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PictionID:53761157 - Catalog:14_031900 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Surveyor Test; Reading for Air Conditioner Test Date: 01/03/1964 - Filename:14_031900.tif - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians prepare several Nanoracks for installation on the exterior of the Orbital ATK Cygnus pressurized cargo module. The Orbital ATK CRS-7 commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than March 21, 2017. Cygnus will deliver 7,600 pounds of supplies, equipment and scientific research materials to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston
Official portrait of the STS 51-L crewmembers. In the back row (l.-r.) Mission specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Teacher in Space Participant Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Payload Specialist Greg Jarvis and Mission specialist Judy Resnik. In the front row (l.-r.) Pilot Mike Smith, Commander Dick Scobee, and Mission specialist Ron McNair.
Image credit: NASA
Click here to view the 2013 NASA Day of Remembrance web interactive: www.nasa.gov/externalflash/DOR2013/index.html
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Goddard employees were invited to join Center Director Chris Scolese on Friday, February 1, 2013 for a Goddard program associated with NASA's 2013 Day of Remembrance. The space agency's Day of Remembrance is an annual event that permits the NASA family to honor the astronauts, test pilots and others who lost their lives in the pursuit of NASA missions. This year's remembrance holds special meaning for the Goddard family as the Center had hardware and experiments flying about Shuttle Columbia on the STS-107 mission. Columbia and her crew were lost when the orbiter broke apart during entry and landing ten years ago on February 1, 2003. As part of the program, there will be a showing of an amazing and moving documentary entitled, “Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope.” Daniel Cohen, the director, will introduce his film and take questions from the audience afterwards.
Credit: NASA/Goddard
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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The ‘payload assembly composite’ being carefully lifted onto the transportation platform.
Credits: CNES
Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians assist as a crane is used to remove the protective covering from Orbital ATK's CYGNUS pressurized cargo module on a KAMAG transporter. In the PHSF, Cygnus will be moved to a work stand for final propellant loading and late cargo stowage. The Orbital ATK CRS-7 commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on March 19, 2017. CYGNUS will deliver thousands of pounds of supplies, equipment and scientific research materials to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists the Amazon Leo mission payload atop the Atlas V rocket in the Vertical Integration Facility adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Atlas V will launch the Leo 5 mission for Amazon's broadband satellite constellation. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
The Artemis I Orion crew module, now known as the Orion Environmental Test Article (ETA), arrives to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, following an 11-month test campaign at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The ETA will undergo propulsion functional testing at Kennedy’s Multi Payload Processing Facility. The ETA splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, following its journey around the Moon during the Artemis I mission. Photo credit: NASA/Isaac Watson
NASA image use policy.
Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, payload commander, poses in his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit and is ready to begin the middle of five scheduled STS-109 spacewalks to perform work on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Astronauts Grunsfeld and Richard M. Linnehan were scheduled together on the mission for three days of extravehicular activity (EVA). The two mission specialists shared an EVA just two days prior, successfully replacing the starboard solar array on the HST. This image was recorded with a digital still camera.
Credit: NASA
Grey Eagle - Hypersonic Bomber Mach 8 - 10, IO Aircraft www.ioaircraft.com
Length: 150'
Span: 71'
Engines: 4 U-TBCC (Unified Turbine Based Combined Cycle)
1 Air Breathing Aerospike
Fuel: Kero / Hydrogen
Payload: Up 36 2,000 LBS JDAM's, or 80,000 LBS
Range: 10,000nm + Aerial Refueling Capable
www.ioaircraft.com/hypersonic.php
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hypersonic bomber, hypersonic commercial aircraft, hypersonic commercial plane, hypersonic aircraft, hypersonic plane, hypersonic airline, tbcc, glide breaker, fighter plane, hypersonic fighter, boeing phantom express, phantom works, boeing phantom works, lockheed skunk works, hypersonic weapon, hypersonic missile, scramjet engineering, scramjet physics, boost glide, tactical glide vehicle, space plane, scramjet, turbine based combined cycle, ramjet, dual mode ramjetdefense science, missile defense agency, aerospike, hydrogen aircraft, airlines, military, physics, airline, aerion supersonic, aerion, spike aerospace, boom supersonic, , darpa, onr, navair, afrl, air force research lab, office of naval research, defense advanced research project agency, afosr, socom, arl, army future command, mda, missile defense agenci, dia, defense intelligence agency, air force of science and research,
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Unified Turbine Based Combined Cycle. Current technologies and what Lockheed is trying to force on the Dept of Defense, for that low speed Mach 5 plane DOD gave them $1 billion to build and would disintegrate above Mach 5, is TBCC. 2 separate propulsion systems in the same airframe, which requires TWICE the airframe space to use.
Unified Turbine Based Combined Cycle is 1 propulsion system cutting that airframe deficit in half, and also able to operate above Mach 10 up to Mach 15 in atmosphere, and a simple nozzle modification allows for outside atmosphere rocket mode, ie orbital capable.
Additionally, Reaction Engines maximum air breather mode is Mach 4.5, above that it will explode in flight from internal pressures are too high to operate. Thus, must switch to non air breather rocket mode to operate in atmosphere in hypersonic velocities. Which as a result, makes it not feasible for anything practical. It also takes an immense amount of fuel to function.
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Advanced Additive Manufacturing for Hypersonic Aircraft
Utilizing new methods of fabrication and construction, make it possible to use additive manufacturing, dramatically reducing the time and costs of producing hypersonic platforms from missiles, aircraft, and space capable craft. Instead of aircraft being produced in piece, then bolted together; small platforms can be produced as a single unit and large platforms can be produces in large section and mated without bolting. These techniques include using exotic materials and advanced assembly processes, with an end result of streamlining the production costs and time for hypersonic aircraft; reducing months of assembly to weeks. Overall, this process greatly reduced the cost for producing hypersonic platforms. Even to such an extent that a Hellfire missile costs apx $100,000 but by utilizing our technologies, replacing it with a Mach 8-10 hypersonic missile of our physics/engineering and that missile would cost roughly $75,000 each delivered.
Materials used for these manufacturing processes are not disclosed, but overall, provides a foundation for extremely high stresses and thermodynamics, ideal for hypersonic platforms. This specific methodology and materials applications is many decades ahead of all known programs. Even to the extend of normalized space flight and re-entry, without concern of thermodynamic failure.
*Note, most entities that are experimenting with additive manufacturing for hypersonic aircraft, this makes it mainstream and standardized processes, which also applies for mass production.
What would normally be measured in years and perhaps a decade to go from drawing board to test flights, is reduced to singular months and ready for production within a year maximum.
Unified Turbine Based Combined Cycle (U-TBCC)
To date, the closest that NASA and industry have achieved for turbine based aircraft to fly at hypersonic velocities is by mounting a turbine into an aircraft and sharing the inlet with a scramjet or rocket based motor. Reaction Engines Sabre is not able to achieve hypersonic velocities and can only transition into a non air breathing rocket for beyond Mach 4.5
However, utilizing Unified Turbine Based Combine Cycle also known as U-TBCC, the two separate platforms are able to share a common inlet and the dual mode ramjet/scramjet is contained within the engine itself, which allows for a much smaller airframe footprint, thus engingeers are able to then design much higher performance aerial platforms for hypersonic flight, including the ability for constructing true single stage to orbit aircraft by utilizing a modification/version that allows for transition to outside atmosphere propulsion without any other propulsion platforms within the aircraft. By transitioning and developing aircraft to use Unified Turbine Based Combined Cycle, this propulsion system opens up new options to replace that airframe deficit for increased fuel capacity and/or payload.
Enhanced Dynamic Cavitation
Dramatically Increasing the efficiency of fuel air mixture for combustion processes at hypersonic velocities within scramjet propulsion platforms. The aspects of these processes are non disclosable.
Dynamic Scramjet Ignition Processes
For optimal scramjet ignition, a process known as Self Start is sought after, but in many cases if the platform becomes out of attitude, the scramjet will ignite. We have already solved this problem which as a result, a scramjet propulsion system can ignite at lower velocities, high velocities, at optimal attitude or not optimal attitude. It doesn't matter, it will ignite anyways at the proper point for maximum thrust capabilities at hypersonic velocities.
Hydrogen vs Kerosene Fuel Sources
Kerosene is an easy fuel to work with, and most western nations developing scramjet platforms use Kerosene for that fact. However, while kerosene has better thermal properties then Hydrogen, Hydrogen is a far superior fuel source in scramjet propulsion flight, do it having a much higher efficiency capability. Because of this aspect, in conjunction with our developments, it allows for a MUCH increased fuel to air mixture, combustion, thrust; and ability for higher speeds; instead of very low hypersonic velocities in the Mach 5-6 range. Instead, Mach 8-10 range, while we have begun developing hypersonic capabilities to exceed 15 in atmosphere within less then 5 years.
Conforming High Pressure Tank Technology for CNG and H2.
As most know in hypersonics, Hydrogen is a superior fuel source, but due to the storage abilities, can only be stored in cylinders thus much less fuel supply. Not anymore, we developed conforming high pressure storage technology for use in aerospace, automotive sectors, maritime, etc; which means any overall shape required for 8,000+ PSI CNG or Hydrogen. For hypersonic platforms, this means the ability to store a much larger volume of hydrogen vs cylinders.
As an example, X-43 flown by Nasa which flew at Mach 9.97. The fuel source was Hydrogen, which is extremely more volatile and combustible then kerosene (JP-7), via a cylinder in the main body. If it had used our technology, that entire section of the airframe would had been an 8,000 PSI H2 tank, which would had yielded 5-6 times the capacity. While the X-43 flew 11 seconds under power at Mach 9.97, at 6 times the fuel capacity would had yielded apx 66 seconds of fuel under power at Mach 9.97. If it had flew slower, around Mach 6, same principles applied would had yielded apx 500 seconds of fuel supply under power (slower speeds required less energy to maintain).
Enhanced Fuel Mixture During Shock Train Interaction
Normally, fuel injection is conducted at the correct insertion point within the shock train for maximum burn/combustion. Our methodologies differ, since almost half the fuel injection is conducted PRE shock train within the isolator, so at the point of isolator injection the fuel enhances the combustion process, which then requires less fuel injection to reach the same level of thrust capabilities.
Improved Bow Shock Interaction
Smoother interaction at hypersonic velocities and mitigating heat/stresses for beyond Mach 6 thermodynamics, which extraordinarily improves Type 3, 4, and 5 shock interaction.
6,000+ Fahrenheit Thermal Resistance
To date, the maximum thermal resistance was tested at AFRL in the spring of 2018, which resulted in a 3,200F thermal resistance for a short duration. This technology, allows for normalized hypersonic thermal resistance of 3,000-3,500F sustained, and up to 6,500F resistance for short endurance, ie 90 seconds or less. 10-20 minute resistance estimate approximately 4,500F +/- 200F.
*** This technology advancement also applies to Aerospike rocket engines, in which it is common for Aerospike's to exceed 4,500-5,000F temperatures, which results in the melting of the reversed bell housing. That melting no longer ocurrs, providing for stable combustion to ocurr for the entire flight envelope
Scramjet Propulsion Side Wall Cooling
With old technologies, side wall cooling is required for hypersonic flight and scramjet propulsion systems, otherwise the isolator and combustion regions of a scramjet would melt, even using advanced ablatives and ceramics, due to their inability to cope with very high temperatures. Using technology we have developed for very high thermodynamics and high stresses, side wall cooling is no longer required, thus removing that variable from the design process and focusing on improved ignition processes and increasing net thrust values.
Lower Threshold for Hypersonic Ignition
Active and adaptive flight dynamics, resulting in the ability for scramjet ignition at a much lower velocity, ie within ramjet envelope, between Mach 2-4, and seamless transition from supersonic to hypersonic flight, ie supersonic ramjet (scramjet). This active and dynamic aspect, has a wide variety of parameters for many flight dynamics, velocities, and altitudes; which means platforms no longer need to be engineered for specific altitude ranges or preset velocities, but those parameters can then be selected during launch configuration and are able to adapt actively in flight.
Dramatically Improved Maneuvering Capabilities at Hypersonic Velocities
Hypersonic vehicles, like their less technologically advanced brethren, use large actuator and the developers hope those controls surfaces do not disintegrate in flight. In reality, it is like rolling the dice, they may or may not survive, hence another reason why the attempt to keep velocities to Mach 6 or below. We have shrunken down control actuators while almost doubling torque and response capabilities specifically for hypersonic dynamics and extreme stresses involved, which makes it possible for maximum input authority for Mach 10 and beyond.
Paradigm Shift in Control Surface Methodologies, Increasing Control Authority (Internal Mechanical Applications)
To date, most control surfaces for hypersonic missile platforms still use fins, similar to lower speed conventional missiles, and some using ducted fins. This is mostly due to lack of comprehension of hypersonic velocities in their own favor. Instead, the body itself incorporates those control surfaces, greatly enhancing the airframe strength, opening up more space for hardware and fuel capacity; while simultaneously enhancing the platforms maneuvering capabilities.
A scramjet missile can then fly like conventional missile platforms, and not straight and level at high altitudes, losing velocity on it's decent trajectory to target. Another added benefit to this aspect, is the ability to extend range greatly, so if anyone elses hypersonic missile platform were developed for 400 mile range, falling out of the sky due to lack of glide capabilities; our platforms can easily reach 600+ miles, with minimal glide deceleration.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists the Amazon Leo mission payload atop the Atlas V rocket in the Vertical Integration Facility adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Atlas V will launch the Leo 8 mission for Amazon's broadband satellite constellation. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
PictionID:44807234 - Catalog:14_014085 - Title:Atlas Payload Component - Filename:14_014085.TIF - - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
John M. Grunsfeld, STS-109 payload commander, works in tandem with Richard M. Linnehan, mission specialist, as the two devote their attention to the Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) on the giant Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Grunsfeld is in a foot restraint on the end of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This was the fifth and final scheduled STS-109 spacewalk and the mission’s third extravehicular activity (EVA) for the team of Grunsfeld and Linnehan.
Credit: NASA
Inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians begin to remove the protective covering from Orbital ATK's CYGNUS pressurized cargo module on a KAMAG transporter. In the PHSF, Cygnus will be move to a work stand for final propellant loading and late cargo stowage. The Orbital ATK CRS-7 commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on March 19, 2017. CYGNUS will deliver thousands of pounds of supplies, equipment and scientific research materials to the space station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
The payload fairing containing NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S (GOES-S), secured on a transporter, arrives at the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The fairing-encapsulated GOES-S spacecraft was mated with the launch vehicle on February 16, 2018.
GOES-S is slated for launch on March 1.
Additional Launch Info: goo.gl/RMBbHU
Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson
cranes moving about delivering the payloads during a night construction
timelapse | 13 seconds
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PictionID:53764879 - Catalog:14_032188 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Nose Cone Fairing AC-22 Date: 06/09/1972 - Filename:14_032188.tif - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
PictionID:55951363 - Catalog:14_038165.tif - Title:Atlas Centaur Testing Details: Centaur Nose Cone Test Site; Overall with Net Date: 12/19/1960 - Filename:14_038165.tif - ---- Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, payload commander, peers into the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Columbia during the first STS-109 extravehicular activity (EVA-1) on March 4, 2002. Grunsfeld's helmet visor displays a mirrored image of the Earth's hemisphere. Astronauts Grunsfeld and Richard M. Linnehan replaced the starboard solar array on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) on the first of five scheduled STS-109 spacewalks. The lower portion of the giant telescope can be seen over Grunsfeld's left shoulder. The image was recorded with a digital still camera by a crewmate in shuttle's aft flight deck.
Credit: NASA
PictionID:44808714 - Catalog:14_014206 - Title:Atlas Payload Component - Filename:14_014206.TIF - - Image from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the Mars Exploration Rover-1 (MER-B) awaits further preflight processing atop a spin table. The rover is scheduled to launch aboard a Delta II rocket on June 25. NASAs twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans are not yet able to go. The launch of MER-2 (MER-A) is tentatively set for June 8. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Payload is the muscle of the Space Mini-Con Team, but people often forget that he's considerably smarter than most other robots out there. He doesn't really let this get to him, however. In fact, it seems one of the few things that can wear down Payload's temper is his teammate Sky Blast. He considers the youth a close friend, but one whose impulsive, act-before-thinking nature can really grind his gears.
Strobist Info:
1 Flash Gun with Diffuser fired on the back of the Subject to create High Key Effect.
Henry Martin, left, external payloads coordinator with NanoRacks, and Davide Massuti, QB50 CubeSats at Von Karman Institute, talk to NASA Social participants during a science briefing at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The briefing was for Orbital ATK's commercial resupply services mission, CRS-7, to the International Space Station. Orbital ATK's Cygnus pressurized cargo module is set to launch on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on April 18. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:11 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Starman in Tesla Roadster in space.
On February 6th 2018, Elon Musk successfully launched the Space-X Falcon Heavy Test Flight.
Usually in a test flight such as this NASA would put a dummy payload for weight in the rocket. Elon Musk wanted to make it less boring so he put his own Tesla Roadster in the Rocket instead.
The history making launch is the most powerful rocket (by two times) that exists today. It was a tremendous success even though only two of the 3 boosters came back to earth and successfully landed. The third (middle booster) was supposed to land on an unmanned barge at sea but instead entered the water at 300 mph. Still, it was an amazing accomplishment and is the beginning of a kind of new pioneering age for space flight.
The rocket will go into an elliptical orbit around the sun and eventually pass by Mars several times which is of interest because of the plans to send astronauts there in the near future.
All that was a lead up to why I'm posting this image.
I did a couple of screen grabs from one of the videos of the launch and payload. A dummy astronaut (They're calling "Starman", in a space suit) is behind the wheel of the Tesla Roadster leaving the confines of earth. You can't see it in my screen capture but there's also a miniature Starman in a Tesla roadster on the dashboard. lol. You gotta love Elon Musk. :) If you missed the launch 2-6-18 or news of it, there's videos on Youtube which is where I gathered the info above.
Although I didn't notice any stars in the video, I decided to add some subtle stars in my conversion.
Viewing a 3D stereo crossview format, is similar to the old "Magic Eye" images if you're familiar with viewing those. With the 3D stereo crossview, make sure the entire side-by-side image is within view. Then gently converge (cross) your eyes and focus on the middle image that appears while ignoring the outside.
Not everyone is successful with this free-viewing method but if you are, it becomes easier each time and eventually second nature.
NASA’s Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) mission hangs from its launcher as workers inflate a scientific balloon ahead of launch. The mission lifted off from Antarctica at 5:56 a.m. NZST, Saturday, Dec. 20 (11:56 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19 in U.S. Eastern Time).
The PUEO mission is designed to detect radio signals created when highly energetic particles called neutrinos from space hit the ice. The PUEO payload will collect data that give us insight into events like the creation of black holes and neutron star mergers. Alongside the PUEO mission are two other balloons carrying calibration equipment sending test signals to help scientists make sure the payload equipment is working correctly when it tries to detect real signals from space.
Credit: NASA/Scott Battaion
Track the balloons in realtime: www.csbf.nasa.gov/map/balloon8/flight737N.htm
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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The U.S. military designation for the Beechcraft 1900C is C-12J. This is a variant of the C-12 Huron, which is the most common designation for military King Airs. The C-12J includes the 6 UD series Beechcraft 1900s built for the U.S. military, as well as other 1900Cs in U.S. military service.
Military C-12J
Examples of C-12J aircraft in military service include one used for GPS jamming tests at the 586th Flight Test Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico,[6] another based at the 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska,[7] and three based at the 459th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan.[2] The U.S. Army operates both C-12J and 1900D aircraft along with other C-12 (King Air) aircraft
46th Test Group
Along with the 49th FW, the 46th Test Group , part of the 46th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida is based at Holloman. The 46th TG is an Air Force Materiel Command unit responsible for operational testing and evaluation of new equipment and systems proposed for use by these forces. Current initiatives include advanced self-protection systems for combat aircraft, aircrew life support systems, aerial reconnaissance improvements, new armament and weapons delivery systems, and improved maintenance equipment and logistics support.
Aircraft of the 46th Test Group carry the tail code "HT".
586TH FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON
The 586th Flight Test Squadron (586 FLTS) plans, analyzes, coordinates, and conducts flight tests of advanced weapons and avionics systems primarily on the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). It provides deployable operational support for test aircraft staging out of Holloman AFB. The squadron flight tests guidance systems, laser systems, air-to-air/air-to-ground systems, long-range and standoff weapons, live warheads, and provides target and photo/safety chase. It operates three highly modified AT-38B and one C-12J aircraft equipped to support a wide variety of flight test operations.
The 586 FLTS has access to both full-scale and sub-scale unmanned aerial targets, one of the world's most elaborate ground impact ranges, and US Army helicopter test assets.
C-12J Overview
The C-12J is a modified Beech 1900C approved for all weather operations. It is a low cost, versatile testbed aircraft used for evaluating navigation and guidance components and systems as well as providing slow speed photo and safety chase. On board Time Space Position Instrumentation (TSPI) provides a reference for systems under test. Four hundred amps (total) of electrical power are available for onboard test equipment. The dedicated test electrical system is capable of providing AC and DC power with seamless power transfer characteristics between ground and aircraft power sources. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to four fully powered, independent test racks with an operator for each rack.
Each test rack is configurable with customer equipment. This feature is excellent for side by side comparison testing. The aircraft is equipped with a larger rear cargo door for loading and unloading test equipment.
Antenna modifications include 2 Controlled Radiated Pattern Antennas (CRPA), 3 Fixed Radiated Pattern Antennas (FRPA), a C-Band Beacon antenna, and a dedicated UHF antenna for a test crew communication radio. Additionally, customer specific antenna configurations are possible. Lastly, the aircraft is modified with an air data interface for various test equipment requirements for pitot-static and total air temperature inputs.
The C-12J is a deployable test asset for off-station customer requirements as well as for flight test sorties at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR).
C-12J Performance Capabilities
Max Speed 247 KIAS/0.47 Mach
Min Speed 105 KIAS
Max Ceiling 25,000 feet
Max Payload 3700 pounds
On board data and video recording or downlink TM and video
Deployable low cost, reliable test bed
Carriage of customer provided payloads available (internal/external)
The green is the glow from the aurora borealis.
Rocket Launch 29MAR2025 from Poker Flat, Alaska
Date and Time (Digitized) - 2025:03:29 01:52:35
Poker Flat Research Range is the world's only scientific rocket launching facility owned by a university. Poker Flat is operated by the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute under contract to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, which is part of the Goddard Space Flight Center. In addition to launching sounding rockets, Poker Flat is home to many scientific instruments designed to study the arctic atmosphere and ionosphere.
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-133 payload canister is lifted into the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A. After the structure is closed around space shuttle Discovery, the canister's contents will be transferred into the shuttle's payload bay.
Discovery and its STS-133 crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the International Space Station.
Oct. 7, 2010
Caption: Treasure State Equipment Company display. International TD-25 Crawler Tractor and Hough Payloader. Redwood Region Logging Conference and Equipment Show at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds. [The 25th Redwood Region Logging Conference was held in Eureka, California, March 7-9, 1963.]
Date: March 1963
Photographer: [unknown]
Local Call Number: FIM317
Credit Line: Photo courtesy of the Forest History Society, Durham, NC
Photo is from the Forest Industries Magazine Photographs.
For information on photo use and more, see the Forest History Society Photograph Collection.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility stand by as the first half of the fairing (left) is moved closer to the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (right) for installation. The fairing protects the spacecraft during launch and flight through the atmosphere. Once in space, it is jettisoned. Launch of the MRO aboard an Atlas V rocket will be from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The MRO is the next major step in Mars exploration and scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in a window opening Aug. 10. The MRO is an important next step in fulfilling NASAs vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, payload commander, works in tandem with astronaut Richard M. Linnehan, mission specialist, as the two devote their attention to the Power Control Unit replacement task on the giant Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Grunsfeld is anchored in a foot restraint on the end of the Space Shuttle Columbia's Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This was the third of five STS-109 spacewalks and the mission's second extravehicular activity (EVA) for the team of Grunsfeld and Linnehan.
Credit: NASA
Richard Toner, principal, Toner Associates, delivered Simplifying the Complex: Performing Accurate Weight Distribution and Payload Calculations for Work Trucks on Tuesday, March 5.
Learn more about The Work Truck Show 2013 at www.ntea.com/worktruckshow .
Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, payload commander, works in tandem with astronaut Richard M. Linnehan, mission specialist, as the two devote their attention to the Power Control Unit replacement task on the giant Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Grunsfeld is attached to a foot restraint on the end of the Space Shuttle Columbia's Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This was the third of five STS-109 spacewalks in March 2002 and the mission's second extravehicular activity (EVA) for the team of Grunsfeld and Linnehan.
Credit: NASA
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, Randy Scott, with Lockheed Martin Astronautics, checks insulation material on the Stardust< /a> spacecraft. Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in the SRC to be jettisoned as it swings by Earth in January 2006. Stardust is scheduled to be launched aboard a Boeing Delta 7426 rocket from Complex 17, Cape Canaveral Air Station, on Feb. 6, 1999. Image from NASA, originally appeared on this site: science.ksc.nasa.gov/gallery/photos/ Reposted by San Diego Air and Space Museum
A scientific balloon starts its ascent into the air as it prepares to launch carrying NASA’s Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) mission. The mission lifted off from Antarctica at 5:56 a.m. NZST, Saturday, Dec. 20 (11:56 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19 in U.S. Eastern Time).
The PUEO mission is designed to detect radio signals created when highly energetic particles called neutrinos from space hit the ice. The PUEO payload will collect data that give us insight into events like the creation of black holes and neutron star mergers. Alongside the PUEO mission are two other balloons carrying calibration equipment sending test signals to help scientists make sure the payload equipment is working correctly when it tries to detect real signals from space.
Credit: NASA/Scott Battaion
Track the balloons in realtime: www.csbf.nasa.gov/map/balloon8/flight737N.htm
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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PictionID:53758179 - Catalog:14_031670 - Title:Atlas 5001 Details: O.A.O. Nose Cone in Manufacturing Date: 09/24/1965 - Filename:14_031670.tif - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
PictionID:55776256 - Catalog:GD/Astronautics Details: Standard Arms Missile in Large Anechoic Chamber Date: 05/28/1968 - Title:Array - Filename:14_037749.tif - ---- Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Release of a BARREL balloon. The launch crew can be seen on the right holding the payload as the top of the balloon moves overhead where they can release it.
Credit: NASA/Goddard/BARREL
Read more: www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasas-barrel-returns-success...
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Three months, 20 balloons, and one very successful campaign. The team for NASA's BARREL – short for Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic Electron Losses -- mission returned from Antarctica in March 2014. BARREL's job is to help unravel the mysterious Van Allen belts, two gigantic donuts of radiation that surround Earth, which can shrink and swell in response to incoming energy and particles from the sun and sometimes expose satellites to harsh radiation. While in Antarctica, the team launched 20 balloons carrying instruments that sense charged particles that are scattered into the atmosphere from the belts, spiraling down the magnetic fields near the South Pole. Each balloon traveled around the pole for up to three weeks. The team will coordinate the BARREL data with observations from NASA's two Van Allen Probes to better understand how occurrences in the belts relate to bursts of particles funneling down toward Earth. BARREL team members will be on hand at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in DC on April 26 and 27, 2014 for the exhibit Space Balloons: Exploring the Extremes of Space Weather.
NASA image use policy.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.Follow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookFind us on Instagram
That's right, this is an 18 wheeler and the officials at the Wyoming Port of Entry are about to learn of his payload for those who haven't already suspected. It's my opinion that Wyoming could use a heck-ofa batch of really good dirt that would grow SOMETHING! You guessed it, we were out on I-25 obviously heading toward Cheyenne with the windows open - no peace for us. Sometimes advertising can be counter-productive! Such as in this instance. But here I am relegated to shooting through the windshield at Eduardo's behest like an indentured servant. It took me ages to try to get the windshield tint/cast from this scene and obtain a decent snapshot. All I can say is this is as good as it will ever get, and 10-4 Eleanor, good buddy. I suppose that you could find out if he will haul your load over at [www.dirtt.net] like it says. I don't know if your goods will be clean on arrival, though.
Well I appreciate a good joke now and then and I happen to be with a prime example: Eddie! I also have a picture of his altered-ego just posted. Is this what they call "going postal?" Must be. Does he have to be licensed to carry this payload and I don't know if I've taken enough license myself. By many words, even Eddie's wit is exhausted. AndI'monacampaigntoneverwasteelctronswithspaces.
The sky was still devoid of anything so this marks yet another time I had to point the camera elsewhere for a shot. Useless as it may be. Lately, I prefer to modulate great clouds that I find. All along, we looked for any ole' picture and this must be that one. HaHaHaHaHa. Any sport in a storm I say. And not bad for a "moving" picture, I'd say.
HST engineer Ben Reed (left) talks with Thermal Protection System Imagery Coordinator Dan Smith in the Payload Operations Control Center, located in the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center.
Credit: NASA
A scientific balloon starts its ascent into the air as it prepares to launch carrying NASA’s Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) mission. The mission lifted off from Antarctica at 5:56 a.m. NZST, Saturday, Dec. 20 (11:56 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19 in U.S. Eastern Time).
The PUEO mission is designed to detect radio signals created when highly energetic particles called neutrinos from space hit the ice. The PUEO payload will collect data that give us insight into events like the creation of black holes and neutron star mergers. Alongside the PUEO mission are two other balloons carrying calibration equipment sending test signals to help scientists make sure the payload equipment is working correctly when it tries to detect real signals from space.
Credit: NASA/Scott Battaion
Track the balloons in realtime: www.csbf.nasa.gov/map/balloon8/flight737N.htm
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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(South Dakota Air and Space Museum collection, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA)
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From exhibit signage:
B-1B Lancer
Top Speed - 950 miles per hour
Crew - 4
Range - Intercontinental
Payload - 75,000 pounds of guided and unguided munitions
A Bomber for the 21st Century
Designed and built to fight a Cold War enemy, the B-1 bomber and its crews adapted to the threat of international terrorism. Features that made the B-1 effective against the Soviet Union are now used to directly support ground troops and to target hidden and scattered terrorist groups. Simply put, airmen in the "Bone" can get to any place in the world, bring a huge quantity and variety of weapons, and destroy their targets with near perfect accuracy.
The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base is home to two of the nation's three combat B-1 squadrons.
After 9/11, B-1s deployed to the island of Diego Garcia. From there, they bombed targets in Afghanistan.
Loaded with Features
The most visible B-1 technology is its variable-sweep wings, which can almost double its wingspan for greater lift. The "Bone" can fly on auto-pilot at a constant height above changing terrain. It has features that deceive radar. And of course, it carries the largest load of bombs in the Air Force today.
A B-1 can carry 24 GBU-31 guided bombs, each of which weighs 2,000 pounds.
Operation Odyssey Dawn
In March 2011, under blizzard conditions, the call came: could the 28th Bomb Wing be ready for action in Libya, in less than two days? Despite freezing metal and icy pavement, airmen began working around the clock. Experts in electronics, engines, and life support systems applied their skills. Munition teams built 145 weapons in 20 hours. Logistics specialists delivered parts from the warehouse to the flightline. Weather forecasters and intelligence analysts, lawyers, and chaplains lined up to brief the crews. From this enormous effort, aircrews launched the first B-1 combat mission ever flown from the continental United States. They returned 72 hours and two bombing missions later, exhausted, having hit nearly 100 targets with 98% accuracy.
"It's hard to overstate how important the ground support teams were to our success." - Lead aircraft weapons systems officer
Mission crews launched in heavy fog with terrible visibility for their long journey to North Africa.
Cold metal made it hard for maintainers to work quickly.
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See info. at:
Enclosed in its payload fairing, NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) departs from the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Florida, near NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 9, 2016. GOES-R was transported to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The fairing-encapsulated GOES-R spacecraft was mated with the launch vehicle on November 9, 2016.
GOES-R is scheduled to launch aboard the Atlas V rocket on November 19.
Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
For the latest on the GOES-R launch, visit www.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES-R-Launch