Off Topic - My other hobby

[stugray]

Just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of where some of your tax dollars go:

See the following websites about the upcoming launch of the Deep Impact Spacecraft from Cape Canaveral.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/01/01/comet.buster.ap/index.html

http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov/


It should (hopefully ) make for some good 4th of July fireworks.

Stu

 

[Scuba Oz]

interesting

 

[stugray]

Bump...

- Odd that 'PS2 vs Xbox' got more response than a NASA mission to whack a comet.... Perhaps I should have made the title more descriptive.

NASA spends millions for Education & Public Outreach to get their efforts made public. They need the support from the public or the NASA budget suffers. I was just trying to get some free press ( and hopefully some interest )

Sad that PS & XBOX posts get more response than cool science.
( I not putting down the xbox post, I posted to it myself.. )

Stu

 

[Generic]

Oh yea, definitly will be watching that! Its been 1 year since my GF and I went DMNS to watch the JPL Feed of Spirit arriving on Mars. That was exciting!

I built this a few weeks later
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008WFWM.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Murdock

 

[Skatereef]

I also think it is cool. I hope I get to see that on tv.Ive also built the space leggos.Dont know where it went.My other intrest is skateboarding.Not much.

 

[Mr.Lizard]

Another of my expensive hobbies/interests! I have a Celestron 4" refractor (900mm) When I'm not using it, it's stored in my music room away from the saltwater tanks....with the scuba gear....far from the oil and such of the Harley and the IROC Camaro.... LOL Put me on your buddy list and keep me posted on anything of interest going on in space! Or refer me to Space Central....?(currently out of skateboards- been there, done that, too!)

 

[derrikd]

cool,

 

[Neptune270]

GO Cubbies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cubs fan in colorado!!!

 

[Androdicus]

I find it very exciting. Although right now Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve been waiting for something thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll take place next week.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/cassini_huygens_041224.html

 

[stugray]

Wish us luck ( the Deep Impact Program ).

I am helping with spacecraft final closeouts tonight, we are stacked on the Launch Vehicle and they are installing the fairing tomorrow.
I'll post some pics when I get back if I get a chance.

This will be the last time I'll see the hardware that I have spent the last three years building.....

Launch at around 13:00 EST on the 12th.

Stu

 

[justmiles]

Make sure to grab all of the RBF (Remove before flight) flags.
My name is on the disk

 

[Mr.Lizard]

I use an RBF on my Harley's fork lock to keep myself reminded....

 

[stugray]

Here is a picture of the Deep Impact spcaecraft in the Boeing Delta II fairing. Only 1/2 of the fairing has been installed so far.

 

[wanecek]

Very Cool! I hope all goes well with your launch and misson afterward. Must be hard to see it go after working on it for the past 3 years?

Thanks,
Michael

 

[FishnWishn]

Hey Stu,
Is this the rocket I've been hearing about that is supposed to collide with an asteroid? It is actually a comet that it is going to interact with. Huh! Uncle Sam's version of Asteroids video game (sorry had to throw that in with the Xbox remarks ). That is really cool though. Do you know if the webcast that they are advertising is going to cover the launch and mission? I am trying to figure out how to subscribe to the webcast. It sure would be something to watch. Don't get too used to that FL. weather. Good luck with the launch! And run like hell when you light that fuse.

 

[stugray]

FishnWishn,

Yes half of the spacecraft will collide with a comet while the other half watches from a safe distance.

wanecek, Yes it will be hard to see it go, but a HUGE weight will be lifted from my shoulders once it is out of here.

The launch coverage is best from www.spaceflightnow.com @ http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d311/status.html

Or you can see live video coverage with countdown clock at http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
One of the four screenshots will show me on launch day running the console ( the triple headed sun workstation ).

 

[FishnWishn]

Thanks for the sites. I'll be watching. It sould be an interesting 4th of July also!

 

[justmiles]

Spectacular launch!!
Thats what the right stuff is all about.

 

[stugray]

Yes very nice ride from Boeing.

The countdown procedure was a bit hairy and we fell behind. We got our s%&t together in time, and we went on the first attempt.

The spacecraft managed to drop into safe-mode ( not really the best way to start a mission ), but it is safe, power happy, and talking with us.

Overall, I think everything will be fine, and we will have a nice peaceful six month coast to the comet.

See the website http://www.spaceflightnow.com
for some spectacular images & video clips

Stu

 

[stugray]

Deep Impact progress

Deep Impact progress

Time for a bump!

I posted months ago about how I was seeing my child take it's first steps, and was glad to see her go ( she's now about 2 light-minutes away... fast learner! )

Since then, I have been assimilated into the mission operations team, and have been chained to a sun workstation....

We are only about 80 days out from impact, and thought those that responded to the original post deserved an update.

The spacecraft is working beautifully, and the only issue we have is that our best camera has a focus problem ( very similar to the hubble optics debacle... ).

We expect to still get the best closeup pictures of a comet ever, and to see a crater forming will be just a little bit cool :eek1:

more updates to come ( By next Tuesday I will have taken the first pics of the comet FROM the spacecraft ... :smokin:, I'm sure they'll be on the website. I'll post em when I get em )

Stu