Last minute prep…

Discovery’s STS-131 payload canister is raised into the launch pad’s payload changeout room. Image credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

As the astronauts and crews make their last minute preparations for this Monday’s launch, Mr. B is doing much the same.  I am leaving this Thursday and heading to Florida to participate in the many activities planned as part of the launch.  Friday looks to be one of my favorite days, short of the launch, as we will be touring the Kennedy Space Center.  While you may have toured in the past like myself, I am going to get a behind the scenes tour.  I am hoping to be able to take photos and post them here on the blog.  The exciting parts of the tour will be the Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB, the Shuttle Landing Facility of SLF and a close view of the historic launchpad 39A.  I cannot wait to see these places and get to walk on some of the same ground the intrepid explorers of past and present walked on.  Saturday is an all day long educational forum with many NASA guests including astronaut(s) tied around the theme of “Women in Robotics and Engineering.”  I am looking forward to gleaning some tips to improve things here at WMS.  Sunday is a free day due to the holiday.  Monday is Launch Day!  I have to be up very early as we head to the Banana Creek viewing site around 3 AM.  The shuttle is scheduled to launch at 6:21 AM, technically a night launch, and race to the International Space Station.  It promises to be a great weekend.  Check back often for updates here and on twitter (follow @zerogguy)

Race 2 Space!

Would you like to join me in Zero-G on my upcoming flight? I am sure you would. Unfortunately, you cannot do so in person, but I have the next best thing. If you complete the “Race-2-Space” Trivia Quest by this Thursday, I will take your picture with me on the flight. I will let your picture fly around in the cabin with me. You will also have the chance to win an actual mission patch like the one I will wear on my flight suit (designed by Nick V.). So get searching for the answer because the clock is running!

Directions: Answer all the questions correctly and you will earn an opportunity for your picture to accompany me on my Zero-G Flight next week. It is the closest I can get you to actually joining me on that flight! You will also have an opportunity to win an actual mission patch just like the one I will be wearing. All entries must be submitted by noon on Friday, 25 September 2009.

1. What event started the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States?
2. On what date was NASA founded?
3. Who was the first human in space? When?
4. Name the Mercury Seven (astronauts in Mercury Program).
5. Where did these men get recruited from?
6. Which U.S. astronaut was the first in space? Which was the first to orbit the Earth? (U.S. astronaut)
7. Which U.S. President challenged the nation to send a man to the moon and return him safely? (At the time he issued this challenge, the U.S. had only 20 minutes of spaceflight experience!)
8. Who was the first woman in space? When?
9. What year did the Gemini Program start? (First manned mission)
10. Who made the first U.S. spacewalk? How long did it last?
11. What was the goal of the Apollo program?
12. During what mission did the first manned orbit of the moon occur? Who was on board?
13. Who was the first man to set foot on the moon’s surface? When?
14. What famous words did he utter upon setting foot there?
15. What was the first space station in orbit?
16. Why did NASA send its first “repair mission” into space? In other words what did they repair? (Hint: It was prior to the Shuttle era so Hubble is out)
17. How big is NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)?
18. What does STS stand for? What common name do we know it by?
19. Who is the first astronaut to perform an untethered spacewalk or EVA (extra-vehicular activity)? What made this possible?
20. What did the Soviets launch into orbit in February 1986?
21. Who is the oldest man to fly a mission to space? How old was he?
22. When did construction (in orbit) of the International Space Station start?
23. Who was the first space tourist? How much did he spend to get there?
24. What team won the X-Prize for launching a commercial spacecraft into sub-orbital flight twice? Name the spacecraft.
25. When was the last repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope conducted?
26. Would you like to be an astronaut?

Fixed!

Here is some exciting news from space that may just interest you.

NASA had reported in May that the last repair mission of the Hubble Space Telescope was successful. Until now we haven’t had the proof, but this week NASA released the new images. It was indeed a success! To learn more check out the official site.

Picture courtesy of NASA.