Saturday’s DARC SkyNet is at 9PM CT.
Discussion Topic of the Evening.
Unexpected Temperature Changes on Neptune:
Article:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2219/new-study-finds-unexpected-temperature-changes-on-neptune/
Voyager 2 Photo of Neptune
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/system/news_items/main_images/2219_Neptune_PIA00046-1280×900.jpg
Thermal Images of Neptune
https://bgr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/neptune-readings.jpg
Neptune Scattergram, Temperature Fluctuations
https://www.sciencealert.com/images/2022-04/NeptuneRadiationDiagram.jpg
BGR: “New Mystery on Neptune”
Waz Up
Space Exploration and Space History
Astronaut Birthdays
April 20, 1955: Don Pettit (Expedition 6, STS-126, Expedition 30/31)
Miss Carolyn’s Constellation of the Week
Centaurus, the Centaur
Space Launches For This Week
Tom KE5ICX
Space Coast Launches
Space Flight Now Launch Schedule
April 26/27
Long March 11H • Jilin 1 Gaofen 03D & Jilin 1 Gaofen 04A
Launch time: Approx. 0330 GMT on 27th (11:30 p.m. EDT on 26th)
Launch site: Ocean Platform
A Chinese Long March 11H rocket will launch from an ocean-going platform off the Chinese coast with seven small Jilin 1 Earth observation satellites for Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. Ltd. Six of the satellites are part of the Jilin 1 Gaofen 03D high-resolution imaging constellation, and the other payload is a Jilin 1 Gaofen 04A video imaging satellite. [April 22]
April 27
Angara 1.2 • MKA-R
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia
A Russian government Angara 1.2 rocket will launch the small MKA-R spacecraft. This will be the first orbital launch attempt for the Angara 1.2 rocket. [April 20]
April 27/28
Electron • “There And Back Again”
Launch window: 2235-0040 GMT on 27th/28th (6:35-8:40 p.m. EDT on 27th)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch 34 small satellites from commercial operators Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Unseenlabs, and Swarm Technologies. Rocket Lab will attempt to catch the Electron’s first stage booster with a helicopter for the first time. Rocket Lab has nicknamed the mission “There And Back Again.” Delayed from April 22. Delayed from April 23 by bad weather in rocket recovery area. [April 22]
April 29
Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-16
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. [April 22]
May 19
Atlas 5 • CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2
Launch time: 2254:36 GMT (6:54:36 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, designated AV-082, will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on second unpiloted test flight to the International Space Station. This mission was added after Boeing’s decision to refly the Starliner’s Orbital Flight Test before proceeding with the Crew Flight Test. The rocket will fly in a vehicle configuration with two solid rocket boosters and a dual-engine Centaur upper stage. Delayed from 3rd Quarter. Delayed from Jan. 4. Moved forward from March 29, April 2, and May. Delayed from July 30 and Aug. 3. Delayed from late 2021. [April 20]
May
SSLV • Demonstration Launch
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will launch on its first orbital test flight. Consisting of three solid-fueled stages and a liquid-fueled upper stage, the SSLV is a new Indian launch vehicle designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit. Delayed from September and December 2019. Delayed from January and December 2020. Delayed from April 2021. [March 25]
May
Falcon 9 • Starlink 4-18
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch with another batch of Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. [April 20]
TBD
Starship • Orbital Test Flight
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Starbase, Boca Chica Beach, Texas
A SpaceX Super Heavy and Starship launch vehicle will launch on its first orbital test flight. The mission will attempt to travel around the world for nearly one full orbit, resulting in a re-entry and splashdown of the Starship near Hawaii. Delayed from early 2022. [March 9]
TBD
SSLV • BlackSky Global
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will launch on its first commercial mission with four Earth observation satellites for BlackSky Global, a Seattle-based company. The rideshare mission for BlackSky is being arranged by Spaceflight. Delayed from November, late 2019 and early 2020. Delayed from early 2021 and July. [March 31]
Check-ins or comments
At this point we should be reaching our 90 minute cut-off point, so NCS can decide whether to cut any of these topics due to lack of time.
Recent Astronomical Discoveries
Visible satellite passages over the next couple of days.
All times are “local” (Dallas) time.
ISS
Apr 25
Tiangong
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 1
Envisat
Apr 25
Apr 27
Apr 28
Apr 30