Verde Valley Composite Squadron 205

01/28/2014

From exploding stars, barnstorming asteroids, and a buzzing beehive, the starry skies this week are filled with cosmic wonders to behold. Supernova Update: A surprise star exploded in a spiral gala...

12/17/2013

11/28/2013

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Don't eat so much that you exceed the weight parameters of your aircraft!

11/23/2013

New helicopter being tested in Germany! This looks like it could revolutionize the industry by bringing zero-emissions helicopters onto the scene!

http://phys.org/news/2013-11-electric-two-seater-volocopter-germany-video.html

(Phys.org) —The flying machine looks something like a helicopter but it is quite different and is intended to be a future answer to the greening of noisy, vibration-heavy helicopters as we have known them. A two-seater prototype of the Volocopter, by the company e-volo, made its maiden voyage earlie...

11/22/2013

12 Cool Facts about Comet ISON...

Read Phil Plait's Blog on ISON! (see link below)

Over the years we’ve had some pretty amazing comets swing by our planet. Now we have C/2012 S1 (ISON) passing our way, and it’s certainly grabbing attention. It’s brightened substantially in just the past few days, so now’s the time to see it! The pictures people are taking are phenomenal, and there’s plenty of science pouring in as well.

Everyone loves a good picture, of course, but comets are amazing well beyond just their stunning beauty. So I figured I’d take this opportunity to tell you a few things about this comet, a handful of facts to nourish the part of your brain seeking out wonder. Keep these in mind while you’re gawking at the gorgeous pictures.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/11/21/comet_ison_12_cool_facts.html

11/22/2013

Boeing's massive Dreamlifter landed at the wrong airport and got stuck! It has already taken off again, but an interesting story nonetheless!

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/11/dreamlifter-wrong-airport/

Pilots flying Boeing's massive 747 Dreamlifter accidentally landed at the wrong airport yesterday, and they've been stuck there overnight.

11/18/2013

NASA's MAVEN mission is set to launch any minute!! Watch the launch LIVE here:

http://www.iflscience.com/space/mission-mars-maven-explore-red-planet%E2%80%99s-atmosphere

SpaceMission to Mars: MAVEN to Explore the Red Planet’s AtmosphereNovember 18, 2013 | by Lisa Winter Photo credit: NASA/Goddard Around four billion years ago Mars had an atmosphere thick enough to sustain liquid water on the planet’s surface; a critical component for life. Today, the atmosphere is a...

11/17/2013

Today in aviation history: in 1962, JFK dedicated the Dulles International Airport. In 1968, the BAC 1-11 510ED, a modified BAC 1-11, went into service with the British European Airways. In 1970, the USSR landed the Lunokhod 1 on the moon, which became the first RC robot to touch the lunar surface.

11/17/2013

Toooday in aviation history: The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QUANTAS) is founded in 1920. In 1965, Russia launched the Venera 3 toward Venus. It became the first spacecraft to land on the surface of another planet. In 1973: the fourth Skylab mission brings the final crew to the American Space Station. In 2004, the unmanned hypersonic experimental aircraft X-43, built by NASA, set a speed record of Mach 9.68, or close to 7,000 mph.

11/16/2013

Aaannnd now it's time for: Today in Aerospace History! On this day in 1942, the German Heinkel He 219 Uhu made its first flight. In 1965, a Boeing 707C of the Flying Tigers line took off in an attempt to make the first trans-polar round-the-world flight. Two days later, the plane touched down in Burbank, successfully completing its quest. In 1967, the USAF X-15 program experienced its only casualty with the death of test pilot Michael J. Adams on the 191st flight of the program. The aircraft went out of control and was destroyed in mid-air over the Mojave Desert.

11/16/2013

How to sign up for a NASA program that alerts you when the ISS will be visible over your house: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/how-to-sign-up-for-iss-alerts/

11/14/2013

Today in aviation history: in 1910, Eugene Ely became the first person to successfully take off from an aircraft carrier in a Curtiss biplane. The cruiser USS Birmingham had an 83-foot platform built off the deck for the historic takeoff. In 1932, the UK-Cape Town speed record was broken by Amy Johnson. She beat the old record by 11 hours. In 1974, the first F-15 Eagle was delivered to the USAF. In 2005, Boeing launched (lol) its 747-8 program, ordering 34 of the freighters from Cargolux and Nippon Cargo.