Behind the scenes at NASA: This is what it takes to supply a space station

By Molly McHugh Published September 17, 2013

Today we had the chance to hang out with the NASA Social team as the crew at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia prepare for tomorrow’s launch of the Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft, which are carrying supplies to the International Space Station. Check out some of what we saw behind the scenes as they prep for the big event.

1. There’s Cygnus – in all her glory.

2. Approaching the Horizontal Integration Facility, which houses Cygnus.

3. Hello, Cygnus. Or part of it…

4. An ant’s view of the warehouse.

5. One of the engines.

6. Tomorrow, weather permitting, these pieces will be on their way to the ISS. (Or… at least some of them will; others will break away and be destroyed by the atmosphere on their fall to earth. One percent is expected to fall into the ocean near New Zealand.)

7. You know those little packets of capsules in your shoeboxes? These are those… for rockets.

8. Our group approaching Antares, in all her glory.

9. These tanks hold NASA approved-air for the ISS. Yes, really.

Former Social Media/Web Editor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Smart Home

Keep it secret, keep it safe: 8 homes with hidden rooms and passages

homes with secret passages wine cellar hidden 1

A home can be more than meets the eye. If you look behind a bookcase, under a trap door, or down an obscure staircase, there may be more property lurking. Secret rooms and passages that may have been a part of the house from the very beginning or savvy additions added later on by inspired homeowners.

From underground wine cellars to Batcave-like garages, homeowners are designing living spaces with plenty of concealed nooks and crannies to ensure a quick getaway -- or perhaps to simply take their home to the next level. Below are some of the more innovative hidden spaces from around the globe.
Rainbow House -- London

Smart Home

The best tiny houses of 2019

The tiny house movement has gone global and these are the best in the world.

Sure, the trappings of modern life are lovely, but what if you’re tired of all the work and money required to maintain a regular home? More people are shrinking their footprint and moving into tiny houses that manage to provide all the comforts of home, despite being a few hundred square feet or less.

Think you’re ready to take the plunge and live in a tiny house? We have all the inspiration you need right here.
Brick House 1908 (San Francisco, CA)

Smart Home

10 extravagant holiday light displays that even Tim Taylor would envy

best holiday light displays lighting festival

Everyone knows that there are two ways to truly embody the spirit of Christmas. First, spend tons of money on expensive electronic gifts so that everyone knows you're the cool uncle in the family. Second, erect a glorious light display that shoots your electric bill into the stratosphere, threatens to burn down your entire block, and prevents your next-door neighbors from sleeping for the entire month of December (that's what curtains are for, Steve!).

Unfortunately, we know that most people can't take three weeks off to construct a scale replica of the nativity scene covered in so many flashing bulbs that it looks like baby Jesus is breathing technicolor flames. Luckily, we traveled far and wide (on the internet) to find some of the world's most extravagant Christmas light displays, for your entertainment. These courageous souls braved icy weather, annoyed in-laws, and potential alien attacks to create enormous works of art that are likely to blind Santa's reindeer and send him straight into a snowdrift.
Holiday Garden Tours -- Barnsley Resort, Adairsville, GA