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

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

September 10, 2024Posted inCrewed, Space 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
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.

Polaris Dawn: Will She Stay or Will She Go?

Polaris Dawn: Will She Stay or Will She Go?

September 9, 2024Posted inCrewed, Space News, SpaceX
Polaris Dawn on the launch pad behind SpaceX’s Starship Tower at LC-39A
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

SpaceX plans to launch Polaris Dawn early tomorrow morning from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, with four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon. Following weeks of recent weather delays and continued unsettled weather, the mission has a 40% chance of lifting off tomorrow, according to SpaceX.

Starliner: A Risky Return

Starliner: A Risky Return

September 6, 2024Posted inFalcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
Starliner pictured docked to the ISS, will undock later tonight and prepare to land at the White Sands Missile Range. Credit: NASA.
Starliner pictured docked to the ISS, will undock later tonight and prepare to land at the White Sands Missile Range. Credit: NASA.

Tonight, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is set to return to Earth. Whether or not it will be a safe return depends on who you ask. In one corner, we have Boeing, who publicly at least, stands 100% behind their crew capsule. In the other corner, NASA’, who is confident in Starliner, but not confident enough to risk the lives their astronauts.

From Marstinis to Meteor Meatballs: Taste of Space is Florida’s Most Unique Foodie Festival

September 6, 2024Posted inKSC, NASA
KSC Visitors Center Announces Taste of Space 2024. Credit KSCVC Video
KSC Visitors Center Announces Taste of Space 2024. Credit KSCVC Video

Calling all foodies!

For Florida residents and visitors who enjoy sampling fine and unusual cuisine at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, there’s another similar theme park venue that beats many of the Disney offerings, and at a lower admission price.   It’s the annual Taste of Space coming up at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex!  This year there are five distinct culinary opportunities available, all located amidst exclusive and intriguing space-related exhibits, attractions, and yes, real live astronauts (not animatronics).

Artemis Hardware Arrives At Kennedy Space Center

Artemis Hardware Arrives At Kennedy Space Center

September 5, 2024Posted inArtemis, Aviation and Space News, KSC, NASA, Space News
The Canopee transport carrier containing the European Service Module for NASA’s Artemis III mission arrives at Port Canaveral in Florida, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024,
The Canopee transport carrier containing the European Service Module for NASA’s Artemis III mission arrives at Port Canaveral in Florida, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, before completing the last leg of its journey to the agency’s Kennedy Space Center’s Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout via truck.
Photo: NASA

NASA’s spacecraft factory inside Kennedy Space Center’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building is set to become a very busy place in the coming months, as several pieces integral to the Artemis program, including parts for the SLS rocket, have arrived by boat and barge at the Florida facility. The new hardware will be assembled with other existing Artemis pieces already on site at KSC there and in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in the coming months.

NASA Reveals Details on Upcoming Starliner Return from ISS

NASA Reveals Details on Upcoming Starliner Return from ISS

September 4, 2024Posted inBoeing, NASA, Space News, Starliner
Boeing Starliner
Artists Rendition of Boeing Starliner Crew Capsule Graphic: Boeing Space

In anticipation of what will now be the uncrewed return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS), NASA held a pre-departure briefing on Wednesday, September 4, from its Johnson Space Center in Houston. The briefing featured Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Dana Weigel, manager of the ISS at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and ISS Flight Director Anthony Vareha. The officials shared critical updates and a refined timeline for Starliner’s return mission to Earth, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 6.

SpaceX Set To Launch Starlink 8-11 Thursday (Updated)

SpaceX Set To Launch Starlink 8-11 Thursday (Updated)

September 3, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink
Falcon 9 launching from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral
Falcon 9 launching from Space Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Update: Wednesday’s Starlink launch attempt was called off with slightly more than two minutes left in the countdown due to weather in the booster landing zone. Florida is experiencing a rather stormy week, leading to a high degree of uncertainty in the week’s launch schedule.

SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 Thursday morning from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, carrying another group of Starlink satellites. According to SpaceX, “Liftoff is targeted for 8:35 a.m. ET, with additional opportunities available until 12:31 p.m. ET.”

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

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

August 30, 2024Posted inISS, NASA, Space News, Starliner
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. (Credit: NASA)
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.