KSC Archives

Starliner Crew Capsule on the Move

By Richard Gallagher FMN April 16, 2024Atlas V, KSC, NASA

*Starliner Crew Capsule being moved to the vertical integration facility. Image by: Richard P Gallagher*

As the aerospace community looks toward the future of crewed space travel, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is poised to become a pivotal player in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This morning’s rollout of the crew capsule ahead of the first crewed launch marks a significant milestone for Boeing. The Starliner spacecraft was moved from the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center this morning at 4am to the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in order to be attached to the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Former Astronaut and KSC Director Bob Cabana Joining IBX As Senior Advisor

By Charles Boyer FMN April 1, 2024Axiom Space, KSC, NASA, Space News

Robert D. “Bob” Cabana, a former NASA astronaut, NASA Associate Administrator (the agency’s third highest-ranking executive) and Director of Kennedy Space Center, has joined IBX, a firm that invests in and fosters innovation in space-related companies. Founded by engineer and entrepreneur Kam Ghaffirian, IBX supports companies Ghaffirian helped found: Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, Quantum Space and X-energy along with other ventures. Cabana will serve as a Senior Advisor with the company.

SpaceX Planning To Launch Starlink 6-44 This Evening

By Charles Boyer FMN March 14, 2024Falcon 9, KSC, Space News, SpaceX

Update: New Launch Window opens 3/14/24 7:04 PM EDT

SpaceX plans to launch the Starlink 6-44 mission tonight, Thursday, March 14, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The payload will be another tranche of 23 Starlink satellites that will be ferried low-Earth orbit from pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to the company, “liftoff is targeted for 7:04 PM EDT, with backup opportunities available until 11:29 PM EDT.

Romancing The Stars: SpaceX Plans Pair Of Valentines Day Rocket Launches

By Richard Gallagher FMN February 12, 2024Falcon Heavy, KSC, NASA, Space News, SpaceX, US Space Force

*A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket lifts off from LC40 at CCSFS in Florida. Image by Richard P Gallagher*

This Valentines Day, SpaceX is setting hearts aflutter with not one, but two rocket launches. The Falcon 9 rockets are scheduled to take off from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

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

By Richard Gallagher FMN February 4, 2024Aviation and Space News, Falcon 9, KSC, NASA, SpaceX

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

By Richard Gallagher FMN January 26, 2024Aviation and Space News, History, KSC, NASA, Space News

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.

Axiom-3 Launches From Kennedy Space Center

By Charles Boyer FMN January 19, 2024Crewed, Falcon 9, KSC, NASA, Space News, SpaceX

Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 with four astronauts aboard on the Axiom-3 Mission.
Photo: Charles Boyer

Minutes before a warm front brought heavy showers to Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX launched the Axiom 3 mission on a 16 day round trip to the ISS. Four Axiom Space astronauts rode the chartered Space-X Crew Dragon module to orbit on top of a Falcon 9 booster at 4:49 PM EST this evening. The all-European crew is expected to dock at ISS in two days’ time and stay aboard the station until February 3, 2024.

Ax-3 Crewed Rocket Launch and Sonic Boom Expected Tomorrow

By Richard Gallagher FMN January 16, 2024Crewed, Falcon 9, ISS, 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

By Richard Gallagher FMN January 9, 2024Artemis, 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.

SpaceX Delivers the Goods:

By Richard Gallagher FMN November 10, 2023Aviation and Space News, Falcon 9, ISS, KSC, NASA, Space News, SpaceX

An Image review of the CRS29 Mission

Yesterday evening at 8:28pm SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon9 rocket carrying a Cargo Dragon capsule to the ISS. It was loaded with about 6500 pounds of food and water and research experiments to be carried out over the next six months. Lift off occurred from LC39A at KSC in Florida.

SpaceX Will Deliver Supplies to ISS

By Richard Gallagher FMN November 6, 2023Falcon 9, Florida News, International, ISS, KSC, NASA, National News, Space News, SpaceX

*A Dragon Capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket on LC39A at KSC in Florida will deliver supplies to ISS. Image by Richard P Gallaghe*r

Launch Alert with Sonic BOOM!

Something new! SpaceX will launch a Falcon9 rocket carrying a Dragon cargo capsule. The mission, labeled CRS-2 SpX-29 (Commercial Resupply Service), is filled with supplies going to the International Space Station (ISS). It is scheduled for lift-off on November 9, 2023. The launch window is from 8:28pm to 1:28am Friday morning. It will launch from LC39A at KSC in Florida. The first stage booster will perform a boost back maneuver and return to land zone 1 at CCAFS in Florida. A sonic boom will be heard about 8 minutes after launch, depending on how far the viewing location is from LZ1.

Exploring NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications on the Psyche Mission

By TJ Waller FMN October 19, 2023Falcon Heavy, KSC, NASA, Space News

By: TJ Waller

In the vast expanse of space exploration, the need for efficient data transmission between spacecraft and Earth has always been a challenge. Traditional radio communications have served us well, but as our ambitions grow, so does the demand for higher data rates. NASA’s Psyche mission aims to push the boundaries of data transmission with the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) project. In this article, I will explore the fascinating world of DSOC, its significance for future missions, and how it could revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.