STF: STSF-131 Landing

Posted on April 21, 2010 by spaceshark

George Schellenger and Tim Bailey report from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center on April 20, 2010. Space Shuttle Discovery landed after nearly 16 days in space during mission STS-131.

You can also check out our latest video of the STS-131 Landing on Vimeo!.

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Extended STF: President Obama goes to NASA

Posted on April 21, 2010 by spaceshark
George Schellenger and Tim Bailey at NASA KSC

George and Tim in front of NASA's VAB

George and Tim take a broad look at President Obama’s trip to NASA from Space X to Orion. What’s in it for you? How can you get involved? This time on the Space Task Force.

Click here to download STF Video: President Obama’s Visit to KSC

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STS-130 Scrub

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Tim Bailey

This is what it looks like at 4:30am in the KSC Press Center when a launch is scrubbed.

All eyes are on the Flight Director, waiting for his call. The launch polling just ended with two “NoGo” calls due to weather. Things have been tentative and getting worse all day.
Finally, he makes the tough call and scrubs the launch attempt. Everyone is a bit disappointed, but we know it is the safest thing to do. Now the press, much like the astronauts, must clean up enough to move out for a few hours and come back tomorrow.
Unlike the astronauts, we can get in our cars and go back to hotels (or for some of us, home to our families).  The crew of STS-130 has hours of work to do shutting-down the orbiter and getting out of their launch suits before they can retire–in quarantine–to the confines of the astronaut quarters.
And yet, there is a bit of excitement in the air knowing that we get to do it all again. We’d all prefer to have a good launch the first time, but there is also a knowledge that we won’t have many more shuttle launches. Very few of the Go/NoGo pollings are left to call. We’ll cherish every one and, if needed, come back and do it all again.
Good night, everyone. See you tomorrow!

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STS-128 Shockwaves

Posted on August 31, 2009 by spaceshark


We were on hand for the incredible night launch of STS-128. The Space Shuttle Discovery took off just before midnight on August 28, 2009. It’s the 128th shuttle flight.

We did something a little different for this video, we were at a viewing point three miles away. The camera is on a very smooth surface. The result is a pretty awesome representation of what the shockwaves feel like.

Take the time to see one of the remaining shuttle launches, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. More importantly, if you have children, give them the experience of a lifetime, by taking them to a launch. There’s plenty of information on the best viewing points for a shuttle launch. Check out SpaceFlightNow.com or NASA.gov for the schedule of the remaining flights.

Click here to download: Shuttle Shockwaves Video

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Wait a minute, what’s that in the water?

Posted on April 26, 2009 by spaceshark

A mock-up of the Orion crew exploration vehicle floats in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. NASA engineers are testing this 18,000-pound mock-up to learn what the crews will experience after Orion lands and the recovery teams begin their work. Three weeks ago, the mock-up was on display on the National Mall in Washington as it made its way from West Bethesda, Md., to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image Credit: NASA
Click here for: STF31 – April 25, 2009

A big preview of ISDC in Orlando, we’ll take you on a visit to KSC to find two shuttles on the launch pads – and what’s that in the water? Plus Tim takes us behind the scenes for a very special day at KSC. Get ready to spend some time in the “no gravity zone” as the Space Task Force launches right now!

Click here for: STF31 – April 25, 2009

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New Year, New Beginnings

Posted on January 19, 2009 by spaceshark

As we celebrate the inauguration of a new president in the United States, it’s the perfect time to launch a new edition of the Space Task Force. Join us for a conversation about Barack Obama and space, Space X, Virgin Galactic and all things space. 

You’re in the No Gravity Zone with George and Tim as the Space Task Force launches, right now!

Click here for: STF27 – Jan 27, 2009

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