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NASA and Sierra Space Prepare for Dream Chaser’s Historic Flight to the International Space Station

“NASA and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spacecraft prepares to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, revolutionizing cargo resupply.”

Published

1 year ago

December 19, 2023

Rod Washington

NASA and Sierra Space are on the verge of a significant milestone in space exploration, as they make progress towards the first flight of the Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). This uncrewed cargo spaceplane, set to launch in 2024 as part of NASA’s commercial resupply services, showcases the advancements in reusable spacecraft technology and the growing collaboration between NASA and private space companies.

01 near space v2 01 high res — NASA and Sierra Space are making progress on the first flight of the company’s Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station. The uncrewed cargo spaceplane is planned to launch its demonstration mission in 2024 to the orbital complex as part of NASA’s commercial resupply services.
Sierra Space

Dream Chaser and Shooting Star:
At the heart of the Dream Chaser cargo system lies two essential components: the Dream Chaser spacecraft and the Shooting Star cargo module. The Dream Chaser, a lifting body spacecraft, is a modified version of the HL-20 spacecraft developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Designed for reusability, Dream Chaser can be utilized up to 15 times, distinguishing it from other cargo vehicles. The Shooting Star cargo module complements the spacecraft, enabling the delivery and disposal of pressurized and unpressurized cargo to and from the space station. While the cargo module is single-use and disposed of before re-entry, the Dream Chaser spacecraft itself can be relaunched within a remarkably short timeframe of just 24 hours.

Mission Overview:
Sierra Space’s first flight of Dream Chaser aims to conduct in-orbit demonstrations to certify the spacecraft for future missions. Teams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Johnson Space Center, and the Dream Chaser Mission Control Center will closely monitor the flight. Sierra Space flight controllers will oversee the spacecraft until it is handed over to the ground operations team at NASA Kennedy following landing.

The mission involves both far-field and near-field demonstrations. Far-field demonstrations, conducted outside the vicinity of the space station, include showcasing attitude control, translational maneuvers, and abort capabilities. Near-field demonstrations, closer to the space station, involve using LIDAR sensors, responding to space station commands, and performing controlled approaches. Dream Chaser will approach the station, and a station crew member will use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to grapple the spacecraft’s cargo module, which will then be installed on the space station.

https://stmdailynews.com/space-perspective-unveils-first-images-of-spaceship-neptune-capsule-structure

Cargo Delivery and Return:
Dream Chaser’s inaugural flight to the ISS has a payload capacity of over 7,800 pounds. Future missions are being designed to accommodate longer stays of up to 75 days and deliver as much as 11,500 pounds of cargo, with flexibility to load cargo up to 24 hours before launch. Upon departure, Dream Chaser can return over 3,500 pounds of cargo and experiment samples to Earth, while its cargo module can dispose of over 8,700 pounds of trash during reentry.

Return to Earth:
After approximately 45 days at the ISS, Dream Chaser will be uninstalled using Canadarm2. The spacecraft’s return journey begins with a deorbit burn, followed by re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Dream Chaser will then glide to a runway landing at Kennedy’s Launch and Landing Facility, reminiscent of NASA’s space shuttle program. This landing marks the first time a spacecraft has touched down at the facility since the final space shuttle flight in 2011.
The upcoming flight of the Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station signifies a major step forward in NASA’s commercial resupply services. The collaboration between NASA and Sierra Space showcases the advancements in reusable spaceplane technology and paves the way for more frequent and efficient cargo missions to the space station. As Dream Chaser proves its capabilities, it opens new possibilities for delivering supplies, conducting experiments, and supporting future human space exploration endeavors.

For further updates on NASA’s commercial resupply services, visit the official NASA website at https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html. The future of space exploration is undoubtedly exciting, with Dream Chaser at the forefront of innovation and progress.

Author

Rod Washington

Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art. View all posts

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Related Topics:cargo resupply Dream Chaser International Space Station NASA Sierra Space

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Rod Washington

Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art.

Lifestyle

Tax Guidance for 2025

Published

3 days ago

April 1, 2025

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) For some, tax season represents the opportunity for a return and some much-needed relief for their bank accounts. Yet for others, it’s time to write a check to Uncle Sam. Ensure you’re up to date on all things 2025 taxes with this guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the IRS. Tax Deadlines If you’re unable to file before the traditional April 15 deadline, you do have a few options. Filing for an extension provides an extra six months until Oct. 15, however, if you believe you will owe taxes, you’re required to estimate how much you owe and pay that amount alongside your extension form. Filing Your Taxes Each person’s tax situation is unique, but there is an assortment of options when it comes time to file. Some people (an estimated 100 million) are eligible to file their returns for free, such as seniors, those who speak English as a second language, those with incomes of less than $60,000, servicemembers and more. Be sure to check your eligibility for services like IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, The Tax Counseling for the Elderly, MyFreeTaxes, GetYourRefund, IRS Free File, MilTax and more. Accessing Your Refund Electronically filing and choosing direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund. The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days, but issuance of a paper check may take 4-6 weeks. Make sure to have your account and routing numbers ready when filing your return. One alternate solution is to have your refund issued to a prepaid card that accepts direct deposit, but there may be fees involved. Check with the card provider to determine any applicable fees. Watch for Scams The IRS will not contact you by email, text message or social media to request personal or financial information. Scammers may impersonate the IRS to convince you to share personal information through the mail, telephone, email and beyond. Find more tax tips and information at irs.gov and visit eLivingtoday.com for additional financial advice. Photo courtesy of Unsplash collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures

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SOURCE: eLivingtoday.com

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Daily News Staff

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The Controversy Surrounding the Jackie Robinson Biography at the U.S. Naval Academy

The Trump administration’s push to ban Jackie Robinson’s biography from the U.S. Naval Academy Library highlights tensions over diversity narratives in education, sparking controversy and raising concerns about historical representation amid ongoing political divisiveness.

Published

3 days ago

April 1, 2025

Rod Washington

Jackie Robinson, first baseman with the Brooklyn Dodgers, circa 1949.

In an alarming move reflecting ongoing tensions over diverse narratives in education and public discourse, the Trump administration is reportedly pushing to ban a biography of Jackie Robinson from the Nimitz Library at the U.S. Naval Academy. This follows a week of controversy sparked by the temporary removal and subsequent restoration of an article on Robinson’s Army service from the Pentagon’s website.

According to a report from The New York Times, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Naval Academy to review its library collection for works that embody themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The biography of Robinson, alongside around 900 other titles—including Martin Luther King Jr.’s autobiography and “Einstein on Race and Racism”—has been flagged for removal under this directive.

Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the Naval Academy, stated, “The U.S. Naval Academy is fully committed to executing and implementing all directives outlined in executive orders issued by the president and is currently reviewing the Nimitz Library collection to ensure compliance. The Navy is carrying out these actions with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives.”

With Hegseth scheduled to visit the Academy soon, it remains uncertain whether these controversial titles will be removed from the library before his arrival. The issue has sparked substantial outcry, particularly in light of the administration’s recent criticism over removing articles that celebrate influential figures in U.S. history, like Robinson and the Navajo code talkers.

In a discussion prompted by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot reiterated the administration’s stance against diversity initiatives, indicating that some content may have been removed inadvertently. His comments drew significant backlash, leading to a follow-up statement emphasizing “patriotism and dedication to the warfighting mission” rather than racial or ethnic identities.

Robinson, a second lieutenant in the Army from 1942 to 1944, served with the 761st Tank Battalion, the first Black tank unit to see combat in World War II. His court-martial for refusing to adhere to a racist bus policy only underscores his enduring struggle against racial injustice, paving the way for his groundbreaking success in Major League Baseball as he broke the color barrier.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Robinson’s team for a decade, are scheduled to visit President Trump at the White House to celebrate their 2024 World Series title this April, coinciding with Jackie Robinson Day. This timing juxtaposes their celebration of his legacy against the backdrop of an administration taking steps to diminish recognition of such key figures in American history.

As this situation unfolds, it raises critical questions about the role of educational institutions, historical representation, and the importance of equitable narratives in our national dialogue. In today’s divided political landscape, the removal of influential and diverse voices from public access can serve not just as a reflection of current priorities but also as a forewarning about the future of discourse surrounding diversity and inclusion in America.

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Coca-Cola Recall Alert: Thousands of Cans Pulled From Shelves in Two States

Published

1 week ago

March 27, 2025

Hal Machina

selective focus photography of red coca-cola can lot on box — Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

In a significant recall notification, Coca-Cola has announced the withdrawal of over 10,000 cans of its popular beverage due to concerns over foreign object contamination. This announcement was initially made on March 6, and affected cans were sold in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the risk level of this recall as Class 2. This designation indicates that consuming the affected Coca-Cola “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” although the chances of serious health consequences are deemed to be remote.

Which Coca-Cola Products Were Recalled?

The recall impacts a total of 864 packs of 12 cans of Coca-Cola, amounting to 10,368 cans in total. The specific details of the recalled products are as follows:

Product Description: Coca-Cola Original Taste, 12 Fl Oz
Can UPC: 0 49000-00634 6
12-Can Pack UPC: 0 49000-02890 4
Date Code: SEP2925MDA
Time Stamp: 1100-1253

Which States Are Affected?

The recall specifically concerns Coca-Cola cans distributed in the following states:

Illinois
Wisconsin

Why Were the Coca-Cola Cans Recalled?

The FDA has reported that these Coca-Cola cans were recalled due to contamination with a foreign object, in this case, plastic. Such contaminants can inadvertently enter food and beverage products at various stages during the production process, posing a safety risk if ingested. It is important to note that the FDA report did not indicate any associated injuries related to this specific recall

If you have purchased Coca-Cola cans with the above UPC codes in Illinois or Wisconsin, it is recommended that you refrain from consuming the affected products. Instead, please return them to the store where you purchased them for a full refund or exchange. Staying informed about product recalls is crucial to consumer safety, and it is always advisable to check for the latest updates from the FDA and Coca-Cola regarding product safety issues. For any additional questions, feel free to reach out to Coca-Cola directly or visit the FDA’s website. Stay safe!