Friday, November 28, 2014

Watch Live Video From The ISS International Space Station

You can watch a live video feed of the International Space Station!

See what the station is currently flying over with this live video feed. 

 

Watch the ISS live feed here

 


***QUICK NOTES ABOUT HDEV VIDEO***

Black Image = International Space Station (ISS) is on the night side of the Earth.

No Audio = Normal. There is no audio by design. Add your own soundtrack.

For a display of the real time ISS location plus the HDEV imagery, visit here: http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/HDEV/

The High Definition Earth Viewing (HDEV) experiment aboard the ISS was activated April 30, 2014. It is mounted on the External Payload Facility of the European Space Agency’s Columbus module. This experiment includes several commercial HD video cameras aimed at the earth which are enclosed in a pressurized and temperature controlled housing. Video from these cameras is transmitted back to earth and also streamed live on this channel. While the experiment is operational, views will typically sequence though the different cameras. Between camera switches, a gray and then black color slate will briefly appear. Since the ISS is in darkness during part of each orbit, the images will be dark at those times. During periods of loss of signal with the ground or when HDEV is not operating, a gray color slate or previously recorded video may be seen.
Analysis of this experiment will be conducted to assess the effects of the space environment on the equipment and video quality which may help decisions about cameras for future missions. High school students helped with the design of some of the HDEV components through the High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) program. Student teams will also help operate the experiment. To learn more about the HDEV experiment, visit here: 

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/917.html

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Red Rocket Hobbies 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Video Tour

Red Rocket Hobbies has released our annual video gift guide tour! 

See what's hot this Holiday Season!

 

 
 
Here is a direct link to our Holiday Gift Guide. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Red Rocket Hobbies!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Upset Birds Storm RC Plane!

Furious Hawks Everywhere Swoop Down on RC plane GWS Tiger Moth

Restricted area enforced by birds! 

 

 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Blade 350 QX3 Aerial Photography Quad Copter - New Product Announcement

Blade releases the all new Blade 350 QX3 with exciting new Cgo2 camera!

 You can order your Blade 350 QX3 Now at Red Rocket Hobbies


If you’re looking for an easy way to jump into the exciting world of RC camera drones, the Blade® 350 QX3 AP Combo has everything you need in one box.
SAFE® Technology Makes You Look Like a Pro
What makes the Blade 350 QX3 such a great camera platform? Advanced SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology. Using this technology, the Blade 350 QX3 gives you two flight modes that have been specially programmed for capturing aerial video and images. Both feature self-leveling and use GPS and altitude sensors to precisely hold position in a hover. SAFE technology will even land the aircraft for you if you activate the Return Home function.

  • Smart Mode
    Perfect for first-time drone flyers. In Smart Mode, the 350 QX3 will always fly in whatever direction the control stick is pushed. This is called Stick Relativity. It doesn’t matter which way the nose is pointed. If you move the control stick to the right, even if the aircraft is spinning, it will fly to the right. Smart Mode also creates a SAFE Circle™ barrier that prevents the aircraft from flying too close to the pilot. 

  • AP (Aerial Photography) Mode
    For more experienced drone pilots. In this mode, the Blade 350 QX3 responds to control inputs like a conventional RC aircraft without Stick Relativity. It also gives the pilot more control authority by turning off the SAFE Circle and allowing steeper bank and pitch angles. This makes it possible to get faster panning and tracking shots when you’re shooting high-energy, action video. 

  • Return Home
    This safety feature can be activated at any time with the flip of a switch. When activated, the Blade 350 QX3 will automatically fly itself back to the place its motors were first started and land without any help from the pilot. It’s great for first-time flyers who aren’t quite ready to land the aircraft themselves. It’s also handy if you temporarily lose sight of your 350 QX3 while chasing down the perfect shot. Just activate Return Home until you regain visual contact and then turn it off to resume control. If for whatever reason the transmitter signal is lost, Return Home will take over and fly the 350 QX3 back to you until it lands or the signal is restored. 

Intuitive Programming Interface
The free PC programming interface makes monitoring systems, adjusting settings and calibrating sensors as easy as point and click. It features four screens.
  • Sensor Information Screen
    • See status of all sensors and speed controls at a glance
    • Check battery voltage and accelerometer operation
  • Calibration Screen
    • One-click calibration of accelerometers and camera gimbal
    • Instructions for calibrating compass sensor and DX4 transmitter
    • Adjust geo-referenced flight boundaries
  • GPS Screen
    • See number of available satellites and signal strength
    • Verify latitude, longitude and altitude indications
    • Verify GPS accuracy
  • Device Information Screen
    • See programming software version
    • See quad firmware version and vehicle ID
    • Update firmware
Adjustable Flight Boundaries

As an added safety feature, the Blade 350 QX3 operates within geo-referenced flight boundaries that you define. Out of the box, its boundaries are set at 100 meters from and 50 meters above the point where the motors were started. You can adjust these boundaries using the programming interface.

Distance Boundary Range
20 m (Approx. 65 ft) out to 2500 m (Approx. 1 ½ miles)
Height Boundary Range
20 m (Approx. 65 ft.) up to 1000 m (Approx. 3,280 ft.)



Blade CGO2 GB 3-Axis Stabilized Camera
The included CGO2 GB combines a 16 megapixel, 1080p/60 camera and a 3-axis brushless gimbal into a single unit that captures smooth, steady aerial video and still images in brilliant detail. It also features a built-in 5.8GHz Wi-Fi link that lets you control the camera and see live streaming video using a compatible iOS or Android mobile device. All you need is the free CGO2 app, available at Google Play and iTunes app stores.
A Gimbal Control switch on the included DX4 transmitter lets you use the throttle stick to tilt the CGO2 GB camera up or down. You can use this control to make quick adjustments in flight or larger adjustments on the ground with the motors off. If you switch to Gimbal Control in flight, the 350 QX3 will suspend throttle control for 5-seconds and hold altitude while you make your adjustment. After 5-seconds throttle control will return to the throttle stick. If you need to make further adjustments in flight, simply cycle the switch from Aircraft Control to Gimbal Control again.
You can also engage Gimbal Control on the ground with the motors off. With the motors off, there is no time limit on Gimbal Control. This is a great way to make large camera tilt adjustments and test the Gimbal Control function before you fly.

Includes an Easy-to-Use DX4 Transmitter
The included DX4 is a full-range transmitter that uses the same Spektrum™ DSMX® 2.4GHz technology preferred by RC experts the world over. This advanced signal processing technology provides superb range and interference protection, especially in ‘noisy’ environments where a lot of 2.4GHz systems are in use at the same time.
The DX4 also features spring-loaded control sticks that make the Blade 350 QX3 incredibly easy to fly. For instance, when using the throttle stick, instead of having to hunt for the right power setting when entering a hover, just climb or descend to the altitude you want and let go of the stick. The 350 QX3 will automatically hold altitude when the throttle stick snaps back to neutral. The same goes for the other controls. Once you have the aircraft where you want it, just let go of the sticks. With the sticks at neutral, SAFE technology will stabilize the 350 QX3 and hold position until you are ready to fly somewhere else.

Includes Flight Battery and Charger
Along with the transmitter, the 350 QX3 AP Combo includes a long lasting 3000mAh Li-Po flight battery and a DC Li-Po charger with an AC adapter. Extra flight batteries are available so you can enjoy more flying time between charges. Just ask for EFLB30003S30.
Features
  • Captures smooth, steady aerial video in brilliant high definition
  • Includes everything in one box
  • Easy to fly – no experience necessary
  • 10 - 15 minute flight times
  • Mast-mounted GPS antenna for improved GPS performance
  • 5.8GHz Wi-Fi link for compatible iOS and Android devices
  • Advanced SAFE® (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology
  • Smart Flight Mode – SAFE Circle™ barrier, stick relative control response and GPS/Altitude hold
  • AP Flight Mode – faster panning and tracking response with GPS/Altitude hold
  • Return Home function – aircraft returns to start up point and lands on its own
  • Blade® CGO2 GB 16MP 1080p/60 camera with integrated 3-axis brushless gimbal
  • Micro SD card for camera
  • Micro USB to USB data transfer cable
  • E-flite® 3S 3000mAh 11.1V 30C Li-Po Flight Battery
  • E-flite DC Li-Po battery charger with AC adapter
  • Spektrum™ DX4 transmitter with mobile device mount
  • Four AA transmitter batteries

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veteran's Day 2014!

Red Rocket Hobbies would like to thank all of our Veterans out there! Thank you for your service to our Country and God Bless!

Veterans Day Message

As Written by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Every year, we set aside Veterans Day to honor all the men and women who’ve served our country in uniform.  We celebrate veterans from generations past.  We welcome a new generation of veterans home from war.  And we thank our future veterans, still serving at home and abroad.


They are securing our nation through their engagement across the globe.  Some are in West Africa, contributing to the global effort to stop the spread of Ebola.  Some are in the Middle East, working closely with our coalition partners in the fight against ISIL.  And some are in Afghanistan, where next month the United States will responsibly end the longest war in our history.

For our troops serving around the world today, and those transitioning out of the military, our obligations are only beginning.  Taking care of them, and their families, is a sacred responsibility we must always uphold.

Let’s celebrate them by telling their stories.  Let’s help those who need it, while supporting their strength and resilience.  And let’s honor our veterans by creating new opportunities for them to contribute after their service, so they can continue making a difference in the world.


To all our veterans – thank you.  Thank you for everything you’ve done for our country.  You’re among the best our nation has to offer.  God bless you and your families, and happy Veterans Day.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014