Mars Rover finds Life!

SpaceX Falcon 9 Model Kit Review

Here is my a review of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Discovery Flying Model Kit.

If you've ever put together a model flying rocket, you will enjoy building this model as it is fairly standard and not complex.  I'm hesitant to say it is easy for readers who've never built a rocket before.  

Some white glue and epoxy are all that is needed for assembly.  The model can be built with only 1-2 hours assembly time, not including the amount of time needed for the glue to dry and cure.  The instructions are only 13 steps and about as easy as it gets for these types of things.  The only tricky part is wrapping the main body sticker around the entire tube which requires two people in order to help prevent bubbles or wrinkles.

The model is a fairly accurate representation of the real rocket and can even be used for display.  If your intention was for display only, then assembly is much easier:  just two stickers and you're done!

I am particularly proud this is a product of the USA.  

As I sit here looking at mine, I am so pleased with how it looks that I've decided not to fly it.  It's nice to have what feels like a piece of history in the making, and for now, the flight has been cancelled.

Spacemusic Recommendation

Want to spice up your space vibe with some tribal beats?  Open Pandora and create a station based on the song "Big Medicine" by Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf.

Falcon 9 Hanger has been Relocated

SpaceX has recently relocated their Falcon 9 hanger into my kitchen.

Easy Way to be a Space Advocate

Want to know a super fun and easy way to be an advocate for space exploration?  It's not as hard as you might think.  All you need to do is figure out when the International Space Station is flying over your area, then go outside and find someone like a neighbor or just a random person walking down the sidewalk, point to the sky and say, "Hey check it out, that's the space station right there".

You'll be delighted at their reaction...  "Really?  That's incredible!", "Oh wow, it's flying right over us, I can't believe it!", "It's so bright, look how fast it's moving.  Thank you for showing me that."

It happens every time.  And you will have planted a seed.  It will be a memorable experience for them, and you've just made a supporter of space exploration, probably more as they will go on to show others.

It's as easy as that.

The simplest way to find the ISS is to subscribe to it on Twitter. you'll get notices the day it will be above you.  Or you can plan ahead at spaceweather.com.

Now go out there and amaze people.  Best of all, doing it will make you feel good too.  Try it!

First GRAIL Spacecraft in Orbit

It was fun to watch the successful entry of GRAIL-A spacecraft to lunar orbit "live" on Eyes on the Solar System.  If that sounds like a rockin' New Year's Eve but you missed it, don't worry you'll get another chance tomorrow as GRAIL-B unites.

SpaceX Model Rocket

The SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon flying model rockets are back in stock!  I was disappointed last week when I went to buy one only to find they were all gone.  When I saw the tweet about more in stock, I did not hesitate.

I plan to do a full review when it arrives, but for now I'm excited to have purchased a flying model based on the new, up and coming commercial space industry.  And the best part is, this is a Made in the U.S.A. product!  How often do we get to do that these days?  I buy USA whenever I get the chance, do you hear that manufacturers?

The kit looks like a snap to build and even suitable for display.  More details to come...