Mark Stone

Polaris Dawn Takes Flight: The Mission That May Redefine Commercial Space Exploration

By Mark Stone FMN September 10, 2024Space News, SpaceX

Polaris Dawn rises off of the launch pad on a SpaceX Falcon 9 on September 10, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now

The Florida skies over the Kennedy Space Center lit up once again this morning with the 5:23 a.m. ET launch of the Polaris Dawn mission. This mission may prove to be one of the most significant yet in the realm of commercial space flight. The mission, spearheaded by SpaceX and billionaire Jared Isaacman, aims to break multiple records and test several new technologies that will advance private space exploration.

Carnival Vista Passengers Get A Big Surprise…And It’s Not A Good One

By Mark Stone FMN September 5, 2024Cruise Ships, Florida News, Travel

The Carnival Vista Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines

So you’ve planned that long awaited cruise vacation down to the last detail. You’ve talked to travel agents, shopped around for your best deal, researched cruise lines and destinations on the internet, figured out your arrival dates, booked your flights, arranged your transfers to the port, and even finagled early boarding on your ship of choice. Now all you want to do is put on your favorite swim suit and pair of flip-flops, grab a drink, and kick back by the pool. Whew! We made it on board! Let the vacation begin!

The SS United States Could Become Florida’s Newest Reef

By Mark Stone FMN September 2, 2024Florida News, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida

The SS United States is to be evicted from her Philadelphia dock of 28 years. She has until September 2024 to find a new home, and it may well be Florida. Credit: Wikicommons

The SS United States, once the fastest and most luxurious ocean liner to ever sail the seas, now finds itself at the heart of a fierce battle between those who want to preserve its legacy and those who see it as a perfect candidate for a Florida artificial reef. As the clock ticks toward a September court-mandated deadline, the fate of this American maritime icon has never been more uncertain—or more passionately debated.

NASA Announces Crew Revision for SpaceX Crew-9 Mission to ISS

By Mark Stone FMN August 30, 2024ISS, NASA, Space News

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. (Credit: NASA)

Houston, TX — NASA has announced a revised crew lineup for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). According to a news release today,the mission, now scheduled to launch no earlier than Tuesday, September 24, will feature NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov as the primary crew members. Hague will serve as the mission commander, while Gorbunov will take on the role of mission specialist.

DeSantis Shelves Controversial State Park Development Plans Amid Backlash

By Mark Stone FMN August 28, 2024Florida News, Florida State Parks

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: State of Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has put a hold on a proposal to introduce extensive developments, including golf courses, pickleball courts, and 350-room hotels, to state parks following widespread public and political opposition. The governor announced the decision at a press conference on Wednesday, marking his first public remarks since the proposals from his administration were leaked last week.

Falcon 9 Booster Lost After Successful Starlink Deployment

By Mark Stone FMN August 28, 2024Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

Booster B1059 propels a batch of Starlink satellies to orbit on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. It was the booster's 23rd mission, a new record for reuseability. Photo: SpaceX Video feed — Booster B1062 propels a batch of Starlink satellites to orbit on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. It was the booster’s 23rd mission, a new record for reusability. Photo: SpaceX Video feed

Fresh off of the announced delay of the Polaris Dawn’s 3:38AM launch Wednesday morning, SpaceX made the decision to continue with the launch of Starlink mission 8-6, slated for launch at 3:48 AM. While the launch went off without a hitch, it would not prove to be a great morning for SpaceX.

Disney Argues Disney+ Subscription Means “No Lawsuits, Just Magic!” in Lawsuit Over Allergy Tragedy

By Mark Stone FMN August 16, 2024Florida News, Theme Parks, Things to Do and See in Florida, Travel

Photo of Disney Springs Shopping area — Photo: Disney Parks

ORLANDO, FL — Imagine subscribing to Disney+ to catch up on The Mandalorian, and suddenly finding out that you’re also signing away your right to sue Disney—even if something terrible happens at one of their parks. That’s exactly what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is arguing in response to a lawsuit that claims their negligence led to a tragic death at Disney Springs.

United Launch Alliance Faces Engineer Shortage, Struggles To Meet Profit Projections

By Mark Stone FMN August 15, 2024Space News, United Launch Alliance

A US Military payload sits atop a ULA Atlas V booster prior to launch on July 3oth. Photo: Richard Gallagher/FMN

According to a report released by BNN Bloomberg today, ULA is facing some headwinds in engineer retention, and worse, meeting it’s profit goals.

Fire In The Sky! How to Watch Spectacular Meteor Showers In Central Florida

By Mark Stone FMN August 13, 2024Florida News, Things to Do and See in Florida

The Perseids Meteor Shower.
NASA/Preston Dyches

One of the most vivid meteor showers of the year is just peaking, and there’s plenty of time left to see it. The Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers, known for their bright meteors and high visibility. They peak annually around mid-August and are a favorite for stargazers, especially in regions with clear skies and minimal light pollution. So what is the best place to see them?

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge Has Begun!

By Mark Stone FMN August 12, 2024Florida News, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida

Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, "The F Word", capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, “The F Word”, capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event aimed at removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. The event, sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began in 2013, making it an ongoing effort for over 11 years.

Florida Woman Discovers WWII-Era Message in a Bottle

By Mark Stone FMN August 11, 2024Florida News

Suzanne Flament-Smith displays a letter dated 1945 that she found in a bottle last week washed up in Safety Harbor Florida . Image: Facebook/10 Tampa Bay

What began as a cleanup of storm debris turned into a historical discovery for one Safety Harbor, Florida woman, Suzanne Flament-Smith, who stumbled upon a World War II-era message in a bottle while clearing debris left behind by Hurricane Debby.

Crew 9 Launch Postponed; Starliner Saga Continues

By Mark Stone FMN August 6, 2024NASA, Space News

NASA's next ISS rotational crew, Crew- 9 Photo: NASA — NASA’s next ISS rotational crew, Crew- 9 Photo: NASA

NASA announced today that they have postponed the launch of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) to no earlier than Tuesday, September 24, 2024. According to NASA this decision allows additional time for mission managers to finalize the return plans for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, which is currently docked at the ISS.