launch // Current TV

PS4 Release In 2013? Rumor Roundup

A PlayStation 4 roundup of all the latest rumors and facts. The goal here is to show... more

Supadupagama
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28 days ago
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Samsung Announces US Availability of Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

Samsung announces when the newest Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus with Peel! Will be hitting the... more

kleishear
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4 months ago
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Shuttle Endeavour launches one last time

The US space shuttle Endeavour has launched on its final mission. Its thunderous... more

pdy
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9 months ago
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7 Companies That Launch Satellites and Why

Satellites are used heavily for communication. They transmit signals for television,... more

AngelAlina
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9 months ago
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Shopping Social Media Networking Tool ZAARLY

Now in Beta, check out the real-time site to buy and sell goods (quicker than... more

Kalli_Meisler
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11 months ago
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Toshiba 10.1 Android Tablet gets detailed on Amazon.com | Tech Prezz

Yet another Android Tablet, Toshiba’s new 10.1 Android tablet has been spotted... more

techprezz
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11 months ago
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iPad 2 on Sales Tomorrow Friday 11

The iPad 2 is coming this Friday at Apple. Starting 17th of february, the tablet will... more

ipadblast
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11 months ago
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How Not To Launch Your Boat

Well at least the boat made it in to the water

bigredkev
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12 months ago
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Yesterday's Delta IV-Heavy rocket launch: a personal impression

The first launch from SLC-6 took place on August 15, 1995, almost 30 years after it... more

nocturnus9
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1 year ago
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NASA Engineers Propose Combining a Rail Gun and a Scramjet to Fire Spacecraft Into Orbit

^An Artist's Rendition Of The Scramjet^ By Rena Marie Pacella Posted... more

Koringe
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1 year ago
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USS Fort Worth Launched

MARINETTE, Wisc. -- Twenty-seven years in the Navy, and even Capt. T.D. Smyers had... more

CarlosBobthe3rd
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1 year ago
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1 comment

Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 1 Natty Narwhal Unity 64bit Development Review

Review of Ubuntu Linux 11.04 Alpha 1 Natty Narwhal Unity 64bit Development release... more

Timmbo
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1 year ago
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Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is expected to launch iPhone 4, Neither Verizon Wireless nor Apple... more

andycr43
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1 year ago
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Facebook Places checks in to the UK

It hit the US recently and now Facebook places lands in the UK. The article says the... more

Mcellie
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1 year ago
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6 comments

World's First Amateur Rocket to Send Humans into Space

Tired of waiting for SpaceX or any other firm to come up with a cheaper solution to... more

itgrunts
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1 year ago
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17 comments

NASA's Accidental Video Art

NASA may not be an agency known for its commitment to aesthetic filmmaking, but... more

toyotabedzrock
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1 year ago
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1 comment

Japanese Spacecraft Deploys First-Ever Solar Sail

The unfurling of a Japanese solar sail, the first demonstration of a new space... more

Darevalo
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1 year ago
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Old school space, meet SpaceX - SpacePod 2010.06.07

CAPE CANAVERAL -- Old hands out at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will tell you that no two launches are alike. However, the launch of Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket was perhaps the singularly most unique rocket launch in recent memory. Many have said that this flight marked a new age of spaceflight, a new way of doing the business of space travel.

With a press site in the midst of renovation, a dropout of video access and a wayward boat – this marked one of the most memorable launch days in history. However, through the weather concerns, tech issues and overly-enthusiastic sightseers the SpaceX team persevered and sent their rocket off on its maiden flight.

There were concerns early on that rough weather that was predicted to hit around 11:30 would cause a slip or scrub – however weather did not pose an issue with launch. Then there was a minor tech issue with telemetry – one which Falcon 9 techs quickly turned into a non-issue. It does seem that every launch has a small bit of “drama” included in the day’s lineup of events – however it rarely involves a wayward boat, helicopters and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Information was very hard to get but it became apparent that an “object” was in the restricted safety zone. We later found out that this “object” was a boat, that had been told to leave the area by a UH-60 Blackhawk and then, once outside the restricted zone, was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard – for a “discussion” regarding the crew’s error.

On the first launch attempt the countdown went all the way to two seconds - and then was aborted. Around the press site, all the old veterans were predicting doom and gloom, “Well that’s that for the day!” They said. They were all wrong. I can include myself in their number – and SpaceX – made us all eat our words. The first attempt was held at 1:30 p.m. EDT. How could they possible recycle in time to launch before their window closed at 3 p.m.? Easy – you work the problem and you try again for a 2:45 p.m. launch.

The announcement was made that the second attempt would be made and a mild state of shock rolled around the press site. These SpaceX guys had nerves of steel. The clock ticked down – and it did not stop. When the clock hit zero – the Falcon 9 lit to the skies like the bird she was named for. There is a funny story there and one that I hope my friends at Space Florida and SpaceX do not mind me relaying to you.

Being a regular at KSC – I prided myself on my knowledge of the area. The folks on the roof of the Orlando Sentinel building with me – had me looking at the Atlas pad. Folks over at the OSB II building – went nuts – you could hear them clear over at the press site. Then Emily Shanklin with SpaceX – lost her mind. I have never seen someone more excited to see a bird take flight. In all honesty I cannot thank her enough for her genuine expression of emotion. It made me realized the power and importance of this moment. As I drove home rolling over the day’s events in my mind I got stuck behind a car and it seemed I was being given a sign as to just how important this day was. The license plate on the car read simply – TO MARS.

Go SpaceXCAPE CANAVERAL -- Old hands out at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will tell you... more

bhigginbotham
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1 year ago
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Watch the Shuttle Prepare for Launch!

"In this unique time-lapse video created from thousands of individual frames,... more

booksellergirl
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1 year ago
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5 comments

Stanislav Petrov: The Man Who Saved the World from nuclear war by Doing Nothing

When an alarm announced that the United States had launched missiles at the Soviet... more

worrg
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1 year ago
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