By Eric Lindstrom The beauty of sea and sky in the open ocean of the tropics is a wonder to behold. There seemingly are an infinite number of ways to mix the sun, clouds, water, wind, and stars into poetry and science. For today I choose only a tiny slice of this infinite variety: Today […]
EXpedite PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 7 (ER7) and ER8 Locker Relocations: Following the recovery of ER7 capability yesterday, the crew relocated the two Space Automated Bioproduct Laboratories (SABLs) currently in ER8 to ER7 to make room for the SpaceX-9 delivered Phase Change Heat Exchanger (PCHx) which will be installed next week. …
By Eric Lindstrom SPURS-2 is basic research seeking to improve our fundamental understanding of the surface salinity of the ocean. How does the salt content of the top layer of the ocean vary, and why? However, the question of today’s blog is: How should such work be supported? While NASA is the prime investor in […]
NASA’s first asteroid sampling mission launched into space at 7:05 p.m. EDT Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, beginning a journey that could revolutionize our understanding of the early solar system. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V boosted NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, onto a …
OSIRIS REx’s solar arrays are providing power and the spacecraft is communicating with controllers on Earth, according to Geoffrey Yoder, acting associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “Everything is working thus far,” Yoder reported. “It’s a great day for the space program.” This concludes live countdown coverage, but stay tuned to NASA TV …
The team has received confirmation that OSIRIS-REx’s two solar arrays have deployed.
“What a terrific performance by the combined Atlas V team,” NASA Launch Manager Tim Dunn told NASA Commentator Mike Curie after the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft separated from the Centaur upper stage, signifying the end of tonight’s launch and the start of the asteroid-sampler’s mission to Bennu. “Not a single anomaly was worked during the countdown,” Dunn said. “That’s …
Flying high above the southern tip of Australia, the OSIRIS-REx successfully separated from the Centaur upper stage, beginning a seven-year mission to travel to the asteroid Bennu and return a sample to Earth. Next, OSIRIS-REx will “phone home” via the Deep Space Network, and confirm its solar arrays have deployed.
Controllers and mission officials are expecting to see OSIRIS-REx separate from the Centaur in two minutes.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft remains attached to the Centaur upper stage following the ride to space that began with liftoff from Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida at 7:05 p.m. EDT. The spacecraft is due to separate from the Centaur at about 8:04 p.m.
