Cosmic Dogfight

Sector 13

Reactor Interactive

This past Saturday the 10^th of January I was cordially invited by Drew Clark and team to try out a fantastic action shooter from the cockpit of some elaborate space jets. Sector 13 is a multi-player action space shooter by Reactor Interactive holds and holds much potential when it comes to multiplayer games online. Though my time was short playing with these fantastic individuals, I was left with a lasting impression on the addictive, multi-player mayhem.

Reactor Interactive

When the intro launched I was quite happy with the musical score and it felt right for the setting of space. This game allows you to choose from a healthy roster of space fighter jets with different attributes that give them different speed, ammunition, and handling.  After choosing the Air ship, called Cobra, I proceeded to join the lobby. Once the game commenced you find yourself staring into the depths of space with lots of terrains, space rocks, and man-made objects to dodge. 

Reactor Interactive

I wielded a PS3 controller on my PC and was pleasantly surprised on how well it handled. After getting shot down multiple times I learned both that there are three different speeds to the ship and they were not going to cut this newbie a break. What is different about the speeds in Sector 13 is that instead of holding down a button to go faster you can select from 3 different speeds. Cruise is normal and you can either go slower gaining better handling or go faster and try and escape your enemy trying to take you out. Flying in and around these objects can take some practice but it sure feels satisfying when you lose someone trying to shoot you down.  

Reactor Interactive

What I really enjoyed is the full 360-degree movements that do not make you feel like you have lost track of where you are or that you need to recover your bearings. You can use normal laser-like guns or shoot a special gun as well, which in my case fired 4 special missiles at target. Also there is a feature with certain controllers such as the Xbox Controller and PC and MAC setups, which allows you to take in game screenshots. The game has a variety of levels to offer as well as a single player experience.  I also enjoyed having a tag name that will help identify your ship and easily tell who you are firing upon. “Also, rumor has it that they are trying their best to make an Etch-a-Sketch a playable controller.” (Inside joke & not at all true) 

Reactor Interactive

Sector 13 will be available on PC and MAC, and possibly coming to Xbox and PlayStation.  I also would like to put in here that I would love to play this on the Wii U. Using the Wii U Game pad could really put a twist on how this game is played, but could still be played with the pro controller if necessary. I hope Reactor Interactive is up for that challenge. 

Reactor Interactive

This talented group of individuals has made a quality and addictive multi-player game. Fun and chaos are woven into the fabric of this cosmic space ride. I wish the team good luck in the remaining game development process and look forward to seeing the finished product.  Remember me when you need an easy target in the game, tag name: Etch-a-Sketch!       

As always #Keepitnerdy

By: Shane Kelley

Follow me (@stillsaneshane)

Orion’s Inaugural Journey

nasa.com

The rumble was unmistakable as Orion blasted off December 5, 2014 at 7:05a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37. NASA administrator Charles Bolden stated, “Today’s flight test of Orion is a huge step for NASA and a really critical part of our work to pioneer deep space on our Journey to Mars. The teams did a tremendous job putting Orion through its paces in the real environment it will endure as we push the boundary of human exploration in the coming years.”

Orion traveled farther than any other spacecraft designed for astronauts. Orion’s mission was uncrewed due to the dangerous space Orion traveled through while doing two full loops around the Earth. I am excited to see the data results of the Van Allen belt that Orion traveled through. The Van Allen belt contains high levels of radiation and within it, Orion reached an altitude of 3,600 miles above Earth. Orion had to withstand temperatures reaching 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

nasa.com  Orion after splashdown 

Orion splashed down into the Pacific Ocean approximately 4.5 hours after lift-off. The Orion crew module landed about 600 miles southwest of San Diego. Data will be collected to know the exact capabilities of Orion’s avionics, heat shield, parachutes, computers, key separation events, and the running of all the internal systems critical to the safety of all the astronauts will be eventually travel in Orion around the year 2020.

nasa.com   Orion recovery

Orion’s next mission will be to launch NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket that is currently being developed at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The 70 metric-ton (77 ton) SLS will send Orion to a distant retrograde orbit around the moon.  Exploration Mission-1 will be the first test of the fully integrated Orion and SLS system. The integration is the imperative to explore beyond the moon.

Mark Geyer, the Orion Program Manager stated, “We really pushed Orion as much as we could to give us real data that we can use to improve Orion’s design going forward.  In the coming weeks and months we’ll be taking a look at that invaluable information and applying lessons learned to the next Orion spacecraft already in production for the first mission atop the Space Launch System rocket.”

 

nasa.com  Orion's parachutes

Orion’s successful test flight really brings to light the abilities NASA has to take astronauts past the moon. It has been 45 years since the first step on the moon. I know I was not alive to see that momentous occasion live. But we have all seen the footage in school and it makes you look up and wonder what is out there? Can we really travel to other planets and stars? Orion is the first step to realizing that we can see the universe. I know I wanted to travel the stars watching shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation. Future generations will be looking back at Orion’s flight the same way we did with the first lunar landing. Beam me up Scotty, we are ready.

As Always, #keepitnerdy

Written by: Jenn Massa

Orion Launch Day, Take One

Orion is sitting at Cape Canaveral, just waiting for the wind to die down to launch. Launch was scheduled for 7:05a.m. EST but wind shear safety protocols have delayed the launch. 

I'm sitting here with my two-year-old anxiously waiting to hear that unmistakable roar of the rockets and that plume of white smoke burst out from underneath Orion. 

As I listen to Mission Control say go or no go for launch, I remember all the space movies I watched as a kid. We watched Apollo 13 in middle and high school as a part of science class. We talked about the Challenger disaster and how far we've come in the space program.

Even Orion is having some problems. Launch has been delayed now because one of the drain valves won't close in the launch procedures, causing an abort and reset. 

Despite the fact that launch has been delayed and then re-delayed, you can't help but be excited, (like a kid at Christmas) waiting to hear go for launch. 

As I wait for them to continue the launch cycle, I remember that this is a test flight of Orion, which is unmanned. If successful, Orion will take a 4 1/2 hour flight that will include two loops around earth.

Today's launch is the 24th Delta rocket launch. The Delta rockets on Orion are the biggest NASA has created yet. That's no small feat!!

Just a little tidbit of information for you this is the first launch in almost 40 years that will end up in the Pacific ocean since the last Apollo mission in 1975. Orion is set to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after 4 1/2 hour flight (NASA commentator, 2014). 

At 9:34a.m. EST the launch for today was scrubbed and a 24 reset cycle set. The launch was scrubbed to ensure that the nitrogen value issue is completely resolved. They also had to manually shut off the wind monitors if they had tried to proceed with today's launch.

I am totally disappointed but I think we all want to see a successful and problem free launch. 

Stay tuned for my next Orion post that will cover the next launch mission attempt. As always, keep your eyes to the sky and #keepitnerdy. 

Written by: Jenn Massa

Photo Credits: Jenn Massa

Orion T-Minus 18 Hours

nasa.gov

Did you ever think you would see NASA launch another spacecraft again? I know I certainly didn't. Tomorrow marks the momentous day as NASA launches the Orion spacecraft for the first time. 

On December 4, 2014, Orion will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Stations Space Launch Complex Flight test on a Delta IV heavy rocket.

The test flight will be the first of many, testing altitude and the new high speed re-entry systems. The re-entry systems include altitude control, avionics, heat shield, and parachutes.

nasa.gov

Future missions for Orion will include launching the Space Launch System (SLS), NASA's heavy duty rocket that will be responsible for sending our astronauts beyond the moon. 

The Orion spacecraft is built take humans farther than we've ever gone before. Forget just going to the moon, now we can go to asteroid belts, Mars, and beyond. 

If tomorrow's test flight is successful, NASA plans Exploration Mission-1 as the first mission to integrate Orion and the Space Launch System. 

nasa.gov

I know I'm beyond excited to see the launch of a brand-new space system. Who knows what could be in store if the launch is successful. I know I'll be watching anxiously as Orion takes its first flight. 

Keep your eyes to the sky because at 7:05a.m. ETS tomorrow Orion will take flight. 

Coverage on Orion will start at 4:30a.m. EST on NASA TV which is available on air and streaming at www.nasa.gov/nasatv (nasa.gov, 2014).

nasawatch,com

Keep your eyes on the sky and as always, #keepitnerdy

 Watch for our reaction to Orion's momentous launch later this week! 

 Written by: Jenn Massa

© Copyright 2014, NerdyEdge | All Rights Reserved

European Space Agency Makes History -Rosetta Philae Probe Comet Landing

SUCCESS and JUBILATION!

Inside the comet lie the mysteries of the solar system. Within the ice and dust of the universe may be the key to understanding life and how we came to be on the Earth. This successful mission means we are on the precipice of a major accomplishment in our human history, and we may finally be able to answer the questions that have been plaguing those who look to the sky for centuries. How did we get here? Why is our Earth the way it is?

Comets are celestial objects consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust; they are also known as “dirty snowballs.” For the first time in history, the European Space Agency landed on an unusual rubber-duck shaped comet.

Finding a place to land that would not leave Philae broken and defunct was a mission in itself. The comet was riddled with hills and jutting cliffs, and the plains were strewn with boulders.

Rosetta spent weeks flying around the comet to create a surface map from which mission controllers could choose a landing site. They had many issues to contend with: the site had to be fairly flat and clear of boulders, but with a good view of the whole comet and plenty of sunlight to charge the lander’s batteries. From a shortlist of five potential landing spots, scientists and engineers unanimously voted for a 1 sq km region on the comet’s “head” later named Agilkia.

Agilkia, like the other mission names, are of Egyptian descent. Philae refers to the island of the Nile where the temple of Isis stood. This temple was later moved to the island of Agilkia after Philae was flooded. Interestingly, Philae also refers to the obelisk from the island that, along with the Rosetta stone, assisted in the understanding of ancient hieroglyphics.
And, now, Philae will pave the way for the understanding of the comet.

Initially, according to Fred Jansan (the mission’s manager), rates of success were assumed to be about 75%. This rated jumped and fell as the staff learned more about the landing site. A malfunction with the thruster on Philae failed to respond to commands, and the mission was nearly aborted. Because the comet’s surface has a gravitational pull that is several hundred thousand times weaker than on Earth, the nitrogen thruster, facing upwards, was designed to fire for 60 seconds as the lander touched down. This would prevent it from bouncing off. Earth confirmation of the landing happened at 0903 GMT after a seven-hour long descent.

Philae has battery power that will last 40 hours; after that a switch will be made to rechargeable ones that will be replenished by sunlight. The Rosetta mission will run until December 2015, and they would like to extend the life of the mission by six months to give the mothership tasks such as flying through the gas and dust jets that stream from the comet. When the lander’s electronics become too warm to work properly, it will be in for laps around the sun if it can cling to the comet.

While Philae hitches a ride on the comet, the scientists hope to learn the following:

1. Comets are remnants from the formation of the solar system. Further clues may be unlocked about the development of life on Earth.
2. How did the Earth become blue? The bombardment of comets billions of years ago could have brought water and simple organic molecules to Earth. We can find out if the icy remnants from the phase of planet building are responsible for life on Earth.
3. Adding to the detailed information Rosetta has already learned about the composition of the comet’s nucleus, gaseous coma, and outer surface, the comet’s interior contains the initial composition of the solar system when it was formed 4.5 billion years ago. We are so close to learning what made our planet habitable.

The mission was a risky one, but we know great risk also can achieve great reward. And this is no exception. We have so much to learn about our Earth, and now we have one more way to do so.
#Keepitnerdy
Written by: Amber Hiles

TWEETS: