Tag Archives: NASA

As it turns out, standard physics prevailed: Pioneer Spacecraft Anomaly solved.

Posted on 18 July 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For your “Just Too Cool” file.
From NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab comes a fascinating story about the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecrafts.  When last contacted they were mysteriously slowing down.  Someone figured out why.
It was, as it turns out, rocket science!
Study … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Just Too Cool: Panoramic View on MARS!

Posted on 7 July 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From poor little Spirit’s twin, Opportunity, comes this panoramic view. HERE.
It is stitched together from 817 images taken between 12 Dec 2011 and 8 May 2012 while Opportunity was stationed on an outcrop called “Greeley Haven” during the Martian winter.
According … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Curiosity about Curiosity is not just Curiosity

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

After posting about the Seven Minutes of Terror, I was curious about Curiosity, the newest Mars Rover heading to the Red Planet.
Intrepid little Spirit isn’t working any more, since it became mired and died.  Opportunity is working, but depends on … Continue reading →

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Geeky and Beautiful

Posted on 11 June 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For your “Look! Up In The Sky!” file, you Transit of Venus fans will want to watch the ultra-hi-def video of different views of the transit.  This is from the Sun people at NASA and Astronomy Pic of the Day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky!, O'Brian Tags | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Of touch downs and splash downs

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today Discovery, heading to her tomb in Washington, touched down safely at Dulles Airport on the back of the 747.
Today in 1970 the stricken Odyssey of the Apollo 13 Moon mission splashed down safely on the back of courage, ingenuity and … Continue reading →

Posted in Look! Up in the sky!, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

EXPLOSION ABOARD ODYSSEY! 42 years ago on Friday 13th

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Jimmy Akin reminded me today that it is the anniversary of the day an oxygen tank exploded in the Service Module of Apollo 13 on its way to our great natural satellite’s Fra Mauro Highlands, named after the 15th c. … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky!, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

“Ebb and Flow”… the Mooncraft

Posted on 17 January 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For your Just Too Cool file from NASA:
Montana Students Pick Winning Names for Moon Craft
January 17, 2012
PASADENA, Calif. — Twin NASA spacecraft that achieved orbit around the moon New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have new names, thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Our traces on the Moon

Posted on 7 September 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I don’t have a Truly and Fantastically Super Cool category, but if I did, this would be in it.
NASA has clear photos of the Apollo 12, 14 and 17 landing sites. The photos show the twists and turns of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Can you spell CYLON? NASA wakes up Robonaut 2!

Posted on 24 August 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For your Just TOO Cool! file, comes thos from CBC and NASA.
Robot astronaut wakes up in space
NASA’s humanoid robot has finally awoken in space.
Ground controllers turned Robonaut 2 on Monday for the first time since it was delivered to the … Continue reading →

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Opportunity has reached Endeavour!

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

We’ve lost poor Spirit, but intrepid little Opportunity keeps motoring along.
NASA reports that Opportunity has after a 3 year portion of its already 8 year anabasis has crawled up to Endeavour crater, 14 miles in diameter.  We should be able … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Look! Up in the sky! | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments