WASHINGTON -- NASA is developing new spacecraft, the Ares rockets and Orion crew capsule, to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station and send them on their way to the moon. The first test flight of the spacecraft, known as Ares I-X, is scheduled to launch in spring 2009. The latest information about this launch is now available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/index.html
The Web site was created to offer key information about the details and objectives of the Ares I-X test flight. The site features articles, images and videos that outline the objectives of the Ares I-X test flight and explain how these objectives will influence the design and flight of the Ares I rocket and Orion crew capsule.The Ares I-X flight will test hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I rocket. It also will provide critical data during ascent of the integrated Orion crew exploration vehicle and the Ares I launch vehicle stack -- data that will be used to design a vehicle system that is safe and fully operational before astronauts begin traveling into orbit. The Ares I-X test flight will bring America one step closer to a return to the moon by 2020 and eventual trips to Mars and destinations beyond. For more information about NASA's exploration plans, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/constellation
MEDIA ADVISORY : M08-131 Courtesy of www.nasa.gov
Working in outerspace to benefit planet Earth
NASA Technology: Putting the California wildfires into perspective
NASA is lending a hand to those battling recent California wildfires with detailed imaging of the blazes from NASA’s Aqua satellite.
"The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Rapid Response Team provides twice-daily images of Northern and Southern California in additional resolutions and formats, including an infrared-enhanced version that highlights the presence of burned ground," said NASA's Earth Observatory team.
With a particularly dry spring continuing to plague the state, a staggering 364,600 acres, or nearly 570 square miles of the state have been left charred.
"The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) Rapid Response Team provides twice-daily images of Northern and Southern California in additional resolutions and formats, including an infrared-enhanced version that highlights the presence of burned ground," said NASA's Earth Observatory team.
With a particularly dry spring continuing to plague the state, a staggering 364,600 acres, or nearly 570 square miles of the state have been left charred.
"Places where the sensor detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. Smoke spreads north up the coast. The two fires pictured are among the largest of scores of fires burning in the state," NASA officials explained of the images.
This imaging is not only sheding new light on the damage from the fires of 2008, but giving hope to those battling the flames. By lending a broader perspective and sharing this valuable tool, NASA is helping firefighters to more easily predict, plan, and end the devistation of one of mother nature's most dangerous forces.
Image and information courtesy of www.nasa.gov
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
