Yuma CAP Squadron 508 Aerospace Education Blog: May 2018

Loose screws and washers discovered under James E. Webb space telescope while it is being prepared for more tests-further launch delays to be determined.

Video about Mars satellite Insight

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-mars-insight-launch-20180504-story.html

United Launch Alliance chooses Aerojet engine for Centaur upper stage of Atlas-Centaur over Blue Origin alternative

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-united-launch-alliance-rocket-aerodyne-vulcan-20180511-story.html

Space telescope sends back spectacular image of galaxy on edge

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/f96049c0-52f0-3968-8401-b0e201749ec6/ss_hubble-telescope-image-of-the.html

Kilauea volcano ash cloud seen from space

https://www.yahoo.com/news/astronaut-saw-hawaii-apos-kilauea-165940559.html

NASA planning to include drone operations on Mars 2020 lander mission

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/12/us/mars-helicopter/index.html

***Life as a mother and aerial photographer

https://www.flyingmag.com/video-moms-blend-aviation-career-and-life?enews051718

New helicopter for the Marine Corps will probably be seen in Yuma next year

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/video/u-marines-just-got-powerful-165200124.html

***How the GMT mirrors are being made-video

https://mashable.com/2018/04/27/giant-magellan-telescope-construction-mirrors/?utm_campaign=Mash-BD-Synd-Yahoo-Science-Full&utm_cid=Mash-BD-Synd-Yahoo-Science-Full#sNaaakDrYiqQ

***TESS satellite sends first images back to earth before it goes to work on its real task of locating new exoplanets

https://www.yahoo.com/news/first-photo-nasa-apos-planet-180107328.html

***Folding wingtips for Boeing 777X. Don’t look for aircraft carrier landings though

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-apos-folding-wingtips-faa-002300155.html

Using the bathroom on the ISS-It is not 5 star hotel worthy.

http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/how-you-go-to-bathroom-space-nasa-astronaut-2018-5-1025399736

***Challenger disaster reconstruction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y37aRSn7Uw

Reenactment of the Challenger investigation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9LSerNokJk

Commercial passenger to edge of space is near

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/watch-virgin-galactic-second-powered-070036736.html

Colorful remnants of neutron star seen in different wavelengths

https://scitechdaily.com/chandra-reveals-a-special-kind-of-neutron-star-for-the-first-time/

Friday, May 25, 2018

Yuma Control Tower Tour

CAP Squadron 508 senior and cadet members tour the Yuma control tower facility

MCAS Yuma Control Tower

Four cadets and four senior members from CAP Squadron 508 were treated to a guided tour of the approach control and control tower buildings at the MCAS Yuma airport. Our tour started in the approach control facility. This is where high and low controllers guide aircraft ranging from the smallest experimental types to commercial jet and military traffic into MCAS Yuma airspace. We were introduced to the function of the radar scopes and their flexibility in dealing with various aircraft operations. The training of new controllers and supervision of the various air traffic control stations was explained. We saw how controllers use aircraft clearance strips to maintain their situational awareness and help separate air traffic in the Yuma airspace. Surprisingly, even in this day of computerization, these strips are still vital tools used to help control participating VFR and IFR traffic. A special treat was the demonstration of the Precision Approach Radar (PAR.) After this visit, several of the pilots in attendance will no doubt go out and request a PAR approach to exercise their aircraft control abilities and to provide practice for the controllers who may be asked for a PAR approach at any time. Finally, we learned a lot about the importance of communication and coordination among the various air traffic control facilities in our vicinity, including SoCal Approach, Los Angeles Center, and Albuquerque Center. But there was more to our tour.

We took a short walkway to the west to enter the Yuma control tower. One cadet considered running up the stairwell but the rest of us were happy that an elevator took us most of the way up the tower that is over 150 feet high. Near the top a narrow stairway led to the upper level where the local controllers work. A panoramic vista opened up to us as we climbed the final steps. The layout of the work space was similar to the radar facility. Sitting in the center of the hub was the supervisor. Various positions were placed around the perimeter including ground control, tower, and liaison controllers who coordinate with the radar controllers in the nearby building. We were cautioned to avoid distracting controllers who were working in what was a frankly crowded space. Outside, on the catwalk, we discovered who among us had fear of heights. It takes a while to get used to this unusual perspective. The view on this startlingly clear day was magnificent. A Kestrel falcon cruised by to put an exclamation point on our visit. It turns out that a tower tour is a memorable event.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the military staff and tower personnel who contributed to such a great event for our cadets and senior members.

Friday, May 18, 2018

Alice Byrne Rocket Launch 2018

CAP Squadron 508 Cadets Assist Alice Byrne Elementary School Rocket Launch Event May 17-18, 2018

Each day arrived with cloudless skies and light but variable winds out of the west. Alice Byrne fourth grade students arrived by bus at Contreras Field (a radio controlled airport facility operated by Yuma Aeromodelers) with brightly painted rockets ready for launch. Cadets from the Yuma 508 CAP composite squadron had prepped the field for rocket launch activities by setting up launch towers, launch controllers, safety equipment, and tables. Cadet master sergeant Burkart delivered masterful safety briefings as students listened with rapt attention.

We always have a safety briefing before an activity

Students listen closely

Teachers helped too

The fourth graders filed onto the field in pairs to launch their rockets. Their first task was to slip the rocket securely onto the launch tower. Next, the delicate step of clamping the two alligator clips over thin igniter wires was completed.

Alligator clips bite

Prepping for launch

Detailed instructions were then provided by cadets about the operation of the launch controllers. Safety keys were inserted after the launch range safely cleared.

One-on-one teaching

Getting ready for launch, insert safety key

Rockets poised for ignition

Students on the sidelines loudly counted down from five in traditional fashion for the launches. With a puff of smoke and a streak of flame each rocket shot skyward. When all went well, chutes deployed and rockets drifted gently back to earth to be recovered by racing CAP cadets.

Charge deploys the parachute at altitude

Graceful over-the-shoulder recovery

Racing for the catch; hazy desert backdrop

We witnessed a few exceptions in which rockets and parachutes separated in midair and flew separately back to earth.

Over the two days, there were no injuries. Over 60 rockets were launched safely. A good time was had by all. Families that attended had the opportunity to capture images of their budding rocket scientists at work. Everyone at squadron 508 hopes that we were able to stimulate wonder in the students about science and technology. Sergeant Dickerson and I want to thank the CAP cadets who took time off from their own studies to help make the event a success. We hope to assist in this event again next year.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Aerospace Education Agenda for May 23, 2018

Aerospace Education Agenda May 23, 2018 Yuma Squadron 508

1845 Announcements

Cadet Participation in AE meetings

CP Training

Remote Controlled Aircraft Plans

Model Rocketry Badge

Insight Project Video

1900 Astronomy Stem Kit Exercise #2-Starry Night: Software Tour of Spring Constellations

1925 Break

1930 Radio Telescope Video-The Birth of Radioastronomy

2000 Break

2005 Counter Drug Talk-Nasty Nicotine-Squadron Medical Officer

2025 Adjourn

Friday, May 4, 2018

April-May Cybersecurity Links

Cybersecurity Links April- May 2018

DDoS attack

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/world-largest-ddos-attack-took-080734495.html

Attack targets Cisco switches. Administrators slow to install software patches

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/global-cyberattack-targets-200-000-203300162.html

Additional information that Russian based hackers have been attacking networks world-wide for months

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/us-uk-warn-russia-hacking-181700711.html

Ransomware attacks cause Atlanta millions

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/atlanta-spends-more-2-million-202000413.html

The challenges of Cybersecurity in the healthcare industry

http://www.himss.org/news/through-looking-glass-what-s-happening-now-and-future-cybersecurity.

DDos Attack on Tennessee election reporting web site is worrisome. Administrators say vote count was not affected.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/cyberattack-knocked-tennessee-county-apos-175702356.html

May 2018 CyberPatriot Update

May Team 508 CyberPatriot Training Information

The next CyberPatrior training class will be Fri. May 11^th at 1930-2100 at the CAP Hangar Topics will be Types of Hacking and Malware.

Expect the 2^nd May session to be on May 25, also a Friday. We will do this after the Yuma tower tour.

Expect to meet for first Practice Round on Saturday morning June 2^nd. This should take about 3 hours.