The Official Space Exploration Thread

[Phrubruh]

As for the satellite, a short video on Youtube. Before I went to work, on CNN they said it blew up like the Death Star. I had a good laugh, was that like the original or the special edition! 

Satellite Shot Down(Raw Video)

How do we know that "satellite" wasn't an alien spacecraft?

[DSJ™]

NASA Spacecraft Photographs Avalanches on Mars



This image has captured at least four Martian avalanches, or debris falls, in action. It was taken on February 19, 2008, by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona.

Also a nice shot of home from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. 

Earth and Moon as Seen from Mars

[Matt_Fury]

Wow!  Those photos are impressive!

[DSJ™]

Yeah, pretty darn cool ****.

Check out this past pic from the Mars Global Surveyor in 2003, what a difference between the pics. Clicky on pics for larger size.

First Picture of Earth From Mars



Oh yeah, home from the surface from Mars.

[DSJ™]

Here we go again with another shuttle launch set for early tomorrow morning. Guess I'll have to watch a recording of the lift off, to early for me at 2:28 a.m. EDT.   

Endeavour crew set to lift off, assemble robot



The space shuttle Endeavour sits poised atop its Launch Pad 39A for a March 11, 2008 launch. Credit: NASA/Amanda Diller.



Space shuttle Endeavour is revealed from behind its rotating service structure on Marc 10, 2008 at Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A in preparation for the launch of STS-123. Credit: collectSPACE.com



The International Space Station's Canadian-built Dextre robot and Japan's Kibo lab logistics module are highlighted in this image. The new robot and orbital room will be delivered during NASA's STS-123 mission to launch in March 2008. Credit: NASA.

[Jeff]

The International Space Station's Canadian-built Dextre robot

I'm assuming that "Dextre" is some kind of space-age beer-dispenser?  Or is it a bubble hockey machine?   

[Darth_Anton]

Hard to believe that all the shuttles will be retired next decade and that we'll have no manned space vehicles for a time.

[Phrubruh]

When is the launch of the new space plane?

[DSJ™]

According to the link from where that pic is from, this year. I think that was just a proposal.

Orbital Space Plane

Endeavour on way to international space station



Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Credit: Pete Cosgrove/AP.



The space shuttle Endeavour pulls away from its external tank after a successful predawn launch on March 11, 2008. Credit: NASA TV.



The Space Shuttle Endeavour lights up the early morning sky at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, lifting off at 2:28 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 11.

Endeavour's mission, STS-123, will carry two new components to the International Space Station: the first section of the Japanese Kibo lab and Canada's two-armed robotic system, known as Dextre.

Endeavour will alsodeliver a new station crew member, Garretr Reisman, and bring back European Space Agency astronaut Leopold Eyharts, who has been on the station since Feb. 9. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann.

The International Space Station's Canadian-built Dextre robot

I'm assuming that "Dextre" is some kind of space-age beer-dispenser?  Or is it a bubble hockey machine?  

Yes Jeff, the Dextre is a space-age beer-dispenser that will be installed on the station. I'm sure they will know where to tap that out. 

[DSJ™]

Shuttle crew checks for damage



A view inside of space shuttle Endeavour's payload bay just hours after the spacecraft launched on March 11, 2008. The shuttle's sensor-tipped extension boom can be soon on the right side of this payload bay view. Credit: NASA TV.



A look inside the payload bay of space shuttle Endeavour before its planned docking at the ISS during NASA's STS-123 mission in March 2008. Credit: NASA TV.



The International Space Station awaits the arrival of the space shuttle Endeavor's STS-123 crew on March 12, 2008. Credit: NASA.

Cassini testing for water on one of Saturn's moons

[DSJ™]

Shuttle Endeavour docks with space station



A view of the International Space Station as space shuttle Endeavour closed in on it for docking on March 12, 2008. Credit: NASA TV.



The space shuttle Endeavour arrives at the International Space Station on March 12, 2008 during NASA's STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA TV.



Space Shuttle Endeavour is docked at the International Space Station during the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA TV.



Astronauts prepare for the first of five spacewalks during the STS-123 mission. Credit: NASA TV.

Meteor Videotaped Plunging to Earth



Still frame of the meteor plummeting toward the ground. Credit: The University of Western Ontario.


NASA: Data from Saturn moon 'looks great'

[Darth_Anton]

When is the launch of the new space plane?

As Dale mentioned, I think it's just a proposal as well. The next US manned vehicle is going back to the Apollo type rockets from what I understand.

[Phrubruh]

That's too bad. It seems like a step back. 

[DSJ™]

Space station's new robot on blink



Lead spacewalker Rick Linnehan works to install one of the "hands" of the Canadian-built Dextre robot on March 14, 2008. Credit: NASA TV.



Grappled by space shuttle Endeavour's robotic arm, the Japanese Logistics Pressurized module is maneuvered to a temporary berthing point on top of the U.S. Harmony node during spacewalking operations on March 14, 2008. Credit: NASA TV.

As for the moon mission, this is what NASA is settling on:

How We'll Get Back to the Moon



So yeah, a step back almost to the stoneage but the Apollo type craft has done well, may not be a Saturn V type but as long as it works.    Werner Von Braun's vision, reality! 

[DSJ™]

Space robot powers up



Astronaut Garrett Reisman, Expedition 16 flight engineer, uses a digital camera to expose a photo of his helmet visor during the STS-123 mission's first spacewalk Credit: NASA.



Astronaut Rick Linnehan, STS-123 mission specialist, stands on the end of the Canadarm2 during a seven-hour spacewalk on March 14, 2008. Linnehan worked to help install the "hands" of the Canadian-built Dextre robot. Credit: NASA.



The space station's robotic arm (left) attaches to a power data grapple fixture of the the Dextre robot (right), which is secured in a high-tech shipping pallet. Credit: NASA TV.