Author Archives: Arlene Busby

Farewell to a great scientist: Claudia Alexander (1959 – 2015)

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Arlene Busby

OASIS is saddened by the recent passing of a great scientist, Dr. Claudia Alexander, planetary scientist at JPL.  You can read about her extraordinary life at http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-0719-claudia-alexander-20150718-story.html Quote from Robert Gounley, OASIS Membership Director and JPL scientist: “Claudia’s intelligence, enthusiasm, … Continue reading →

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Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015)

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Arlene Busby

“Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels… his was the most… human.” -Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan …but most of you already know where that quote came … Continue reading →

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Success!! Launch of DSCOVR satellite atop Falcon 9

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Arlene Busby

“The Falcon takes flight! Propelling the Deep Space Climate Observatory on a million-mile journey to protect our planet Earth” proclaimed the NASA TV announcer. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the DSCOVR launched successfully from Cape Canaveral at 6:04 ET on … Continue reading →

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Successful launch and splashdown! ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Arlene Busby

The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) spaceplane launch-reentry mission was a big success! At approximately 6 am PT (2 pm GMT) on February 11, IXV launched atop a Vega rocket from the Guiana Space Center (Kourou, French … Continue reading →

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SCRUBBED AGAIN Launch of DSCOVR satellite atop Falcon 9 – another attempt at an intact landing

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Arlene Busby

Due to wind. New launch time at 6:03 pm ET (3:03 pm PT) Wednesday Watch here http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

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SCRUBBED launch of DSCOVR atop a Falcon 9 – TODAY February 8, 2015 – NASA TV

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Arlene Busby

Launch scrubbed due to loss of the Air Force’s Eastern Range radar. Next possible launch time is Monday, February 9 at 6:07 pm ET. On February 8, 2015, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is set to launch aboard a … Continue reading →

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Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Ready to Launch Atop a Falcon 9

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Arlene Busby

On February 8, 2015, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is set to launch aboard a Falcon 9 at 6:10 pm ET (3:10 pm PT) from Cape Canaveral, FL. This launch is highly and doubly significant: DSCOVR’s primary mission is … Continue reading →

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Now the folks on the International Space Station can enjoy a morning (or whenever) cup o’ joe!

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Arlene Busby

Well, actually, espresso. The Italians have developed the ISSpresso, which will make the good stuff, even in microgravity. And soon the astronauts/cosmonauts can even drink it out of cups! No more of these squeeze bags and straws. These cups are … Continue reading →

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NASA Mission to Measure Earth’s Soil Moisture Levels Launches Successfully

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Arlene Busby

NASA’s latest Earth-observing mission, Soil Moisture Active Passive Satellite (SMAP), launched successfully on January 31, 2015. The satellite rode atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II that was launched from Vandenburg Air Force Base early Saturday morning, and its solar … Continue reading →

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Will the people on the ISS get to see the Super Bowl?

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Arlene Busby

Unfortunately, the Super Bowl is when many of the astronauts are asleep, but some may catch the beginning or the end. And they can’t grill any hot dogs or burgers in space anyway – you can’t have an open flame. … Continue reading →

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