Wednesday, May 30, 2012

SpaceX Splashdown Thur.; Adds Customer for Huge Rocket

SpaceX's Private Dragon Capsule Returns to Earth Thursday

Date: 30 May 2012 Time: 11:24 AM ET


SpaceX Dragon Approaches the ISS
The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the International Space Station. This image was taken May 25, 2012.
CREDIT: NASA



After a more than a week in orbit, the private space capsule Dragon is preparing to return to Earth from the International Space Station and cap off its historic mission with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Dragon is due to be released from the station early Thursday (May 31) and splash down a few hours later. The return to Earth is the last major hurdle for the groundbreaking spacecraft built by Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX).









MORE: http://www.space.com/15918-spacex-private-space-capsule-landing.html

SpaceX Signs 1st Customer for World's Most Powerful Private Rocket

Date: 30 May 2012 Time: 10:36 AM ET


Illustration of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, which the company says will be the most capable rocket operating today.
Illustration of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, which the company says will be the most capable rocket operating today.
CREDIT: SpaceX


The private spaceflight company SpaceX has signed its first launch customer for its new mega-rocket, the Falcon Heavy, even as the firm's first commercial spaceship prepares to return home from the International Space Station.
The Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX announced Thursday (May 29) that it has landed a contract with satellite communications provider Intelsat to launch a satellite using the new Falcon Heavy rocket, which is expected to become the world's most powerful rocket in use when it starts flying.

MORE: http://www.space.com/15915-worlds-powerful-private-rocket-spacex.html

June 5 - Safe Public Viewing of Rare Astronomical Event:
>>> 
http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/venustransit/notices/Poster-VenusTransit2012.html 

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
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Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
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  < http://www.planetarium.cc >
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear:
  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:
  < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
* Civil War Museum of Andrew Carnegie Free Library:
  < http://garespypost.tripod.com >
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* Public Transit:
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