Covering All Things Florida
As a professional photographer who also photographs wildlife, one of the most asked questions I get is, “Are there still wild flamingos in Florida?”. My usual answer is, “Yes, but not for a while.” Now – at least for a little while – I can answer with a solid, “Yes! At the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge!”
NASA’s new Spot the Station App. Image by: TJ Waller
The International Space Station (ISS), humanity’s celestial abode, is now even more accessible to the public thanks to NASA’s latest innovation – the Spot the Station mobile app. This easy to use app, now available for download on both iOS and Android platforms, is set to revolutionize the way we engage with the ISS, offering a unique and enhanced experience for ISS enthusiasts and photographers worldwide.
I am not a city boy. In fact, I try to avoid cities as much as possible. But recently I discovered a bit of calm among the chaos. Nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando, Lake Eola is a tranquil oasis that has become an iconic symbol of the city’s beauty and vitality. This picturesque lake, which spans 23 acres, serves as a hub for both tourists and locals, offering a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Lake Eola is not just a body of water; it’s a community gathering place, a recreational destination, and a cultural hotspot that reflects the essence of Orlando.
By: TJ Waller
Orlando City SC, affectionately known as the Lions, has achieved yet another significant milestone on their journey to success. I had the privilege of witnessing and capturing the exhilarating 3-2 victory over the New England Revolution, securing a coveted spot for the club in the highly anticipated 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. This remarkable feat marks their second consecutive appearance in this prestigious tournament, reaffirming their position as one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) top contenders.
By: TJ Waller
In the vast expanse of space exploration, the need for efficient data transmission between spacecraft and Earth has always been a challenge. Traditional radio communications have served us well, but as our ambitions grow, so does the demand for higher data rates. NASA’s Psyche mission aims to push the boundaries of data transmission with the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) project. In this article, I will explore the fascinating world of DSOC, its significance for future missions, and how it could revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
BY: TJ WALLER
In a significant achievement for the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully launched the NROL-107/SILENTBARKER mission; marking ULA’s 98th launch for national security. This joint national security mission was carried out by an Atlas V 551 rocket, adding another feather to ULA’s cap of 157 launches with a 100 percent success rate. The not-so-silent Silent Barker lifted off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 8:47 AM EDT, and drew an exceptionally large crowd of spectators, media and photographers all along the Space Coast!
The Crew-6 astronauts, consisting of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, have successfully completed their mission on the International Space Station (ISS) and safely returned to Earth. After spending a remarkable 186 days in space, the crew members splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 12:17 a.m. EDT. This moment marked the conclusion of their six-month scientific endeavor.
BY: TJ Waller
The Orlando City Lions will finally get to pit their skills against Inter Miami’s forward Lionel Messi in a few weeks on September 24. The Lions have historically dominated their series against Miami, boasting a record of 6 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws in 11 meetings. However, it’s worth noting that none of those victories were achieved when facing Messi.
“We will be ready.” Lions coach Oscar Pareja remarked when discussing the prospect of going up against Messi. “We know who we are, we going to go get that victory because our heart is prepared to do it.”
By: TJ Waller
Introduction:
Yesterday, August 16, 2023, marked the anniversary of when humanity and I witnessed one more “small step” towards a momentous event that marked a significant leap forward in space exploration: The rollout of Artemis I – NASA’s next historic mission aimed at returning humans to the Moon. This mission, a critical step towards the agency’s broader Artemis program, promised to not only expand our understanding of the Moon but also lay the groundwork for future crewed missions to Mars and beyond.
Artemis I: A Bold Vision Realized:
Artemis I, named after the ancient Greek goddess of the Moon, was the first uncrewed flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. This groundbreaking mission tested the compatibility and performance of these systems, which will eventually carry astronauts on lunar missions.
By: TJ Waller
Introduction
The XSM-64 Navaho missile, a surface-to-surface guided missile developed by North American Aviation, holds a significant place in the history of the U.S. missile and space program. Designed as a supersonic intercontinental cruise missile, the Navaho XSM-64 represented cutting-edge technology and was intended to carry a conventional warhead to a range of 6,325 miles. In this article, we will explore the fascinating story of the Navaho missile, its development, launches, and its impact on subsequent missile programs.
Origins and Development
The Navaho missile project was born out of the post-World War II era, where various nations were exploring advanced missile technologies. In 1947, the U.S. Air Force envisioned the Navaho as a pilotless bomber capable of delivering a weapons payload over a distance of 5,500 miles. The initial design, known as the Navaho X-10, resembled a traditional aircraft and was used for test flights. These early versions of the Navaho were remotely controlled and took off from a runway like an airplane.
By: TJ Waller
The eagerly anticipated NASA SpaceX Crew-7 mission has been pushed once again and is now scheduled to take flight on a new launch date of August 25, 2023; with an instantaneous launch window of 3:49 AM EDT. This mission will mark a significant milestone in the partnership between NASA and SpaceX as they continue their collaboration in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Crew-7 is a true testament to international cooperation, with astronauts representing four different space agencies. The mission will be commanded by NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, while European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen will serve as the pilot. Joining them as mission specialists are Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Konstantin Borisov from the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
