USAF Missile Defense SBIRS Observatory Streaks to Orbit during Spectacular Evening Blastoff

By ken-kremer - January 21, 2017 01:33 AM UTC | Space Exploration
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL - A U.S. Air Force missile defense reconnaissance observatory that will track the telltale infrared signatures of incoming enemy missiles and is vital to America's national security blasted off in spectacular fashion off this evening, Jan. 20, 2017, as it streaked to orbit from the Florida Space Coast.
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Adventures With "Copyscope"

By David Dickinson - January 19, 2017 11:52 AM UTC | Observing
Every telescope has a story to tell. We returned back to the U S of A recently, and one of our first tasks upon re-establishing our lives back in Florida was to dig through the archaeological strata that is our storage unit. Headlamp on and Leatherman in hand, we worked our way through layers put in place over years of storage unit drop-off runs.
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Air Force Missile Warning SBIRS GEO 3 Satellite Set for Spectacular Night Liftoff Jan. 19; 1st 2017 Cape Launch-Watch Live

By ken-kremer - January 18, 2017 09:47 PM UTC | Space Exploration
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL - A U.S. Air Force satellite that will provide vital early warnings on incoming enemy missiles that are critical to the defense of our homeland is set for a spectacular nighttime blastoff on Thursday Jan. 19 from the Florida Space Coast. Update: Launch reset to Jan 20 at 7:42 pm EST
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What Was the Carrington Event?

By Fraser Cain - January 17, 2017 10:44 PM UTC | Solar Astronomy
In 1859, the Sun gave off the most powerful solar flare on record. A blast of radiation and particles so strong it fried electrical wires and set telegraph towers on fire. What would happen if a solar storm of this magnitude happened today? It would be a very bad day indeed.
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Venus Rules the Dusk Skies at Greatest Elongation

By David Dickinson - January 11, 2017 02:32 PM UTC | Observing
"What's that bright light in the sky?" The planet Venus never fails to impress, and indeed make even seasoned observers look twice at its unexpected brilliance. The third brightest natural object in the sky, Venus now rules the dusk, a fine sight for wintertime evening commuters. Venus reaches greatest elongation tomorrow, a fine time to admire the dazzling world.
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FAA Accepts Accident Report, Grants SpaceX License for Falcon 9 'Return to Flight'

By ken-kremer - January 06, 2017 07:55 PM UTC | Space Policy
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today "accepted the investigation report" regarding the results of SpaceX's investigation into the cause of the company's catastrophic Sept. 1, 2016 launch pad explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket in Florida, and simultaneously "granted a license" for the 'Return to Flight' blastoff of the private rocket from California as soon as next week - the FAA confirmed today to Universe Today, Friday, Jan. 6.
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