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Space Shuttle Atlantis Lands at Kennedy Space Center

February 20th, 2008

STS-122 Landing

Cape Canaveral Launch Schedule

Kennedy Space Center, FL - Space Shuttle Atlantis rolled to a stop on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida after a 9:07 a.m. EST touchdown that brings to a close mission STS-122.

The next mission, STS-123 scheduled for March 11, will see the delivery of the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s new laboratory module, Kibo. Canada’s new robotics system, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre, will also be delivered to the International Space Station.


Grant Seafood Festival Feb 23-24

February 17th, 2008

Grant Seafood FestivalGrant, FL - The 42nd Annual Grant Seafood Festival has become the largest and longest running seafood festival in the Southeast and draws huge crowd every year with as many as 50,000 people for this two day event.

This year’s festival will be held February 23 - 24, 2008 from 11 AM - 5 PM daily and features free admission, free parking, over 100 craft exhibits, continuous live entertainment, along with a menu of delicious seafood.

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Space Shuttle Atlantis Begins Eleven Day Mission to ISS

February 7th, 2008

STS-122 Launch

Cape Canaveral, FL - Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts launched today 2:45 pm on spectacular plumes of gold-tipped smoke carrying Europe’s primary contribution to the International Space Station – the Columbus science laboratory.


STS-122: Space Shuttle Atlantis Set to Launch From Cape Canaveral Feb 7

February 4th, 2008

Atlantis STS-122

Cape Canaveral, FL - Scientific research will take on a new look aboard the International Space Station when the space shuttle Atlantis launches on the STS-122 mission. The mission, also known as assembly flight 1E, will deliver the newest research module to the orbiting complex, the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory.

The Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of the European Space Agency’s contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) and is the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Named after the famous explorer from Genoa, the Columbus laboratory will give an enormous boost to current European experiment facilities in weightlessness and to the research capabilities of the ISS once it becomes an integral part of the space station.

Launch Date: Feb. 7, 2008
Launch Time: 2:45 p.m. EST
Launch Pad: 39A


Remembrance Service to Mark 5th Anniversary of Columbia Accident at Kennedy Space Center

January 29th, 2008

Crew of STS-107, Seated in front are astronauts Rick D. Husband, mission commander; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; and William C. McCool, pilot. Standing are astronauts David M. Brown, Laurel B. Clark, and Michael P. Anderson, all mission specialists; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist representing the Israeli Space Agency.

Kennedy Space Center, FL - On Friday, February 1, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) will conduct a ceremony to honor the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 on the 5th anniversary of the Columbia accident.  The Astronauts Memorial Foundation honors and memorializes all astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and the space program.  The ceremony will be held at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

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Florida Mardi Gras Parties 2008

January 27th, 2008

Mardi Gras Beads

By Kirby Collins

Floridians love to party and we’ll find any reason to celebrate. One of our favorites is Mardi Gras and this year you’ll find many places to yell for beads. While the Big Easy may be the official headquarters of all that is Mardi Gras, these parties are a somewhat tamer alternative and closer to home.

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Delta 2 Readies for Launch from Cape Canaveral on December 20

December 17th, 2007

UPDATE: The Launch occurred at 3:04 p.m. EST on 12/20/7 

A Delta 2, like the one shown here, is scheduled to launch from Cape CanaveralCape Canaveral, FL – A Delta 2 will is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) on Thursday. The rocket will launch the GPS IIR-18 (M) satellite for the U.S. Air Force. Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based radio-positioning system nominally consisting of a minimum of 24-satellite constellation that provides navigation and timing information to military and civilian users worldwide.

Launch Window: Dec. 20, 2:59 – 3:13 p.m. EST. If delayed, the next attempt is set for Dec. 21, 2:55 – 3:09 p.m. EST.


STS-122; No Go for Atlantis Launch

December 1st, 2007

Space shuttle Atlantis on Pad 39A awaiting launch

UPDATE: Fuel sensor problems continue to baffle NASA, the next launch attempt will be no sooner than January 2.

Kennedy Space Center, FL - Space shuttle Atlantis is set to begin its launch countdown for the STS-122 mission with a flurry of activities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 3:43 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 8.

The seven astronauts who will fly Atlantis to the International Space Station will arrive at KSC at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The countdown officially begins at 7 p.m.

Atlantis will carry the Columbus laboratory to the space station and install it to the Harmony module, which was brought to the station in October during the last shuttle mission.


Space Coast Art Festival in Cocoa Beach, November 24 and 25

November 17th, 2007

Cocoa Beach, FL - The 44th Annual Space Coast Art Festival will feature over 300 professional and student artist specializing in Acrylics, Clay, Collages, Drawings, Glass, Graphics, Jewelry, Leather, Paper, Photography, Sculpture, Watercolors and Wood.

This year the event is during Thanksgiving weekend and appropriately includes a Turkey Trot 5k Run to help you with the extra serving of banana pudding you ate on Turkey Day.

There will be a free shuttle bus service departing from Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School located on the Minuteman Causeway. The event will take place at 5th Sreet South, Downtown Cocoa Beach. View the website at www.spacecoastartfestival.com.


Delta 4 Ready to Launch DSP-23 from Cape Canaveral Saturday

November 8th, 2007

Delta 4 Heavy

Cape Canaveral, FL - A Delta IV Heavy is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this weekend. The launch will be the first Delta IV launch contracted by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.  The launch is also the first of a valuable payload aboard a Heavy vehicle. The DSP-23 is the 23rd and final Defense Support Program missile-warning satellite. Launch will take place from Cape Canaveral and is currently scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10 with a launch window of 8:39 – 10:42 p.m. EST


Air Show Photos from KSC World Space Expo

November 3rd, 2007

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

By Kirby Collins

Kennedy Space Center, FL - Friday, I had the chance to view America’s military air capabilities in a preview of the Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space during the World Space Expo at Kennedy Space Center. It was the coolest.

U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing

U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing, based at Patrick Air Force Base, performed a sea rescue and refueling demonstrations. The team consist of a HC-130 and two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters.

U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet

The U.S. Navy demonstrated the capabilities of the U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet, a carrier based strike-fighter.

Thunderbirds F-16C

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were the highlight of the show and performed precision air maneuvers in their F-16Cs.


Space Shuttle Discovery Launches From Kennedy Space Center

October 23rd, 2007

Discovery STS-120 Launch

Kennedy Space Center, FL - The Space Shuttle Discovery raced into space this morning with an on-time launch at 11:38 am. Onboard are seven crewmembers led by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy. Discovery’s crew will join the International Space Station’s Expedition 16 crew Thursday morning.

The launch of Discovery on its 34th mission begins a flight that will see the space station grow in size and capability with the addition of the first U.S. pressurized module since the Quest Airlock was delivered in 2001. The Harmony module, also known as Node 2, will add 2,600 cubic feet of living and working space to the complex.


Space Shuttle Discovery to Launch October 23 on Mission STS-120 to ISS

October 19th, 2007

UPDATE: Discovery launched Launch 10/23 at 11:38 More »

Space Shuttle Discovery - Mission STS-120

Kennedy Space Center, FL - Commander Pam Melroy and her six crewmates are scheduled to lift off at 11:38 a.m. EDT on their mission to the International Space Station. STS-120 is the 23rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station, and will launch an Italian-built U.S. multi-port Harmony module for the station. The 14-day mission includes five spacewalks – four by shuttle crew members and one by the station’s Expedition 16 crew. Discovery is expected to complete its mission and expected return home at 4:47 a.m. EST on Nov. 6.


World Space Expo at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, November 1 - 4

October 19th, 2007
Update: Air Show Photos from KSC World Space Expo »

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Kennedy Space Center, FL — Kennedy Space Center plays host to the inaugural World Space Expo, celebrating NASA’s 50 years in space exploration. World Space Expo will take place from Thursday, November 1, 2007 through Sunday, November 4, 2007 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex east of Orlando, Florida. 

Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space, November 3-4, 2007

Thunderbirds Flyby VAB 

Space flight and flight training have deep roots that originate with military aviators.  World Space Expo will highlight these roots with a special Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space featuring some of the most significant aircraft in use by our military today.  The Aerial Salute will take place on the NASA Causeway overlooking the Banana River and will include the following aerial demonstrations:

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Florida Haunted Houses and Halloween Events in October 2007

October 9th, 2007

Florida Haunted House 

By Kirby Collins

Floridians go all out for Halloween. And it’s no wonder, from St. Augustine to Key West, Florida boasts what are believed to be some of the most haunted cities in the nation. Whether you believe or not, Halloween is a perfect time for all to brush up on the Monster Mash, so get out and get scared at a few of these popular events.

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