September 2005
Graham Appointed to Weather Division
Posted Monday, September 26, 2005
SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges announced the appointment of Robert Graham as the new Director of the Weather Division. Reporting to Ron Freudenthal, Director of Aeronautics Operations; Graham shall increase the presence of the weather research of SimNASA. Flights shall include multiple aircraft types in a variety of skill level scenarios.
Robert Graham has had extensive experience flying in a variety of civilian and military virtual organization. Within these organizations, he has flown transports, bush aircraft, and military jets - eventually advancing to a senior air traffic controller.
Please join the Staff in congratulating Robert Graham for his promotion.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Hurricane Rita
Posted Thursday, September 22, 2005
SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges ordered the closure of Johnson Space Center and the movement of all SimNASA aircraft from Ellington Field to Patrick Air Force Base this morning due to the approach of Hurricane Rita.
Rita, a category 5 hurricane is expected to make landfall in the Texas and western Louisiana sometime in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 24th.
Because of the closure of Johnson Space Center, current mission control activities have been setup at Kennedy Space Center. Mission Control is currently supervising three SimNASA missions (STS-10, SCSS6/7, and RTM 1A).
In addition weather observation flights have been established running out of Patrick Air Force Base. These are available by selecting AFO Research Flights from the Main Menu and then selecting the Incident Flights/Weather Flights option.
Pilots flying these flights are urged to use extreme caution. Rita is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 165 mph/270 Km/hr. With higher gusts. Rita is a category five hurricane on the saffir-simpson scale. Some slight weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours but Rita is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles/140 km from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles/295 km.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 907 mb/26.78 inches.
SimNASA Program Aligns with NASA
Posted Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Staff has been discussing the status of the SimNASA "Return to Moon" program and aligning it with the real-life NASA "Returning to the Moon in 2018" program.
"SimNASA was founded on the principle of recreating and extending - where possible - what NASA has done, and what it should of done in its manned space flight program. To give a prospective of where SimNASA is in relation to NASA: SimNASA is currently in the year 2020 as compared to the real-life NASA," SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges announced to reporters this afternoon.
To this end, Hodges has ordered the following changes to SimNASA:
1) The termination of the entire Saturn rocket program no later than January 2006. This will include the disuse of Launch Complex 34 and the end of the AESC program no later than June 2006. (AESC-5 will be the last launch, currently scheduled for December 2005.)
2) The termination of the current Space Shuttle fleet no later than September 2006.
3) The development of the 125 MT launch vehicle comprised of the current STS External Tank modified with five SME engines and a five segment SRB package.
4) The development Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The CEV is to seat at least six individuals. (NASA proposal only specifies four individuals). In addition the CEV must consists of:
a. Solar panels.
b. A universal dock mechanism that will be standard on all spacecraft.
c. Provides for both water and land recovery options with the primary being by land. (Western United States will be considered the prime recovery area)
d. Manual, semi-autonomous, and autonomous operations.
e. The ability to lift human alone, human/cargo, and cargo only configurations.
5) Test flights for the CEV to begin in the Spring of 2006 with the mission operation of the CEV no later than Summer of 2006.
6) Applicable development of training material to support CEV operations and the further “up-training” for current Pilot/Commander’s in the Manned Space Flight program.
7) Development of an Unmanned Space Flight program to provide at least two launches per year of a robotic nature to the Moon and/or Mars.
Addition details as to the future of the SimNASA Mars Program are still under discussion.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
STS-10 Launches, Docks with SCSS
Posted Sunday, September 18, 2005
Yesterday, STS-10 "Magellan" successfully rose from its launch pad at 9:44:30 UT. CDR Telmo Nobre and PLT Craig Trudell reported no problems with the launch.
Main Engine Cut-Off (MECO) occurred at 9:52:40 UT. Following an alignment burn, two orbital correction burns, and a final alignment burn; STS-10 docked with the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS) today:
STS-10 shall complete multiple mission objectives:
- Delivery of the seventh space station crew, SCSS-7: CDR Neal Pizik, MS Dave Barlow, MS Bob Dusablon, MS Michal Dusik, and MS Paul Oliver.
- Return of the the sixth space station crew, SCSS-6.
- Relocate the AESC-4 capsule due to its proximity to the Rafaello module.
- Exchange the Rafaello module with the Leonardo module. This is a routine module swap. The Leonardo module supplies the SCSS with engineering parts, gyros, filters, pumps, batteries, and new electrical equipment.
- With the present concerns about possible heat shield damage, the crew shall conduct an EVA for inspection of the tiles.
Great work STS-10!
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
MER-C Launches
Posted Saturday, September 17, 2005
SimNASA Ground Controllers were very excited to see the successful lift-off of MER-C "Venture" from Launch Complex 17A. No problems were experienced with the launch, and the unmanned mission is progressing exactly as planned.
View video footage from the launch here:
MER-C movie
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
MER-C Launch for Saturday
Posted Thursday, September 15, 2005
The SimNASA Mars program, having been altered from its original state, is still moving forward with an pair of unmanned rovers: "Venture" (MER-C) and "Prosperity" (MER-D).
MER-C shall attempt launch this Saturday, September 17th, at 14:00 UT, from SimNASA Launch Complex 17A. MER-C "Venture" will be SimNASA’s fourth launch toward the Red Planet in five years. "Venture" will travel to Idides Planitia, a trip that will take approximately one year. The MER’s shall be launched on top of a Delta II-7925H. This is a three-stage version equipped with nine extra powerful solid rocket boosters.
SimNASA engineers hoping to provide a live feed of the launch or coverage via the "SimNASA LIVE!" pages.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
STS-10 Set for This Weekend
Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2005
It has been an aggravating mission for the STS-10 crew, and they are not even off the ground yet! After moving the Shuttle "Magellan" back and forth from the SimNASA Vehicle Assembly Building in order to dodge multiple hurricanes, the Shuttle now sits at its pad for its launch attempt this weekend.
STS-10 has a narrow, five-minute, launch window at 09:39 UT on September 17th. The back-up launch date is on September 18th at 09:35 UT.
SimNASA Space Operations Director Frank Inklaar also made the following statement: "Last week we've seen some massive solar eruptions, including an incredible X17-class flare. This has significantly raised the radiation levels in outerspace, at times. Astronauts should be OK in Low Earth Orbit, still protected by the Earth's magnetic field. However until further notice, extravehicular activities are not allowed. We expect that this precaution can be raised in about a week when Sunspot 798 has rotated away from the Earth."
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Solar Activity Should Not Harm Astronauts
Posted Sunday, September 11, 2005
The increased recent solar activity, resulting in seven X-class solar flares since September 7th, raised questions as to the possible radiation hazard to Moon-stationed SimNASA astronauts.
Administrator Brad Hodges stated the Lunar HAB module contains an airlock in its center which provides shielding from solar radiation. "Those on the Moon are exposed to solar radiation only ten days per month," Hodges said.
All current data suggests the lunar astronauts should remain safe.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer, pao@simnasa.org
Third time a charm
Posted Saturday, September 10, 2005
Hoping that the third time is a charm, STS-10 Magellan, was moved overnight from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) back out to Launch Complex 39A.
"It appears that Ophelia is going to leave us for now." Administrator Brad Hodges told reporters.
Staff members of SimNASA are hopeful that Magellan can be on its way within the next week to Skylab-Columbia. SCSS-6, which has occupied the station for six month is looking forward to returning home as the new crew, SCSS-7, is very anxious to get up and start working aboard the orbital station.
Magellan pulled back again
Posted Thursday, September 8, 2005
Administrator Brad Hodges announced this morning that STS-10 "Magellan" had once again been pulled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for protection against tropical storm Ophelia.
The center of tropical storm Ophelia was located near latitude 28.6 north, longitude 79.5 west or about 60 miles west of the Cape. Ophelia remains essentially stationary and little motion is expected today. A northward movement is expected to resume Friday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts making Ophelia a strong tropical storm. Slow strengthening is forecast and Ophelia may become a hurricane during the next 24 hours.
Currently SimNASA is actively monitoring Ophelia and currently has two P-3 Orion's propositioned at Patrick Air Force Base to conduct aerial surveillance and measuring. These flights can be found in the Aeronautics Operation area and are available to all qualified SimNASA pilots.
STS-10 Rolls back out to pad
Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2005
STS-10 is on its way to Launch Complex 39A after a week stay inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Magellan was moved to the VAB to avoid damage when Hurricane Katrina hit the Florida coast in August.
Frank Inklaar, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, has yet to announce when STS-10/SCSS-7 will launch, but it is expected that the launch will occur around mid-September.
Magellan's mission will be to provide crew rotation for SCSS-6 with SCSS-7 led by Neal Pizik, and providing additional supplies to the orbiting science platform.
Additional relief flights added
Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2005
With the additional need for supplies, personnel and air support, Associated Administrator for Aeronautics Operations, Ron Freudenthal added additional flights to those already available to all SimNASA pilots for Hurricane Katrina relief.
These flights include transport flights using the Fokker-27 for additional security personnel from Kennedy Space Center to Stennis, OV-10A Bronco supply flights from Stennis to Michoud Assembly Facility, and P-3 Orion weather observation flights flying in the Gulf.
All pilots are encouraged to participate in these flights. This is an excellent way of building hours while enjoying a very FULL on-line environment currently begin enjoyed in the Gulf area.
These relief flights will only be available for a short period of time.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Flights
Posted Monday, September 5, 2005
SimNASA Aeronautics Flight Operations Associate Administrator Ron Freudenthal announced early this morning that a number of relief flights for both Stennis Space Flight Center and Michoud Assembly Facility where available for pilots wishing to assist with relief efforts.
During the weekend SimNASA has been repositioning a number of C-130's at Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Virginia. These flights have now been loaded with relief supplies, equipment, and personnel and are now ready to depart for Stennis. In addition a number of evacuees to include cargo is ready for pickup from the effected area.
Ellington Field has been prepared to receive both evacuees and cargo from the region with additional supplies being propositioned there.
Pilots who qualify may fly these flights for the week of September 4 - 10. Pilots will need to change their current flight assignment using the Change form found in the Pilot Services area.
These relief flights are found under the C-130 area in the Scientific and Research Flights.
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