(Kennedy Space Center, Florida September 3) SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10:47 p.m. EDT on September 3, 2023. This mission carried another batch of Starlink satellites to orbit, and it was a record-breaking 62nd orbital launch of the year for SpaceX, breaking last year’s record of 61 launches. As of this date, there have been 46 launches from Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center this year, with all but two coming from SpaceX.
In the leadup to the launch of Crew-7 in the early hours of August 26, 2023, Florida Media Now correspondents Mark Stone, T.J. Waller and Charles Boyer captured video of the Crew-7 astronauts walking out of…
The Crew of Commercial Crew 7 makes up most internationally diverse crew ever launched on a single mission.
The Crew 7 Mission lifts off with an international crew of four on Saturday, August 26th. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN
SpaceX, the pioneering space exploration company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft for the historic Crew-7 mission. This mission, commissioned by NASA, marks an important milestone in human spaceflight as it brings together four astronauts from different nations to embark on a six-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). With innovation, collaboration, and scientific exploration at its core, the Crew-7 mission sets the stage for future advancements in space travel and our understanding of the universe.
Journalists watch a live animation as Chadrayaan-3 descends to the moon. Photo byAijaz Rahi / Associated Press
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), successfully landed its unmanned Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon’s south pole on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. The landing comes on the heels of a failed Russian attempt just days earlier. This is the first time that any country has landed a spacecraft in this region of the moon.
Journalists watch a live animation as Chadrayaan-3 descends to the moon. Photo: Aijaz Rahi / Associated Press
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), successfully landed its unmanned Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon’s south pole on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. The landing comes on the heels of a failed Russian attempt just days earlier. This is the first time that any country has landed a spacecraft in this region of the moon.
The South Pole is a particularly important area for exploration because it is thought to contain significant amounts of water ice. This water ice could be a valuable resource for future human missions to the moon, as it could be used for drinking water, making rocket fuel, and supporting other life-support systems. These elements are considered essential for any attempt to create a long-term research outpost. The South Pole is a unique environment that is unlike any other place on Earth. Exploring this region could help us to learn more about the moon’s geology, history, and environment. This knowledge could be used to develop new technologies and to plan future missions to the moon and beyond.
In addition to water ice, the South Pole is also home to a variety of other interesting geological features, including permanently shadowed craters. These craters are never exposed to sunlight, which means that they could contain ancient organic molecules that have been preserved for billions of years. These organic molecules could be the building blocks of life, and their discovery could shed light on the origins of life on Earth and other planets.
The Chadrayaan-3 mission was launched on July 14 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Photo tweeted by ISRO
The South Pole is also a potential source of other resources, such as helium-3, which could be used to generate clean energy. The development of these resources could help to make human exploration of the moon more sustainable and affordable.
NASA Crew-6 on Pad 39A Feb 2023 Photo Credit: TJ Waller for FMN
The latest team of astronauts preparing for liftoff onboard the NASA SpaceX Crew-7 mission have landed at the Kennedy Space Center, as they commence the final stage of quarantine before their voyage to the International Space Station (ISS). The countdown has officially commenced, with an array of activities and events unfolding throughout the launch week.
Aug. 16, 2022: NASA’s SLS Artemis 1 rolling towards Pad 39B. Photo by TJ Waller
By: TJ Waller
Introduction:
Yesterday, August 16, 2023, marked the anniversary of when humanity and I witnessed one more “small step” towards a momentous event that marked a significant leap forward in space exploration: The rollout of Artemis I – NASA’s next historic mission aimed at returning humans to the Moon. This mission, a critical step towards the agency’s broader Artemis program, promised to not only expand our understanding of the Moon but also lay the groundwork for future crewed missions to Mars and beyond.
Artemis 1 preparing to leave the VAB. Photo by TJ Waller
Artemis I: A Bold Vision Realized:
Artemis I, named after the ancient Greek goddess of the Moon, was the first uncrewed flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. This groundbreaking mission tested the compatibility and performance of these systems, which will eventually carry astronauts on lunar missions.
Navaho Missile at South Gate USSF. Photo by: TJ Waller
By: TJ Waller
Introduction
The XSM-64 Navaho missile, a surface-to-surface guided missile developed by North American Aviation, holds a significant place in the history of the U.S. missile and space program. Designed as a supersonic intercontinental cruise missile, the Navaho XSM-64 represented cutting-edge technology and was intended to carry a conventional warhead to a range of 6,325 miles. In this article, we will explore the fascinating story of the Navaho missile, its development, launches, and its impact on subsequent missile programs.
Origins and Development
The Navaho missile project was born out of the post-World War II era, where various nations were exploring advanced missile technologies. In 1947, the U.S. Air Force envisioned the Navaho as a pilotless bomber capable of delivering a weapons payload over a distance of 5,500 miles. The initial design, known as the Navaho X-10, resembled a traditional aircraft and was used for test flights. These early versions of the Navaho were remotely controlled and took off from a runway like an airplane.
The eagerly anticipated NASA SpaceX Crew-7 mission has been pushed once again and is now scheduled to take flight on a new launch date of August 25, 2023; with an instantaneous launch window of 3:49 AM EDT. This mission will mark a significant milestone in the partnership between NASA and SpaceX as they continue their collaboration in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Crew-7 is a true testament to international cooperation, with astronauts representing four different space agencies. The mission will be commanded by NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, while European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen will serve as the pilot. Joining them as mission specialists are Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Konstantin Borisov from the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
A ULA Delta IV Heavy creates a beautiful vapor ring as it climbs through the night sky. Photo by Mark Stone/FMN
By Mark Stone
United Launch Alliance, a private spaceflight contractor, successfully sent a classified government satellite into orbit on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The launch came one day after a delay due to a faulty piece of ground equipment. The mission to deploy the satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office finally lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) Launch Complex 37 at 5:18 AM EDT.
The mission, NROL-68, carries a crucial national security satellite that will provide vital information from space to America’s government officials, intelligence analysts, and military. The US government says the satellite will also be used to support worldwide humanitarian missions. Even though the exact type and capabilities of the satellite are unknown, some observers believe the launch configuration of the Delta IV rocket suggests an Orion class satellite. Orion spy satellites are the newest class of signal-gathering intelligence satellites and are among the largest in orbit. The main antenna of an Orion-class satellite spans the length of a football field.
In the early hours of Friday, August 11, 2023, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying the Starlink 6-9 mission. Here's a unique video view of the night-time launch. For most night-time launches, FMN will produce a…
SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster 1078 Lifts Off on Aug. 6 2023. Photo by Charles Boyer for FMN
After a couple of short delays, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 last night from Cape Canaveral, Florida, lofting Starlink 6-8 — twenty-two second-generation Starlink satellites to orbit. The launch was picture-perfect, with the rocket clearly visible for several minutes after liftoff and even well past staging. Thunderstorms well off to the north and east-southeast added to the light show, with dozens of lightning strokes clearly visible but far away enough not to violate any range safety rules.
