Tag: science

How Big Were the Space Shuttle Boosters

I took a lot of photographs on a recent visit to the Kenedy Space Center. On a previous visit, I had some challenges in taking photographs that showed the scale of some of the items that were there. This time, I travelled with someone that was able to hold my camera.

Outside the Atlantis Space Shuttle exhibit they have a 1:1 scale representation of the shuttle’s boosters and fuel tank. I had my travel companion while I held the camera and ran up to the booster. I think this gives a better scale. What do you think, does this give an idea of scale?

One other image I grabbed.

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Starliner Launch Attempt Scheduled for 17 May 2024

UPDATE: The launch is now delayed until 17 May to give time to replace O2 pressure regulation valve.

Boing is going to make a second attempt to launch its Starliner manned spacecraft. The first attempt was scrubbed because of a stuck valve. The next attempt is scheduled for Thursday 8 May at about 10:11 PM. Emphasis on “Attempt” because there is no guarantee that it will happen. The craft is capable of holding up to 7 people. But for this test flight there will only be three people. Barry Willmore, 61, is a NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy Captain that will be in command. Sunita Williams, 58, is a former Navy server member, will be piloting. The flight plan for the Starliner includes a stay at the International Space Station for a week before returning the astronauts. If this launches, this will be Boeing’s first manned space flight.

This won’t be the first flight of the spacecraft itself. It first launched in 2019, but failed to rendezvous with the Space Station because of a software error. It was successful in a launch in May 2022. Though after that flight Boeing decided to change the type of tape used on the electrical cables to a material that was more fire resistant since then.