ISS Chris Hadfield’s photo “A New Dawn” last week
RichC | May 17, 2013
A popular 1st music video from space – Col. Chris Hadfield
RichC | May 15, 2013
The first Canadian to walk in space, who also was the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, is now the first human to shoot a music video in space on his last day on the job.
Obituary: We lost one of our best in Neil Armstrong
RichC | August 26, 2012
Neil Armstrong was not only the first astronaut to walk on the moon, but a brilliant science minded and steely-nerved pilot who’s skills were the envy of his peers … as well as this small town Ohio boy. He grew up in Wapakoneta, Ohio, went to Purdue University in Indiana, flew 78 combat missions in the [...]
Curiosity begins a high tech survey of Mars
RichC | August 7, 2012
A great touch active graphic was in the online Wall Street Journal today and opened my eyes to the size of the robotic explorer. Thinking about radio controlled “buggies” of the past, I was thinking that Curiosity wasn’t all that much bigger … until I saw the comparison to the Mini Cooper – wow. Flying [...]
Curiosity landed on Mars “beaming” back its first photo
RichC | August 6, 2012
Although not the most interesting of photographs this morning, it definitely excited those who are interested in space exploration and the study of Mars. Early this morning, NASA’s billion dollar rover plunged at 13,000 mph through the thin Mars atmosphere and landed inside a giant crater. It “beamed” back this black and white photo confirming [...]
Space Shuttle Discovery takes a final ride to Washington DC
RichC | April 17, 2012
It is still quite remarkable to see NASA haul around a giant space shuttle piggybacked on a modified Boeing747, this time it is Discovery heading to its final Washington DC Smithsonian home. For those of us who grew up with the entire space program it is indeed a sad end to an adventurous and exciting [...]
Venus and Jupiter easily notice in the evening sky
RichC | March 15, 2012
This month Venus and Jupiter are putting on a great show and stand out in the evening sky. The warm temperatures and clear atmosphere gave me an excuse to sit outside and take a couple photos. (a few facts)
Do you file a customs declaration form after space travel?
RichC | February 29, 2012
Hmm … I’ve never given much thought to filling out a U.S. Customs form when returning from space??? I found this one from the little trip by Apollo 11 in 1969 humorous (form below). Probably should have included “Bock” by name.
Who doesn’t love a sunrise photo, even when from space
RichC | October 25, 2011
Sunrise and sunset photos have always been favorites of mine … this one taken by astronaut Ron Garan from space and posted on G+ is no exception. His photos of meteors plunging through the earth’s atmosphere were made even more interesting with the addition of sound … although kind of eery (video below).
Markets continue downtrend & NASA prepares for Mars launch
RichC | August 5, 2011
While checking the stock market over lunch, it was again another depressing day. The Dow continues to march down as does the Nasdaq even on relatively positive news that we did have some private sector job grow and a slightly backed off unemployment claims rate of one tenth. It now stands at a high national [...]
Mission complete. The Shuttle program “has come to a final stop”
RichC | July 21, 2011
"Mission complete, Houston. After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle has earned its place in history. Atlantis has come to a final stop." – Shuttle Atlantis Pilot Doug Hurley With its recognized dual sonic booms, Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down this morning at the Kennedy Space Center completing the final scheduled [...]
Photography: The night before the Shuttle Atlantis launch
RichC | July 12, 2011
Most Internet savvy shutterbugs have seen photos or read about Trey Ratcliff, particularly those who are paying attention to High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. Trey Ratcliff has published many gorgeous photos and posted this one of the Shuttle Atlantis sitting on the launch pad the night before lift-off. (click image to left and also see [...]
Prepare for lift-off – Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135
RichC | July 7, 2011
As we wait for the final scheduled liftoff of Shuttle Atlantis and STS-135 on Friday (weather postponement likely), I am of mixed emotion. As a child when the United States began its race to the moon, exploration of space was a pivotal part of being an American. As a tax paying citizen, the expense of [...]
“We choose to go to the moon” speech is 50 years old
RichC | May 29, 2011
Amazingly … President John F. Kennedy’s speech setting the goal for the United States to “go to the moon” was given 50 years ago. Most in this country has heard parts of this speech and JFK’s delivery is burned into memory of many of my generation. For those too young to have heard the entire [...]
Atlas 5 launch and Jetman scrub flights on Friday
RichC | May 7, 2011
On Friday I was streaming the Atlas 5 rocket countdown on my computer while waiting for Yves Rossy to fly his jet wing across the Grand Canyon (see previous posts). NASA’s red anvil rule scrubbed the launch of the Atlas 5 (clouds) and according to an EAA article, Rossy felt he needed a bit more [...]
NASA chooses museums for their retired Space Shuttles
RichC | April 12, 2011
NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr.’s announced the locations for the three operating shuttles and one gliding prototype on Tuesday afternoon: Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex in Florida – Atlantis California Science Center in Los Angeles – Endeavour Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., – Discovery Intrepid Sea, Air and Space [...]
A misty sky and a Cincinnati area “Supermoon” photo
RichC | March 20, 2011
Although my ‘supermoon’ photo from Saturday night isn’t one of the better ones from across the country, I did head outside to admire the “brightest moon since 1993.” The moon appear in its full phase just 50 minutes shy of the orbit that brings it closest to the earth … perigee. According to what I’ve [...]
NASA sends Space Shuttle Discovery to space for the last time
RichC | February 25, 2011
NASA’s space shuttle Discovery rocketed on its final voyage about 3 minutes late due to a computer problem yesterday afternoon. Mission STS-133 (PDF Summary) is sending six astronauts into space to dock with the International Space Station and plans to spend 11 days orbiting the earth. This launch has been delayed for four months in [...]
Our Sputnik moment … now and then
RichC | January 28, 2011
In the State of the Union address this past Tuesday night, President Obama reflected on the space race as a time American’s found themselves behind in technology and rose to the occasion as Americans competed with the Russians in the frontier of space. "This is our generation’s Sputnik moment," Obama said. As a result, we [...]
Busy Easter Sunday with family
RichC | April 5, 2010
We had a nice gathering and Easter Dinner at our house with my side of the family on Sunday. A good time of animated talk was enjoyed by all. My dad brought along an album never seen by most of us from his time in Korea during the war — interesting commentary by him from [...]
Soyuz space capsule bring two from ISS safely back to earth
RichC | March 18, 2010
Check out the great photo of a Russian space craft returning to earth this morning (click for larger). The two returning, one American and one Russian, have spent 5 months at the International space station and used the Soyuz TMA-16 capsule for their return ride; they landed in Kazakhstan as planned and coordinated by Russian [...]
Video embed test and Shuttle Atlantis lift off
RichC | November 16, 2009
As the number of NASA Shuttle lift offs wind down, I find myself appreciating the space program more and more. I don’t want to miss the final scheduled six launches which should complete the life of the Space Shuttle program and end of an era … a successful one I might add. Today was a [...]
Shuttle Discovery and STS-119 heads for the ISS
RichC | March 16, 2009
The space shuttle Discovery rocketed into space at 7:43 p.m. EDT on Sunday with the crew of STS-119 and the cheers from the team on the ground. The comments made by the NASA was that it was a smooth launch and that the team operated near perfectly. The early evening launch was the the 100th [...]
Nasa Shuttle mission STS-119 prepares for evening launch
RichC | March 15, 2009
While checking in with Spacevidcast.com‘s coverage of Shuttle Discovery’s planned launch on UStream.com, it is interesting listening to NASA’s “fit team’s” walk around 3 hours prior to launch and what they actually do. One unusual thing during today’s walk around was a fruit bat clinging to the shuttle assembly; the NASA consultant commented commented that [...]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.