LIVE Ariane 5 Launch Coverage - International Space Station (ISS) Re-Supply Mission

Shortwave America is proud to cover yet ANOTHER space communications event TONIGHT in the form of the launch of Ariane 5! Here are the launch window times:
                     

Also see the Arianespace Mission Update. Space Flight Now will also have live streaming coverage of this launch.

From ArianeSpace: "Named after Italian physicist Edoardo Amaldi, Europe’s third ATV will carry "dry cargo" (including experiments, food, clothing, tools and spare parts), along with water, gas and propellant for delivery to the crewed orbital facility. The Ariane 5 mission has a total lift performance of over 20,000 kg., which includes the ATV’s mass of more than 19,700 kg. – representing the heaviest payload ever to be orbited by Ariane 5."

LIVE Launch Event Detail Log

Unfortunately, there was no pre-launch coverage and the live launch was in French, so providing coverage of this event was not possible. However, you may enjoy this video of the launch from early this morning.You'll see that there was very little commentary, and weather conditions made for horrible launch coverage. 

Space Shuttle Communications History Tribute - Part 2

In this second segment of the Shortwave America Space Shuttle Communications History Tribute, covering 30 years of Space Shuttle Communications; we cover Redundant Set Launch Sequencer (RSLS) Aborts, Return To Launch Site (RTLS), Abort To Orbit (ATO), and Abort Once Around (AOA) communications scenarios before moving on to actual Shuttle communications for each and every RSLS abort and the ONLY ATO event that actually happened. The show then moves on to coverage of the very last shuttle mission from the perspective of Johnson Space Center Mission Control in Houston, Texas; and the very first shuttle mission setting the shuttle program in motion.

Join Paulette MacQuarrie and myself as we continue this exciting coverage of Space Shuttle Communications History! LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD HERE

Remembering Challenger 25 Years Ago This Hour

Twenty five years ago during this very hour, the seven astronauts aboard the Challenger space shuttle lifted off for what was supposed to be a normal launch, and instead gave their lives in an unexpected malfunction. Today, remembrance services were held and the words of the late President Reagan were recalled.

This sad disaster 25 years ago had something to do with communications because the space shuttle program has played an important role in transporting communications gear into space whether it be an amateur radio satellite, an amateur rig to the International Space Station, commercial TV and Radio sats, defense and intelligence sats, and has also served to help develop the use and furtherance of communications between earth & space.

The Challenger crew did not give their lives in vain, for they knew the risks well and bore the courage proudly.