Aug 11

DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes

Posted in: space, Today's Chili, video
All eyes are on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California today, where DARPA‘s Falcon HTV-2 unmanned aircraft is scheduled to launch into space at hypersonic speeds, as part of a critical test flight. Measuring just 12 feet in length, the HTV-2 maxes out at a speed of about 1300 16,700 miles per hour (Mach 22), theoretically allowing it to jet from New York to Los Angeles in just 12 minutes and to reach anywhere in the world in less than an hour. The main obstacle, however, has been transitioning from theory to practice. During its first test flight back in April, the craft lasted just nine minutes before intentionally crashing, due to technical failures. DARPA still doesn’t know what went wrong during that fateful test, though the agency speculates that the Falcon may have simply overheated. This time around, engineers have adjusted plane’s center of gravity and angle of descent, in the hopes that their creation will fare better when it launches on the back of a Minotaur IV rocket, later today. If the test proves successful, it may help fuel similarly inter-galactic defense projects that the Pentagon is exploring as a means to combat terrorism and enemy states. We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out whether this initiative actually takes off, but in the meantime, head past the break for a demo video from DARPA.

Continue reading DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes

DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Daily Mail  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 11

DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes (update: lost in flight)

Posted in: space, Today's Chili, video
All eyes are on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California today, where DARPA‘s Falcon HTV-2 unmanned aircraft is scheduled to launch into space at hypersonic speeds, as part of a critical test flight. Measuring just 12 feet in length, the HTV-2 maxes out at a speed of about 1300 16,700 miles per hour (Mach 22), theoretically allowing it to jet from New York to Los Angeles in just 12 minutes and to reach anywhere in the world in less than an hour. The main obstacle, however, has been transitioning from theory to practice. During its first test flight back in April, the craft lasted just nine minutes before intentionally crashing, due to technical failures. DARPA still doesn’t know what went wrong during that fateful test, though the agency speculates that the Falcon may have simply overheated. This time around, engineers have adjusted plane’s center of gravity and angle of descent, in the hopes that their creation will fare better when it launches on the back of a Minotaur IV rocket, later today. If the test proves successful, it may help fuel similarly inter-galactic defense projects that the Pentagon is exploring as a means to combat terrorism and enemy states. We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out whether this initiative actually takes off, but in the meantime, head past the break for a demo video from DARPA.

Update: Sadly, while the Minotaur IV rocket launch and separation were successful, the Falcon HTV-2 itself was lost nine minutes into its flight this morning just as its predecessor was. DARPA did manage to collect data up until the crash (somewhere in the Pacific Ocean), however, and says that it plans to review it over the coming weeks. Third time’s the charm, maybe?

Continue reading DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes (update: lost in flight)

DARPA’s Falcon HTV-2 hypersonic aircraft launches today, does New York to LA in 12 minutes (update: lost in flight) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Daily Mail  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 09

Everyone on Earth Has Alien Parts

Posted in: science, space, Today's Chili, top, video

Stop looking for alien life. It’s right here, on Earth. You are one of them. Me too. We all are. At last, scientists have discovered evidence that supports the theory that part of our DNA actually comes from deep space. More »

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Aug 09

NASA finds DNA components in meteorites, says they originated in space (video)

Posted in: NASA, research, science, space, Today's Chili, video
So, this is kinda wild: scientists at NASA have uncovered new evidence that DNA components found in meteorites can originate in space, lending new credence to the theory that life on Earth may have arisen from a pre-existing “kit” of materials delivered via asteroid. The discovery is outlined in a new paper from Dr. Michael Callahan, whose team of researchers closely analyzed samples from 12 different meteorites, using a mass spectrometer and liquid chromatography. In their samples, they found traces of adenine, guanine, and a variety of molecules known as nucleobase analogs — including three that are rarely found on Earth. Scientists have long known that meteorites can contain DNA elements, but were unsure whether these materials actually originate in space. The presence of these three molecules, however, suggest that they do, potentially raising new questions about the dawn of life on Earth, and beyond. It’s all quite heady, but steam ahead for a NASA video that might help clarify things, after the break.

Continue reading NASA finds DNA components in meteorites, says they originated in space (video)

NASA finds DNA components in meteorites, says they originated in space (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Space.com  |  sourceNASA  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 07

The Earth Has a Ring

Posted in: research, science, space, Today's Chili, top, twitter

Of anti-protons! While it’s not as visually cool as what Saturn has going for it, this is still an important development, even if we can’t technically “see” the ring with our primitive Earthling eyes. More »

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Aug 07

Boeing’s CST-100 to shoot non-NASA astronauts into space by 2015

Posted in: space, Today's Chili

Day job just too darn terrestrial? Maybe you should score a gig at Boeing, which’ll apparently sling two of its very own into space come 2015. What’ll be their chariot? The company’s CST-100 — you know that spiffy capsule that can hurtle a lucky seven humans 100km into the dark abyss. Strapped to ULA’s Atlas V, the crew will follow two unmanned missions, eventually reaching the International Space Station. If that all goes to plan, commercial service will start in 2016. Now about those extra five seats…

Continue reading Boeing’s CST-100 to shoot non-NASA astronauts into space by 2015

Boeing’s CST-100 to shoot non-NASA astronauts into space by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink BBC  |  sourceBoeing  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 05

NASA’s solar-powered Juno mission heads to Jupiter today, Orbiter finds water on Mars? (video)

Posted in: NASA, solar, solar power, SolarPower, space, Today's Chili, video

NASA’s Juno mission has been beset by delays for a while now, but the solar-powered excursion is finally scheduled to take off for Jupiter today, in the hopes of making history. Throughout the course of its five-year journey, the “armored tank” spacecraft will be powered exclusively by a trio of solar panels, each measuring nine feet wide and 30 feet long. Close to Earth, these panels will be able to generate 14 kilowatts of electricity, but as Juno ventures deeper into space, they’ll crank out only 400 watts. Power, however, shouldn’t be an issue, as NASA has outfitted the craft with energy efficient onboard computers, and has drawn out a route that will maximize its exposure to the sun. Juno should arrive at Jupiter by 2016 and, if all goes to plan, will ultimately travel farther than any solar-powered craft ever has. The agency expects their creation to set the record in April 2017, when it should be about 507 million miles away from the sun, eclipsing the 492 million mile mark likely to be set by Russia’s sun-juiced Rosetta craft, in 2012.

Meanwhile, closer to home, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has just delivered new imagery of the Red Planet’s mountains, providing perhaps the strongest evidence that water still flows there. The images reveal long, finger-like tendrils that extend down steep slopes, including the rims of craters. They appear during the summer and fade away once winter arrives, suggesting the presence of a volatile material. Researchers failed to identify water above ground, but speculate that briny water may be flowing underground. Launch past the break to see the images, in all their eight seconds of glory.

Continue reading NASA’s solar-powered Juno mission heads to Jupiter today, Orbiter finds water on Mars? (video)

NASA’s solar-powered Juno mission heads to Jupiter today, Orbiter finds water on Mars? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSpace.com, BBC  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 01

Herschel telescope finds first evidence of oxygen molecules in space

Posted in: NASA, space, Today's Chili
It’s not every day that scientists get to say they’ve found something in space for the first time ever, but astronomers working with the European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory announced just such a discovery today, and it’s a big one. They’ve made the first confirmed finding of oxygen molecules in space (found hiding in the Orion nebula), and suggest that the oxygen is likely released when the water ice surrounding dust grains is melted by the heat from nearby stars forming. Of course, one discovery only leads to more questions, and the scientists note that they still haven’t found large amounts of oxygen, and “still don’t understand what is so special about the spots where we find it.”

Herschel telescope finds first evidence of oxygen molecules in space originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceEuropean Space Agency, NASA  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 30

How Driving On the Moon Made Us Care About Space Again

Posted in: science, space, Today's Chili, top

Back in 1969, the Apollo 11 mission put mankind on the moon. It was a massive accomplishment. Two years later, though, people were getting bored. 40 years ago today, it become the moon buggy’s job to make space fun again. More »

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Jul 29

Nasa Wraps Its Space-Flashes in Cute Little Spacesuits

Posted in: flash, NASA, nikon, space, Today's Chili

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In space, Nikon’s SB800 speedlights get their own cute, custom-made spacesuits. Photo NASA

You or I might prepare for an extreme photography trip with a few Ziploc bags or even a proper waterproof housing. When NASA packs for space, though, things are a little more complicated.

The NASA photo above shows a Nikon D2X modified for use in orbit. Further, it shows an SB800 speedlight comfily ensconced inside its own cute little space suit. While a pro-level DSLR requires nothing more than a firmware tweak and a “lubricant modification” to work in the extremes of space, the flash needs a little more coddling.

The white cover is a “thermal blanket” which protects the unit from extreme temperatures, and keeps the “touch temperature” between minus 129 and plus 120 degrees Celsius.

But underneath that cover is a pressure suit. NASA says that the flash won’t work properly in a vacuum, so it gets wrapped in a pressurized jacket to make it feel like it’s back on Earth. A modified SB29 sync cord connects the camera and flash together.

So what becomes of the cameras after a successful mission? Unlike the Apollo missions’ Hasselblads, which were left up on the moon (imagine what one of those would go for at auction if it was ever rescued), the Nikons return to Earth. Then, they are inspected to see if they are fit to go up again. The biggest problem is the effect of cosmic radiation on the sensors, which can kill pixels. Enough dead pixels in one camera and it is grounded forever.

How Does NASA Get a Nikon D2Xs DSLR Ready to Go to Space? [Popular Photography]

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