Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

Space Debris Lands In Poland, Probably SpaceX Starlink 11-4 Second Stage

February 19, 2025Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX
Re-entry path posted by Dr. Jonathon McDowell on X.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2025

The second stage from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 used to launch Starlink 11-4 from Vandenberg on February 1st has apparently re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, with parts of the spacecraft’s debris reaching the ground in Poland. Initially entering over the Irish Sea, the reentering body broke apart, and the debris path of the spacecraft continued over the UK, western European countries including Poland and Ukraine.

Parts of the rocket body, including a suspected pressure vessel, were found near Poznan, Poland today, prompting local investigations into the incident and public safety concerns.

At the time of this writing, SpaceX has not confirmed that the debris is theirs, but according to the FAA, the company is investigating the matter.

Diving with manatees

Swim With Manatees in Crystal River

February 19, 2025Posted inFlorida Travel, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
Snorkeling with Florida or West Indian manatee, Crystal River, Florida

From the “Things to Do in Florida” department – Crystal River, Florida, is known as one of the best places in the world to experience an up-close encounter with the gentle giants of the sea—manatees. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this charming coastal town to witness the slow-moving, curious creatures that have captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts and marine conservationists alike. As the only place in the United States where it is legal to interact with manatees in the water, Crystal River offers a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience, and one suited for the whole family.

Canadian Man Charged For Photographing Sensitive Cape Canaveral Installations With His Drone

Canadian Man Charged For Photographing Sensitive Cape Canaveral Installations With His Drone

February 14, 2025Posted inAviation, Florida News
A typical user grade drone is capable of high resolution video and photography. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN
A typical user grade drone is capable of high resolution video and photography. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced yesterday the filing of a criminal information (indictment) charging 71-year-old Canadian citizen Xiao Guang Pan with three counts of using an unmanned aircraft to photograph vital defense installations and equipment without authorization.

Booster B1067. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Booster B1067 Poised to Surpass Its Own Record in Upcoming Launch 

February 14, 2025Posted inFalcon 9, SpaceX
Booster B1067 being towed back into Port Canaveral after completing its 25th landing. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Cape Canaveral, Florida — SpaceX is on the brink of setting a new milestone in spaceflight reusability with its Falcon 9 booster B1067 scheduled to launch for the 26th time on February 15, 2025, during the Starlink Group 12-8 mission. This mission, taking off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, will further demonstrate SpaceX’s commitment to a sustainable present in space through reliable reuse of its booster fleet. 

Uncertainty Looms For NASA As DOGE Heads Their Way

Uncertainty Looms For NASA As DOGE Heads Their Way

February 13, 2025Posted inFlorida News, NASA, Space News
NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro Photo: Cory Huston/NASA
NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro Photo: Cory Huston/NASA

NASA is preparing for an evaluation by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal oversight body led by Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro confirmed this development during a recent space industry conference in Washington, D.C., stating, “We are going to have DOGE come. They’re going to look—similarly to what they’ve done at other agencies—at our payments and what money has gone out.” Already deep in the Artemis Program, NASA has a lot on the line.

Blue Origin Slashes 1400 Jobs To Focus On Launch Operations

Blue Origin Slashes 1400 Jobs To Focus On Launch Operations

February 13, 2025Posted inBlue Origin, Florida News, Space News
Blue Origin manufacturing facility located in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image by Mark Stone | FMN

February 13, 2025 – Blue Origin, the commercial space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is preparing for significant layoffs as part of a strategic pivot aimed at reducing R&D costs and focusing on ramping up rocket launches. The announcement comes after years of extensive research and development, with the company now looking to streamline operations.

Crew-10 Launch Fast-Tracked, Crew-9 Return Set to Follow

Crew-10 Launch Fast-Tracked, Crew-9 Return Set to Follow

February 12, 2025Posted inCrewed, Florida News, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, Starliner, Things to Do and See in Florida
The official portrait of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 members with (from left) Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos; Pilot Nichole Ayers and Commander Anne McClain, both NASA astronauts; and Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Photo credit: NASA/Bill Stafford/Helen Arase Vargas
The official portrait of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 members with (from left) Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos; Pilot Nichole Ayers and Commander Anne McClain, both NASA astronauts; and Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Photo credit: NASA/Bill Stafford/Helen Arase Vargas

In a news release Tuesday, NASA and SpaceX announced they are moving forward with adjusted launch and return timelines for the upcoming crew rotation missions to and from the International Space Station (ISS).

In Defense of The Teflon Don: Donald Trump, The Presidential GOAT 

In Defense of The Teflon Don: Donald Trump, The Presidential GOAT 

February 11, 2025Posted inEditorials and Opinions
47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Credit: White House official presidential portrait
47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Credit: White House official presidential portrait

In the annals of American history, few figures have been as resilient, as contentious, and as indomitable as Donald J. Trump, the man I now referred to as the “Teflon Don” and the “Presidential GOAT” (Greatest of All Time). His journey to reclaim the presidency was nothing short of a modern-day odyssey, replete with lawsuits, allegations, and the kind of scrutiny that would have crushed lesser mortals.