Things are looking a little more modern at NASA's Kennedy Space Center these days. Not only is the agency test launching the new spacecraft Orion, but it also has a shiny new countdown clock for the occasion.
As Orion ushers in a new age of space exploration for the agency, so does the new digital countdown clock, which replaces the old analog countdown clock we've seen since the first Apollo mission.
The new countdown clock looks similar to its predecessor, but it comes loaded with modern technology. Instead of just a simple countdown, it boasts a digital display that can broadcast scenes from launches, as well as the numbers related to a launch's countdown.
"I think this is an upgrade that will really surprise news media with how much more information they will get to see while they are outside to watch the launch," says George Diller, a NASA Public Affairs officer. "It's really neat to be able to see the launch pad up close on the monitor while still experiencing the magic of seeing the countdown and then the rocket rise above the tree line."
The new 7-foot-tall display, which is LED, can broadcast footage, as well as pre-launch programs. If there's a delay in the countdown, which happens often, the display will let observers know why. The clock, which cost $280,000, features a video resolution of 1280 x 360.
The new clock comes at a time when NASA is modernizing not just its facilities, but its space exploration goals. The test launch of Orion signals a new era of space exploration as the vehicle will eventually carry humans into deep space, making it the first of its kind. Orion is part of NASA's mission to get humans to Mars by the 2020s.
"We've been refurbishing our structures and facilities here for more than three years and I think this new countdown display is symbolic of the way we can meet the demands of the future using modern technology without losing sight of our landmark accomplishments," says Bob Cabana, director of Kennedy Space Center.
Don't worry, though. The old clock, which still inspires nostalgia in visitors, will get a new home at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
The old clock became as much a spectacle of watching a launch event as the launch itself. Visitors often took photos of themselves with the clock, proving that they were present at iconic events. The clock also survived massive damage after three hurricanes rocked Florida in 2004.
[Photo Credit: NASA]
