Did anyone notice? Another perfect Delta II Launch today!

Nope hadn't noticed, but I'm glad you told us. I've been tracking the progress for the ISS for 8 yrs now. Space the final fronteir... well it is isn't it??

Gravity Probe B and those hard-working folks who built and flew it deserved that picture perfect launch. That poor little probe has had a hard time of in recent years.

There was also a Russian-ISS docking today.

John,
I work on the gyros/rate sensors, star tracker, and sunshade for the Gravity B and I work on the guidance system for the Delta II and IV. You bet everyone was relieved. Now to go prove (or disprove) Mr. Einstein!

That's neat, NASAFAN. I hope Mr. Einstein is ready for a virtual test.

Do you know of any diagrams of the Delta IV pad structure (hold-down, TSM's and such) that are readily available? I've got a D-IV begging for a proper launch stand.

Actually, I did notice. Being an amateur astronomer as well as a plastic modeler, I found the news an the Astronomy magazine's website.

I am fortunate to live about 40 miles north of 'Vandyland' and got a wonderful view of that launch. The really exciting ones are the Peacekeepers launched just after sundown. When they reach sunlight and leave the atmosphere, the exhaust becomes a greenish gold cloud in the dark sky. It's quite something to see!

My father was a technical illustrator at Aerojet for over 30 years and I have followed the space program closely. I'm really looking forward to the results that this probe will bring!

MojoDR
I was lucky to be assigned to the cape (CCAS) for the Mars Odyssey Launch. The view form the launch tower was great. Took a look at the probe in its berth before launch and viewed the launch from Boeing's Mission Control Center. However it was interupted by an "inflight" debrief to NASA and the Airforce. I wish I could go to more. I'm trying to go down for the shuttle launch in May, 2005. Our CMG (controlled Movement Gyro) replacement is being sent up to replace the one that is shut down. I will have a lot of work when the one on the station returns and hits the receiving dock doors.
Glad to see there are other Space fans besides me.

NASAFAN, maybe you could help me with a project.

I have a spare Saturn V kit and was thinking of customizing it into the "stowed" Skylab w/ booster. The big problem is that I've found only one picture for reference and it's too grainy to be of any use. Do you have any suggestions for sources?

FYI...
Check out the GP-B home page. In the next month they'll be posting a "print your own" paper model kit of the satellite. I might even be able to post an early beta version for interested parties. I'd like some feedback on it before we start putting out the printed version. I've got build times ranging from 1 hour to 8. Considering the real one took 40 years, that's not too bad.

I can't help but notice. Everytime they launch, my house shakes, dogs bark and if its at night, the sky lights up. I only live a few miles from the KSC/CCAFS.

I used to work for Martin Marietta Canaveral Launch Ops on the Titan 34D, Titan IV and Commercial Titan programs. I had the privelage of seeing the launch vehicles inside and out, up close and personal and was part of the post launch walkdown team. We would be out there sometimes in less than an hour after launch. To paraphrase Robert Duvall, ....There's nothing like the smell of a Titan Launch in the morning.......really there isn't, it stinks.

Mike

Kugai,
Let me see if I have some pix here. I'll will post them. Did you try the nasa.gov site? The section on Human spacefilght should get you to a timeline and some old pix of the Saturn V with Skylab. I'll get back to you soon on this.

Goldengirl,
Yes NASA web site under http://spacelink.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/Curriculum.Support/Technology/Models/
has a paper model site. Some plans are so good that you can literally scratch build one (Hey do I hear a group build project...) from the plans given. Many space probes and satellites are available. We call them NASA Origami. My Government reps have a couple hanging in there office. Yes, these can be scaled up!

Mike,
Great to hear from a fellow contractor, even though we're on competing launch vehicles. One launch I've been talking to my USA (United Space Alliance) guys here is to be a part of a Shuttle Launch. I hear that is as close to witnessing a Saturn V launch.