Space Shuttle Launch

“CAPE CANAVERAL — NASA is prepared to aggressively execute President Obama’s plan to develop commercial space taxis and turn Kennedy Space Center into a 21st-century spaceport, officials said Wednesday.

Contracts to develop private-sector spaceships could be issued as early as next summer, and U.S. astronauts could be flying them on round trips to the International Space Station by 2014 or 2015.

After 50 years, NASA would relinquish to commercial companies the responsibility for designing, developing and operating the spacecraft flown by U.S. astronauts.

But Cabana, a former shuttle pilot and mission commander, said the KSC work force is up to the job.

“I know this transition is going to be hard. It’s going to be extremely difficult, and it’s going to be sad. But we will get through it, and we will have a good future once we get there,” Cabana said.

Instead, NASA would invest $5 billion during the next five years in the development of commercial space taxi services.

Cabana and top deputies nonetheless have prepared to move swiftly if the administration wins congressional approval.

Plans have been put in place to open up a project office at KSC that would oversee development of commercial space taxis and ultimately procure commercial launch services.

A separate office would oversee sweeping modifications aimed at attracting commercial companies to the shuttle runway, processing hangars, the Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads 39A and 39B.

“Commercial is the future,” Cabana said.”

-Courtesy of Todd Halvorson and Florida Today

It’s all over the news and is causing tourists to doubt their Beach Vacation plans- the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. With the news released today that the tar balls found off the Florida Keys are not related to the rig disaster, East Coast Florida beaches are proving that they are clean and open for business!

There are several misconceptions about the oil spill and its effects that the Melbourne-based Florida Today has taken the time to answer for us. Below is an excerpt from Columnist Matt Reed’s interview with Florida Tech’s head of Marine and Environmental Systems Department Professor George Maul:

Reed: What is the potential for oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster drifting as far up the east coast as Brevard?

Maul: For our purposes, they enter through the Caribbean Sea, come in through the Yucatan Channel, through the Gulf of Mexico, out the Straits of Florida, and up the East Coast.

Just go to our beach anytime, and you’ll see sargassum there. Sargassum comes through the loop system the exact same way oil would. Sargassum starts in the Caribbean Sea, goes through the loop current, and eventually comes ashore in Brevard County because the easterly breezes push it ashore, just as they would with oil.

Reed: Sargassum … that brown seaweed?

 Maul: It’s algae. People see it on the beach and don’t think anything about it. But it’s proof positive of how the system would work — if the loop current entrains the oil. That’s a big “if” at this stage.

Reed: How long would it take to get here on the loop current?

Maul: One to two weeks.

Reed: What would a beachgoer or charter captain see?

Maul: It depends. If it’s older oil — much of it having evaporated — you might have this heavier, more dense, mousse-like oil. The heavier stuff sometimes sinks, and forms globs — tar balls — and these can wash up onto the beaches. If it’s lighter oil, the stuff that makes a sheen, that’s a different case. By the time it gets to us, probably a lot of that would evaporate into the atmosphere.

Most likely we’ll see tar balls.

Courtesy of Florida Today, Matt Reed and George Maul

Nature Camping

Of the many parks and facilities available throughout the county, those that the Department manages include 108 parks, 3 campgrounds, 3 golf courses, 6 nature centers, 42 beach access sites, 13 school athletic sites, and more than 17,000 acres of Environmentally Endangered Lands sanctuaries and conservation areas. The Parks and Recreation Department’s website offers residents and visitors a place to discover the unique features and recreational opportunities available throughout our parks.

Many county parks in Brevard preserve the sensitive ecosystem and include endangered lands and threatened species.  Educational programs at nature centers focus on awareness of the outdoors and preservation of the environment which includes the unique Indian River Lagoon , the St. Johns River, lakes, wetlands, maritime hammocks and scrub.  Specific parks are a haven for birdwatching and provide a sanctuary for many bird communities including the osprey, eagle, egret, pelican, and various wildlife including sea turtles and manatees.

Additionally, for those who love the outdoors, Brevard County’s parks provide venues for community and regional activities including public golf at three beautiful golf courses (tee times are available at The Savannahs, Spessard Holland and The Habitat); camping at three unique campgrounds; horse trails; fishing and boating–with access to the waterways by boat ramps at many parks; beach and lake swimming and various venues for watersports including sailing, windsurfing, surfing, rowing, catamaran, canoe, and kayak.

Courtsey of www.brevardoarks.com

Festival Season – Spring 2010

Spring is right around the corner and for the SpaceCoast that means outdoor festivals, music, nature and food. With the right combination of great weather and fabulous participants and sponsors, the Space Coast will soon transform into a Cultural Mecca.

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

Jan 27, 10 - Feb 01, 2010 - Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus

Florida’s Space Coast is among the best birding locations in North America. This is peak activity time for wintering bird populations, and this event features over 220 activities including an Exhibit Center with over 75 exhibitors, Art Competition with over $1,600 in prizes, Silent Auction, the Raptor Project, a Pelagic Boat Trip, classroom presentations, field trips, water adventures, and more. Click here for more info.

Space Coast Mardi Gras

February 25-28, 2010 -  Historic Cocoa Village

Don’t miss four days of family fun in beautiful historic downtown Cocoa Village and Riverfront Park this spring as title sponsors Bright House Networks present the City of Cocoa’s SPACE COAST MARDI GRAS. The Riverfront Park Amphitheatre will feature free entertainment all week. The Central Brevard Humane Society will present “Paws in the Park” on Sunday at 1pm. The Saturday night street party and parade of floats presented by Central Florida News 13 will feature many exciting floats, four stages of live entertainment, stilt walkers,a junk-a-roo band and exciting dancers. Click here for more info.

Art of Sand Festival

April 2 - May 1, 2010 - Radisson at the Port

30 Days of fun, sand sculpture, entertainment, competition, good food, and more! The Art of Sand Festival and Exhibition promises to be one of the largest arts and cultural events in Brevard County. This month-long event will give visitors an opportunity to experience first-hand the 10 to 12 foot sculptures created by Master Sand Sculptors from around the world, as well as other sand sculptures created by amateurs, youth and corporate teams. Click here for more info.

Melbourne Art Festival

April 24-26  - Historic Melbourne Florida

The Melbourne Art Festival is a nationally recognized event held each year on the fourth full weekend in April in historic downtown Melbourne, Florida. Admission is free. Featuring 100s of art exhibits from world renowned artists, live entertainment, 5k Fun Run and much more. Click here for more info.

Space Coast Rally Against Cancer

The Space Coast Cancer Foundation received a resolution from the Brevard County Commission proclaiming Saturday, March 20, 2010 as “Rally Against Cancer” Day. That day the Rally Against Cancer event  will start with a Poker Run at Space Coast Cancer Center’s Titusville office, and then travel throughout the county ending up at a picnic event at Space Coast Harley Davidson in Palm Bay, where the last ticket drawn will win a 2010 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle. Only 500 tickets will be sold.

Besides the reverse raffle at the Harley Davidson, a silent auction will be held, vendors will be on display motorcyclists can participate in games and enjoy music and entertainment.

The Space Coast Cancer Center Foundation is the fundraising and charitable arm of Space, and is a separately incorporated, not-for-profit organization dedicated to its mission of providing need-based support to ease the financial burden of cancer care. Coast Cancer Center

Purchase tickets for the Reverse Raffle for $100.

Call (321) 264-5504 or www.RallyAgainstCancer.net

Written by BrevardCounty.com | 11 December 2009