The Ares I-X prototype rocket, that is considered to be one of the biggest accomplishments of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) finally took off from the Kennedy Space Center launch pad after multiple weather delays. The Ares I-X rocket is expected to be the much awaited replacement for NASA’s space shuttle program and with its launch, the launch pad wrote a new piece of history in its books, as the pad had never launched any other space vehicle, besides the space shuttles in the year 1981.

The launch of the brand new prototype rocket took place at 11 a.m local time and the vehicle cleared the launch pad without any undesired events. The first stage of the Ares I-X rocket was initiated after two minutes of flight time, when the rocket separated itself with the fuel tank at an altitude of 25 miles. As this was a prototype, the Ares I-X rocket did not have a second stage, but according to NASA scientists, the actual version, will indeed be comprised of second stage engine, that will propel the rocket capsule carrying for astronauts into space and rendezvous with the international space station.

The Ares I-X rocket test flight was comprised on 700 on board sensors, that had been embedded in the vehicle for the scientists to gain crucial and valuable flight data, enabling them to make necessary corrections to the actual rocket. The entire test flight has been estimated to have a price tag of $445 million.

The initial time scheduled for the test flight was yesterday, but due to continuous bad weather, NASA had to delay the launch. What worried the scientists even more about the weather conditions was the danger of loss of communications with the spacecraft. As this was a whole new design and completely different from the space shuttles, the weather parameters were more strictly followed.

According to Jeffrey Hanley (Constellation Program, NASA) before the test launch, “

“As the rocket climbs its way through the atmosphere, what are the loads and the environment that it has to see? That’s what Ares I-X is going to inform us most about.”

Via New York Times.

That sounds pretty disgusting when you think about it, even though we are saying that the urine will be recycled! Irrespective of your personal tastes and fancy for delicacies, if you want to be a part of the crew that constantly keeps the International Space Station in shape and gets a fabulous view of the Earth and the vast cosmos, then you will have to get used to slight taste of Iodine in your water. But when you ask the people who have tasted the water from recycled urine on ISS, they will tell you that it tastes just fine.

Until now, space shuttle programs that constantly visit the space center have been carrying water with them, but that luxury will cease from 2010 and astronauts will have to recycle their own urine and drink it the next day. The system though produces pure water and is not at all as disgusting as it sounds. The technique of purification has been successful on earth and now will have to be fully tested in zero gravity for final approval.

The new technique of recycling allows the space station to be largely self sufficient and with the way fresh water resources are dwindling across the globe, the same process might hit our homes in a couple of generations’ time. Look, if you are putting me in space, keeping me there for several months on your own money and giving me that awesome trip of ‘once in a lifetime’, then I have absolutely no problem drinking from recycled urine. Sign me up NASA!

Via: cnet

We all know how tasty Chick-fil-A’s menu usually is and how nutritious it is for children to opt for the company’s mouth-watering offerings when they decide to go out. This time around, the company tied up with Kennedy Space Center to help children not only eat tasty and nutritious food, but also learn a little bit of space and time. Chick-fil-A has launched space shuttle based toys, which come in four different pieces.

When all the four are joined, they become a totally cool space shuttle miniature that the kids can have fun with. This also would serve as a great opportunity to make children find interest in science and astronomy, which is lately dying thanks to all the consoles and games. Moreover the fast food chain has launched many tasty entrees, condiments sand trans fat.

This would definitely appeal to mothers who have obese children. Obesity among children is a major cause for worry in the U.S. and other developed nations. So adults can go ahead and take their children to one of the Chick-fil-A locations all across the U.S. before November 22 and help their children eat food that is fun, tasty and healthy, and also learn a little about space exploration.

Via: CollectSpace