NASA’s Crew-9 Prepares for ISS Mission– Starliner Astronauts Countdown to Homecoming in 2025

NASA’s Crew-9 Prepares for ISS Mission– Starliner Astronauts Countdown to Homecoming in 2025

September 22, 2024Posted inISS, NASA, Space News, SpaceX
Crew 9 members arrive at the KSC Shuttle Landing Strip Saturday afternoon, to prepare for launch to ISS. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN
Crew 9 members arrive at the KSC Shuttle Landing Strip Saturday afternoon, to prepare for launch to ISS. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN

 

The NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission, set to launch on September 26, 2024, will see NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov embarking on a six-month scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). For the first time, a crewed mission will be launched from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, adding a new dimension to SpaceX’s launch capabilities and enhancing operational flexibility (NASA). This mission will also formularize Starliner astronauts currently aboard the ISS with the Dragon spacecraft operations in preparation for their return flight home after the completion of the Crew 9 mission. 

National academy of Sciences Report

NASA’s Long-Term Success Threatened by Budget Shortfalls, Aging Infrastructure, and Short-Term Focus, Report Warns

September 11, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, NASA, Space News
National academy of Sciences Report
The report was compiled by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. and released on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Photo: NASEM

NASA’s position as a leader in global innovation and a driver of technological advancement in the United States could be jeopardized by a mismatch between its budget and its mission scope, an overemphasis on short-term goals, and crumbling infrastructure, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Europa Clipper Pressing Towards October Launch

Europa Clipper Pressing Towards October Launch

September 10, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon Heavy, KSC, NASA, SpaceX
An alien message transmitted to mankind on the edge of World War III in the 1984 classic 2010: The Year We Make Contact . Photo: MGM/UA Entertainment
An alien message transmitted to mankind on the edge of World War III in the 1984 classic 2010: The Year We Make Contact . Photo: MGM/UA Entertainment

In the sci-fi classic “2010: The Year We Make Contact”, a manned mission headed to Europa received an ominous warning from alien monoliths, “All these worlds are yours except Europa – attempt no landing there.“NASA is very likely hoping this bit of science fiction stays that way as they prepare to launch a new mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moon.

Boeing Starliner

Starliner: A Risky Return

September 6, 2024Posted inISS, 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
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
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
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, 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.