If you are anywhere near Cape Canaveral, FL, USA Sunday night, October 7th, there is a chance to see the rocket contrail of the SpaceX Dragon launch. It launches a little late – still worth looking for.
This flight is significant because the SpaceX Dragon is taking the first official payload to the ISS (International Space Station) delivered by a private company. At almost 1,000 lbs of supplies, “Much of Dragon’s cargo is material to support extensive experimentation aboard the space station. One deals with plant growth. Plants here on earth use about 50% of their energy for support to overcome gravity. Researchers want to understand how the genes that control that process would operate in microgravity – when objects are in free-fall in space. Down the road, that could benefit food supplies here on the planet.” ~Light Years
So if you, or someone you know, are so lucky to be in that area, take a look and see if you can catch a look at a rocket contrail, and history in the making.
NOTES:
*Need to be in the area
*Anyone can look up
*If you’re in the area, it’s a free show
Sources
* http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/05/spacex-to-launch-flight-to-space-station/#
*http://www.flickr.com/photos/herrea/5243699379/
In talking about plants in space, they say:
“Down the road, that could benefit food supplies here on the planet.”
I think that down the road, it will benefit food supplies for those of us who want to live in space.
It’s all beneficial. They probably sent non-essentials in case the launch fails.
Interestingly, sending stuff on a SpaceX bird and people on Russian rockets will probably be more cost effective for NASA in the long run too. Running the Space Shuttle was great but pricey!
Pam Hoffman
It looks pretty dark on the East coast. I doubt you will get rocket contrails tonight!
We’ll keep looking for them!
Pam Hoffman
Great post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Cheers!
Your welcome Matthew, keep watching, there will be more!
Pam Hoffman
I always appreciate a great article or piece of writing. Thanks for the contribution.
You’re welcome Francesco. Stop by any time!
Pam Hoffman
I quite like reading through a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
This post has been saved as a favorite :), I like your blog!