March 2004
ATV-1 Scheduled for April
Posted Monday, March 29, 2004
The first Automated Transfer Vehicle mission (ATV-1), scheduled for launch from Launch Complex 34, will mark the beginning of a new monthly SimNASA autonomous resupply launch vehicle for the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station. The ATV is designed to replace the previous SimNASA resupply system, the Apollo Resupply Mission (ARSM) system.
The ATV system is comprised of three parts:
1) Saturn IB - The reliable rocket has served SimNASA well and thus was chosen as the primary component of the ATV.
2) Faring Shell - This four-part shell covers the third portion of the system.
3) ATV - A complete redesign for a high capacity cargo vehicle, based upon the European Space Agency (ESA) design.
The ATV is more versatile than the ARSM in that the ATV can dock with more of the space station ports, namely port 0 and 3. The ATV also has a larger cargo capacity than the ARSM, and can serve as a lifeboat in an emergency. However, the ATV cannot re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. Instead, it does have a pressurized cabin, complete with supplies to sustain a crew of seven up to one week. The crew could also use the current escape module as well.
When no longer needed, the ATV would be loaded with trash and other unwanted items to begin de-orbit and burn in the atmosphere with impact in either the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. The ATV is not designed for recovery and is deemed expendable.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Barlett to Manage Flight Records
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2004
SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges today has announced the acceptance of Preston Barlett to the position of Flight Database Administrator. Barlett will maintain the flight database, as well as process requests for database entries into the SimNASA database. This position will report to the Public Affairs Officer.
Please join the Staff in congratulating Preston Bartlett to his new position.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Manned Space Flight Plans for Future
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2004
The next series of manned space flight for SimNASA have been released. Crew selections for the STS-2, STS-4, and SCSS-3 missions have been pre-approved.
STS-2 will complete the Horticulture and Science #2 modules to the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS). While STS-4 delivers the solar assembly and SCSS-3 crew to the station.
Once the crew selection has been confirmed, the crew teams shall begin training appropriate for their mission.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
PIREP System Back Online
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2004
The SimNASA Staff announced today that the Pilot Report (PIREP) system is again operational. All pilots are to utilize the PIREP system in order to log all flight hours in order to receive credit.
This updated version of the PIREP system is now released after more than a year and a half of design.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
ARSM-2 Makes Successful Docking
Posted Friday, March 12, 2004
While other some virtual space agencies lie dormant, SimNASA continues to push ever forward. After a successful launch yesterday at 22:10 UTC (17:10 EST) from Launch Complex 34, the Saturn IB rocket with its modifed supply module dutifully pushed itself toward the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS).
This second Apollo Resupply Mission (ARSM-2) completed a stable orbital pattern, and later achieved hard dock to Port 2 of the SCSS at 03:24:30 today. All latches have been secured and the space station crew has been given a go to open the hatch for supply disembark.
The SimNASA SCSS, the longest operating virtual space station, has just completed over one year of continuous service - now with 367 orbital days, and counting.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
ARSM-2 Back on Track
Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2004
SimNASA Unmanned Space Flight Director Neal Pizik announced this afternoon that the second Apollo Resupply Mission (ARSM-2) is again go for launch. The first launch for this mission was postponed after discovering a weak coupling in the liquid oxygen tank. The coupling has been replaced and fully tested. The next launch is scheduled for Thursday Mar 11 at 22:17 UTC, 17:17 EST.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
PIREP Down During Upgrades
Posted Thursday, March 4, 2004
SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges informs all pilots that on Saturday, March 6th the PIREP system and new member registrations will be disabled. This service may be down for up to five days while the new automation system is implemented. The first priority will be to bring the PIREP system on-line, followed by the new member registrations.
- Reporting to SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
Last Minute Finding Delays ARSM 2
Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004
SimNASA Unmanned Space Flight Division Director Neal Pizik told reporters the reason for the Apollo Resupply Mission 2 (ARSM-2)was due to a leak in the liquid oxygen tank, noticed late in the launch preparations. The launch has been postponed for up to a week while this leak is being investigated further.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
SimNASA to Design Transfer Vehicle
Posted Monday, March 1, 2004
SimNASA engineers are in the concept stage of an orbital transfer vehicle. This spacecraft will have the primary function of shuttling personnel, supplies, and equipment from low Earth orbit (LEO) to lunar orbit. Rocket specifications, aerobraking possibilities, and heat shields are all topics under discussion.
Rumors suggest this spacecraft will be part of a larger puzzle, consisting of additional spacecraft types which will handle the transfer of goods and personnel to and from the areas not serviced by this concept vehicle, whose end function is most likely to handle traffic to some sort of lunar complex.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer,
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