Review: ‘History Comics: The Challenger Disaster’ by Pranas T. Naujokaitis
‘History Comics: The Challenger Disaster’ by Pranas T. Naujokaitis is a middle-grade graphic novel that explores the disaster in detail.
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Tag: Space Shuttle
Apollo 50th: Sharing our Memories of the Space Program
Today, as we celebrate 50 years since mankind first stepped onto the surface of the moon, some of the GeekMoms and GeekDads took time to reflect.
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This Week In Tears
Does it ever seem like all of the unrelated people in your life are talking about the same thing? For Ruth this week, it’s tears. Tears in True Blood, tears on a space shuttle, and more.
Continue ReadingThe GeekMoms Podcast #27: Fight For Space, Reigniting Our Passion For Space Exploration
Have you ever wondered how the US got to the point where funding missions to space just isn’t that important? Paul Hildebrandt wondered, and he’s launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a documentary and answer that question.
Continue ReadingApril Was Extra Geeky for the DC Area!
I’m guessing when you think of the Nation’s Capital, it’s likely your thoughts steer more towards politics and government, rather than science and engineering. Living in the DC area has always proved to be full of interesting places to visit and sights to see. I will admit that I take for granted the attractions of the […]
Continue ReadingNASA, Shuttles and Space for the Future
One of my favorite memories of this summer is the day I sat with my daughter snuggled in my lap and watched the final space shuttle launch. As Atlantis took to the skies, I wiped away tears and tried to explain to her why Mommy was crying over a spaceship. This is a little girl […]
Continue ReadingShuttle Countdown T-0 Launch Day: A Tribute to Atlantis
This morning will mark the final launch of a NASA Space Shuttle into orbit around Earth on its way to the International Space Station. At approximately 11:26am EST Atlantis will reach the T-0 mark for the last time and roar into the sky completing a long tenure of scientific discovery for NASA. Atlantis was named after RV Atlantis, […]
Continue ReadingSpace Shuttle Countdown: A Tribute To Roberta Lynn Bondar And Julie Payette: Canada’s Female Astronauts
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a mom or an astronaut when I grew-up. I think we can blame Star Trek for the astronaut bit. As a small child, I would look up at the stars and dream about what it would be like to explore the vast regions of […]
Continue ReadingT-1: Shuttle Program: Top Ten Images From A Thirty Year History
As we count the hours (perhaps only 24 hours, perhaps more because of a last minute problem) until the last shuttle launch, many of us are reflecting on memories we have of the shuttle, it’s missions, and the space program in general. From reflections on the Challenger disaster to a rollicking playlist for Atlantis we […]
Continue ReadingShuttle Countdown T Minus 2 Days: A Tribute to Columbia
On April 12, 1981, a stark white Columbia broke the surly bonds of Earth when it roared into space as America’s first reusable Space Shuttle. Columbia (OV-103) was named after the American ship Columbia Rediviva which, under the command of Captain Robert Gray in the late 1790’s, explored the US Pacific Northwest and became the first American vessel to […]
Continue ReadingShuttle Countdown T-5 Days: A Tribute to Endeavour
Endeavour is the youngest of all of the orbiters, having been authorized for construction in 1987 as a replacement to the Challenger orbiter. Endeavour (OV-105) arrived to Kennedy Space Center for final check-out and testing in May of 1991. Endeavour name was the result of a national public contest of elementary and secondary school students. […]
Continue ReadingShuttle Countdown T-6 Days: Forecasting for Shuttle Launches
As GeekMom’s token meteorologist AND military member, in honor of the final shuttle mission planned for next week, I’m thrilled to share with you some insight into the weather forecast preparations for a space shuttle launch. After all, what delays launches most often? The weather, right? I’m not sure if a precise count exists, but […]
Continue ReadingKennedy Space Center: A View From My Teenage Years
I for one am glad my parents never gave up on me. They continued to expose me to new things despite my apathy, teen angst and surly behavior. When I mock yawned as my dad began reading The Hobbit to me, when I laughed at their collection of Sting music videos (that I would later […]
Continue ReadingGeekMom Memories of the Challenger Disaster
While reminiscing on the shuttle program here on GeekMom, it was hard not to think about where we were and what we were doing when Challenger exploded. Helene McLaughlin (Me) I was only three and a half when it happened, so I have no memory of the actual event. However, I remember being very young […]
Continue ReadingPretend You’re an Astronaut and Wake Up To Shatner
Unless you have a very specific interest in space program journalism, the NASA news feed is usually on the dry side–headlines like “Crew wraps up flight” or “Guy you never heard of just left his job.” But Monday when I got the NASA email, I got Captain Kirk, because the Discovery crew got to wake […]
Continue ReadingSTS-133: Final Flight for Space Shuttle Discovery
This afternoon marks a historic moment for NASA’s space shuttle Discovery. Today will be the 39th and final time it will launch from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida. After nearly three decades of active service, STS-133 is scheduled for its final launch at 4:50 PM EST. The launch was originally scheduled for last November, […]
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