Space, NASA and Science News

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NASA retargets for June 1 launch of Boeing’s Starliner

NASA has carved out more time to talk through problems with its attempt to send up astronauts on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, which is now targeting  June 1 if mission managers give the go for launch.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/23/nasa-retargets-for-june-1-launch-of-boeings-starliner/?

[phkrause]

Massive cradle of baby stars revealed in new space telescope images

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A massive cradle of baby stars has been observed in new detail by a European space telescope, adding to its celestial collection of images.

https://apnews.com/article/euclid-space-telescope-dark-universe-b89850dfcb02eac990b145209fd500e9?

[phkrause]

Author of ‘Challenger’ zeroes in on untold parts of the deadly disaster

The author of a new book about the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster is coming to Central Florida for a signing event.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/25/author-of-challenger-zeroes-in-untold-parts-of-the-deadly-disaster/?

[phkrause]

SpaceX launch marks 40th for the Space Coast

SpaceX sent up the 40th rocket launch of 2024 from the Space Coast on Tuesday morning.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/28/spacex-launch-this-morning-marks-40th-for-the-space-coast/?

[phkrause]

NASA astronauts back at it to try for 1st human spaceflight of Boeing’s Starliner

After years of delay, another four weeks wasn’t much of an ask for a pair of NASA astronauts set to finally fly on the first human spaceflight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/31/nasa-astronauts-back-at-it-to-try-for-1st-human-spaceflight-of-boeings-starliner/?

[phkrause]

Boeing’s Starliner scrubs again, skips Sunday attempt

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — With less than four minutes on the countdown clock, teams scrubbed a launch attempt Saturday of a pair of NASA astronauts seated in what was supposed to be the first human spaceflight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/01/boeings-starliner-set-for-launch-today-on-historic-human-spaceflight/?

Boeing’s Starliner scrubs again, skips Sunday attempt

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — With less than four minutes on the countdown clock, teams scrubbed a launch attempt Saturday of a pair of NASA astronauts seated in what was supposed to be the first human spaceflight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/01/boeings-starliner-set-for-launch-today-on-historic-human-spaceflight/?

[phkrause]

Boeing’s Starliner launches on historic 1st human spaceflight for NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — Two NASA astronauts finally took their historic ride on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner making its first human spaceflight Wednesday morning.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/05/watch-live-boeings-starliner-set-for-launch-this-morning-on-historic-1st-human-spaceflight/?

Starliner mission

 

Boeing's Starliner mission will make its next attempt at launching two astronauts on a voyage to the International Space Station today. The historic mission, called the Crew Flight Test, is set to launch at 10:52 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to ride aboard the Starliner capsule on the 24-hour flight. If successful, this would mark only the sixth inaugural journey of a crewed spacecraft in US history. Williams will also make history as the first woman to fly aboard such a mission. However, a number of issues caused the previous crewed launch attempts, on May 6 and June 1, to be scrubbed. The event will stream live on NASA's website.

 

Boeing launches NASA astronauts for the first time after years of delays

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing launched astronauts for the first time Wednesday, belatedly joining SpaceX as a second taxi service for NASA.

https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-launch-e139ce1842e0324942746bb0cdee5c73?

[phkrause]

SpaceX’s Starship shows improvement on latest orbital test launch

The latest SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy rocket launched from Texas on Thursday morning on an orbital test flight that avoided any explosions while attaining much more control in landing operations.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/06/spacex-aims-for-more-control-with-starship-launch-this-morning/?

Boeing’s Starliner makes it to ISS battling new leaks, busted thrusters

Boeing’s Starliner sprung two new leaks in its propulsion system after launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, and lost power to some of its thrusters as it approached the International Space Station, but it was still able to dock safely Thursday with a pair of NASA astronauts along for the ride.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/06/despite-new-leaks-since-launch-boeings-starliner-headed-for-space-station-rendezvous/?

[phkrause]

NOAA’s hurricane hunting GOES-U satellite nears SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch this month

TITUSVILLE — Hurricanes Michael, Dorian, Ian, Nicole and Idalia have all been stared down by one of the NOAA’s most powerful satellites since it took its place in geostationary orbit in late 2017. Its replacement is gearing up for launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy later this month.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/07/noaas-hurricane-hunting-goes-u-satellite-nears-spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-this-month/?

[phkrause]

NASA again delays Boeing Starliner’s return home

NASA said Friday that the Boeing Starliner and its crew will now return to Earth from the International Space Station no earlier than Saturday, June 22.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/14/nasa-starliner-return-delayed/?

[phkrause]

NASA again pushes plans for Boeing Starliner return to Earth

NASA wants more time to look at data related to problems with Boeing’s Starliner thrusters and helium leaks before letting a pair of NASA astronauts make their way back to Earth,  again pushing back a planned return date from the International Space Station.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/18/nasa-again-pushes-plans-for-boeing-starliner-return-to-earth/?

[phkrause]

Two NASA astronauts will extend their stay on the International Space Station as crews on the ground work to better understand issues with the Starliner spacecraft that carried them into orbit. Since the historic crewed launch on June 5, the astronauts have navigated a number of issues with the Boeing-built vehicle — including malfunctioning thrusters and a series of helium leaks. Boeing and NASA said Tuesday that Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore — who arrived at the space station on June 6 for what was estimated to be roughly a weeklong visit — will not return home before June 26. The mission aims to further research and expand the United States' options for ferrying astronauts to the space station in collaboration with private industry partners.

[phkrause]

SpaceX ends nearly 2-week lull with Space Coast launch

A late scrub due to weather on Tuesday that also took a Wednesday attempt off the board continued SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral launch attempt woes of late, but it finally managed a liftoff on Thursday going close to 13 days between launches from the Space Coast, the longest run since late 2022.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/18/spacex-switches-up-missions-to-set-up-cape-canaveral-launch-tonight/?

[phkrause]

NASA delays Boeing Starliner return until sometime in July

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft and its crew won’t return to Earth from the International Space Station until sometime in July at the earliest, NASA and Boeing said Friday evening.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/21/nasa-pushes-boeing-starliner-return-into-july-at-the-earliest/?

[phkrause]

Year’s 1st SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch on tap Tuesday with NOAA satellite

SpaceX is locked and loaded for what would be only the 10th launch for its powerhouse Falcon Heavy rocket Tuesday, scheduled to take a powerful weather satellite to space if weather cooperates.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/24/years-1st-spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-on-tap-tuesday-with-noaa-satellite/?

[phkrause]

Powerhouse hurricane watchdog satellite launches aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — The last of a series of hurricane-hunting satellites got its most powerful ride ever to space Tuesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/25/powerhouse-hurricane-watchdog-satellite-to-take-a-ride-on-spacex-falcon-heavy-today/?

[phkrause]

Why NASA astronauts are delayed at the space station after Boeing Starliner launch

NEW YORK (AP) — When two veteran NASA astronauts blasted off on a test drive of Boeing’s new capsule, they expected to head home from the International Space Station in a week or so.

https://apnews.com/article/boeing-capsule-nasa-astronauts-space-station-leaks-0a1b178e04e2f7031c0a1c97bd73dcac?

[phkrause]

NASA taps Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring International Space Station out of orbit in a few more years

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build the vehicle that will bring the International Space Station out of its longtime orbit of Earth when its operating lifespan ends in a few more years.

https://apnews.com/article/nasa-spacex-contract-international-space-station-339c0b8313073fdf4d9fe22056f3d51c?

[phkrause]

SpaceX knocks out morning launch with record booster from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX got back to a quick pace between launches with another Starlink mission from the Space Coast on Thursday using its fleet-leading booster for a record flight.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/27/spacex-set-for-morning-launch-with-record-booster-from-cape-canaveral/?

[phkrause]

Boeing Starliner crew ‘not stranded,’ but ‘not in any hurry’ to get home from ISS

NASA officials gave an update Friday on the status of Boeing’s Starliner docked at the International Space Station and when astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams would get the OK to come home.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/06/28/boeing-starliner-crew-not-stranded-but-not-in-any-hurry-to-get-home-from-iss/?

[phkrause]

Two asteroids will be visible from Earth this weekend

In an exciting cosmic event, not one but two asteroids will pass by Earth this weekend. But don’t worry - there is NO threat to our planet.

https://www.mlive.com/weather/2024/06/two-asteroids-will-be-visible-from-earth-this-weekend.html?

[phkrause]

Blue Origin logs SpaceX Starship concerns as it preps for 1st New Glenn launch

As Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin prepares for the first launch of its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral this year, the company has taken time to voice concerns over future launches of competitor SpaceX’s massive Starship and Super Heavy, also planning to launch from the Space Coast.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/07/04/blue-origin-logs-spacex-starship-concerns-as-it-preps-for-1st-new-glenn-launch/?

[phkrause]

SpaceX Falcon 9 to deploy Turkish satellite. When, where to see it in Daytona, New Smyrna

Did you see (or hear) the July Fourth fireworks? Another pretty spectacular “streak of light in the sky” is coming up, courtesy of SpaceX.

https://local.newsbreak.com/new-smyrna-beach-fl/3516740112883-spacex-falcon-9-to-deploy-turkish-satellite-when-where-to-see-it-in-daytona-new-smyrna?

[phkrause]

NASA snaps images of an asteroid large enough to have a moon of its own

What just happened? NASA struck gold late last month when it snapped a hefty asteroid cruising by Earth, giving us an up-close look at the rock--and its mini-moon tagging along. The images, captured by the Goldstone radar dish, show "2011 UL21" in great detail as it made one of the closest asteroid approaches of the year on June 27.

https://www.techspot.com/news/103701-nasa-snaps-images-asteroid-large-enough-have-moon.html

[phkrause]

Crew of NASA’s earthbound simulated Mars habitat emerge after a year

The crew of a NASA mission to Mars emerged from their craft after a yearlong voyage that never left Earth.

https://apnews.com/article/nasa-simulated-mars-habitat-exit-7fd7d511ca22016793d504b1a47f97ee?