Going back to the moon......Artemis I......

[Mike Billings]

We put new head up displays with display computer in just the F14-Bs in the 1990s. The new computer was so light it needed ballast! It was part of an upgrade package that included new engines and a LANTIRN system I recall. I think maybe it got new wings and canopy in the same upgrade.

I'm an electrical designer, but I was asked to install the first HUD at Pt. Mugu Naval Station, and get the electrical interfaces to work. Was super cool to work on such a huge and capable aircraft, with all the access panels removed! It had some weapons connected electrically, but there was nothing dangerous in the indoor lab. Unless someone turns the radar on!

I saw a LANTIRN shroud/chassis on the bench an thought it was curious there was just one. I asked if it was the prototype. The guy said no, we make a few each month. Then a voice from the back piped up "and two canoes"! Referring to to fact that it's similar in shape to the canoes that Grumman used to manufacture. I thought it was very funny because a friend and I had recently purchased an old aluminum Grumman canoe.

[fisher22]

Originally Posted by Mike Billings

We put new head up displays with display computer in just the F14-Bs in the 1990s. The new computer was so light it needed ballast! It was part of an upgrade package that included new engines and a LANTIRN system I recall. I think maybe it got new wings and canopy in the same upgrade.

I'm an electrical designer, but I was asked to install the first HUD at Pt. Mugu Naval Station, and get the electrical interfaces to work. Was super cool to work on such a huge and capable aircraft, with all the access panels removed! It had some weapons connected electrically, but there was nothing dangerous in the indoor lab. Unless someone turns the radar on!

I saw a LANTIRN shroud/chassis on the bench an thought it was curious there was just one. I asked if it was the prototype. The guy said no, we make a few each month. Then a voice from the back piped up "and two canoes"! Referring to to fact that it's similar in shape to the canoes that Grumman used to manufacture. I thought it was very funny because a friend and I had recently purchased an old aluminum Grumman canoe.

Very cool. OK, I thought something was happening with it now.
I was at VX-4 (Test & Evaluation) at Mugu for my first tour. Usually only worked Tomcat electronics unless someone needed help working on the F-4s, A-4s. I also worked early Hornets including the prototype YF-17.
Thanks for that important work.
John

[Baz]

[Baz]

Yawn......but worth the wait!

Beautiful clear sky night here....and she really lit up the sky!

Fly baby fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by pmax

Well, they did add a toilet.

Once the manned version gets going 480 seconds of full boost and everyone clenching sphincters, then everything slows down, adrenaline runs out, zero gravity they won't need a toilet. It will just happen.

[KFC911]

Yay! Were I were in charge of NASA, the rocket would be named "Alice"

[Baz]

Combustion!

[fisher22]

Such a beautiful night launch.

[doug_porsche]

Originally Posted by Baz

Combustion!

SOOO envious of you getting to take that pic!

[red 928]

I watched a show about this mission today.
edit: it was called "Artemis 1: Going Back To The Moon"

They said that the mission would take persons
of color and women to the moon.
This was apparently mission-critical to them
as they repeated that statement a couple of times.
But who is to say what a "woman" is?

It was obviously important to the people
who made that show when they picked the people
who would be featured and interviewed.

I was told by someone who worked
at the Boeing assembly plant on this project that
the same filter was apparent
during the design and construction hiring as well.
Bless their hearts.

Nothing ensures safety and success more than using
race and gender as determining staffing
factors instead of old-fashioned concepts like experience,
knowledge and capability.

I feel better about it all now.

[Baz]

From Wiki:

On 21 November 2022, Orion will lose communication with NASA as it passes behind the Moon from 7:25 a.m. EST through 7:59 a.m. Therefore, during an AI-controlled maneuver, the first of a pair of trajectory-altering burns ("...outbound powered flyby burn(s)...") to transition Orion to a distant retrograde orbit is planned to begin at 7:44 a.m. EST. The orbital maneuvering system engine will fire for two minutes and thirty seconds. While still autonomous, Orion will make its closest lunar approach of approximately 80 miles above the surface at 7:57 a.m.

I'm watching it live on YT.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khr8Z9FwgZY

[Baz]

Animated GIF here:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Animation_of_Artemis_I_around_Earth_-_Frame_rotating_with_Moon.gif

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Baz

From Wiki:



I'm watching it live on YT.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khr8Z9FwgZY

So cool watching Earth disappear behind the Moon in real time.

[Baz]

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/artemis-i-capsule-buzzes-moon-last-big-step-before-lunar-orbit

[fisher22]

That’s the coolest view indeed. Only a handful of humans have ever seen it, but more to come.

[Baz]

Artemis I returns to Earth .

Currently traveling 11,890mph speeding up to about 25000 at entry due to gravity pull.

Separation from command module is about 12:10pm.

Splashdown is 12:39pm ET.

[Baz]

Man....that was the coolest thing I've seen all freaking year...lol.....

NASA engineers be like "Eh....piece of cake!"

[fisher22]

Even though our great country already did this in the late 1960s-early 1970s (with then-current technology!) this was an amazing achievement with a brand new mission set. Congratulations Team Artemis!! You have the pride of a nation. Way cool.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by fisher22

Even though our great country already did this in the late 1960s-early 1970s (with then-current technology!) this was an amazing achievement with a brand new mission set. Congratulations Team Artemis!! You have the pride of a nation. Way cool.

Wholeheartedly agree and well said.

Congrats to NASA and Team Artemis!

[A930Rocket]