May 2003
Mission Control Requests Pilots for SkyLab III Recovery
Posted Friday, May 30, 2003
Preston Barlett, SimNASA Flight Logistics Manager requests pilots for the upcoming SkyLab III Recovery Operations on May 31:
- one HH-65 pilot, for extraction
- two C-130 Range Pilots
- one Falcon 50 pilot, to return the crew home.
Volunteers must be qualified to fly the requested aircraft. Recovery operations will be flown on FPI. Please send your requests to mct@simnasa.org. Selected pilots will be send the appropriate flight plans and related materials.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Crew Preps for Return
Posted Friday, May 30, 2003
The crew of SkyLab III is now wrapping-up their mission and preparing for the splashdown and recovery phase of their month-long excursion.
SP K.S. Weber and CSM Troy Wild completed a dual EVA to retrieve the film canisters from the observations taken during experimentation. This was the first spacewalk for Weber, which included the inspection of the solar panels. Meanwhile, Wild inspected the Skylab for any damage from orbiting debris, micro-meteorites, and overstress during maneuvering. Only small amounts of pitting from micro-meteorites were noticed. The EVA lasted 1 hour, 17 minutes, 55 seconds.
The station was later deactivated, followed by the crew entering the capsule and undocking from the station. The crew is currently orbiting the Earth and preparing for a splashdown at 2133UT May 31, approximately 30 nautical miles southwest of the Oahu island of Hawaii.
Final orbital parameters of the CSM were reported as: PeD: 6.603M ApD: 6.06 ECC: 0.0002 INC: 31.84* LAN: 52.09* FUEL: 80.7%.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III to Return Saturday?
Posted Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Originally scheduled to return this Saturday, the SkyLab III splashdown timing is now uncertain, according to SimNASA insiders.
Although complete information is still arriving, it appears an equipment and communication breakdown are causing the extended mission to have an unknown conclusion.
Stay tuned for details as they develop.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SimNASA Job Posting - Webmaster
Posted Saturday, May 24, 2003
SimNASA - Job Positions Available
Webmaster
Posting date: 12 May 2003
Closing date: 26 May 2003
Apply to: administrator@simnasa.org
Summary: The SimNASA Webmaster will have the primary responsibility to maintain and update the SimNASA web-site by providing both HTML and CGI/Perl coding resources to SimNASA staff. Ideal opportunity for someone looking to gain work experience. The SimNASA Webmaster will advise the SimNASA Executive and report directly to the Associate Administrator SimNASA Johnson Space Center.
The successful applicant will:
- have experience and knowledge of HTML and XML
- have designed and implemented web-sites using either FrontPage/Dreamweaver/Homesite (must submit at least 2 examples of work)
- be skilled in Javascript, CGIs, Perl and flat file databases (must provide an example of coding done from scratch)
- be willing to work with a wide variety of people and ensure that a common standard/theme is implemented in a tactful way
- sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
Interested parties are encouraged to apply immediately.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Passes Half-Way Mark
Posted Thursday, May 22, 2003
The crew of the SkyLab III mission continue to stream copius amounts of data and remain in high spirits, according the CDR. Shawn Veinot.
The station will soon perform its next burn to maintain good orbit in preparation for its next crew. Spacewalks to retreive film canisters and to inspect the station exterior have been scheduled for next week.
Science Pilot K.S. Weber has completed another round of weather observation and study, and prepares to begin his final round of slated experiments, including the Eastern Seaboard, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Special detail will be spent on warmer air and related pressure systems.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Begins Cardiovascular Experiment
Posted Monday, May 19, 2003
Among many of the experiments aboard SkyLab is a cardiovascular experiment. Building upon a similar experiment he performed aboard the Gemini VI mission, CDR. Shawn Veinot conduct the following:
Three minutes of rest, including no communications or movements within the station for the calculation of the heartbeat, whether it be via the 6 second, 10 second, or 1 minute method.
Ten minutes of exercise in total. Breakdown is as follows:
a) 3 minutes, 20 seconds of arm exercises.
b) Heartbeat calculation
c) 2 minutes rest
d) Heartbeat calculation
e) 3 minutes, 20 seconds of leg exercises.
f) Heartbeat calculation.
g) 2 minutes rest
h) Heartbeat calculation.
I) 3 minutes, 20 seconds of abdominal exercise
j)Heartbeat calculation
k)Conclusion of Exercise
To calculate the change in beats/minutes, one must do:
Change in Beats = b - a
Where:
b = the heartbeat after exercise
a = is the heartbeat before exercise
After all three totals have been made, the values may be compared to one another to see where the astronaut is his weakest if the exercises were performed at the same rate.
An average of the change of heartbeat can be calculated using the formula:
Average change in heartbeat = [(a+b+c)/2]
Where:
a = the arm ex. heartbeat
b = the leg ex. heartbeat
c = the abs ex. heartbeat
All scenarios require either a Flight Surgeon or another Astronaut for timing purposes.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
New Website Section - Job Postings
Posted Monday, May 19, 2003
A new "Job Postings" section has just been added to the SimNASA website. New job postings will still be announced in the "Latest News" as a Press Release, and also shown in the new section.
The "Job Postings" section can be found under the "SimNASA HQ" heading.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Francis R. Scobee Memorial Fly-In
Posted Friday, May 16, 2003
SimNASA will sponsor a the Francis R. Scobee Memorial Fly-In this Sunday on May 18th to honor one of the many fallen astronauts.
Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, whose birthday is May 19th, was the Commander of the fallen Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. Scobee would of been 64.
The Fly-In will occur 1500 UT to 1800 UT from KIAH to KTTS on FPI (www.flightproject.com), in remembrance of this hero. Questions regarding this event may be directed to our Events Coordinator, Neal Pizik, at: events@simnasa.org.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Website Service Interrupted
Posted Monday, May 12, 2003
The service provider for SimNASA is current doing a number of upgrades which will cause some portions of the SimNASA website to be unavailable at times. Thank-you for your patience.
- Reporting for SimNASA, Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
New Job Position Available
Posted Monday, May 12, 2003
SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges announced today the opening of a new opportunity within SimNASA.
SimNASA is now hiring a new Webmaster. Candidates should possess the following qualifications:
- Experience and knowledge of HTML, XML, and designing and implementing of websites using either FrontPage/Dreamweaver/Homesite. Must submit at least two examples of work.
- Skilled in JAVA scripting, PERL, and simple flat file databases. Must provide an example of coding done from scratch.
- Willing to work with a wide variety of people and ensure that a standard common format/theme is implement in a tactful way.
- Must be willing to sign a NDA (Non-disclosure agreement).
This is a great opportunity for those trying to gain work experience. The Webmaster of SimNASA would a member of the Executive Committee and report directly to the Associate Director JSC. Send your application to Brad at: administrator@simnasa.org.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Witnesses Mercury Event
Posted Wednesday, May 7, 2003
SkyLab provides "a unique vantage point" to observe and study the planet Mercury, according to CMP Troy Wild.
During continual solar observations, the crew of SkyLab III is positioned to study "the transit of the planet Mercury across the solar disk," CMP Wild explains, which is the path of the small planet between Earth and the Sun. In only twelve occurences per century can such an alignment be viewed.
Photographs and collected data shall be sent to scientists on Earth for further study.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Crew Docks, Enters, Starts Station
Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2003
CDR. Veinot, one of the most eager Commanders within SimNASA, led his crew to the successful docking of the SkyLab Station.
CMP Wild piloted the capsule with complete precision last night at 0107UT when he engaged a soft dock, and then hard dock after a "Go" from the Commander. Two short burns were required to achieve this sucessful docking, the first for 4 seconds at 2229UT and the second burn for 10 seconds at 2317UT.
This morning, the crew opened the hatch at 2100UT and entered SkyLab to begin activating its systems. The Glycol Evaporator, Battery Charger, and the Orbital Workshop were among the systems initiated. The crew reports to be in high morale, and all consumables are within acceptable levels.
Experimentation began almost immediately. The Science Pilot has taken photographs of the tornadoes along the United States Eastern Seaboard, the Apollo Telescope Mount is prepared to continue solar observations, and a regiment of crew cardio experimentation/observation has begun.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
"Other virtual space agencies get their solar data from SimNASA!"
First vNWS Project Goes BAM!
Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2003
The Virtual National Weather Service (vNWS), a division of SimNASA, announced one of its newest projects. Tim Luton will fly the SimNASA P-3 Orion during the upcoming three-month "Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortices Experiment" otherwise known as "BAMEX".
This major experiment shall study the evolution of bow echoes and mesoscale convective vortices, which effect local weather by producing widespread heavy rainfall, and at times, flash flooding. Most of what is known about these systems derives primarily from numerical simulations. Since little is known about how the horizontal circulations form, how predictable such circumstances might be, and what determines their length scales, this experiment should shed some much needed light on this elusive subject.
Much of the readings taken by the P-3 will be performed by ELDORA, a sophisticated doppler radar, "to fly the leading line convection of the bow-echo system in order to map the complete circulation near this line and rearward of the stratiform region" as called for by the experimental design, "The P-3 will fly a staggered pattern to map the air motions up to 80 km to the rear of the line." GPS position, temperature, wind direction, wind speed, and precipitation will be converted to spreadsheet format as well as mapped out against vNWS Wind/Streamline charts.
The online mission, utilizing real weather conditions, is scheduled to start this month and will be carried through July.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
One Big Weekend
Posted Monday, May 5, 2003
The past weekend proved busy, but successful - due to the resulting crew change at SkyLab.
The weekend began with the recovery of SkyLab II. CDR. Brad Hodges, CSM Keith Watt, and SP Drew Hosick splashed down approximately 70 miles from Hawaii on May 3. A SimNASA HH-65 helicopter retreived the returning crew from the floating capsule and delivered them to Hickum Air Force Base. The crew then flew in comfort and style aboard the premier luxury aircraft: SimNASA's Falcon 50, callsign NASA1, enroute to JSC. Skylab II marks a historic milestone in virtual space history, with a duration of over 1007 hours in space.
Cdr. Hodges, upon being pulled into the helo, stated to awaiting reporters, "Our thanks go to the many who have participated in this mission." Enduring long work hours and an alarming sickness, the crew was able to accomplish all of its scientific and other research goals.
However, the weekend was not yet over. The launch of the SkyLab III crew from the Kennedy Space Center occured May 4. The Saturn 1B rocket catapulted itself skyward "smoothly and with no anomalies" according to CDR. Veinot. CDR. Veinot, along with CSM Troy Wild, and SP K.S. Weber, kept the mission properly aligned with three correction burns to accurately time the rendezvous of their capsule to the virtual space station.
Mission Control and the SkyLab III crew have been reviewing telemetry data and predict the Phase Burn Alpha will occur at 2228UT, with the rendezvous occuring 95 minutes later. The crew is reportedly anxious to dock so that the heavy load of scientific missions may commence. In one of the first orbital press breifings, Cdr. Veinot remarked, "The crew would like to thank the many people involved both directly today, and behind the lines with preparations to the mission, gathering of intelligence, etc. Without you, we would not be here."
Deputy Administrator Chuck Boudreaux addressed all of SimNASA: "I want to thank everyone who participated in the Launch and Recovery Operations for their dedication and professional performance." It should be noted that much of the success this weekend was also due to the newest Mission Control Team Leaders: Preston Bartlett, and Khalil Syed.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab III Launch Publicly Viewable
Posted Saturday, May 3, 2003
Interested parties who want to view the launch of SkyLab III may do so on the new SimNASA partner: FPI. One must have a FPI ID#, and then follow the view instructions, as shown on the "Current Launch Information" section of this website.
The launch of Skylab III from Kennedy Space Center is set for 1826 UTC 4 May, 2003. This time may be adjusted slightly to allow for the most efficient approach to Skylab. The Terminal Count will begin at 1500 UTC 4 May, 2003.
All Launch and Mission Control Team members have been selected. Range and Wx Recon flights should be online by 1700 UTC.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Ranks Transfer from VATSIM to FPI
Posted Friday, May 2, 2003
FlightProject International now allows SimNASA pilots the ability to transfer their VATSIM ranking to FPI. Pilots simply need to go to their VATSIM Statistics page, take a screen shot, and send the image (along with their name and FPI VID#) to: ocr@flightproject.net. FPI reports the rank should be transferred within 72 hours of receipt of the request.
In addition, FPI has granted permission to give any SimNASA members who are also real-world pilots or real-world Air Traffic Controllers to receive enhanced rankings based upon this experience. Those members need to provide Chuck Boudreaux (deputy@simnasa.org) with documentation showing they are truly Licensed Pilots or Air Traffic Controllers. Once received, Chuck will pass it on to FPI for processing.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SkyLab Vacated, Crew Preps to Return
Posted Thursday, May 1, 2003
As scheduled, the crew of SkyLab II has left the station and are now back in the Command Service Module which brought them to orbit in the beginning. The CSM has undocked from SkyLab and is orbiting the Earth with current orbital parameters of PeD 6.700 and ApD 6.877.
Current plans call for Skylab II to splashdown at 2248 UTC 3 May, 2003, near 157.590 W and 20.288 N or about 56 NM from PHNL/PHIK. Recovery teams have been organized and are enroute to preplanned arrival points. A SimNASA HH-65 helicopter will pick up the crew from the splashdown location and deliver them to PHIK. Hickam AFB (PHIK) will be used for basing of all aircraft. From there, NASA1 will be on site to fly them back to JSC. A C-130 will fly re-entry range support and landing area weather recon for the operation.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
SimNASA Forms Partnership with FPI
Posted Thursday, May 1, 2003
Today SimNASA, the original virtual space agency, announced a shift of all launch and recovery operations to one of the rising stars of the online flight community, FlightProject International. This action was acclerated by the recent VATSIM ban on all spaceflight operations within that environment. Ongoing negotiations between SimNASA and FPI, begun in February of this year, made it possible for such a quick movement of SimNASA spaceflight operations.
"I am very excited about this new alliance," noted SimNASA Deputy Director Chuck Boudreaux, who has handled negotiations for SimNASA. "Things could not have worked out better. SimNASA needed a new environment for its spaceflight operations and FPI saw the potential of spaceflight - which is the fastest growing portion of the flight simulation community today. It is definitely a win-win situation."
Established in February 2000, SimNASA is a group of atmospheric and space flight ehthusiasts dedicated to realistically simulating aeronautics and space operations over the Internet using "Microsoft Flight Simulator" and Dr. Martin Schweiger's highly acclaimed "Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator". SimNASA's objective is to realisticly simulate atmospheric and space operations based upon the NASA model. Requiring a firm foundation in atmopsheric and orbital mechanics, SimNASA is not for everyone. To turn a common phrase, "This IS rocket science." Through its dedication to realism and historical accuracy, SimNASA has attracted numerous members of the real life space and scientifiic communities as both pilots and staff members.
FlightProject International is a free of charge community where virtual pilots and controllers come together to have fun and to enjoy a realistic aviation environment utilizing the "Microsoft Flight Simulator" and an exclusive, cutting edge next generation radar controller client, as well as its own revolutionary voice software and a soon to be released pilot client.
FPI quickly became the prime online environment for SimNASA spaceflight operations because of their open-minded and realistic viewpoint. Flight simulation encompasses far more than just civilian aircraft and controllers. It is a myriad of aviation operations which are able to coexist in a way which enhances the whole, not impair it. SimNASA officials are excited to find a partner in FPI who is dedicated to that ideal. In a recent meeting between SimNASA and FPI staff members, Joerg Stenger, FPI Administrator for Pubic Relations, stated to SimNASA, "The members of your organization are the top priority."
SimNASA pilots have been steadily setting up their FPI accounts. Those who have not yet done so are encouraged to apply for FPI membership at the website address listed below. Those interested in more information on either SimNASA or FPI can visit:
SimNASA: http://www.simnasa.org
FlightProject International: http://www.flightproject.net
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
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