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

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.

Some of you may not be familiar with the latest phenomenon in outdoor cooking- The Big Green Egg- a ceramic cooker that serves as a smoker, grill and oven.  To the devoted “Eggheads, the green ceramic eggs make the George Forman Grill a thing of the past! The Eggheads are now embarking on a journey to the Sunny Space Coast!

For the first time ever, the Sunshine State Eggfest will be held at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the Florida Space Coast from March 12th through 14th. Also, for the first time ever, the Eggfest will be held at the host hotel. Eggs will surround the perimeter of the covered deck of overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

This will be the 8^th annual Eggfest in the State of Florida. This event will take place under the beautiful setting of the Host Hotel, Crowne Plaza Resort. With so many additional attractions in the area, the Sunshine State Eggfest will have so much more to offer.

Early Registration: Now through January 11, 2010-

Cooks $16 per ticket, Tasters $26 per ticket

After January 12, 2010-

                Cooks $21 per ticket

                Tasters $31 per ticket

                Children Under 12 Free

Click HERE to Learn More about the Sunshine State Eggfest!

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

Space Coast Lightfest

When

November 24, 2009 through December 27, 2009

6-9 nightly Sunday – Thursday, 6-10 nightly on Fridays, Saturdays & Holidays

What

Established by the Eau Gallie Rotary Club, the Space Coast Lightfest is a holiday themed drive-through event held at Wickham Park. It is a family oriented celebration featuring shimmering lights and dazzling animated displays (drawing over 15,000 vehicles annually).

Where

Located at Wickham Park — 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne, Florida 32935 — (321) 728-0512