Mark Stone

Starliner Ready to Try It Again

By Mark Stone FMN June 2, 2024NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

NASA Prepares for Third Attempt to Launch Boeing Crewed Flight Test

The Boeing Starliner sits atop an Atlas V booster minutes after Saturday's launch attempt was scrubbed. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN — The Boeing Starliner sits atop an Atlas V booster minutes after Saturday’s launch attempt was scrubbed. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission teams are gearing up for another Starliner launch attempt, currently scheduled for 10:52 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 5. With a faulty ground equipment power supply repaired, the launch will take place from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission, lasting approximately one week, will see NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft heading to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Starliner Is Going No Place Fast

By Mark Stone FMN June 1, 2024NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

The Boeing Starliner sits on the pad on Saturday, June, 1, 2024. The launch was scrubbed for the second time just minutes before liftoff. Photo: Richard Gallagher/FMN

The Boeing Starliner just can’t seem to get off of the pad. The much-publicized second launch attempt of CFT-100 was scrubbed on June 1st when a computer detected an anomaly with less than four minutes left in the countdown. The mission represents Starliner’s first crewed flight test.

What Exactly Is The Problem With Starliner?

By Mark Stone FMN May 22, 2024NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

Boeing's Starliner remains grounded. Photo: FMN/Mark Stone — Boeing’s Starliner remains grounded. Photo: FMN/Mark Stone

Less than a month ago, Starliner seemed like it was ready to go. With a launch date for the first crewed flight test set for May 6th, NASA officials expressed confidence that Starliner was “go for launch”. Following a Flight Readiness Review held just days before the May 6th launch date, NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said he was satisfied that the Readiness Review was thorough, and that Starliner, Atlas V and ISS were prepared properly for the test flight.

NASA, Boeing, and ULA Again Delay Boeing Crew Flight Test

By Mark Stone FMN May 17, 2024Space News, United Launch Alliance

*The Boeing Starliner sits on the pad atop an Atlas V Booster on the original launch date of May 6th. The launch has now been delayed until May 25th.* Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have announced yet another delay in the launch of the Boeing Crew Flight Test to allow additional time for comprehensive spacecraft closeout processes and “flight rationale assessments.” The launch, which aims to send NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS), is now targeted for no earlier than 3:09 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 25.

Valvetech Urges NASA to Stop Second Starliner Launch Attempt

By Mark Stone FMN May 9, 2024NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

This Story Was Updated at 4:38 PM On 5/9/24 to include a response from NASA.

Boeing's Starliner sits atop a ULA Atlas V hours before a scrubbed launch attempt on Monday, May 6, 2024. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN — Boeing’s Starliner sits atop a ULA Atlas V booster hours before a scrubbed launch attempt on Monday, May 6, 2024. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

“As a valued NASA partner and as valve experts, we strongly urge them not to attempt a second launch due to the risk of a disaster occurring on the launchpad”.
Valvetech President Erin Faville – Wednesday March 8th.

Discover the Magic of Central Florida: 20 Essential Attractions You Need to Visit

By Mark Stone FMN May 8, 2024Florida Wildlife, Theme Parks, Things to Do and See in Florida

From Tampa to the Space Coast, Central Florida offers an incredible array of attractions. There is something for everyone, ranging from theme parks to serene natural areas and educational museums. Here’s a detailed look at 20 attractions that make Central Florida a must-visit destination for all types of travelers.

Starliner Calypso Poised To Become NASA’s Second Certified Crew Vehicle Design

By Mark Stone FMN May 3, 2024NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

The Crew Access Arm enables the astronauts to board the spacecraft. Photo by United Launch Alliance

NASA’s Commercial Crew program will take a big step forward on Monday, May 6th with the launch of the Boeing Starliner Calypso’s Crewed Flight Test (CFT-100). Scheduled for a 10:34 PM EDT liftoff, Starliner Calypso will carry its first-ever crew to the ISS on an important test flight. (The spacecraft was named in honor of the research vessel Calypso, used by famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau from 1950-1996.)

Launchpad: A Florida County’s Plan to Train Tomorrow’s Space Industry Workers

By Mark Stone FMN April 30, 2024Space News

A Delta IV Heavy launches from United Launch Alliance's facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN — A Delta IV Heavy launches from United Launch Alliance’s facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Spring Hill, FL – As the commercial space industry in Florida continues its unprecedented growth, a sleepy Nature Coast county is not just watching the rockets soar; it’s preparing to leverage that growth.

SpaceX To Launch Critical Navigation Satellites Saturday Night

By Mark Stone FMN April 26, 2024Space News, SpaceX

Timing Suggests Possibility of Jellyfish Phenomenon

SpaceX is set to launch a pair of long-delayed navigation satellites tomorrow night (April 27) at 8:34PM from Pad 39A at KSC.

The satellites, FM25 and FM27, are being launched aboard a Falcon 9 booster as part of Europe’s MEO Galileo constellation. They will join 26 other satellites that began launching in 2011 to form part of a high-precision navigation system for the European Union.

US Watches Closely As China Launches Shenzhou-18 Mission

By Mark Stone FMN April 25, 2024Space News

Shenzouh 18 on the pad — A Chinese Long March 2F/G stands on its pad during prelaunch testing for the Shenzhou 18 mission. Photo: CNSA

JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER, China — In another step toward enhancing its space capabilities, China launched three astronauts to the Chinese Space Station aboard the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft on Thursday evening. The mission, part of China’s rapidly advancing space program, aims to reinforce its position in the global space race with ambitious plans including lunar expeditions.

Next Stop: ISS—Wilmore and Williams Prep for Starliner’s First Crewed Test Flight

By Mark Stone FMN April 24, 2024Aviation and Space News, NASA, Space News, United Launch Alliance

The official crew portrait for NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. Left is Suni Williams, who will serve as the pilot, and to the right is Barry “Butch” Wilmore, spacecraft commander. Photo credit: NASA

It’s getting real y’all. In less than two weeks, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will climb aboard the new Boeing Starliner crew capsule for a test flight that will carry them to the International Space Station for a 10-day stay. Launching no earlier than 10:34 PM EDT on May 6th, the flight represents the first crewed flight test of the Starliner.

Scales and Tailwinds: Alligator Mistakes Air Base for Swamp Resort

By Mark Stone FMN April 23, 2024Aviation, Florida News, Florida Wildlife

A large alligator rests near the landing gear of a KC-135 at Macdill AFB, Florida on Monday. — A large alligator rests near the landing gear of a KC-135 at MacDill AFB, Florida on Monday. Photo: MacDill AFB

TAMPA, Fla. – An unexpected visitor found his way onto the tarmac at MacDill Air Force Base yesterday, prompting a swift response from Florida Fish and Wildlife authorities. After crawling out of a nearby marsh, the nearly 10-foot alligator promptly did what gators do…. found a nice cool spot to get out of the hot Florida sun. Unfortunately for the busy airmen at the base, the gator apparently claimed “squatter’s rights” in front of the landing gear of a huge KC-135 tanker aircraft.