Today, the kids tried their hand at creating a fortune telling Wookiee. (I mean, doesn't everyone need one of those?) using a pattern from the activity kit. The directions weren't the greatest, but we managed to make it work. It's pretty darn cute. The pattern is from the book "The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee," which is in the "Origami Yoda" book series. Fun stuff!
And can I just admit here that it wasn't until today that I realized Wookiee was spelled W-O-O-K-I-E-E. I swear, I never knew that last E was there.
FIRE IN THE SKY: Sunday evening at 5:35 we watched SpaceX's Falcon rocket launch a Dragon capsule, destination ISS.
This afternoon, I got an email from SpaceX explaining exactly what went down. In part, it said at 1 minute and 19 seconds into launch, the rocket's software detected an anomaly with one first-stage engine. When that happened, a shutdown command was issued.
This morning I read some reports that said an engine had exploded, but that's not the case, apparently. Per SpaceX, "We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it."
Once the engine went out, the flight computer had to rework a new ascent profile in real time in order to achieve the proper orbit to berth with the ISS. SpaceX reports, "This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission." In fact, SpaceX went on to point out that Saturn V experienced engine loss on two flights, and modern airliners sometimes have engine failure, and they are designed with workarounds in place, as was Dragon.
The bottom line is, the Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the ISS and is performing nominally at the present. And that's good news. They should connect on Oct. 10, and Dragon is set to splashdown on Oct. 28. More info about all of this can be found on spacex.com.
If you're interested in trying to spot Dragon chasing the ISS in the sky, check out this story on SPACE.com
FLOORED: We stayed close to home this weekend, as Christian and I were laying 200 square feet of hardwood flooring in the addition. We were both feeling that today while working on the siding. Good times. While we toiled, the kids kept busy with science and math homework, scooting in the alley, reading, harvesting produce from the garden, playing with puppies and, of course, playing their beloved Roblox.
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH: For a few months now we've had our eye on Felix Baumgartner, skydiver extraordinaire.
In a few short hours, Felix will be riding in a capsule carried skyward by a stratospheric balloon. Once he reaches 120,000 feet, he's going to exit his capsule and make a freefall jump back down to Earth.
He's expected to reach supersonic speeds before deploying a parachute to land. Here's a photo from an earlier test jump. ...
It's all going down just after 5 a.m. Pacific Coast time on Oct. 9. You can watch it live here: http://www.redbullstratos.com/live/ As of now, we plan on getting up in the morning for the big jump!
Baumgartner has been working with engineers, scientists and medical professionals for years in preparation for this attempt, dubbed Red Bull Stratos. One important member of the team is retired United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who holds three of the records Felix will strive to break. Here's a short video (© Red Bull Media House) about the attempt. ...
Falcon doing its job in spite of an engine failure shows that SpaceX really has its act together. Great job.
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