NASA Kennedy Space Center just posted a photograph of their—now dead—main countdown clock with the following text:"We can’t wait to use this again." I imagine all their employees looking at it every day and tearing up. I know I would. If that’s not sad, I don’t know what is.
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Ever since NASA started wrapping up its space shuttle program, it’s had a lot of extra gear on its hands. The shuttles were sent off to retirement and other assorted equipment was cleaned out of the garage. Now NASA’s game to lease or sell some of the infrastructure that’s still hanging around at the Kennedy Space Center. More »
On Friday, Space Shuttle Atlantis made its final voyage, marking the last time an orbiter in America’s shuttle program would be on the move. We were on-hand during the occasion and followed Atlantis as it slowly trekked to its destination, a 90,000 square-foot exhibit building at Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex. To live out the event vicariously, check out the photos below or hit the jump for the video.
Filed under: Science
Visualized: Space Shuttle Atlantis makes its final journey, arrives at new home (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It’s always bittersweet when we see great vehicles on their way to becoming museum pieces, after all, they represent something pretty special. Space Shuttle Atlantis landed in Florida back in July, where it’s been locked inside the vehicle assembly building at the Kennedy Space Center — which is where we got a chance to look inside. Now it’s making its final journey, a 10-mile cruise along the road to the visitor center, where it’ll hopefully inspire generations for many years to come. If you’d like to watch the operation as it takes place, then head on past the break to watch the livestream.
Filed under: Transportation, Science, Alt
Watch Space Shuttle Atlantis’ final journey to the Kennedy Space Center visitor building (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Space Shuttles Discovery, Endeavour and Enterprise have all left Kennedy Space Center for new homes, but Atlantis? She’s staying. Come November 2nd, the orbiter will be wheeled out to a 65,000-square-foot exhibit, which is still being constructed at KSC’s visitor complex. Though the craft’s cargo bay doors will be open and its remote manipulator arm extended when its displayed, visitors won’t be able to climb aboard it — or any of the other shuttles, for that matter. However, we got the chance to visit Bay 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility, step inside Atlantis and give it the hands-on treatment. Look out below for the gallery or hit the jump for the full video tour.
Gallery: Inside Space Shuttle Atlantis
Continue reading Space Shuttle Atlantis hands-on: a look inside (video)
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Space Shuttle Atlantis hands-on: a look inside (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise have already settled into their new homes, and now Endeavour is scheduled to depart for its future abode at the California Science Center on September 17th. Taking to the skies atop a modified Boeing 747, the shuttle will make pit stops in Texas and at Edwards Air Force Base in the Golden State before touching down at Los Angeles International Airport on the 20th. During the journey out west, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft will buzz certain cities and NASA sites along its flight path at roughly 1,500 feet in altitude. After its voyage, Endeavor will head to the science center on October 13th, but won’t be on display until the end of the month. Yearning to catch a glimpse of the historic vehicle before it reaches its final resting place? Head past the jump for its flight schedule and flyover details.
Continue reading Space Shuttle Endeavour hitching a ride atop a 747 to its new home on September 17
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Space Shuttle Endeavour hitching a ride atop a 747 to its new home on September 17 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 01:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Have you ever thought about running a triathlon? And are you a big nerd? Well, you’re reading Gizmodo so chances are you’re at least half way there. Next year, for the first time ever, the Kennedy Space Center is going to open their gates for an awesome sporting event. More »
While it’s not landing on Mars any time soon, NASA took a breather from Curiosity’s adventures to showcase the Morpheus Lander. The prototype went through its first (tethered) flight test at the Kennedy Space Center just before the weekend, showcasing its methane-powered rocket system. It’s this rocket setup which could make the Morpheus Lander a strong candidate for future landings. It’s both safer than rocket fuel and NASA suggests that methane gas discarded from the International Space Station could be enough to top up the lander’s fuel tanks without necessitating a visit back to Earth. Morpheus’ built-in guidance system also reduces the amount of input needed from mission control — the pod has been practicing hard on its own hazard field near the Space Center. After passing the test with its training wheels on, the first free flight descent has been tentatively penned in for later today. Crank the volume low — it gets loud — and watch Morpheus test those right rockets after the break.
Continue reading NASA’s Morpheus lander detects hazards, noisily passes tethered flight test (video)
Filed under: Transportation, Science
NASA’s Morpheus lander detects hazards, noisily passes tethered flight test (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Today’s a stupendous day for lovers of the one and only National Aeronautics Space Administration — nearly half as great as when we took you inside Kennedy Space Center shortly after it had opened its fascinating doors to the public. At any rate, Google announced earlier that its captivating (and sometimes troubling) Street View technology had made its way into NASA’s KSC, allowing people to check out what the compound is all about and what sort of sensational machinery lies inside. With Mountain View’s doings, you can now find your way around different spots within the Space Center, including the Launch Firing Room, Vehicle Assembly Building and, as seen above, the Space Shuttle Launch Pad. There’s a video past the break if you’re interested in a quick preview, otherwise you can give it a go yourself by clicking the more coverage link below.
Continue reading Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Science, Internet
Google takes one giant leap: now lets you Street View the Kennedy Space Center originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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In honor of the Kennedy Space Center’s 50th anniversary, the Google Maps team has just added something very cool: an all-access pass to the KSC. You can now take a Street View walk through rooms you’d never have access to without some serious security clearance. More »
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