Blogs

Radi-N2 Neutron Field Study (Radi-N2): Commander (CDR) Swanson deployed eight bubble detectors around the ISS for the Radi-N2 experiment. The objective of this investigation is to better characterize the ISS neutron environment and define the risk posed to the crewmembers’ health and provide the data necessary to develop advanced protective measures for future space flight. …

Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS)-II Operations: Flight Engineer (FE)-5 Wiseman conducted flame tests for the BASS-II investigation which examines the burning and extinction characteristics of a wide variety of fuel samples in microgravity. The experiment will guide strategies for materials flammability screening for use in spacecraft as well as provide valuable data on solid …

FLame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX)-2 Operations: Flight Engineer (FE)-5 Wiseman removed the Combustion Integration Rack (CIR) alignment guides which isolate the rack and allow ground teams to conduct another FLEX-2 test point via ground commanding. Iso-octane was used for this test point. FLEX-2 uses small droplets of fuel to study the special burning characteristics of fire …

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 is in great condition following liftoff earlier today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and is ready to begin a checkout process before it starts its work of measuring and mapping carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. "We have a healthy observatory," said Ralph Basilio, the OCO-2 project manager from NASA's …

A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying NASA's OCO-2 spacecraft rises from the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The photo was taken by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls.

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 is in orbit this morning following a flawless countdown and ascent aboard the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was right on time at 2:56 a.m. PDT/5:56 a.m. EDT. This brings live coverage to an end. There will …

The observatory's solar arrays have deployed and are power positive according to NASA Launch Manager TIm Dunn. "All very good news," Dunn said. The Delta II "performed like a champ" throughout the countdown and ascent, he added. "There was pure joy in the Mission Director's Center at spacecraft sep, I can tell you that," Dunn …

Onboard cameras captured the separation of the OCO-2 spacecraft from the Delta II second stage:

Data from the spacecraft is flowing through the space-based Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 is flying solo after its successful separation from the Delta II rocket's second stage. In the next three minutes, the spacecraft will stabilize itself and begin deploying its solar arrays.