Visiting Orlando’s Theme Parks? Take a Side Trip To Natural Wonders Of Florida’s Springs

Visiting Orlando’s Theme Parks? Take a Side Trip To Natural Wonders Of Florida’s Springs

August 1, 2024Posted inFlorida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida, Travel
Three Sisters Spring
Photo: Three Sisters Spring website

When one thinks of Florida, images of sun-soaked beaches and theme parks often come to mind. However, nestled within the state’s lush landscapes are a series of natural wonders that offer a refreshing escape from the bustling city life. Florida’s springs, with their crystal-clear waters and serene environments, provide a perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Located just a short drive from Orlando, these springs promise a rejuvenating experience. Here’s a guide to some of the most captivating springs you can visit, each with its own unique charm.

SpaceX’s Booster Failure Highlights Need For “Dissimilar Redundancy”

SpaceX’s Booster Failure Highlights Need For “Dissimilar Redundancy”

July 13, 2024Posted inBoeing, Editorials and Opinions, Space News, SpaceX
KSC's Pad 39A sits empty as uncertainty looms about the Falcon 9 launch schedule. Photo: Mark Stone-FMN
KSC’s Pad 39A sits empty as uncertainty looms about the Falcon 9 launch schedule following a booster failure on July 11, 2024. Falcon 9 boosters have been grounded by the FAA pending investigation. Photo: Mark Stone-FMN

The Commercial Crew Program – All About Redundancy

SpaceX’s second-stage failure on their venerable Falcon 9 booster Thursday demonstrates exactly why NASA wants dissimilar redundancy for crewed flights. The idea is simple: if one launch provider is grounded for a technical issue or a launch failure investigation, the other can take up the slack. The duopoly of crewed launch providers is meant to assure the nation of continuous access to orbit while launching from American soil.

NASA Astronauts Continue Critical Starliner Tests

NASA Astronauts Continue Critical Starliner Tests

June 11, 2024Posted inBoeing, NASA, Space News, Starliner
Starliner docking to ISS Image: Boeing
Starliner docking to ISS Image: Boeing

June 11, 2024 – Orbiting Earth as part of the nine-person crew of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are actively engaged in testing Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission marks Starliner’s first flight with astronauts and is a critical step in the data collection process for NASA certification, aiming to establish regular crewed missions to the orbital complex.

FHSAA Approves Student Athlete Pay Rules

June 4, 2024Posted inFlorida Sports
Photo: News Service Of Florida

This article is reprinted by permission from The News Service Of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday opened the door for student-athletes to earn money from business agreements such as endorsement deals, with the organization’s president calling the move a “good starting point.”

NASA Announces New Starliner Launch Date

NASA Announces New Starliner Launch Date

May 22, 2024Posted inNASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

In a media release this evening, NASA announced June 1st at 12:25 PM as the next targeted date for a Starliner launch attempt.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
 

Mission managers from NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) continue to evaluate a path forward toward launching the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. The teams are now working toward a launch opportunity at 12:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1, with additional opportunities on Sunday, June 2, Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6.

Florida Off the Beaten Path – Silver Springs State Park

May 14, 2024Posted inFlorida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
One of Silver Springs' world famous glass-bottom boats leaves the dock for a tour. Photo: Florida State Parks
One of Silver Springs’ world-famous glass-bottom boats leaves the dock for a tour. Photo: Florida State Parks

Nestled just east of Ocala, this park is a hidden gem filled with natural beauty and myriad activities that make it a perfect getaway from the usual tourist spots. Many list Silver Springs among the most beautiful springs in the entire State of Florida. If you like places “off the beaten path”, you’ll absolutely love it, so let’s dive into all the details.

Want To Get Off “The Beaten Path”? Consider These Florida Beaches

Want To Get Off “The Beaten Path”? Consider These Florida Beaches

May 13, 2024Posted inFlorida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
Florida offers some beautiful secluded beaches for those who want to “get away from it all”. Photo: Florida State Parks

Florida boasts numerous serene and secluded beaches away from the typical tourist spots. If you want a memorable getaway, consider these five uncrowded beaches in Florida that offer tranquility and beautiful surroundings:

Kennedy Space Center Looks Toward The New Space Economy

Kennedy Space Center Looks Toward The New Space Economy

April 15, 2024Posted inSpace News
Tom Engler, the Director of Center Planning and Development at KSC addressed Florida Tax Watch at their 2024 meeting last week, envisioning up to 300 launches per year from KSC in the near future. Photo: Florida Tax Watch
Tom Engler, the Director of Center Planning and Development at KSC addressed Florida Tax Watch at their 2024 meeting last week, envisioning up to 300 launches per year from KSC in the near future. Photo: Florida Tax Watch

In the new era of both public and private spaceflight, Florida’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) continues to serve as a major launchpad for America’s ambitions in space. Tom Engler, the Director of Center Planning and Development at KSC, recently highlighted the growing synergy between the federal government, private space ventures, and military advancements in space travel during a speech at the 2024 Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting held last week in in Winter Park.

NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara and International Crew Return to Earth

NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara and International Crew Return to Earth

April 7, 2024Posted inISS, NASA, Space News
The MS-24 Soyuz capsule returns to Earth on April 6, 2024. Astronaut Loral O'Hara and two cosmonauts were in good health.
The MS-24 Soyuz capsule returns to Earth on April 6, 2024. The three crew members were all reported as being in good health (Image credit: NASA/Roscosmos)

In the quiet, expansive steppe of Kazakhstan, southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan, Expedition 70 to the ISS officially ended. NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy and spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya from Belarus, concluded their space mission with a parachute-assisted landing in the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft at 3:17 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 6 (12:17 p.m. Kazakhstan time).

SpaceX and NASA Prepare for Next Resupply Mission to ISS from Cape Canaveral

March 20, 2024Posted inNASA, Space News, SpaceX
Cargo Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9.
A Cargo Dragon sits atop a Falcon 9 booster. Image: SpaceX

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – SpaceX, in collaboration with NASA, is gearing up for its 30th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket, carrying an uncrewed SpaceX Cargo Dragon, is slated for Thursday, March 21, at 4:55 p.m. EDT.