STS-135 is given a launch date as Atlantis takes off on the final Space Shuttle flight

Space Shuttle Atlantis will launch on July 8^th according to NASA’s Flight Readiness Review. The 12 day mission will be to deliver the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC) to the ISS.

An additional day may be granted but will be determined when the shuttle is at the station. Mission progress will determine if an additional day can be granted, and also if Atlantis is deemed capable. A disadvantage Atlantis has Discovery and Endeavour don’t is the ability to transfer power from the station to the shuttle.

Other items still need to be worked out such as a fuel tanking test and a review of the shuttle’s oxygen system. Both of which need system updates, but neither of which pose a threat to the July 8^th launch date.

In Launch Pad 39A's payload changeout room at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians close space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay doors in preparation for launch. Image credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann 

The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean silhouetting space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the image taken on June 23, 2011

NASA Sets Launch Date - July 8th at 1126 EDT, 1526 UTC

Mirrors of Gold: Preparing and polishing the mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope.

That’s right, kind of. They are actually composed of a material known as beryllium. But after the mirrors are polished, they are coated with a thin layer of gold. What this does is control the absorption of infrared light. Recently NASA finished the process of polishing the mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Polishing the mirrors is a big step in the process in preparing the telescope. It is challenging, and accuracy is a must. Less than one millionth of an inch. And the mirror array will be much larger than the single Hubble Space Telescope (HST).The 18 hexagonal mirrors, which unfold to form one large mirror after being launched, measure a total of 21.3 feet. The primary HST mirror is 7 ft.

Not bad considering many professional doubted the mirrors would even be able to be constructed.

13 sections of the 18 are complete, and NASA will have the rest completed next year. Its launch will not take place until 2017 or 2018, but the design is telling us that the discoveries that await us will be truly amazing. Galaxies as ancient as the Universe itself.

The flight mirrors being cryogenically by Ball Aerospace at the X-ray and Cryogenic Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center

HST primary mirror compared to JWST mirror.

NASA Sets Launch Date - July 8th at 1126 EDT, 1526 UTC

Unique viewing opportunity as the moon and Jupiter rise together

Observers of the sky in the early morning hours this Sunday have the opportunity to view the moon and the planet Jupiter rise together in the East, North-Eastern sky.

While the distance and brightness isn’t of anything special for either object at this time, their magnitudes will make them both easy to spot. Jupiter will only be dimmer than the moon, and will outshine everything else around it.

This is getting to be a good time to watch Jupiter. It will begin rising earlier and earlier as Earth’s orbit brings the distance between our two worlds closer. By October, it will appear twice as bright as it is now.

The effect of Earthshine will be visible on the moon. The moon will only be close to ¼ illuminated, and the reflection of the Earth will add a hue to the darkened portion, helping it stand out.

Professional astronomer or not, this is a great view. Observing with binoculars will help bring out the Earthshine effect. So go out and have a look at something special this evening.  

This is a simulated view of the east north/eastern sky. Jupiter will be rising above the horizon just below the moon. It’s brightness compared to other stars will make it easy to see.

This snapshot of the moon and Jupiter together in September of 2010. The moon will not be as full. Only about 1/4 illuminated.

Here is how the solar system looks today vs the later part of October this year. Jupiter will be great for viewing as it will begin to gradually rise earlier. By October it will appear twice as bright as it does now as Earth and Jupiter narrow in distance from each other.