Issue #2 (April 2013)
Starting in astronomy: Buying your first telescope
A telescope is a spectacular scientific instrument that is accessible to people of all means and abilities and opens up the wonders of the Universe. Like all things technical it is a tool and you will only be able to use it with the correct training. Also, typically, there are a number of different types …
Orion The Hunter
The constellation Orion is an easily recognisable star grouping visible in the northern hemisphere in even the most light polluted skies. Orion is depicted in amy ways: as a hunter wielding a club and shield, brandishing a sword and shield, or clubbing a lion. These however are just visualisations interpreting a pattern in the stars. …
From zero to orbital velocity: Dragon delivers to ISS
I had an eagle-eye view as the Falcon 9 rose up from its launchpad, with Dragon leading the way through the cloud covered sky. It’s sound punched through the wind, letting out a low intense rumble as it headed for orbit, getting louder and louder with each second that passed. As the rocket rose higher, its sound started to fade, until it completely disappeared. The Falcon 9 had performed its job – and it was time for Dragon to commence its part of the mission. Soon it would meet up with the ISS for the delivery of supplies and experiments to the crew.
International Space Station at a glance
The International Space Station may look large in this picture, but it has come from humble beginnings. The very first module named Zayra was launched by the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Russian Proton rocket in 1998. Following the placement of the first module in orbit, NASA launched the American …
NASA Socials: An out of this world journey
Neil Armstrong wasn’t the only person who took a giant leap in space. Over the course of the last several decades, humanity has reached further into space than ever before. But one of our most astonishing achievements is actually just over our heads – the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is an unprecedented partnership …
A conversation with Skylab 4 astronaut Ed Gibson
America’s first space station, Skylab was launched into orbit on a Saturn V rocket in May of 1973. Three manned missions to the outpost were immensely successful. Repairs made to the orbital station during several spacewalks ultimately proved that it was possible for astronauts to conduct work in outer space, which gave NASA the confidence …