Falcon 9 Delivers Next-Gen WorldView Legion Satellites for Maxar

August 15, 2024Posted inSpace News, SpaceX
A Falcon9 rocket carrying a pair of WorldView satellites soars above the Florida palm fronds this morning from CCSFS. Image by Richard P Gallagher

SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket today at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, carrying the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 satellites into orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, delivering the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit. These satellites, developed by Maxar Technologies, are part of a next-generation constellation designed to provide high-resolution Earth imagery. The WorldView Legion satellites are expected to significantly enhance the ability to capture detailed images of the Earth’s surface, with applications ranging from environmental monitoring and agriculture to defense and intelligence.

Falcon to Deliver WorldView Satellites

Falcon to Deliver WorldView Satellites

August 14, 2024Posted inSpace News, SpaceX
WorldView Legion satellite illustration. Credit: Maxar Technologies
WorldView Legion satellite illustration. Credit: Maxar Technologies

On August 15, 2024, SpaceX is set to launch the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This mission will expand Maxar Technologies’ Earth observation capabilities, which include national security, disaster response, and commercial mapping.

Florida Roadside Attractions: World War II Watch Tower In Ormond-By-The-Sea

Florida Roadside Attractions: World War II Watch Tower In Ormond-By-The-Sea

August 14, 2024Posted inAnother Roadside Attraction, Things to Do and See in Florida, Travel
Roadside Attractions: A summer thunderstorm approaches the beach and the WWII Watch Tower on August 13. 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
A summer thunderstorm approaches the beach and the WWII Watch Tower on August 13. 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now

For the adventurer, Florida is full of lesser known beaches, parks, and roadside attractions. Only a few minutes off of I-95, a lonely tower sits on the beach in a residential part of Ormond-By-The-Sea as a lingering artifact of the Second World War. The Watch Tower, as it is called, is the last of its kind in Florida, and one of the few left from the over 15,200 similar structures on American coastlines.

Fire In The Sky! How to Watch Spectacular Meteor Showers In Central Florida

August 13, 2024Posted inFlorida News, Things to Do and See in Florida
The Perseids Meteor Shower. NASA/Preston Dyches
The Perseids Meteor Shower.
NASA/Preston Dyches

One of the most vivid meteor showers of the year is just peaking, and there’s plenty of time left to see it. The Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers, known for their bright meteors and high visibility. They peak annually around mid-August and are a favorite for stargazers, especially in regions with clear skies and minimal light pollution. So what is the best place to see them?

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge Has Begun!

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge Has Begun!

August 12, 2024Posted inFlorida News, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, "The F Word", capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay participated in the 2017 Challenge for his cooking series, “The F Word”, capturing three pythons. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event aimed at removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. The event, sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, began in 2013, making it an ongoing effort for over 11 years.

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.

Florida Woman Discovers WWII-Era Message in a Bottle

August 11, 2024Posted inFlorida News
Suzanne Flament-Smith displays a letter dated 1945 that she found in a bottle last week washed up in Safety Harbor Florida . Image: Facebook/10 Tampa Bay

What began as a cleanup of storm debris turned into a historical discovery for one Safety Harbor, Florida woman, Suzanne Flament-Smith, who stumbled upon a World War II-era message in a bottle while clearing debris left behind by Hurricane Debby.

Rocket Lab Reports Record Earnings In Second Quarter of 2024

Rocket Lab Reports Record Earnings In Second Quarter of 2024

August 9, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News, Space News
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifting off from Wallops Island, Virginia in 2024 Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifting off from Wallops Island, Virginia in 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Florida Media Now

Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-based small launch services provider, announced yesterday that it had record earnings in the second quarter of this year, resulting in a 71% year-over-year growth for the same quarter in 2023. Rocket Lab has extensive manufacturing and launch facilities in the United States. It current launches out of Wallops Island, Virginia and in its native New Zealand.

Russian Space Agency Says Sanctions Are Hitting Them Hard

Russian Space Agency Says Sanctions Are Hitting Them Hard

August 8, 2024Posted inAviation and Space News
Soyuz launch from Russia's launch facility in Baikonur, Khazakstan Photo: NASA
Soyuz launch from Russia’s launch facility in Baikonur, Khazakstan
Photo: NASA

According to an article in The Moscow Times, times are tough in the Russian space program. After Western countries placed sanctions on Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, said that it had lost nearly 180 billion rubles ($2.1 billion).

NASA Updates Starliner Status

NASA Updates Starliner Status

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

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.

IFT-5: Super Booster, Mega Sonic Boom

August 7, 2024Posted inSpace News, SpaceX, Starship
A SpaceX Starship powered by a Super Heavy Booster rises out of the early morning fog during the IFT-2 launch on 11-18-2023 to the astonishment of spectator at Isla Blanca Park. Image by Richard P Gallagher

 SpaceX’s Starship Integrated Flight Test 5 (IFT-5) is poised to be one of the most ambitious tests in the company’s history. With major technical upgrades and a first of its kind booster catch attempt, SpaceX aims to further demonstrate the capabilities of its fully reusable mega rocket system. If successful, will the sonic boom produced by the Super Heavy booster equal a super sonic boom?  This article will explore what affects the loudness of a sonic bomb and more!

Top Caribbean Destinations for Floridians: A Comprehensive Guide

Top Caribbean Destinations for Floridians: A Comprehensive Guide

August 7, 2024Posted inTravel
Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla
Photo: Creative Commons
Winter Is Coming: Time To Start Planning Your Getaway

Even though the current weather is hot, humid and with a decent chance of a tropical disturbance on the horizon, it’s never too early for Floridians to start dreaming about a vacation in the winter months. While many of us enjoy the relative convenience and comfort of a cruise originating from one of Florida’s many ports, others may prefer to go directly to a destination so they can unpack, unwind and not worry about traveling again until it’s time to head back home.

The Caribbean offers a range of beautiful destinations just a short flight away from the Sunshine State’s major airports. Each island has its own unique charm, from pristine beaches to vibrant local culture to restaurants where you can have a great meal you’ll never forget.