January 2004
Plans Continue for SCSS Expansion
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004
SimNASA engineers are developing the next phase of the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS). A fueling station and an additional docking station to accomodate multiple Shuttles has been approved and been scheduled for later in 2004. Other ideas other development include a rotational drum to give an artificial gravity section to the station is under review, but may or may not be part of the final station construction.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Opportunity Touches Mars, Spirit Readies"
Posted Tuesday, January 27, 2004
The SimNASA MER program continues, now with MER-B Opportunity safely on the surface of Mars. "Touchdown was at 1:51:13 UT on January 26. We landed right on target at: 3.302 W 3.374 S," stated SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges. Opportunity followed a similar entry and landing procedure as Spirit had earlier.
Meanwhile, Spirit has deployed its solar panels, cameras, and high gain antenna. Soon, Spirit will be given the order to exit the landing pad and begin its exploration.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
MER: Spirit Deploys, Opportunity Nears Mars"
Posted Sunday, January 25, 2004
The SimNASA MER program continues to proceed without problems. MER-A Spirit, now having deflated the protective airbags, the lander panels are no open - exposing the rover to the Martian atmosphere. The UHF antenna was raised, and first transmissions began at 1515 UT. Conditions on Mars were so favorable, that the command for the Spirit rover was given to "stand up", thus readying the rover to leave the lander soon. SimNASA received those transmissions ten minutes later.
MER-B Opportunity reportedly looks great and should make a pinpoint landing near the Hemetite Crater.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Touchdown! Spirit Lands on Mars!
Posted Saturday, January 24, 2004
After a more than seven month voyage totalling 302.6 million miles, the SimNASA Unmanned Space Flight Division announces that the SimNASA MER-A "Spirit" has successfully landed on Mars.
Spirit separated from its cruise stage minutes before reaching the Martian atmosphere. Soon afterward, the bottom half of the protective aeroshell was ejected, then exposing the landing package. Meanwhile, the top half of the aeroshell deployed a parachute and lowered the landing package via a tether. This entire assemply floated toward the surface through the Martian atmosphere. Six seconds before reaching the surface, retro rockets fired to slow the lander, the tether to the upper aeroshell was disconnected, and a series of protective airbags surrounding the lander inflated instantly.
The airbag-protected SimNASA lander first touched Mars at 13:11:42 UT and bounced along the surface for twelve minutes before coming to rest at 173.968 E 012.790 S - known as the Vaucolueurs area - which is 136 kilometers from the targeted Gusev Crater. The airbags were later deflated and the lander now completes systems checks before opening to release the rover.
Check out the latest pictures from the mission at the "Mars Rover" section of the SimNASA website.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Spirit - Less Than a Day Away
Posted Friday, January 23, 2004
The SimNASA Unmanned Space Flight Division Director, Neal Pizik, reports that "everything looks good" for MER-A "Spirit" to reach Mars. "She is right on trajectory and should hit the Gusev site, or very close, just after 13:11 UT, January 24," Pizik reported.
Meanwhile, MER-B "Opportunity" is "right on target for its landing at the Hematite site on January 26 at 1:46 UT," according to Pizik.
Follow the mission progress at the "Mars Rovers" section of the website.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Flight Testing to Begin on ER-2
Posted Wednesday, January 21, 2004
The SimNASA Atmospheric Flight Division (AFD) has released its plan to begin flight testing of the updated ER-2. The objective of the study is to compare the flight model of the SimNASA ER-2 with that of the real-world aircraft data. A Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and actual flight data will be provided to those pilots participating in the study.
The study will include both basic and advanced flight envelope tests, such as: time-to-altitiude, vMax, fuel-burn/range data, stall/spin data, dead-stick performance, etc. Further testing will encompass other factors including examining the effects of various fuel and equipment packages on aircraft range, ceiling, etc. Flight data sheets and data analysis software will be used to capture and assess the data gathered in this mission.
SimNASA pilots may view the ER-2 test discussions, coming soon at the website forums.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
SimNASA Test Pilots At Work
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004
The SimNASA Atmospheric Flight Division is as busy as any other division. This division is looking for pilots to test multiple aircraft. Some of the projects include:
1. The Lockheed ER-2 has been updated and requires testing. Four pilots are needed, each with at least 150 hours of flight experience within SimNASA, of which at least 50 hours must be on SimNASA jet aircraft. Preference will be given to pilots who have flown assigned missions on the current ER-2.
2. The General Dynamics WB-57 has been completely redesigned. Four pilots are needed, each with at least 150 hours of flight experience within SimNASA, of which at least 50 hours must be on SimNASA jet aircraft. Preference will be given to pilots who have flown assigned missions on the current ER-2.
3. The Lockheed F-104 has also been completely redesigned. Four pilots are needed, with at least 200 hours of flight experience within SimNASA, with at least 75 hours on SimNASA jet aircraft. Additionally, applicants must have flown at least 25 of those hours on supersonic aircraft - preferably in the T-38 or the current F-104.
Pilots interested in testing the above aircraft should contact the Atmospheric Flight Director, Daniel Lopez, at: dl.dfrc@simnasa.org, or via personal message system in the SimNASA Forums.
The Atmospheric Flight Division has tested many of the aircraft of the SimNASA fleet, including the recent Bombardier Challenger 604 and the Boeing F-15 tests.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa,org
SimNASA: While other virtual space agencies die off, SimNASA stands as strong as ever!"
MER - One Week to Mars
Posted Sunday, January 18, 2004
The SimNASA Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missions are now under one week until arrival at Mars. MER-A "Spirit" today is five days from Mars, with MER-B "Opportunity" scheduled to arrive two days later. The SimNASA Unmanned Space Flight Division reports both MER "A" and "B" to be functioning properly. Today, MER-A "Spirit" entered the gravitational field of Mars with no reported difficulties.
Follow the SimNASA MER progress at the Unmanned Space Flight mission pages, through the "Mars Rovers" link on the SimNASA home page.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Progress in Updated & New Aircraft
Posted Friday, January 16, 2004
Spacecraft and space station parts are not the only things under development. SimNASA designers have been hard at work designing and upgrading our aircraft fleet. Currently being updated are the OV-10 Bronco, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and the ER-2.
Soon, all pilots will be able to track the status of the new and upgraded aircraft development through a spreadsheet to be posted at the SimNASA website.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
STS-2 Delayed Again, STS-3 Next"
Posted Sunday, January 11, 2004
Training postponments cause another delay to the STS-2 launch, according to the SimNASA administration. STS-3 will be the next launch, scheduled for February 7. STS-3 will deliver the Science Module to the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station.
"We are now behind in the space station construction," SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges told the press today, "but STS-2 has been rescheduled for after February 21."
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
MER Just Over/Under Two Weeks
Posted Saturday, January 10, 2004
The Unmanned Space Flight Division reports that both SimNASA MER-A and MER-B each have about two weeks remaining until reaching Mars. With MER-A "Spirit" now 13 days away, and MER-B "Opportunity" now just 15 days, the MER Mission Control Teams are in preparation for arrival and soon the exploration of the Red Planet.
Check out the progress of the SimNASA MER missions via the "Mars Rovers" link on the Home Page or through the Unmanned Space Flight pages.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
STS-2 Pushed Back One Week
Posted Monday, January 5, 2004
In order to allow time for additional training, Shuttle mission STS-2 has been pushed back one week. Shuttle "Magellan", set to launch from Launch Complex 39A will deliver the robotic arm to the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station. The robotic arm will allow easier future construction and expansion to the station. STS-2 will also deliver a newly built Science Module, allowing for additional experimental and research uses.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
SkyLab-Columbia Safe From Impact
Posted Sunday, January 4, 2004
Mission Commander Chuck Boudreaux for SkyLab-Columbia II issued the "All Clear" from the possible meteor shower impacts. The crew has removed their spacesuits and has entered a rest cycle. Fortunately, the possibility for impact was less than originally predicted. With the path of the station cross-referenced with the meteor shower, there were two 6-minute exposures to the meteor shower upon the periphery of the debris field.
CDR Boudreaux also issued the following statement to real-life NASA:
"The crew of the SimNASA SkyLab-Columbia Space Staion would likd to pass on to the NASA MER-A team our best wishes and the blessings of God as man once again has reached out to drive across the surface of another world. It is a testament to the dedication of so many men and women that such a great achievement is possible. As this virtual crew glides through the heavens circling Earth every 90 minutes, we are proud to share the heavens with the crew of ISS and most importantly the 17 brave pioneers of Apollo 1, Challenger STS 51-L, and Columbia STS-107. Spirit more than any other possible act shows that their lives were not lost in vain, but rather to ensure our children will trod on Mars and their children's children among the solar system and the stars."
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Assembly of ARSM-2 Begins
Posted Friday, January 2, 2004
Neal Pizik, Director of Unmanned Space Flight (USF), announced the beginning of assembly of the Saturn IB rocket with the next ARSM Capsule. This capsule will be used for a resupply mission to the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station, scheduled for launch on March 1 from Launch Complex 34. This mission will be another completely automated mission, building upon the success of the previously USF-led ARSM Mission.
"We are excited to continue support to the SCSS, and wish everyone onboard the SCSS and here on the ground a very Happy New Year," Pizik told reporters this evening.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Meteor Alert Threatens Space Station
Posted Thursday, January 1, 2004
Dr. Donnie Tidwell, Cheif SimNASA Meteorlogist of the SimNASA Meteorological Group (SMG) has issued a space weather warning declaring the Quadrantid Meteor Shower should peak between 0600-0800 UTC on January 4, with 60 to 80 meteors visible per hour from the surface of the Earth. This shower demonstrates a range of 120 to 200 potential collisions per hour as the SimNASA SkyLab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS) passes through the debris path during is orbit.
The debris is believed to be due to the remains of a past comet. Fortunately, "the projected particle size and the relatively narrow size of the debris field decrease the threat, but a credible danger remains", according to SMG scientists.
Due to this event, SkyLab-Columbia shall change its status from "Normal" to "URGENT" - effective immediately, until either 1200 Zulu on January 4, or until the Commander gives an all clear. During this period all SCSS staff are called to duty and all station routine operations are suspended. All pressure doors are be secured at all times unless necessary for moving to other sections. All crew members are to be in pressure suits in case of depressurization. All external station operations are suspeneded. A full system check of the Apollo Escape Capsule (AESC) has been started.
Additional details shall be released as the circumstances unfold. Mission Control teams are monitoring the events and in close contact with the SMG.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
New Web Design Coming Soon
Posted Thursday, January 1, 2004
The SimNASA website will get a new look, according to Administrator Brad Hodges. Sneak previews show a newly updated, sleeker look, but yet one that maintains the improved functionality from the current design. The new design shall be unveiled shortly.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
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