1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,980 HELLO AND WELCOME 2 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,917 WE ARE HERE AT CAPE CANAVERAL 3 00:00:03,937 --> 00:00:05,485 AIR FORCE STATION IN FLORIDA. 4 00:00:05,505 --> 00:00:09,556 GETTING READY FOR THE LAUNCH OF NASA's 5 00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:10,924 IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER. THAT IS ICON FOR SHORT. 6 00:00:10,944 --> 00:00:12,692 I AM KAREN FOX AND WE'RE GOING TO 7 00:00:12,712 --> 00:00:15,328 BE TALKING ABOUT THIS PLANE 8 00:00:15,348 --> 00:00:18,198 RIGHT BEHIND ME. THAT'S AN L1011. 9 00:00:18,218 --> 00:00:19,866 THAT'S GOING TO HELP LAUNCH ICON UP INTO SPACE 10 00:00:19,886 --> 00:00:22,602 WE'RE GOING TO GO INSIDE AND 11 00:00:22,622 --> 00:00:22,936 WE'RE GOING TO WALK AROUND. 12 00:00:22,956 --> 00:00:25,505 BUT BEFORE THAT, WE ARE TALKING TO 13 00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:27,407 SCOTT ENGLAND. HE IS THE PROJECT 14 00:00:27,427 --> 00:00:29,476 SCIENTIST FOR ICON FROM VIRGINIA 15 00:00:29,496 --> 00:00:34,114 TECH IN BLACKSBERG, VIRGINIA. 16 00:00:35,915 --> 00:00:34,447 WELCOME. 17 00:00:35,935 --> 00:00:39,420 >> START OUT JUST TELLING US ABOUT THE 18 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:40,420 IONOSPHERIC CONNECTION EXPLORER. 19 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:42,555 WHAT IS THE IONOSPHERE? 20 00:00:42,575 --> 00:00:45,024 >> THE IONOSPHERE IS THE VERY TOP OF EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. 21 00:00:45,044 --> 00:00:47,360 IT'S THIS REGION WHERE OUR ATMOSPHERE REACHES SPACE. 22 00:00:47,380 --> 00:00:51,064 THE FIRST REGION THAT SUNLIGHT 23 00:00:51,084 --> 00:00:52,150 HITS WHEN IT REACHES OUR ATMOSPHERE. 24 00:00:52,170 --> 00:00:53,580 AND AT THESE ALTITUDES 25 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:54,800 THE SUNLIGHT IS ABLE TO BREAK APART 26 00:00:54,820 --> 00:00:59,070 THE ATOMS AND MOLECULES AND 27 00:00:59,090 --> 00:01:00,870 ENERGIZE THEM AND IONIZE THEM 28 00:01:00,890 --> 00:01:03,140 FORMING CHARGED 29 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:04,610 PARTICLES AND WE CALL THESE CHARGED PARTICLES THE IONOSPHERE. 30 00:01:04,630 --> 00:01:06,045 BECAUSE THEY'RE CHARGED 31 00:01:06,065 --> 00:01:07,440 THIS CAN INTERACT WITH 32 00:01:07,460 --> 00:01:09,480 SPACECRAFT AND RADIO SIGNALS SUCH AS 33 00:01:09,500 --> 00:01:12,852 AS GPS THAT TRY TO PASS THROUGH THIS REGION. 34 00:01:12,872 --> 00:01:14,650 WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE 35 00:01:14,670 --> 00:01:16,890 CHARGE PARTICLES AND THEIR 36 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:17,250 BEHAVIOR. 37 00:01:17,270 --> 00:01:18,850 ANOTHER PHENOMENA THAT WE GET IN 38 00:01:18,870 --> 00:01:21,990 THIS REGION AS THE SUNLIGHT 39 00:01:22,010 --> 00:01:24,030 ENERGIZES AND IONIZES THE 40 00:01:24,050 --> 00:01:27,460 PARTICLES THEY'RE ABLE TO EMIT 41 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:28,100 LIGHT. 42 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:29,800 WE CALL THIS AIRGLOW AND THIS 43 00:01:29,820 --> 00:01:31,330 IS A REALLY FASCINATING PHENOMENA OF THIS REGION. 44 00:01:31,350 --> 00:01:33,230 AN EXAMPLE OF AIRGLOW THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE 45 00:01:33,250 --> 00:01:35,370 SEEN CALLED AURORA WHICH WE 46 00:01:35,390 --> 00:01:37,470 GET NEAR THE NORTH AND SOUTH 47 00:01:37,490 --> 00:01:39,910 POLE AND THAT'S A VERY BRIGHT FORM OF AIRGLOW 48 00:01:39,930 --> 00:01:42,180 BUT THERE IS ACTUALLY AIRGLOW ALL OVER 49 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:43,650 THE PLANET EVEN ABOVE US RIGHT 50 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:43,910 NOW. 51 00:01:43,930 --> 00:01:45,350 >> IS IT SOMETHING WE CAN SEE UP THERE 52 00:01:45,370 --> 00:01:46,085 RIGHT NOW? 53 00:01:46,105 --> 00:01:48,120 >> IF WE WENT ABOVE THE 54 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:49,320 ATMOSPHERE LIKE ASTRONAUTS AT THE SPACE STATION 55 00:01:49,340 --> 00:01:51,320 AND THEY LOOK OUTSIDE OF THE SPACE 56 00:01:51,340 --> 00:01:52,792 STATION AN AT NIGHT THEY SEE 57 00:01:52,812 --> 00:01:55,290 THIS BEAUTIFUL GREEN GLOW, RIGHT 58 00:01:55,310 --> 00:01:56,329 AROUND 60 MILES ABOVE THE 59 00:01:56,349 --> 00:01:59,090 SURFACE ON THE EDGE OF SPACE. 60 00:01:59,110 --> 00:02:00,930 >> SO YOU'VE EXPLAINED ABOUT THE 61 00:02:00,950 --> 00:02:02,300 IONOSPHERE AND HOW THERE 62 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,400 IS A LOT GOING ON THERE AND WE 63 00:02:04,420 --> 00:02:06,330 HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT IT TO PROTECT 64 00:02:06,350 --> 00:02:08,140 OUR COMMUNICATIONS IN SPACE AND 65 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:09,540 ASTRONAUTS ARE UP THERE TOO. 66 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:11,440 WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR THEM. 67 00:02:11,460 --> 00:02:12,810 TELL US WHAT ICON IS BRINGING TO 68 00:02:12,830 --> 00:02:13,746 THE TABLE. 69 00:02:13,766 --> 00:02:15,081 WHAT KIND OF OBSERVATIONS WILL 70 00:02:15,101 --> 00:02:16,040 IT HELP WITH? 71 00:02:16,060 --> 00:02:18,785 >> THIS REGION AROUND 60 MILES 72 00:02:18,805 --> 00:02:22,020 OFF THE SURFACE IS REALLY 73 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:23,420 INACCESSIBLE. IT'S MUCH TOO HIGH 74 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,750 TO FLY AN AIRPLANE LIKE THIS AND GET 75 00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:27,260 MEASUREMENTS. IT'S ALSO TOO LOW TO FLY A 76 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,060 SPACECRAFT THROUGH THIS REGION. 77 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:31,690 IT'S ALSO THE REGION WHERE WE 78 00:02:31,710 --> 00:02:32,460 THINK THE REAL CONNECTION 79 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,200 BETWEEN OUR ATMOSPHERE AND THE 80 00:02:35,220 --> 00:02:37,130 IONOSPHERE IS TAKING 81 00:02:37,150 --> 00:02:37,437 PLACE. 82 00:02:37,457 --> 00:02:42,240 ICON WILL MAKE USE OF THIS AIR 83 00:02:42,260 --> 00:02:44,440 GLOW SO ICON WILL BE FLYING IN 84 00:02:44,460 --> 00:02:46,940 LOW-EARTH ORBIT AROUND THE TOP OF THE IONOSPHERE, MAKING 85 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:48,410 MEASUREMENTS FROM ITS ALTITUDE AND DOWN INTO THIS 86 00:02:48,430 --> 00:02:50,010 INACCESSIBLE REGION AND TAKING 87 00:02:50,030 --> 00:02:52,310 IMAGES AND SPECTRA OF THIS AIRGLOW AND 88 00:02:52,330 --> 00:02:54,750 SEEING HOW IS THE AIR MOVING, 89 00:02:54,770 --> 00:02:56,420 WHAT'S THE WIND SPEED, WHAT IS THE 90 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:57,750 TEMPERATURE AND THEN WHERE ARE 91 00:02:57,770 --> 00:02:58,790 THESE CHARGE PARTICLES BEING 92 00:02:58,810 --> 00:03:00,320 FORMED AND HOW ARE THEY MOVING 93 00:03:00,340 --> 00:03:02,290 AND REALLY SHOW US THIS 94 00:03:02,310 --> 00:03:03,220 CONNECTION BETWEEN THE NEUTRAL 95 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,090 PART OF THE ATMOSPHERE THAT WE 96 00:03:05,110 --> 00:03:09,760 LIVE IN AND THESE IONS ON THE 97 00:03:09,780 --> 00:03:10,530 EDGE OF SPACE. 98 00:03:10,550 --> 00:03:11,570 >> SO YOU'RE DESCRIBING THIS AREA, IT'S CHANGING ALL THE TIME 99 00:03:11,590 --> 00:03:13,270 THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THERE. 100 00:03:13,290 --> 00:03:14,640 WHAT IS MAKING IT CHANGE? 101 00:03:14,660 --> 00:03:15,870 WHAT's DRIVING ALL THAT? 102 00:03:15,890 --> 00:03:20,040 >> SO, WE KNOW THAT THE IONOSPHERE IS FORMED 103 00:03:20,060 --> 00:03:21,880 WHEN SUNLIGHT HITS THE 104 00:03:21,900 --> 00:03:24,010 ATMOSPHERE AND BREAKS APART THE 105 00:03:24,030 --> 00:03:24,480 ATOMS AND MOLECULES. 106 00:03:24,500 --> 00:03:26,650 WE KNOW THAT THE SUN PLAYS A REALLY 107 00:03:26,670 --> 00:03:31,190 IMPORTANT ROLE IN TRANSFORMING 108 00:03:31,210 --> 00:03:33,220 THE IONOSPHERE. 109 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,190 BUT OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO, WE'VE HAD THESE OBSERVATIONS OF THE IONOSPHERE FROM NASA MISSIONS AND OF THE SUN AND 110 00:03:35,210 --> 00:03:38,030 WE CAN REALLY SAY THAT IT's NOT 111 00:03:38,050 --> 00:03:40,090 JUST CHANGES IN THE SUN THAT ARE 112 00:03:40,110 --> 00:03:42,360 DRIVING WHAT WE SEE IN THE EYE 113 00:03:42,380 --> 00:03:43,500 IONOSPHERE. 114 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:45,300 THROUGH PIECING TOGETHER THESE OBSERVATIONS OF THE IONOSPHERE 115 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,070 AND BRINGING TOGETHER 116 00:03:48,090 --> 00:03:49,770 OBSERVATIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE AT MUCH 117 00:03:49,790 --> 00:03:53,680 LOWER ALTITUDES, DOWN NEAR THE SURFACE HERE, WE CAN SEE 118 00:03:53,700 --> 00:03:56,680 REFLECTIONS OF PATTERNS WE SEE, 119 00:03:56,700 --> 00:03:57,880 ESPECIALLY IN LARGE SCALE 120 00:03:57,900 --> 00:04:00,620 WEATHER SYSTEMS LIKE TROPICAL 121 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:01,420 THUNDERSTORMS AND HOW THEY 122 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:02,650 CHANGE OVER TIME. 123 00:04:02,670 --> 00:04:05,220 WE THEN SEE AN IMPRINT OF THAT 124 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,090 ON WHERE THE CHARGE PARTICLES 125 00:04:07,110 --> 00:04:08,560 ARE IN THE IONOSPHERE. 126 00:04:08,580 --> 00:04:10,690 WHAT WE THINK IS HAPPENING IS 127 00:04:10,710 --> 00:04:13,333 NOT THAT THE TROPICAL WEATHER 128 00:04:13,353 --> 00:04:14,560 PATTERNS ARE REACHING ALL THE 129 00:04:14,580 --> 00:04:16,600 WAY UP TO THE IONOSPHERE DIRECTLY BUT WE THINK 130 00:04:16,620 --> 00:04:20,000 THAT THEIR INFORMATION IS BEING 131 00:04:20,020 --> 00:04:22,370 COMMUNICATED THERE THROUGH 132 00:04:22,390 --> 00:04:23,500 ATMOSPHERIC WAVES. 133 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:24,877 LIKE THIS AIRPLANE BEHIND US IF 134 00:04:24,897 --> 00:04:26,410 YOU SEE IT UP IN THE SKY YOU CAN 135 00:04:26,430 --> 00:04:27,410 HEAR ITS ENGINES. 136 00:04:27,430 --> 00:04:28,540 WHAT IS HAPPENING IS NOT THAT 137 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:29,882 THE AIR FROM THE ENGINES IS 138 00:04:29,902 --> 00:04:32,018 COMING DOWN TO YOUR EARS, BUT 139 00:04:32,038 --> 00:04:33,410 SOUND WAVES ARE TRAVELING 140 00:04:33,430 --> 00:04:35,250 THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE FROM THE 141 00:04:35,270 --> 00:04:37,890 ENGINES BRINGING THAT ENERGY AND 142 00:04:37,910 --> 00:04:38,992 THAT INFORMATION TO YOU AND WE 143 00:04:39,012 --> 00:04:42,160 THINK THE SAME SORT OF THING IS 144 00:04:42,180 --> 00:04:44,190 HAPPENING VERY LARGE SCALES 145 00:04:44,210 --> 00:04:47,400 BETWEEN THESE LARGE-SCALE LOWER 146 00:04:47,420 --> 00:04:50,400 ATMOSPHERE WEATHER SYSTEMS 147 00:04:50,420 --> 00:04:51,530 COMMUNICATING ENERGY AND ENERGY 148 00:04:51,550 --> 00:04:53,539 UP TO THE IONOSPHERE 149 00:04:53,559 --> 00:04:55,541 THROUGH ATMOSPHERIC WAVES. AND ICON'S GOING TO GET US 150 00:04:55,561 --> 00:04:57,810 OBSERVATIONS OF THESE BY MEASURING HOW THE 151 00:04:57,830 --> 00:05:00,446 ATMOSPHERE IS MOVING AND HOW THE 152 00:05:00,466 --> 00:05:01,848 IONOSPHERE IS REALLY RESPONDING AND 153 00:05:01,868 --> 00:05:02,682 HOW THE CONNECTION TAKES PLACE. 154 00:05:02,702 --> 00:05:03,483 >> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 155 00:05:03,503 --> 00:05:06,319 WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO 156 00:05:06,339 --> 00:05:08,154 LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW THE 157 00:05:08,174 --> 00:05:10,556 TERRESTRIAL WEATHER AND SPACE 158 00:05:10,576 --> 00:05:11,157 WEATHER ARE CONNECTED WITH ICON. 159 00:05:11,177 --> 00:05:11,724 THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. 160 00:05:11,744 --> 00:05:12,425 >> THANK YOU. 161 00:05:12,445 --> 00:05:14,093 >> ALRIGHT. WE'RE NOW GOING TO GO OVER TO 162 00:05:14,113 --> 00:05:15,795 THE PLANE AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT 163 00:05:15,815 --> 00:05:22,035 MORE. WE'RE GOING TO GO TALK TO ED DUNLAP WITH 164 00:05:22,055 --> 00:05:23,136 NORTHROP GRUMMAN. COME ON ALONG! 165 00:05:23,156 --> 00:05:28,307 WE ARE TALKING TO ED DUNLAP WITH 166 00:05:28,327 --> 00:05:29,342 NORTHROP GRUMMAN. 167 00:05:29,362 --> 00:05:30,777 HE MANAGES THE PLANE OPERATIONS. 168 00:05:30,797 --> 00:05:32,679 YOU STILL HAVE BEHIND US THE AIRPLANE 169 00:05:32,699 --> 00:05:35,848 AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A 170 00:05:35,868 --> 00:05:37,216 STANDARD LAUNCH -- PEOPLE THINK 171 00:05:37,236 --> 00:05:39,385 OF A ROCKET GOING INTO SPACE. 172 00:05:39,405 --> 00:05:40,753 SO, TELL ME ABOUT THIS PLANE AND HOW 173 00:05:40,773 --> 00:05:42,188 IT'S GOING TO GET ICON INTO SPACE. 174 00:05:42,208 --> 00:05:46,492 >> SO, FIRST OF ALL THIS IS A LOCKHEED TRI-STAR 175 00:05:46,512 --> 00:05:48,428 MEANING IT HAS 3 ENGINES. 176 00:05:48,448 --> 00:05:50,763 IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO 177 00:05:50,783 --> 00:05:52,932 CARRY 3-400 PASSENGERS BUT MY 178 00:05:52,952 --> 00:05:56,636 COMPANY PURCHASED IT AND MODIFIED IT COMPLETELYCOMPANY PURCHASED IT AND MODIFIED IT COMPLETELY 179 00:05:56,656 --> 00:05:58,471 STRUCTURALLY, SO THAT IT CAN MOUNT THIS 52,000-POUND ROCKET TO 180 00:05:58,491 --> 00:06:00,907 THE BELLY OF THE AIRPLANE. 181 00:06:00,927 --> 00:06:04,010 WHAT WE WILL DO, ON DAY OF LAUNCH, IS WE'LL TAKE OFF, FLY UP TO 182 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,411 39,000 FEET WHICH IS OUR DROP 183 00:06:05,431 --> 00:06:06,479 ALTITUDE AND THEN THE AIRPLANE 184 00:06:06,499 --> 00:06:10,149 IS ESSENTIALLY THE FIRST STAGE 185 00:06:10,169 --> 00:06:13,680 SO IT'S A REUSABLE FIRST STAGE. WE CAN BRING IT BACK 186 00:06:13,700 --> 00:06:13,690 AND USE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS WILL BE OUR 38TH LAUNCH OFF 187 00:06:13,710 --> 00:06:16,980 OF THE L-1011. AND 188 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,750 IN THAT TIME PERIOD BECAUSE NOT 189 00:06:18,770 --> 00:06:20,350 EVERY SATELLITE IS A 190 00:06:20,370 --> 00:06:23,290 SINGLE SATELLITE, THIS WILL BE 191 00:06:23,310 --> 00:06:25,790 THE 91ST SATELLITE THAT WE'LL LAUNCH OFF THIS AIRCRAFT. 192 00:06:25,810 --> 00:06:28,130 >> NOW, YOU SAID IT'S A PASSENGER 193 00:06:28,150 --> 00:06:28,430 PLANE. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS PLANE? 194 00:06:28,450 --> 00:06:32,830 >> IT WAS BUILT IN 1974 AND FOR 195 00:06:32,850 --> 00:06:34,340 15 YEARS IT SERVED AIR CANADA 196 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,540 AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALL 197 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:37,440 ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, EVEN 198 00:06:37,460 --> 00:06:38,370 SPENT TIME IN INDIA, FLYING AROUND. 199 00:06:38,390 --> 00:06:39,779 WE PURCHASED IT AND HAD BEEN 200 00:06:39,799 --> 00:06:41,140 USING IT EVER SINCE. 201 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,340 >> AND INSIDE, WHEN WE GO IN 202 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:45,110 THERE WILL IT STILL HAVE SEATS? WHAT DOES IT LOOK 203 00:06:45,130 --> 00:06:48,550 LIKE IN THERE? >> ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF THE 204 00:06:48,570 --> 00:06:49,920 MODIFICATIONS, THIS AIRPLANE'S 205 00:06:49,940 --> 00:06:51,720 SOLE PURPOSE IS TO GET UP TO ALTITUDE AND 206 00:06:51,740 --> 00:06:52,050 DROP THE ROCKET. 207 00:06:52,070 --> 00:06:55,990 ALL THE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATIONS 208 00:06:56,010 --> 00:06:58,030 EXCEPT ONE LAVATORY, EVERYTHING 209 00:06:58,050 --> 00:07:00,230 ELSE WAS TAKEN OUT TO LIGHTEN 210 00:07:00,250 --> 00:07:00,630 THE LOAD TO GET TO ALTITUDE QUICKLY. 211 00:07:00,650 --> 00:07:02,401 THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN 212 00:07:02,421 --> 00:07:03,236 PASSENGER SEATS YOU'LL SEE IN 213 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:04,871 THE CABIN AND THAT's BECAUSE WE 214 00:07:04,891 --> 00:07:08,770 DO -- LIKE WHEN WE CAME HERE 215 00:07:08,790 --> 00:07:10,770 FROM CALIFORNIA WE DID A CAPTIVE 216 00:07:10,790 --> 00:07:13,710 CARRY FLIGHT. SO WE HAVE EXTRA CREW MEMBERS, ROCKET 217 00:07:13,730 --> 00:07:15,340 TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS THAT ACCOMPANY US. 218 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:16,610 THERE'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY WE MIGHT 219 00:07:16,630 --> 00:07:18,384 HAVE TO OFF LAND AND EVERYTHING 220 00:07:18,404 --> 00:07:20,010 ON BOARD OF THE AIRPLANE WE MAY 221 00:07:20,030 --> 00:07:21,880 NEED FOR ANY CONTINGENCY THAT 222 00:07:21,900 --> 00:07:22,480 MAY HAPPEN. 223 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:24,320 >> ALRIGHT, YOU TOLD US ABOUT THE PLANE. 224 00:07:24,340 --> 00:07:25,992 TELL US ABOUT THAT ROCKET. 225 00:07:26,012 --> 00:07:27,690 >> THIS IS A GREAT ROCKET. 226 00:07:27,710 --> 00:07:30,120 IT'S A 3-STAGE SOLID BOOSTER ROCKET. 227 00:07:30,140 --> 00:07:33,130 YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST STAGE, 228 00:07:33,150 --> 00:07:34,033 SEPARATION POINT JUST IN FRONT 229 00:07:34,053 --> 00:07:34,700 OF THE WINGS. 230 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,570 THAT GETS TO 180,000 FEET. 231 00:07:37,590 --> 00:07:39,070 THERE'S A SECOND STAGE, THE METAL RING, GETS IT OUT 232 00:07:39,090 --> 00:07:42,008 OF EARTH's ORBIT AND THEN THE 233 00:07:42,028 --> 00:07:43,500 THIRD STAGE GETS IT INTO ITS 234 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:44,410 PROPER ORBIT. 235 00:07:44,430 --> 00:07:45,770 THE SATELLITE IS IN THE VERY 236 00:07:45,790 --> 00:07:46,940 FRONT OF IT, AND IN THIS PARTICULAR 237 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,480 CASE, IT's GOING UP TO 360 MILES 238 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:51,150 IN SPACE. 239 00:07:51,170 --> 00:07:51,880 >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 240 00:07:51,900 --> 00:07:53,486 WE'LL GO INSIDE NOW TO CHECK OUT 241 00:07:53,506 --> 00:07:53,920 THAT PLANE. 242 00:07:53,940 --> 00:08:04,490 I ENJOYED TALKING TO YOU. 243 00:08:04,510 --> 00:08:06,190 THANKS A LOT. 244 00:08:06,210 --> 00:08:08,260 SO NOW HERE WE ARE ABOUT TO 245 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,200 ENTER THE L-1011 AND TALK TO THE 246 00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:12,505 CREW WHO WILL BE WITH THE PLANE 247 00:08:12,525 --> 00:08:13,139 DURING THE LAUNCH. 248 00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:15,640 WE ARE TALKING NOW TO JIM 249 00:08:15,660 --> 00:08:18,040 STOWERS, HE IS THE LAUNCH PLANEL 250 00:08:18,060 --> 00:08:19,810 OPERATOR WHO WILL BE IN THIS 251 00:08:19,830 --> 00:08:22,410 PLANE WHEN ICON LAUNCHES. 252 00:08:22,430 --> 00:08:24,680 HERE WE ARE, I SEE A LOT OF LAUNCH 253 00:08:24,700 --> 00:08:25,010 PANELS. 254 00:08:25,030 --> 00:08:28,320 >> THIS IS THE LAUNCH PANEL 255 00:08:28,340 --> 00:08:28,920 OPERATOR STATION. WHAT WE DO HERE IS 256 00:08:28,940 --> 00:08:32,850 WE MONITOR THE TELEMETRY, STATUS OF THE 257 00:08:32,870 --> 00:08:38,560 ROCKET, THE HEALTH OF SATELLITE. WE ALSO PROVIDE POWER 258 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:39,430 TO THE FUNCTIONS THAT THE LAUNCH CONDUCTOR HAS US DO ON LAUNCH DAY. 259 00:08:39,450 --> 00:08:42,230 >> SO HERE WE ARE. WE'RE ON LAUNCH DAY, WHAT ARE 260 00:08:42,250 --> 00:08:43,660 YOU ACTUALLY DOING DURING THE 261 00:08:43,680 --> 00:08:44,000 LAUNCH? 262 00:08:44,020 --> 00:08:45,930 >> IT GETS BUSY AT TIMES. 263 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:47,440 WE'LL MONITOR THE 264 00:08:47,460 --> 00:08:48,274 AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO MAKE 265 00:08:48,294 --> 00:08:53,710 SURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE RIGHT 266 00:08:53,730 --> 00:08:54,914 TEMPERATURE INTO THE FARING 267 00:08:54,934 --> 00:08:55,740 FOR THE SATELLITE AND POWERING 268 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:57,250 UP THE ROCKET AND DOING OUR 269 00:08:57,270 --> 00:08:58,380 SYSTEMS CHECK AS WE GO THROUGH 270 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:59,819 THE CHECKLIST AND WATCHING 271 00:08:59,839 --> 00:09:01,250 EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON. 272 00:09:01,270 --> 00:09:02,989 >> SO YOU'RE WATCHING TO SEE IF 273 00:09:03,009 --> 00:09:04,250 THE SPACECRAFT IS HEALTHY AND 274 00:09:04,270 --> 00:09:06,425 THE ROCKET IS HEALTHY. 275 00:09:06,445 --> 00:09:07,093 WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SEE 276 00:09:07,113 --> 00:09:09,362 SOMETHING THAT's CONCERNING? 277 00:09:09,382 --> 00:09:11,190 >> IF WE SEE SOMETHING WE'LL GET 278 00:09:11,210 --> 00:09:14,330 ON THE RADIO AND TELL THE LAUNCH 279 00:09:14,350 --> 00:09:15,360 CONDUCTOR AND BRING HIS ATTENTION TO IT. HE'LL GE 280 00:09:15,380 --> 00:09:17,500 HIS ENGINEERING TEAM LOOKING AT IT AS WELL. 281 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:18,400 >> ALL RIGHT. 282 00:09:18,420 --> 00:09:19,830 AND IF EVERYTHING GOES 283 00:09:19,850 --> 00:09:22,040 PERFECTLY, YOU GET TO PUSH THE 284 00:09:22,060 --> 00:09:23,940 BUTTON TO LET IT GO OUT? 285 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,170 >> I GET TO ARM THE RELEASE 286 00:09:26,190 --> 00:09:27,410 MECHANISM BUT DON'T GET TO PUSH 287 00:09:27,430 --> 00:09:28,580 THE BIG BUTTON. 288 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:30,750 >> WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 289 00:09:30,770 --> 00:09:32,010 PUSHING THE BUTTON SOON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 290 00:09:32,030 --> 00:09:41,060 NOW WE'LL GO TO THE COCKPIT. 291 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:41,490 HELLO DON. >> HEY KAREN. THANKS FOR STOPPING BY. 292 00:09:41,510 --> 00:09:46,590 WE ARE TALKING TO DON WALTER. HE IS A PILOT WHO 293 00:09:46,610 --> 00:09:48,430 WILL BE PILOTING THE PLANE DURING THE LAUNCH. 294 00:09:48,450 --> 00:09:49,635 HOW COOL IS THIS? 295 00:09:49,655 --> 00:09:51,200 >> THIS IS THE BEST JOB IN THE 296 00:09:51,220 --> 00:09:52,830 ENTIRE WORLD ABSOLUTELY. 297 00:09:52,850 --> 00:09:53,900 >> SO WALK US THROUGH WHAT 298 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:55,940 YOU'RE DOING DURING THE LAUNCH. 299 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:57,510 >> WELL, A GREAT PART OF THE 300 00:09:57,530 --> 00:09:59,740 LAUNCH TAKES PLACE ON THE GROUND 301 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:01,010 BEFORE WE TAKE OFF. 302 00:10:01,030 --> 00:10:04,350 WE DO A LOT OF FREE FLIGHT 303 00:10:04,370 --> 00:10:04,717 PLANNING. 304 00:10:04,737 --> 00:10:07,486 I BROUGHT ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT 305 00:10:07,506 --> 00:10:10,189 HERE FOR YOU TO SEE. 306 00:10:10,209 --> 00:10:12,091 MOST OF OUR PLANNING INVOLVES 307 00:10:12,111 --> 00:10:13,492 GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE 308 00:10:13,512 --> 00:10:15,261 ACTUALLY GOING TO LAUNCH THE 309 00:10:15,281 --> 00:10:15,594 ROCKET. 310 00:10:15,614 --> 00:10:16,595 THE POINT WE'RE GOING TO LAUNCH 311 00:10:16,615 --> 00:10:17,763 THE ROCKET IS OVER HERE. WE 312 00:10:17,783 --> 00:10:19,632 NEED A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE TO 313 00:10:19,652 --> 00:10:22,702 CLIMB UP TO OUR LAUNCH ALTITUDE. 314 00:10:22,722 --> 00:10:24,070 JUST TO GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE 315 00:10:24,090 --> 00:10:25,938 WE'RE SITTING RIGHT HERE IN THE 316 00:10:25,958 --> 00:10:26,806 SKID STRIP. 317 00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:28,841 YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BLUE 318 00:10:28,861 --> 00:10:30,609 FLASHING LIGHT HERE. THE 319 00:10:30,629 --> 00:10:32,545 DISTANCE OUT TO HERE IS ABOUT 320 00:10:32,565 --> 00:10:33,913 114 MILES. 321 00:10:33,933 --> 00:10:37,116 SO ON A CLEAR NIGHT OUR 322 00:10:37,136 --> 00:10:38,017 SPECTATORS WILL BE ABLE TO STAY 323 00:10:38,037 --> 00:10:39,919 ON THE BEACH AND ACTUALLY SEE 324 00:10:39,939 --> 00:10:41,153 THE LAUNCH. 325 00:10:41,173 --> 00:10:44,156 ALTHOUGH WE DO LAUNCH OFF AWAY 326 00:10:44,176 --> 00:10:45,891 FROM FLORIDA, BUT AGAIN THE 327 00:10:45,911 --> 00:10:47,460 MAJORITY WHAT WE DO IS PLANNING 328 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,595 AND THEN ON LAUNCH DAY WE JUST 329 00:10:49,615 --> 00:10:50,997 EXECUTE THE PLAN. 330 00:10:51,017 --> 00:10:52,999 >> SO I'M SEEING THIS GIANT 331 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:54,633 FIGURE 8 HERE. DOES THAT MEAN YOU CAN GO AROUND 332 00:10:54,653 --> 00:10:56,535 AND AROUND? HOW DO YOU DO THAT? 333 00:10:56,555 --> 00:11:00,673 >> IF YOU FOLOW MY FINGER ALONG, 334 00:11:00,693 --> 00:11:03,442 WHAT WE DO IS WE'VE GOING TO DEPART OUT OF HERE AND WE'VE GIVEN OURSELVES 335 00:11:03,462 --> 00:11:04,677 ABOUT 160 MILES BECAUSE WITH THE 336 00:11:04,697 --> 00:11:06,812 ROCKET ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE 337 00:11:06,832 --> 00:11:09,849 IT TAKES QUITE A WHILE TO CLIMB 338 00:11:09,869 --> 00:11:11,384 UP TO OUR LAUNCH ALTITUDE OF 39,000 FEET. 339 00:11:11,404 --> 00:11:12,752 SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE WE GET TO 340 00:11:12,772 --> 00:11:14,320 OUR LAUNCH ALTITUDE AND COME 341 00:11:14,340 --> 00:11:16,288 BACK THROUGH OUR LAUNCH POINT. 342 00:11:16,308 --> 00:11:17,990 CHECK THE WINDS, CHECK THE 343 00:11:18,010 --> 00:11:20,860 WEATHER AND CHECK THE TURBULENCE 344 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:23,029 AND FROM THAT POINT I'D SAY IT'S 345 00:11:23,049 --> 00:11:25,398 ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COME BACK 346 00:11:25,418 --> 00:11:26,832 AROUND THE PATTERN, BACK DOWN TO 347 00:11:26,852 --> 00:11:29,635 THE LAUNCH POINT AND ACTUALLY 348 00:11:29,655 --> 00:11:30,603 LAUNCH THE ROCKET. 349 00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:34,473 YOU SEE THERE'S SORT OF A HORSE 350 00:11:34,493 --> 00:11:36,876 RACE TRACK TYPE PATTERN HERE. 351 00:11:36,896 --> 00:11:39,512 DEPENDING ON WEATHER AND OTHER 352 00:11:39,532 --> 00:11:40,880 FACTORS, WE HAVE BASICALLY TWO 353 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,815 ATTEMPTS TO LAUNCH THE ROCKET. 354 00:11:42,835 --> 00:11:44,316 GENERALLY WE TRY TO LAUNCH ON 355 00:11:44,336 --> 00:11:46,018 THE FIRST TIME BUT WE DO HAVE 356 00:11:46,038 --> 00:11:47,553 THE ABILITY WE CALL A RECYCLE TO 357 00:11:47,573 --> 00:11:50,056 COME BACK AROUND AND FLY THE 358 00:11:50,076 --> 00:11:51,624 PATTERN ONE MORE TIME AND LAUNCH 359 00:11:51,644 --> 00:11:53,459 AGAIN AND AFTERWARDS WE COME 360 00:11:53,479 --> 00:11:54,593 STRAIGHT BACK TO WHERE YOU'RE 361 00:11:54,613 --> 00:11:55,161 SITTING RIGHT NOW. 362 00:11:55,181 --> 00:11:55,761 >> ALL RIGHT. 363 00:11:55,781 --> 00:11:57,763 SO I HEARD THE BUTTON TO LAUNCH 364 00:11:57,783 --> 00:11:58,931 IS ACTUALLY UP HERE. IS THAT 365 00:11:58,951 --> 00:11:59,665 WHERE IT IS? 366 00:11:59,685 --> 00:12:03,002 >> IT'S UP HERE AND WE GET THE 367 00:12:03,022 --> 00:12:04,236 COMMAND FROM OUR LAUNCH 368 00:12:04,256 --> 00:12:05,638 COORDINATOR DOWN ON THE GROUND 369 00:12:05,658 --> 00:12:07,206 AND WHEN EVERYBODY AGREES WE'RE IN 370 00:12:07,226 --> 00:12:08,707 THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT 371 00:12:08,727 --> 00:12:10,342 TIME AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE WE'RE 372 00:12:10,362 --> 00:12:12,144 GIVEN THE GO AHEAD AND LAUNCH 373 00:12:12,164 --> 00:12:15,114 THE ROCKET AND THE BUTTON TO 374 00:12:15,134 --> 00:12:16,982 LAUNCH SITS RIGHT HERE. WE HAVE 375 00:12:17,002 --> 00:12:18,417 TWO PILOTS UP HERE. I'M 376 00:12:18,437 --> 00:12:20,719 FLYING THE AIRPLANE AND MY 377 00:12:20,739 --> 00:12:23,322 COPILOT STEVE, WILL ACTUALLY BE THE ONE 378 00:12:23,342 --> 00:12:25,124 WHO PUSHES THE BUTTON. 379 00:12:25,144 --> 00:12:26,325 >> WALK ME THROUGH THAT. 380 00:12:26,345 --> 00:12:29,595 PAINT ME A PICTURE. 381 00:12:29,615 --> 00:12:30,196 WHAT HAPPENS? 382 00:12:30,216 --> 00:12:33,999 >> WELL, SO A LITTLE BIT OF HIS 383 00:12:34,019 --> 00:12:36,068 BASIC PHYSICS. 384 00:12:36,088 --> 00:12:36,802 AS SOON AS STEVE PUSHES THE 385 00:12:36,822 --> 00:12:38,737 BUTTON THERE IS A HYDRAULIC 386 00:12:38,757 --> 00:12:39,538 RELEASE THAT OPENS AND ALLOWS 387 00:12:39,558 --> 00:12:41,607 THE ROCKET TO LEAVE THE 388 00:12:41,627 --> 00:12:41,974 AIRPLANE. 389 00:12:41,994 --> 00:12:44,477 THE ROCKET WEIGHS 52,000 POUNDS. 390 00:12:44,497 --> 00:12:47,746 YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU LOST 391 00:12:47,766 --> 00:12:50,082 52,000 POUNDS ALL AT ONCE THE 392 00:12:50,102 --> 00:12:51,016 AIRCRAFT STILL HAS THE SAME 393 00:12:51,036 --> 00:12:52,785 AMOUNT OF LIFT SO THE AIRCRAFT 394 00:12:52,805 --> 00:12:53,953 RISES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE 395 00:12:53,973 --> 00:12:56,355 WEIGHT ANYMORE AND THE ROCKET 396 00:12:56,375 --> 00:12:57,523 FALLS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. 397 00:12:57,543 --> 00:12:58,891 AND IT'S THAT SEPARATION THAT 398 00:12:58,911 --> 00:13:01,494 GIVES US A PRETTY GOOD SAFETY 399 00:13:01,514 --> 00:13:03,596 MARGIN FROM THE TIME THE ROCKET 400 00:13:03,616 --> 00:13:06,165 LEAVES THE AIRPLANE UNTIL IT 401 00:13:06,185 --> 00:13:07,900 ACTUALLY LIGHTS UP AND MOTORS 402 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,870 OUT A HEAD OF US. 403 00:13:10,890 --> 00:13:12,838 IT'S A FAIRLY ABRUPT DROP. 404 00:13:12,858 --> 00:13:16,208 WHEN IT RELEASES IT'S A FAIRLY 405 00:13:16,228 --> 00:13:17,676 GOOD SHAKE AND IT PUSHES US BACK 406 00:13:17,696 --> 00:13:19,478 IN OUR SEAT QUITE A BIT BECAUSE 407 00:13:19,498 --> 00:13:21,647 THE AIRPLANE IS RISING QUITE 408 00:13:21,667 --> 00:13:22,014 QUICKLY. 409 00:13:22,034 --> 00:13:24,016 THE REST OF IT IS JUST WE HAVE 410 00:13:24,036 --> 00:13:26,752 THE BEST VIEW OF ANYBODY AT NASA 411 00:13:26,772 --> 00:13:28,587 OR IN OUR COMPANY OF THE LAUNCH. 412 00:13:28,607 --> 00:13:31,557 IT'S AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING 413 00:13:31,577 --> 00:13:33,025 SPECTACULAR VIEW AND AT NIGHT 414 00:13:33,045 --> 00:13:36,128 YOU CAN IMAGINE THE FIRE THAT 415 00:13:36,148 --> 00:13:36,929 COMES OFF THE THRUST OF THE 416 00:13:36,949 --> 00:13:40,032 ROCKET MOVING AHEAD OF US AND 417 00:13:40,052 --> 00:13:42,034 CLIMBING BASICALLY OFF INTO 418 00:13:42,054 --> 00:13:42,334 SPACE. 419 00:13:42,354 --> 00:13:44,537 WE CAN WATCH BOTH STAGES FIRST 420 00:13:44,557 --> 00:13:47,873 AND SECOND STAGE ON A CLEAR 421 00:13:47,893 --> 00:13:52,278 NIGHT WHICH IS QUITE -- IT's AN 422 00:13:52,298 --> 00:13:54,113 AMAZING EXPERIENCE AND WE'RE 423 00:13:54,133 --> 00:13:56,048 REALLY LUCKY TO BE IN A SEAT 424 00:13:56,068 --> 00:13:57,917 LIKE THIS AND CALL THIS OUR 425 00:13:57,937 --> 00:13:58,250 OFFICE. 426 00:13:58,270 --> 00:13:59,818 >> AND THEN OF COURSE AFTER IT 427 00:13:59,838 --> 00:14:01,287 LAUNCHES WE ARE GOING TO BE 428 00:14:01,307 --> 00:14:03,022 WAITING ONE MONTH FOR THAT 429 00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:05,724 INCREDIBLE RESEARCH THAT SCOTT 430 00:14:05,744 --> 00:14:09,361 ENGLAND TOLD US ABOUT TO 431 00:14:09,381 --> 00:14:10,763 UNDERSTAND HOW TERRESTRIAL 432 00:14:10,783 --> 00:14:12,398 WEATHER AND SPACE WEATHER 433 00:14:12,418 --> 00:14:12,765 INTERACT. 434 00:14:12,785 --> 00:14:17,036 GO TO NASA.GOV/ICON AND STAY 435 00:14:17,056 --> 00:14:18,370 TUNED FOR GREAT THINGS FROM THIS 436 00:14:18,390 --> 00:14:19,638 GREAT MISSION AND GREAT LAUNCH. 437 00:14:19,658 --> 00:14:20,172 THANK YOU SO MUCH. 438 00:14:20,192 --> 00:14:32,685 BYE!