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.

80 Days at ISS: Crew-9 Rescue? Polaris Dawn Spacewalk—Read All About It!

August 24, 2024Posted inBoeing, ISS, KSC, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, Starliner
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft at the ISS photographed outside of the Harmony module. Credit: NASA

Boeing Starliner Astronauts Mark 80th Day Aboard ISS Amid Growing Concerns 

As the calendar flips to the 80th day since their arrival, the crew aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft continues its mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who launched on this expedition on June 5, 2024, have been engaged in a variety of scientific experiments and station maintenance tasks. However, with growing technical challenges and ongoing discussions about their return, the crew’s extended stay is becoming a subject of interest among space agencies and enthusiasts alike. 

University of Florida Researchers Investigate Microgravity’s Effects on Fermentation

University of Florida Researchers Investigate Microgravity’s Effects on Fermentation

August 19, 2024Posted inISS, NASA, Space News

There’s nothing quite like a good, cold beer after a hot day’s work. Whether it’s mowing the lawn on a hot Florida morning or toiling deep in a mine in West Virginia, beer has been the beverage of choice for many — and it looks like that tradition will continue as travelers push into space. Researchers at The University of Florida in Gainesville have been looking into the process of brewing beer in the heavens, and have come up with some interesting results that will inform future brewers.

Cygnus Safely Docks With ISS

August 6, 2024Posted inFalcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
Cygnus about to be captured by Canadian robot arm. Credit NASA 
Cygnus about to be captured by Canadian robot arm. Credit NASA 

 Cape Canaveral, FL – August 4, 2024 — Northrop Grumman’s 21st Cygnus resupply mission, NG-21, began its journey to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 4, 2024, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, suffered a delay of about 24 hours caused by adverse weather conditions from Tropical Storm Debby as it moved up the Florida peninsula. Cygnus is part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Service (CRS), responsible for maintaining the vital flow of supplies and scientific experiments to the ISS. 

Axiom Space Names AX-4 Crew

August 5, 2024Posted inAxiom 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.

Cygnus NG-21 Successfully Deployed, Possible Engine Anomaly  

August 4, 2024Posted inFalcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
A Falcon9 rocket carrying NG-21 soars toward space amidst an overcast sky. Image by: Richard P Gallagher

Cape Canaveral, FL – August 4, 2024 — The Cygnus NG-21 mission, launched earlier today from Cape Canaveral, has encountered some unexpected challenges. According to a tweet on “X” by William Harwood:  

“Mission control just alerted the ISS crew to a possible issue with the Cygnus cargo ship: “Just to let you guys know, good comm with Cygnus, we’re going to have solar array deploy in about an hour. The first two burns were not performed by Cygnus, so they are reassessing what is the current state of the burn plan. We’re hoping to still keep Tuesday (for capture by ISS), but we’ll re-assess once we figure out what went wrong with the first two burns.” 

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 and NG-21 Mission

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 and NG-21 Mission

August 4, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, Uncategorized, US Space Force
Falcon 9 and Northrup Grumman’s NG-21 Cygnus cargo capsule lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral on August 4. 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
Despite on a 10% GO forecast and storms closing in from a distance, Falcon 9 flies another perfect mission.

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus CRS-2 NG-21 (S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee) to orbit this morning from Cape Canaveral. Liftoff was at 11:02 AM EDT under variable skies that showed a strong chance of storms coming in shortly afterwards.

SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Hopes To Launch Northrup Grumman’s NG-21 Mission Saturday (Update: Scrubbed)

August 2, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 carrying NG-21 in January. Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
An ill-timed line of thunderstorms forces a scrub Saturday

Update: 12 PM EDT Saturday

A wave of thunderstorms passed through the Cape Canaveral area around 90 minutes before liftoff Saturday, forcing SpaceX to stand down from its launch attempt today.

The company said in a latter post on X.com that they would try again tomorrow, but with a 90% Probability of Violation and an approaching tropical system off of Florida’s west coast, the chances of that don’t seem very high. Monday’s forecast is equally squirrelly as the system is forecast to arc through northern Florida, creating storm squalls and windy conditions across the state.

On the other hand, it’s Florida and the weather here can be unpredictable. So, we’ll see when SpaceX can get this launch off of the pad.

Starliner, Cygnus and Crew 9 Oh My! ISS is Full.  

Starliner, Cygnus and Crew 9 Oh My! ISS is Full.  

July 31, 2024Posted inCrewed, Falcon 9, ISS, NASA, Space News, Starliner
Cygnus spacecraft for NG-21 resupply mission. Credit: NASA
Cygnus spacecraft for NG-21 resupply mission. Credit: NASA

The International Space Station (ISS) is an island of international cooperation and scientific research. As of July 2024, the ISS has been hosting a variety of spacecraft, including the Boeing Starliner, SpaceX Dragon Endeavour, Soyuz MS-25, and the Russian Progress 87 and 88 resupply ships. The current mix of 5 vehicles and 12 astronauts ensures that the ISS is a bustling beehive of activity, supporting a diverse range of scientific experiments and international visitors. But soon, in the days and weeks to come two more spacecraft and four more astronauts will join the activities. 

NG-21 Resupply Mission Honors Challenger Commander Dick Scobee

July 29, 2024Posted inISS, NASA, Space News
NG-21 Cygnus resupply module will be named in honor of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee Photo: NASA
NG-21 Cygnus resupply module will be named in honor of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee Photo: NASA

It is Northrop Grumman’s tradition to name each Cygnus spacecraft in honor of individuals who have made substantial contributions to human spaceflight. NG-21, the upcoming Cygnus resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), is now officially named the S.S. Francis R. “Dick” Scobee. Scobee is a former NASA astronaut whose contributions to aeronautics and space exploration have left a lasting legacy. The mission will launch no earlier than Saturday, August 3rd from Cape Canaveral.