Counting Down

GETTING CLOSER:  It won't be long now until Christian wings away to the #NASASocial at Cape Canaveral in Florida to watch a SpaceX blast off for the International Space Station, on a resupply mission.

Today, SpaceX released their press kit for the mission. You can view it here:
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_nasa_crs-6_presskit.pdf

There is a plethora of information in the kit, including details about the science payload the capsule will be carrying.  Supplies on board will include materials to support an investigation on the vision changes that more than half of American astronauts experience during and after long duration spaceflight. Per the press kit, "It is hypothesized that the headward fluid shift that occurs during space flight leads to increased pressure in the brain, which may push on the back of the eye, causing it to change shape. The study will measure how much fluid shifts from the lower body to the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determine the impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision and eye structures."  

Super interesting stuff, isn't it?

After five weeks attached to the ISS, the Dragon capsule will return to Earth (via a splash down in the Pacific Ocean) with over 3,000 pounds of cargo and packaging, including crew supplies, hardware and computer resources, science experiments, space station hardware and trash.

Also in the press kit was a list detailing exactly what happens during countdown.  

28 hour before launch, Dragon is powered on. Ten hours before launch, Falcon 9 is powered on. Three hours pre-launch, they commence loading RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) . At the two-hour, 35 minute mark, liquid oxygen (LOX) loading is commenced. Ninety minutes before launch, LOX and RP-1 loading is complete. At T-minus 10 minutes, Falcon 9 terminal count autosequence is started and the Dragon terminal count autosequence is started. At 2 minutes before launch, SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch and Range Control Officer (USAF) verifies range is go for launch. At one minute before scheduled launch, the command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks. With 40 seconds to go, they pressurize propellant tanks, at three seconds, the engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start. At 0:00 it's time for Falcon 9 liftoff!

And let's not forget, after launch, SpaceX will be attempting to safely land the first stage of the rocket on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. Here's a great graphic from SpaceX explaining that procedure. (If you click on the photo, you will see a larger version.)

You can read more about the recovery attempt in an article on Space.Com:
 http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/203209-spacex-will-try-landing-its-falcon-9-rocket-on-a-drone-ship-again-on-monday

INTO THE WILD: The many, many zucchini starts we had going were taking over our kitchen, so we decided today was the day to get them out into the real world.  We planted a trio in the raised bed, and the rest in a strip of soil at the top of our rockery. Some cilantro babies also went outside, to a planter along our alley. 

Wish the fledglings luck, and may our weather stay mild. 

MATINEE: This afternoon, we watched a short, LEGO-animated movie. It was a fanciful tale about Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) finding love on the  Red Planet. 


The movie, 2015 Calmax Studio ©, was directed by Calixte Charles, with music by Kevin McLeod & DJ Pretentious. Per its YouTube info, it was inspired by Wall-E and NASA's Curiosity. 

BOW WOW:  Coming up this weekend is our annual visit to "Paws on Science" at Pacific Science Center.  There, we'll have a chance to meet some 50 University of Washington scientists and researchers, and check out fun, interactive explorations. 

Here's a short video the UW has put together about the event
.

I sure am hoping CJ is able to find a scientist or two to talk to about exoplanets and theoretical propulsion systems. 

Start Your Engines

    Image: SpaceX 
SNEAK PREVIEW:  Today, SpaceX shared some launch footage in Ultra HD 4K.  (If your connection is slow, toggle to 1080 HD for smoother playback.)


Hopefully, Monday afternoon, Christian will be watching a SpaceX launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40)  in person. Stay tuned for his reports from the field!

In the meantime, we're reading up on parts of the rocket that make it all possible, including the Merlin engine, which powers the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. 

Manufactured in house by SpaceX, the Merlin engine burns liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellant. Worth noting: Falcon 9 can lose up to two of its Merlin engines on the first stage and still complete its mission. Per the SpaceX Web site, "The nine-engine architecture on the first stage is an improved version of the design employed by the Saturn I and Saturn V rockets of the Apollo program, which had flawless flight records in spite of engine losses."  

The press kit for the last SpaceX resupply mission (CRS5) to the International Space Station outlines the launch sequence for Falcon 9 as follows. ...

"The launch sequence for Falcon 9 is a process of clockwork precision necessitated by the rocket’s instantaneous launch window—that is, everything is timed to the exact second of scheduled liftoff. Because an off-time liftoff would require Dragon to use extra propellant to reach the space station, the launch window must be hit precisely. If not, the mission will be attempted on another day. Twenty-eight hours before launch, Dragon is powered up in preparation for the NASA powered cargo delivery and loading. About three hours before launch, the fueling process begins—RP-1 kerosene propellant first, then liquid oxygen. The plume coming off the vehicle during countdown is gaseous oxygen being vented from the tanks, which is why the liquid oxygen is topped off throughout the countdown. Terminal countdown begins at T-10 minutes, at which point all systems are autonomous. After polling Mission Control in Hawthorne, California, and the launch team at Cape Canaveral, the Launch Director gives a final go for launch at T-2 minutes and 30 seconds. At T-2 minutes, the Air Force Range Control Officer confirms the physical safety of the launch area and provides the final range status. Just before liftoff, the launch pad’s water deluge system, dubbed “Niagara,” is activated. Seconds before launch, the nine Merlin engines of the first stage ignite. The rocket computer commands the launch mount to release the vehicle for flight, and at T-0, Falcon 9 lifts off, putting out just over 1.3 million pounds of thrust." 

MMM, BACON:  Here's a leftover shot from Monday, before the Mariners' home opener. We like to walk down Occidental toward the stadium, as there are always a number of vendors and product promoters there, making for a festive, colorful walk up to the game

During our opening day stroll, we met a slice of bacon. His friends were handing out free samples of bacon salt and bacon lip balm. Nice!

SUGARY:  Our Honda was a rolling cookie mobile today, as we took a few dozen Star Wars and Star Trek cookies to a potluck lunch today. 

They're always so much fun to make and share.

OVERHEARD:  This afternoon, while the kids were doing their (apparently way-too-easy) math assignment.  ...

CJ:  "That's rather obvious."
Annabelle:  "What, do they think we're stupid?" 

Time to find some more challenging math!

Educating Ourselves

       SpaceX Dragon capsule departs the International Space Station in May 2014. 

Image Credit: 

NASA

SPACEX UPDATE: Today, NASA shared a press release about the upcoming SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station.

The sixth SpaceX cargo mission to the ISS is scheduled to launch on Monday, April 13, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. NASA TV coverage of the launch begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time. The Falcon 9 is set to lift off at 1:33 p.m. Atop it will be a Dragon capsule filled with over 4,300 pounds of supplies and payloads, including materials to support about 40 science and research investigations that will occur during Expeditions 43 and 44 aboard the ISS.

The press release says NASA will host a series of prelaunch news conferences on Sunday, April 12, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hopefully MPA's field reporter will get to attend those, at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., which will air live on NASA TV. During the conferences, scientists and researchers will discuss the onboard science and research studies. A brief, pre-launch news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. Seattle time Sunday, and a post-launch briefing will be held approximately 90 minutes after liftoff Monday.

The science investigations included on this mission include "exploring new ways to possibly counteract the microgravity-induced cell damage seen during spaceflight; studying the effects of microgravity on the most common cells in bones; gathering new insight that could lead to treatments for osteoporosis and muscle wasting conditions; continuing studies into astronaut vision changes; and testing a new material that could one day be used as a synthetic muscle for robotic explorers of the future," per the press release.

Dragon is scheduled to reach the ISS on Wednesday, April 15.  Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will use the station's 57.7-foot arm to reach out and capture Dragon at approximately 4 a.m. Pacific time on the 15th. NASA TV coverage of grapple will begin at 2 a.m. Pacific time.  

SCHOOLED:  Access to education is the next issue the kids' social issues club will be examining.  There are so many barriers to education, it's hard to know where to start, but we decided to look at the dollars and 'sense' of it all.

To that end, today we read a number of articles on the Global Education First Initiative (GEFI) Web site. GEFI was launched in September of 2012 by the United Nations Secretary-General, to accelerate progress towards the Education for All goals and the education-related Millennium Development Goals. The graphic below (from the UN's GEFI), outlines the organizations' three priority areas. 

Global Education First Iniative has published a booklet about its goals. It is a *wonderful* resource, covering the myriad of problems and obstacles facing education today. It also outlines solutions to these problems. It's definitely worth a look: http://www.globaleducationfirst.org/files/GEFI_Brochure_ENG.pdf

In addition to reading the booklet, we watched a video about GETI on YouTube: 

Obviously, funding for education is a problem that spans the globe. We read the book, "Listen to the Wind," about Greg Mortenson (of "Three Cups of Tea" fame) helping start a school in the mountains of Pakistan after villagers there showed him kindness after his failed attempt to climb K2. Mortenson went on to help build other schools in remote villages in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

However, I knew that if we were going to use anything by or about Mortenson as a resource, unfortunately, we had to also talk about how the philanthropist's story went rather sideways as donations to the charity he co-founded poured in, so we watched an NBC news video interview from 2014 with him, where he talks about his failures. (Mortenson was eventually ordered to pay $1 million back to Central Asia Institute, the non-profit he co-founded, and step down from its board.)  

Educational funding problems also strike close to home. We read parts of the Washington State Supreme Court's decision from September of 2014, holding the state legislature in contempt of court for its continued failures to adequately fund state K-12 schools. In its decision, the court gave the legislature "the opportunity to purge the contempt" during the 2015 legislative session. If it's not resolved, "the court will reconvene and impose sanctions or other remedial measures."  

The clock is ticking.

DRAWN IN:  This afternoon, Annabelle was working on our never ending book project, and was having trouble drawing her main character wrapped in a blanket. CJ was conscripted to be an artist's model, and then it was done in a snap!

ART ALERT:  When we were at the Magnolia branch of Seattle Public Libraries today, we spied news of a weekly art session for students grades 4 and up. It starts this coming Wednesday. We will be sure to check it out at some point (tomorrow, if Annabelle has her way!).

Also worth noting: Seattle Public Libraries has a full slate of school break activities lined up for local spring breakers. Check out their calendar here: http://www.spl.org/audiences/all-ages/school-break-activities/school-break-activities-calendar

Opening Day

AND AWAY WE GO:  Today was a day we've been waiting for since last October. Today it was back to Seattle Mariners' baseball, which makes us very happy. :)

The home opener is always full of pomp and circumstance ... and fireworks (although daytime fireworks aren't as impressive as post sunset fireworks).

They rolled out the red carpet for the Mariners' starting lineup.

Former Mariners' second baseman Joey Cora threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Of course, the REAL first pitch of 2015 was thrown by ace Felix Hernandez. Can you see the ball?!

There's only one day a year when you're going to see all the players batting .000.

At the end of the day, last year's American League MVP was batting .250 after his four at bats - one homer and three strike outs.

The Mariners were up 4-1 when reliever Fernando Rodney came in and closed the deal. Like a whole lot of other fans in the stadium, Annabelle turned her hat to 2 o'clock, as Rodney wears his crooked (as a hat tip to his deceased father).

It was a lovely day at the ballpark. The Mariners won 4-1 and they're in first place, undefeated! :)  Hope springs eternal. 

Here's the field crew, working the green after the game. 

We can't wait to get back there. 

ONE WEEK:  One week from today, a Falcon 9 rocket topped by a Dragon capsule is set to blast off from our planet.  MPA can't wait to have a field reporter on site for the event!

Follow this link to find out about Falcon 9's capabilities and services - and its price tag: 
http://www.spacex.com/about/capabilities

Check out this lovely photo of SpaceX's Dragon capsule during its last International Space Station run, CRS5.

Image: SpaceX

EARTH DAY EVENT:  Speaking of our planet, NASA has announced an Earth Day event, #NoPlaceLikeHome.

                              Image: NASA
Per their press release, "There are (so far) 1,800 known planets beyond our solar system, but among all of them, there's no place like Earth. This Earth Day, April 22, NASA is asking you to share pictures and video of your favorite places on Earth using social media – and tag them #NoPlaceLikeHome."  Specifically,  participants are invited to post photos and videos that answer a simple question: What is your favorite place on Earth?

Sounds like fun! I'm sure we'll have some photos to share.