NG-2 Encapsulation

Blue Origin Set to Launch Second New Glenn Rocket on November 9

Blue Origin NG-2 Hotfire test
Blue Origin’s second New Glenn rocket underwent a hotfire test earlier this week. Photo: Blue Origin

All eyes will be on Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday November 9, 2025.  Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy lift rocket will attempt to successfully launch NASA’s ESCAPADE mission (NG-2) to an orbit around Mars.

SpaceX Is Not the Only Game in Town

SpaceX seems to be cornering most of the media attention these days regarding keeping the the International Space Station (ISS) going with supplies and astronauts.  However, they are not the only game in town. 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off on the NG-23 resupply mission to the ISS. This was the first mission for the Cygnus XL Cargo module. Photo: Eric Pearce/FMN
A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off on the NG-23 resupply mission to the ISS. This was the first mission for the Cygnus XL Cargo module. Photo: Eric Pearce/FMN

NROL-69 Launch … Who Is The NRO Anyway?

Certain aspects of today’s launch of NROL-69 from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station were well understood … the name of the payload (NROL-69 aka Hummingbird), the launch time, the Falcon 9 booster, the launch site – Launch Complex 40. But many other aspects that the geekier side of us wants to know … the eventual positioning of the spacecraft, spacecraft dimensions and mass, the purpose of the spacecraft, orbit, design life, etc. aren’t available. Here’s why –

The classified NROL-69 mission launched from KSC this afternoon on a SpaceX Falcon 9. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
The classified NROL-69 mission launched from KSC this afternoon on a SpaceX Falcon 9. Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Crew 10 Rises To Orbit, On Its Way To ISS

Crew 10 Rises To Orbit, On Its Way To ISS

It was a good day to have a good day here in Florida, and that’s exactly what NASA, SpaceX and Crew-10 had today at Kennedy Space Center. Falcon 9 lifted off carrying three astronauts and one cosmonaut towards orbit and the International Space Station just as the sun was starting to set in the west. Some seven and a half minutes later, SpaceX booster B1090 completed its duty for the day by landing at LZ-1 in Cape Canaveral, 8.8 miles south of LC-39A.

Latest CLPS Mission “Ghost Riders in the Sky” Headed for the Moon

Latest CLPS Mission “Ghost Riders in the Sky” Headed for the Moon

Ghost Riders in the Sky logo.  Photo credit:  Firefly Aerospace
Ghost Riders in the Sky logo.  Photo credit:  Firefly Aerospace

NASA’s latest Commercial Lunar Payload Program (CLPS) mission, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,”   developed by Firefly Aerospace (Cedar Park, TX), was successfully launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Centers’s Launch Complex 39A in the early morning hours of January 15, 2025. This spacecraft, named Blue Ghost, is the first of three planned  Ghost Riders spacecraft destined for lunar landings.

From Marstinis to Meteor Meatballs: Taste of Space is Florida’s Most Unique Foodie Festival

KSC Visitors Center Announces Taste of Space 2024. Credit KSCVC Video
KSC Visitors Center Announces Taste of Space 2024. Credit KSCVC Video

Calling all foodies!

For Florida residents and visitors who enjoy sampling fine and unusual cuisine at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, there’s another similar theme park venue that beats many of the Disney offerings, and at a lower admission price.   It’s the annual Taste of Space coming up at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex!  This year there are five distinct culinary opportunities available, all located amidst exclusive and intriguing space-related exhibits, attractions, and yes, real live astronauts (not animatronics).

NASA Reveals Details on Upcoming Starliner Return from ISS

NASA Reveals Details on Upcoming Starliner Return from ISS

In anticipation of what will now be the uncrewed return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA held a pre-departure briefing on Wednesday, September 4, from its Johnson Space Center in Houston. The briefing featured Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Dana Weigel, manager of the ISS at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and ISS Flight Director Anthony Vareha. The officials shared critical updates and a refined timeline for Starliner’s return mission to Earth, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 6.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side!

Drive through Safari Photo: Wild Florida
Drive through Safari Photo: Wild Florida

We at FMN are always looking for something unique and fun to do, and this place fits the bill. Do you want to experience the excitement of a safari but don’t want to travel to Africa? Wild Florida may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Located in east central Florida’s Osceola County near Orlando, the Wild Florida park offers Drive Thru Safaris, Airboat Adventures, walking tours, a gator park, and much more.