Next Launch to Examine Earth’s Climate: PACE Satellite Targets 1:33am Tuesday Liftoff

February 4, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, KSC, NASA, SpaceX
PACE POSTER
Image Credit: NASA

In an era where understanding Earth’s climate dynamics is more critical than ever, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, will be a vital asset to furthering and tracking our knowledge of the Planet. Set to launch from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40, this mission embodies the culmination of years of meticulous planning and collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, aiming to extend our comprehension of the planet’s climate system and its intricate processes. Lift is set for 1:33am Tuesday morning with the first stage booster returning to LZ 1 at CCSFS.

A Day of Remembrance and Reflection Through the Eyes of Photographer Richard Gallagher

January 26, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, History, KSC, NASA, Space News
Space Mirror Memorial
Remembering the Astronauts who are no longer with us. Above is the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image by Richard P Gallagher

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex held its annual Day of Remembrance ceremony yesterday, commemorating the brave astronauts who lost their lives in pursuit of space exploration and discovery. The event, a solemn tribute to their sacrifices, specifically honored the memory of those involved in the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia tragedies, as well as other astronauts lost in training accidents before ever reaching space.

Ax-3 Crewed Rocket Launch and Sonic Boom Expected Tomorrow

January 16, 2024Posted inISS, KSC, NASA, SpaceX
Ax-3 on the pad
(Image credit: Axiom Space)

Axiom Space’s third commercial astronaut mission, Ax-3, is set to be a historic event as the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission underscores a new era in space travel, where access to low-Earth orbit (LEO) is becoming increasingly commercialized and international.

No Artemis II Launch Scheduled for 2024: NASA Announces Delays

January 9, 2024Posted inArtemis, KSC, NASA, Space News
Artemis 1 on the pad
SLS Artemis I on launch Complex 39A at KSC in Florida. Image by Richard P. Gallagher

NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, a cornerstone of the agency’s lunar exploration and Mars preparation efforts, has been delayed again. In a 2020 Artemis mission profile, NASA was aiming to again land humans on the moon in 2024. Developement delays have forced NASA to revise the timeline for the upcoming Artemis II and III launch dates.

What’s In Store for the First Launch of 2024? Only the most powerful GEO satellite ever…..

January 2, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Space News, SpaceX
A Falcon 9 Launches from LC 40
A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket lifts off from pad LC40. Image by Richard P. Gallagher/FMN
Next Up: The Ovzon-3 mission is scheduled to launch on 1-3-2024 at 6:04pm from LC40  

The Ovzon-3 mission involves the launch of the first privately funded and developed Swedish geostationary satellite. As you can imagine, it’s quite a big deal for Sweden, as the country joins the international community of commercial spaceflight.

New Vulcan Rocket Gets Dressed For Success

December 9, 2023Posted inSpace News, United Launch Alliance, Vulcan
A pelican flies in front of ULA's Vulcan Rocket during wet dress rehearsal.
A pelican, oblivious to ULA’s new Vulcan rocket being fueled during a wet dress rehearsal, continues its flight plan undisturbed. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Cape Canaveral, FL. Yesterday’s wet dress rehearsal of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket was a significant event in the lead-up to its inaugural launch. The Vulcan rocket was rolled out to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on December 6, 2023, in preparation for this extensive practice countdown​​​​.