Mark Stone

Axiom Space Names AX-4 Crew

By Mark Stone FMN August 5, 2024Axiom Space, ISS, NASA, SpaceX

AX 4 CRew Photo[LEFT] Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański of ESA/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary [RIGHT]. Photo: Axiom/X — AX 4 Crew Photo [LEFT] Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański of ESA/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary [RIGHT]. Photo: Axiom/X

Axiom Space to Include Astronauts from US, India, Poland, and Hungary in Ax-4 Mission to ISS

Axiom Space has officially announced the international crew for it’s next mission to the ISS. AX-4 will include astronauts from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson will command the mission. Whitson, who is now Axiom’s chief astronaut, holds the record among American astronauts and among women for spending the most time in space, 675 days. Whitson was the first female commander of the International Space Station and the only woman to serve as ISS Commander twice. She also became the first woman to command a private space mission on Ax-2 in 2023.

Florida Highway Patrol Wins Best Looking Cruiser Competition for Second Consecutive Year

By Mark Stone FMN July 30, 2024Florida News

This year's winning entry shows a Florida Highway Patrol Cruiser with ULA's Delta IV Heavy (April 18) launching in the background. Photo: FHP — This year’s winning entry shows a Florida Highway Patrol Cruiser with ULA’s Delta IV Heavy (April 18) launching in the background. Photo: FHP

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has once again clinched the title in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) 2024 Best Looking Cruiser Competition, marking their second consecutive win. The announcement came Monday afternoon, and with it, FHP’s cruiser will grace the cover of the AAST 2025 calendar.

Big Changes Coming To Crew Dragon Splashdowns

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

Workers secure Space X Crew Dragon capsule after Crew 7 astronauts splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico last March. Image: NASA

NASA’s Crew Dragon spacecraft will be making its final splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean next year . The upcoming Crew-9 mission, set to launch no earlier than August 18, 2024, could be the last to conclude with a landing off the U.S. East Coast.

SpaceX Requests FAA to Resume Falcon 9 Launches Amid Ongoing Investigation

By Mark Stone FMN July 17, 2024Space News, SpaceX

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches a load of Starlink satellites to orbit earlier this year. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

SpaceX has petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to permit the resumption of its Falcon 9 rocket flights, despite an ongoing investigation into a recent mission anomaly. The request comes just days after a malfunction during a Starlink mission led to the grounding of the reusable launch vehicles.

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

By Mark Stone FMN July 12, 2024Space News, SpaceX, Starlink

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

By Mark Stone FMN July 11, 2024Cruise 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

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

By Mark Stone FMN July 11, 2024Florida 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

By Mark Stone FMN July 10, 2024Axiom 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

By Mark Stone FMN July 6, 2024Space News, 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

By Mark Stone FMN July 4, 2024Cruise 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 Man Arrested for Shooting At Walmart Drone, Faces Serious Charges

By Mark Stone FMN July 2, 2024Florida News

A Florida man has been arrested and charged after allegedly shooting down a Walmart delivery drone. The incident occurred in Clermont, a city approximately 25 miles west of Orlando.

Florida Legislature Designates A1A as the Jimmy Buffett Highway

By Mark Stone FMN June 30, 2024Florida 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.