Space Shuttle Endeavour For Launch
February 29, 2008
Cape Canaveral (dbTechno) - NASA managers have cleared the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour for launch on March 11. The Endeavour mission will have astronauts bringing up the first of three parts to a Japanese research laboratory being added onto the International Space Station.
There are three flights planned to bring the entire Japanese research complex up to the International Space Station, and it will all begin on March 11. Read more
NASA Focuses In On Moon South Pole For Next Landing
February 27, 2008
Boston (dbTechno) - NASA stated on Wednesday that the south pole of the Moon is far more rugged than previously thought. They stated that the south pole of the moon is filled with craters, hills, etc. NASA is setting their sites on the south pole of the Moon for their next landing of either a human or robotic mission.
The south pole region of the Moon is of great interest to NASA as they have been looking at it as a possible future landing site for a human or robotic lunar mission. Read more
NASA Endeavour Crew Prepares For Launch
February 25, 2008
Orlando (dbTechno) - The crew of the NASA space shuttle Endeavour are already in final preparations for their launch on March 11. They were strapped in on Monday for a practice countdown as they prepare for their 16-day mission to the International Space Station.
The crew was out and about getting ready for launch on Monday. Shuttle commander Dominic Gorie, along with flight engineer Michael Foreman, pilot Gregory Johnson, Richard Linnehan, Robert Behnken, and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi were all taking part in the practice launch. Read more
Pentagon Calls Satellite Missile Hit A Success
February 25, 2008
Washington (dbTechno) - The Pentagon came out on Monday and stated that their mission to shoot a malfunctioning U.S. spy satellite out of the sky before it slammed into Earth was a complete success. They fired a missile aimed at the fuel tank of the satellite from a Navy warship in the Pacific Ocean last week, scoring a direct hit.
Last Wednesday, the Pentagon carried out a mission as they shot a missile at a malfunctioning spy satellite which was over 150 miles above the Earth, and moving at a speed of 20,000 mph or so. It was the first time ever a sea-based missile was launched and hit a satellite. Read more
Japan Sends High-Speed Internet Satellite To Space
February 23, 2008
Tokyo (dbTechno) - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has launched a rocket into space on Saturday. The rocket is carrying a brand new high-speed internet communications satellite called the WINDS satellite, for Japan. The high-speed internet satellite can transfer an incredible amount of data at lightning speeds and will cover the entire Asia-Pacific region.
The speed of the internet satellite is immense as it can transmit data at 1.2 GB per second. Read more
Google’s Lunar X Prize Challenge Has Eyes For The Moon
February 22, 2008
Boston (dbTechno) - Google’s Lunar X Prize competition has kicked off, with ten teams competing for the $30 million Google has put up for grabs. The goal of the competition is to land a robotic rover on the moon by the year 2014.
There are ten teams from five different countries taking part in the competition, which has gained global interest. The winner of the challenge will be granted $20 million. Second place will manage to snag $5 million, with another $5 million being given out as bonus money during the challenge. Read more
Navy Shoots Down Spy Satellite With Direct Hit
February 21, 2008
Boston (dbTechno) - The U.S. Navy fired a missile towards a U.S. spy satellite which was disabled, and en route to crashing on Earth. The missile was a direct hit and managed to fully destroy the spy satellite. The military stated that the debris is now falling into the ocean.
The U.S. Navy fired the missile off of a ship near Hawaii on Wednesday. It was their first attempt at destroying the satellite, and they scored a direct hit. The satellite was flying at a reported speed of 22,000 mph, making it an amazing thing that they hit it on the first shot. Read more
NASA Gives Orbital Contract For Spaceship Cargo
February 21, 2008
Orlando (dbTechno) - Orbital Sciences Corp. has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop a future space cargo. This new spaceship cargo would have the ability to act as a commercial orbital, doing runs back and forth to the International Space Station.
NASA had to choose a company for the contract as their current shuttle is set to retire in the year 2010, and no replacement has been noted, until now. Read more
NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Touches Down On Earth
February 20, 2008
Orlando (dbTechno) - The NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis completed its 13-day mission by safely touching down on Earth on Wednesday. The mission consisted of them delivering and installing the European Space Agency lab Columbus on the International Space Station.
All was good with the landing as everything went smoothly, with the weather cooperating very nicely. Read more
U.S. Navy Ready To Shoot Down Satellite On Wednesday
February 20, 2008
Washington (dbTechno) - According to the Pentagon, the failed U.S. spy satellite, which is currently falling to Earth from space, will be shot out of the sky on Wednesday by the U.S. Navy.
The Pentagon stated that the U.S. Navy has been laying out plans to shoot down the spy satellite, and will do so with the help of an anti-missile missile on Wednesday. Read more
