Altair, a star spinning so fast its mid-section is stretched out has been directly measured by an ultra-high-resolution NASA telescope system on Palomar Mountain near San Diego.
The left wing of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rests in a jig during construction at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif.
Technician Shawn Warren carefully smoothes out the composite skin of an instrument fairing<br>atop the upper fuselage of the Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., facility at Adelanto, Calif.
The long wings of General Atomics Altair UAV are in evidence during a series of environmental monitoring missions for NOAA and NASA in the spring of 2005.
Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., carefully install a turboprop engine to the rear fuselage of NASA's Altair aircraft during final assembly operations.
Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., carefully thread control lines through a bulkhead during engine installation on NASA's Altair aircraft.
The payload bay in the nose of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be able to carry up to 700 lbs. of sensors, imaging equipment and other instruments for Earth science missions.
Technician Dave Brown installs a drilling template during construction of the all-composite left wing of NASA's Altair aircraft at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif.
The long, narrow wings of NASA's Altair are designed to allow the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to maintain long-duration flight at high altitudes.
Shown is a concept illustration of the Ares I crew launch vehicle during launch and the Ares V cargo launch vehicle on the launch pad. Ares I will carry the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle with an astronaut crew to Earth orbit. Ares V will deliver large-scale hardware to space. This includes the Altair Lunar Lander, materials for establishing an outpost on the moon, and the vehicles and hardware needed to extend a human presence beyond Earth orbit.
Long wings, a V-tail with a ventral fin and a rear-mounted engine distinguish the Altair, an unmanned aerial vehicle built for NASA by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
The Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for NASA, is poised for flight at GA-ASI's flight test facility at El Mirage, California.
An ocean color senor, a passive microwave vertical sounder and an electro-optical sensor were mounted on the Altair UAV for the NOAA-NASA flight demonstration.
A pilot for General Atomics guides the Altair remotely operated aircraft from a ground control station using both visual and telemetered data.
General Atomics' uninhabited Altair flew a NOAA/NASA coastal mapping, mammal observation and marine monitoring mission off the California coast in late 2005.
General Atomics' uninhabited Altair flew a NOAA/NASA coastal mapping, mammal observation and marine monitoring mission off the California coast in late 2005.
A satellite antenna, electro-optical/infrared and ocean color sensors (front) were among payloads installed on the Altair for the NOAA-NASA flight demonstration
General Atomics' uninhabited Altair flew a NOAA/NASA coastal mapping, mammal observation and marine monitoring mission off the California coast in late 2005.
Terrence Hertz, Deputy Associate Administrator for Technology, NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, at the NOAA/NASA Altair flight demo kickoff.
The remotely-piloted Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took to the air on its first checkout flight on June 9, 2003 at El Mirage, California.
General Atomics' remotely-operated Altair soars over Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base during a NOAA/NASA earth science mission in November 2005.
The Altair, a civil variant of the QM-9 Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), shows off its lengthy high-aspect ratio wing while on the ramp at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' flight test facility at El Mirage, California.
Equipped with a pod-mounted infrared imaging sensor, the Altair UAS aided fire mapping efforts over wildfires in central and southern California in late 2006.
A high-tech infrared imaging sensor in its underbelly pod, the Altair UAS flew repeated passes over the Esperanza fire to aid firefighting efforts.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is on the dock at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., waiting to be tested in open waters. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing get ready to release a flotation collar around the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is prepared to be lifted into the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., for testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing release a flotation collar around the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is on the dock at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., waiting to be tested in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing help prepare the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle for testing in the open water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle floats in the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The mockup vehicle is undergoing testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is lowered into the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., for testing. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing secure a flotation collar around the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is lowered toward the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., for testing. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is lowered into the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., for testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle is prepared to be lifted into the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla., for testing. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Flotation devices are attached to the top of the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle before the testing in the open water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing release a flotation collar around the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle floats in the water at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing make their way toward the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle floating in the open water of the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. They will place a flotation collar around the mockup vehicle. The mockup vehicle will undergo testing in open water. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Members of the 920th Rescue Wing release a flotation collar around the mockup Orion crew exploration vehicle at the Trident Basin at Port Canaveral, Fla. On top of Orion are additional flotation devices. The goal of the operation, dubbed the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, is to determine what kind of motion astronauts can expect after landing, as well as outside conditions for recovery teams. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion is targeted to begin carrying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and to the moon by 2020. Orion, along with the Ares I and V rockets and the Altair lunar lander, are part of the Constellation Program. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
STS039-S-001 (October 1990) --- The arrowhead shape of the STS-39 crew patch represents a skyward aim to learn more about our planet's atmosphere and space environment in support of the Department of Defense. Our national symbol is represented by the star constellation Aguila (the eagle) as its brightest star, Altair, lifts a protective canopy above Earth. The space shuttle encircles the spectrum which represents x-ray, ultraviolet, visible and infrared electromagnetic radiation to be measured by a variety of scientific instruments. Experiments will be operated within the payload bay and aboard a free-flying satellite which will be deployed and retrieved during the mission. The patch was designed by the STS-39 crew. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Photographed on 09/22/1960. -- An examination of the Aerojet-General "Aerobee 150A" propulsion system in February 1960. James Hansen described this as follows: "As for the technical definition of the rocket...the Langley engineers tried to keep developmental costs and time to a minimum by selecting components from off-the-shelf hardware. the majority of Scout's components were to come from an inventory of solid-fuel rockets produced for the military, although everyone involved understood that some improved motors would also have to be developed under contract. By early 1959, after intensive technical analysis and reviews, Langley settled on a design and finalized the selection of the major contractors. The rocket's 40-inch-diameter first stage was to be a new "Algol" motor, a combination of the Jupiter Senior and the navy Polaris produced by the Aerojet General Corporation, Sacramento, California. The 31-inch-diameter second stage, "Castor," was derived from the army's Sergeant and was to be manufactured by the Redstone Division of the Thiokol company in Huntsville, Alabama. the motor for the 30-inch-diameter third stage, "Antares," evolved under NASA contract from the ABL X248 design into a new version called the X254 (and subsequently into the X259); it was built under contract to NASA by ABL, a U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance facility operated by the Hercules Powder Company, Cumberland, Maryland. the final upper-stage propulsion unit, "Altair," which was 25.7 inches in diameter (34 inches at the heat shield), amounted to an improved edition of the X248 that was also manufactured by ABL." -- Published in James R. Hansen, Spaceflight Revolution: NASA Langley Research Center From Sputnik to Apollo, NASA SP-4308, pp.200-201.