Space, NASA and Science News

[phkrause]

NASA wants to come up with a new clock for the moon, where seconds tick away faster

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA wants to come up with an out-of-this-world way to keep track of time, putting the moon on its own souped-up clock.

https://apnews.com/article/moon-time-apollo-faster-space-gravity-0ed02d33a53bc39f58cf46f95a816bf6?

[phkrause]

WATCH AGAIN: SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites from Florida coast

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early Friday morning from Florida’s Space Coast, taking another batch of 23 Starlink satellites into orbit.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/04/05/spacex-planning-early-morning-starlink-launch-from-florida-coast/

[phkrause]

SpaceX launches new type of rideshare mission from KSC

A new type of SpaceX rideshare program made its first launch from the Space Coast on Sunday evening coupled with a land recovery of its first-stage booster that brought a sonic boom to parts of Central Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/07/new-type-of-spacex-rideshare-launch-tonight-could-bring-sonic-boom/?

[phkrause]

After delay, Delta IV Heavy lifts off for the last time

The storied career of the Delta family of rockets had to wait a little longer than planned to turn the page on its final chapter, but the last of its kind lifted off on the Space Coast on Tuesday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/09/after-delay-delta-iv-heavy-set-for-final-launch-ever/?

[phkrause]

Space station captures image of moon's shadow during solar eclipse

While millions of people looked skyward at Monday's total solar eclipse on Monday, a handful of earthlings took in a much different view of the rare phenomenon — from the International Space Station.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3397068431647-space-station-captures-image-of-moons-shadow-during-solar-eclipse?

[phkrause]

SpaceX weekend rocket launch

Who's up for a Friday night launch? A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will potentially lift off this week, carrying another batch of Starlink internet satellites.

https://local.newsbreak.com/volusia-county-fl/3399371058372-spacex-weekend-rocket-launch-where-to-watch-from-daytona-new-smyrna-beach-oak-hill?

[phkrause]

SpaceX launch from Cape marks record turnaround time with record booster reflight

SpaceX managed a Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral Friday night less than three days since the last rocket blasted off from the same launch pad, setting a turnaround record while also using a first-stage booster for a record-setting 20th flight.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/12/spacex-launch-from-cape-tonight-to-mark-record-turnaround-record-booster-flight/?

[phkrause]

NASA dumps pricey Mars Sample Return plan, seeks lower cost, faster timeline

NASA still wants to bring samples back from Mars being gathered by the Perseverance rover, but ballooning costs for the return trip to Earth under a limited budget that would force years of delays is prompting the agency to seek out a cheaper, faster plan. 

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/15/nasa-dumps-pricey-mars-sample-return-plan-seeks-lower-cost-faster-timeline/?

[phkrause]

NASA confirms space junk that hit Florida home came from space station

An object that hit a Florida home in March was part of debris released from the International Space Station three years earlier, NASA has revealed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/16/nasa-confirms-space-junk-that-hit-florida-home-came-from-space-station/?

[phkrause]

NASA Greenlights Drone Mission to Saturn's Moon

If all goes well, the 'rotorcraft' drone will arrive on Titan in 2034 to look for 'prebiotic chemical processes common on both Titan and the early Earth before life developed.'

https://www.pcmag.com/news/nasa-greenlights-drone-mission-to-saturns-moon?

[phkrause]

Astronauts arrive to KSC as 1st crew for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — It’s not just another ride for a pair of veteran NASA astronauts who arrived to the Space Coast ahead of their flight onboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/25/astronauts-arrive-to-ksc-as-1st-crew-for-boeings-starliner-spacecraft/?

[phkrause]

A horse-shaped nebula gets its close-up in new photos by NASA’s Webb telescope

DALLAS (AP) — NASA’s Webb Space Telescope has revealed the sharpest images yet of a portion of a horse-shaped nebula, showing the “mane” in finer detail.

https://apnews.com/article/nasa-james-webb-telescope-horsehead-nebula-be88e5a1fc018f2407536f1d6f6d3c10?

[phkrause]

Astronauts to launch from Cape Canaveral for its 1st human spaceflight in nearly 56 years

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — For the first time in over half a century, astronauts will be lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida next week. The Space Shuttle Program, which flew 135 missions, and the more recent Space X launches, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, instead.

https://local.newsbreak.com/cape-canaveral-fl/3422636853415-astronauts-to-launch-from-cape-canaveral-for-its-1st-human-spaceflight-in-nearly-56-years?

[phkrause]

Study offers $2.1B plan to make room for SpaceX, other rocket company fleets at Port Canaveral

More Space Coast rocket launches mean a crowded fleet of support ships are already pushing Port Canaveral’s limits. So the state commissioned a study that suggests a $2.1 billion solution to give companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin dedicated places to dock.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/02/study-offers-2-1b-plan-for-spacex-other-rocket-company-fleets-at-port-canaveral/?

[phkrause]

Boeing aims for Starliner astronaut launch Monday after delays, $1.5 billion spent

CAPE CANAVERAL — Boeing has spent more than $1.5 billion to develop its CST-100 Starliner amid years of delays, but the payoff on its deal with NASA is on the horizon with the first human test flight set for launch Monday night.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/04/boeing-aims-for-starliner-astronaut-launch-monday-after-delays-1-5-billion-spent/?

[phkrause]

🛰️ Earth's congested orbit

Data: Slingshot Aerospace. Chart: Will Chase/Axios Earth gained a record number of satellites — nearly 3,000 — last year, adding to the congestion around the planet, Axios' Alison Snyder writes. Why it matters: Crowded orbits and collisions between satellites raise the risk of creating dangerous space debris and making parts of the planet's orbit unusable. 🚀 By the numbers: The total number of satellites in Earth's orbit hit 12,597 at the end of 2023. Driven by Elon Musk's companies, SpaceX and Starlink, and their internet constellations, more than 91% of satellites around the planet are in low-Earth orbit, and nearly 80% of all satellites are dedicated to communications.

[phkrause]

SpaceX Starlink launch an appetizer to tonight’s ULA’s Atlas V launch of Starliner

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — SpaceX is all for human spaceflight, but also isn’t slowing down with its own plans as it launched its Starlink satellites with a mission Monday afternoon ahead of the planned launch later Monday night of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with a pair of NASA astronauts on board Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/06/spacex-starlink-launch-an-appetizer-to-tonights-ulas-atlas-v-launch-of-starliner/?

Billionaire’s 2nd SpaceX trip featuring spacewalk aims for early summer launch

Billionaire Jared Isaacman, who flew to space once with SpaceX, is already set for launch No. 2 in early summer.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/07/billionaires-2nd-spacex-trip-featuring-spacewalk-aims-for-early-summer-launch/?

[phkrause]

Boeing Starliner astronaut launch delayed until at least May 17

A pair of NASA astronauts were ready to go, but a single valve caused a scrub of their ride on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on Monday night. The next shot to fly won’t be until at least May 17.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/07/why-did-boeing-starliner-scrub-and-when-will-it-launch/?

[phkrause]

A scorching, rocky planet twice Earth’s size has a thick atmosphere, scientists say

DALLAS (AP) — A thick atmosphere has been detected around a planet that’s twice as big as Earth in a nearby solar system, researchers reported Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/article/nasa-webb-telescope-rocky-planet-atmosphere-469af5c5c446c5f3c3bc1d7ca8db2f9a?

[phkrause]

NASA watchdog report: 100+ cracks on heat shield biggest threat to human moon mission

The damage to the Orion capsule from the Artemis I mission is already top of mind for NASA as it works to make the Artemis II mission safe for humans. But a new agency report revealed the extent of the problem, including scores of cracks in Orion’s critical heat shield.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/09/nasa-watchdog-report-100-cracks-on-heat-shield-biggest-threat-to-human-moon-mission/?

Port Canaveral adjusts plan so new terminal will be ready in 2026

CAPE CANAVERAL — Port Canaveral officials revealed Thursday a plan to turn an existing cargo berth into a new cruise terminal in 2026 that can handle the largest cruise ships in the world.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/09/port-canaveral-pivots-plan-so-new-terminal-will-be-ready-in-2026/?

[phkrause]

☀️ 1 for the road: Northern lights in Alabama

Image: NASA A severe solar storm this weekend could trigger a stunning northern lights show as far south as Alabama — and potentially cause communications disruptions, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Why it matters: The agency issued a "very rare" severe geomagnetic storm watch — the first such alert since 2005, Axios' Rebecca Falconer writes. The storm is expected to hit Earth this evening and could last through Sunday. Keep reading.

[phkrause]

FAA initiates environmental impact study for SpaceX Starship launches from KSC

SpaceX’s plans to build a Starship launch complex at Kennedy Space Center are moving closer to reality even as it potentially takes over a launch site from neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/10/faa-to-assess-environmental-impact-for-spacex-starship-launches-from-ksc/?

[phkrause]

SpaceX's Starlink Pulls Through Solar Storm Without Major Impact

This weekend's major solar storm seemed to cause only minor, sporadic disruptions for SpaceX's Starlink system, despite a warning from the company about "degraded service."

https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacexs-starlink-pulls-through-solar-storm-without-major-impact?

[phkrause]

NASA announces another delay to Boeing Starliner launch

The first crewed flight for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner will have to wait a little bit longer but is still targeting a May launch. The mission is now slated for no earlier than May 21 at 4:43 p.m, NASA revealed Tuesday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/14/nasa-announces-another-delay-to-boeing-starliner-launch/?

[phkrause]

Astronomers find the biggest known batch of planet ingredients swirling around young star

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronomers have discovered what they believe is the biggest known batch of planet-making ingredients swirling around a young star.

https://apnews.com/article/planets-star-disk-astronomy-8c07271543911f0f92bf6e6cfdf7753d?