Mohawk valley astronomical society
Launch America by carol higgins
It has been fifty-nine years since Alan Shepard became America’s first astronaut launched into space. Since then, we’ve built larger rockets, developed advanced spacecraft to protect crews from the harsh conditions beyond our planet’s atmosphere, sent twelve astronauts to the surface of the Moon, and helped build the International Space Station (ISS), which has been in operation since November 2000. In 2010, a new era of human spaceflight opened when NASA announced a novel approach to creating the next generation of transportation options to carry astronauts to and from the ISS – the Commercial Crew Program (CCP). Starting in 1981, four Space Shuttles were the primary vehicle for U.S. astronauts. When plans to retire the fleet were announced by President Bush in 2004, NASA began work on new exploration missions. Funding eventually became a problem, and debates about the direction of the space program continued. But the shuttle retirement plans were underway, and the shuttle Atlantis made the final flight on July 8, 2011, and landed July 21 of that year. Since then, American astronauts have depended on Russia and their 3-person Soyuz spacecraft for transportation. The Commercial Crew Program was created to end our reliance on others. CCP is unique in the history of the agency. Previously specifications for rockets and crew-capable spacecraft were created, with contracts awarded to vendors who developed and built the systems under supervision by agency staff. NASA retained ownership of the resulting systems. In the CCP partnership, NASA defines safety and
operational requirements for crew transportation services, but leaves the design, development, and testing responsibilities to the companies who submit a plan to meet the requirements. When a company is awarded a CCP contract they retain ownership of their systems and NASA becomes a customer for launch services. Between 2010 and 2013, companies submitted proposals to NASA. Some were granted funding to develop and test Hanny’s their Voorwerp. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, W. Keel, Galaxy Zoo Team designs. In 2014, NASA announced the two finalists to be awarded Commercial SpaceX Crew Dragon launch May 30, 2020 Crew transportation contracts: Boeing and SpaceX. Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky Over the next four years, four NASA astronauts worked with the two companies craft from reaching the ISS. Starliner did on the design and interfaces of their innosafely return, touching down at a planned vative spacecraft: Boeing’s Starliner, and site in White Sands, New Mexico. A thorSpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Extensive hardough investigation discovered software and ware and software tests were performed, hardware issues, which Boeing is addressand ground and mission control teams ing. A second test flight is being planned for trained and reviewed procedures. Last year, later this year. several significant flight milestones were The most exciting event so far is the achieved. SpaceX Crew Dragon launch of NASA The first occurred on March 2, 2019. astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley SpaceX launched a Crew Dragon spaceon May 30, 2020, from Kennedy Space craft on a demonstration flight to the ISS Center. They arrived at ISS nineteen hours to test all spacecraft systems. No astronauts later, and are still onboard the station helpwere on board, but sensors monitored ening with research and spacewalks! So far, vironmental conditions and spacecraft perCrew Dragon has performed very well, and formance during the mission including the the astronauts will likely return to Earth automatic docking process. Crew Dragon sometime in early August. If all goes well, splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean on the next Crew Dragon will launch in the fall March 8 and was retrieved by a SpaceX reand carry four NASA astronauts for a long covery ship. The test was a great success. duration mission. For the latest news, visit Next was the Boeing Starliner’s first unhttps://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/ . crewed demonstration flight, launched De Wishing you clear skies and good cember 20, 2019. Some problems occurred health! • shortly after lift-off, preventing the space-
Mills Electrical Supply Over 50 Years in Business Your Headquarters for All Your Electrical & Lighting Needs! • Electrical Supplies • Indoor/Outdoor Lighting • Commerical and Residential • New Contractors Welcome
315-337-5760 Open M-F 7-5 739 Erie Blvd West, Rome www.millselectricalsupplyny.com
GOODSELL MUSEUM Local Adirondack History
2993 State 28 Old 2993Route State Route 28Forge, NY 13420
315-369-3838 Old Forge, NY 13420 www.WebbHistory.org 315-369-3838
www.webbhistory.org Open All Year All Year FREEOpen TO THE PUBLIC
currently closed, FREE TO THE PUBLIC Museum Hours: please refer to Tues – Sat, 10AM Museum Hours:– 3 PM website for more info Tues-Sat, 10am-3pm Headquarters of the
Town of Webb Historical Association
Headquarters of the Town of Webb Historical Association
17
