SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Experiences In-Flight Failure, 20 Starlink Satellites In Jeopardy

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Experiences In-Flight Failure, 20 Starlink Satellites In Jeopardy

July 12, 2024Posted inFalcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink
Booster 1063 safely lands on a SpaceX Droneship. Image: SpaceX
Booster 1063 safely lands on a SpaceX Droneship. Image: SpaceX

SpaceX encountered its first in-flight failure of a Falcon 9 rocket since 2015 Thursday night, resulting in 20 Starlink satellites being deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit. The incident occurred during SpaceX’s 70th orbital launch of the year. The mission, designated Starlink 9-3, initially appeared to proceed without issue after lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday night at 7:35 p.m. PDT .

Utopia of the Seas Arrives at Port Canaveral

Utopia of the Seas Arrives at Port Canaveral

July 11, 2024Posted inCruise Ships, Florida News, Travel
Utopia of the Seas arrived at her new home port of Port Canaveral, Florida on July 11, 2024. Photo: Royal Carribean
Utopia of the Seas arrived at her new home port of Port Canaveral, Florida on July 11, 2024. Photo: Royal Carribean

This morning, the arrival of the world’s second-largest cruise ship and Royal Caribbean International’s newest vessel, Utopia of the Seas, was celebrated with fanfare and excitement as it docked at Port Canaveral. Observers say the ship could redefine luxury and innovation in the cruising industry, bringing with it a host of technology, features, and amenities that elevate the cruising experience to new heights.

Florida Nuclear Power Expansion Reexamined; Some Environmental Groups Not Happy

July 11, 2024Posted inFlorida News
Florida's Crystal River plant no longer uses its reactor due to issues with the containment building. Photo: Greenpeace
Florida’s Crystal River plant no longer uses its reactor due to issues with the containment building. Photo: Greenpeace

Florida is considering the addition of new nuclear power plants for the first time in decades, following the inclusion of a nuclear power study in a broad energy bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The legislative push in Florida comes despite historical concerns stemming from incidents like the 1979 Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania. Now, state regulators are set to assess the feasibility of new, advanced nuclear technologies, reflecting both state and federal pushes toward a cleaner energy future. Despite the common goal of a cleaner environment, the new legislation is angering some environmental groups.

Axiom Space Names Normanique Preston as Vice President of People and Culture

Axiom Space Names Normanique Preston as Vice President of People and Culture

July 10, 2024Posted inAxiom Space, Space News
Axiom today named Normanique Preston as VP of People and Culture. Photo: Axiom Space

In a news release today, Axiom Space has announced the appointment of Normanique Preston as the Vice President of People and Culture. The role will see Preston shaping the company’s people strategy, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving employee engagement and development. As an integral member of the executive management team, she will be responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to support Axiom Space’s ambitious goals.

A Look Ahead: Three “Firsts” of The Polaris Dawn Mission

A Look Ahead: Three “Firsts” of The Polaris Dawn Mission

July 6, 2024Posted inSpace News, SpaceX
Official rendering of a Polaris Dawn astronaut egressing from Crew Dragon with the help of the the Skywalker attachment (Zdroj: SpaceX)
Official rendering of a Polaris Dawn astronaut egressing from Crew Dragon with the help of the the Skywalker attachment (Zdroj: SpaceX)

The upcoming Polaris Dawn mission is poised to make history as the first commercial spaceflight to include a spacewalk. Billionaire Jared Isaacman is funding the mission, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than July 31, 2024, from Florida’s Space Coast.

Hurricane Beryl Disrupts Florida-Based Cruise Lines

Hurricane Beryl Disrupts Florida-Based Cruise Lines

July 4, 2024Posted inCruise Ships, Florida News, Travel
Disney Cruise Lines boards passengers in Port Canaveral, FL. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Those who plan to cruise over the 4th of July holiday weekend and into next week might not get what they signed up for. Hurricane Beryl, the first major storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, has wreaked havoc on Florida-based cruise lines, forcing significant itinerary changes and posing operational challenges.

Florida Legislature Designates A1A as the Jimmy Buffett Highway

Florida Legislature Designates A1A as the Jimmy Buffett Highway

June 30, 2024Posted inFlorida News
Jimmy Buffet and Highway A1A sign
Image: BuffetNews.com

The Florida Legislature has officially designated the iconic Florida A1A highway as the “Jimmy Buffett Highway.” The coastal highway runs from Key West to the Georgia border. This decision honors the legendary singer-songwriter, whose music has long embodied the laid-back, coastal lifestyle cherished by Floridians and visitors alike.

Public Comments on SpaceX Starship Launch Facility at LC-39A Highlight Environmental and Safety Concerns

Public Comments on SpaceX Starship Launch Facility at LC-39A Highlight Environmental and Safety Concerns

June 29, 2024Posted inKSC, Space News, SpaceX
A Falcon Heavy prepares for launch at LC-39a in the shadow of SpaceX's new Starship Tower (right). Construction on the new tower is dormant, pending regulatory approval. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN
A Falcon Heavy prepares for launch at LC-39A in the shadow of SpaceX’s new Starship Tower (right). Construction on the new tower is dormant, pending regulatory approval. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Kennedy Space Center, Florida — SpaceX’s ambitious plans to repurpose Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center for its Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle program have sparked a wide array of concerns from various public and private stakeholders.

Space Debris from Russian Satellite Breakup Forces ISS Astronauts to Take Cover

Space Debris from Russian Satellite Breakup Forces ISS Astronauts to Take Cover

June 28, 2024Posted inSpace News

The U.S. Space Command has confirmed the breakup of the decommissioned Russian satellite RESURS-P1. The satellite disintegrated into over 100 trackable pieces of debris on June 26, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time (1600 UTC). This event added to the growing mass of space junk orbiting Earth and forced astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to take cover.

NOAA Successfully Deploys GOES-U Satellite, Signals Nominal Functioning

NOAA Successfully Deploys GOES-U Satellite, Signals Nominal Functioning

June 26, 2024Posted inNASA, Space News, SpaceX
The GOES-U Weather satellite heads to orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Booster Tuesday. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN
The GOES-U Weather satellite heads to orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Booster Tuesday. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Only 10 minutes into Tuesday’s 2-hour launch window, a SpaceX Falcon heavy lifted off carrying the last of a series of new weather satellites to orbit. The GOES-U weather satellite launch was the last of a series designated GOES-R.