STS-130 Launch (Image: NASA)

Hello all from the Hoth-like D.C. Metro area! We are all digging out here but space exploration marches on!

The launch of a Progress supply ship went off on time this past week and rendezvoused with the ISS on Thursday. Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Space Center, the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour was delayed from Sunday the 7th due to weather and was successfully launched this morning.  Check out last week’s GeekDad Space Report for more information on the mission and the crew of STS-130. Endeavour is scheduled to arrive at the ISS early on Wednesday morning. You can check out a video of the launch on YouTube.

Launches (Sources: Spaceflight Now World Launch Schedule, Wallops Flight Facility Daily Range Schedule)

Monday, February 8-
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 39A (Map View)
Mission: STS-130
Launch Time: 09:14 GMT (04:14 EST)
Notes: Delivery of the Tranquility Module to the ISS and the final scheduled night launch of the Space Shuttle program.

Wednesday, February 10 -
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Launch Pad: SLC-41 (Map View)
Payload: Solar Dynamics Observatory
Launch Window: 15:26-16:26 GMT (10:26-11:26 EST)
Notes: Launch of a new observer of our local star.

Friday, February 12 -
Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Vehicle: Proton
Payload: Intelsat 16
Launch Time: 00:39 GMT
Notes: New communications satellite set to service Latin America.

Interesting Hubble Observations

In many ways, all of the Hubble observations are interesting, but here is a list of some of the standouts in the coming week. A more complete list can be found at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) This Week On HST Website.

The Physical Nature and Age of Lyman Alpha Galaxies

The Nuclear Structure of OH Megamaser Galaxies

The Disks, Accretion, and Outflows (DAO) of T Tau stars

This is a small list of the overall observations. You may also see some of these observations popping up in other weeks as many observation programs consist of several observations over time.

Asteroid Impact Captured

While we are talking about the Hubble Telescope, it appears the orbiting observatory may have captured the first image of an asteroid impact.  Wired Science has a report on the image which was captured by Hubble’s new Wide Field Camera 3.

Snowmaggedon From Space

Finally for this week, as I said at the start, I am among the many buried by a blizzard this past weekend. The MODIS instrument on the TERRA satellite captured a great view of the blanket of snow. Send warm thoughts!

Have a great week everyone!