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.

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.

SpaceX Launches Starlink 10-7 Before Dawn on Monday

SpaceX Launches Starlink 10-7 Before Dawn on Monday

August 12, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, KSC, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink
As seen from Kennedy Point Park in Titusville, Starlink 10-7 rises off of LC-39A on August 12, 2024 Photo: Richard P. Gallagher / Florida Media Now
As seen from Kennedy Point Park in Titusville, Starlink 10-7 rises off of LC-39A on August 12, 2024
Photo: Richard P. Gallagher / Florida Media Now

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying another group of Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center this morning in the predawn hours. Liftoff was at 06:37 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A.

NASA Updates Starliner Status

NASA Updates Starliner Status

August 7, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Boeing, NASA, Space News, Starliner

Crew Return On Dragon Next Year Among Possible Contingency Plans

Starliner CST-100 in launch preparation, May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Starliner CST-100 in launch preparation, May 31, 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now

NASA managers said in a news conference today that they are close to a decision on when and how they plan to bring Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight test astronauts from the International Space Station. The mission was originally slated to run eight days, but the pair have been in orbit for sixty-three days since their June 5th launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard an Atlas V.

Crew 9 Launch Postponed; Starliner Saga Continues

Crew 9 Launch Postponed; Starliner Saga Continues

August 6, 2024Posted inNASA, Space News
NASA's next ISS rotational crew, Crew- 9 Photo: NASA
NASA’s next ISS rotational crew, Crew- 9 Photo: NASA

NASA announced today that they have postponed the launch of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) to no earlier than Tuesday, September 24, 2024. According to NASA this decision allows additional time for mission managers to finalize the return plans for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, which is currently docked at the ISS.

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.”