- Data from SLS Flight Prepares NASA for Future Artemis Missionsby Rachel Kraft on January 27, 2023 at 8:45 pm
NASA continues to evaluate data and learn more about the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s debut performance during the agency’s Nov. 16 Artemis I launch. Following an initial data assessment and review that determined the SLS rocket met or exceeded all performance expectations, SLS engineers are now taking a closer look at the Moon rocket’s performance to prepare for …
- Artemis I Orion Spacecraft Returns to Kennedy Space Centerby Madison Tuttle on December 30, 2022 at 9:18 pm
After its 1.4-million-mile mission beyond the Moon and back, the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission arrived back at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Dec. 30. The capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11 and was transported by truck across the country from Naval Base San Diego in California to Kennedy’s Multi …
- Artemis I Orion Spacecraft Departs Naval Base San Diego by Antonia Jaramillo Botero on December 21, 2022 at 8:26 pm
The Artemis I Orion spacecraft is on its way back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After completing a 25.5-day, 1.4-million-mile journey beyond the Moon and back Dec. 11, the spacecraft was recovered from the Pacific Ocean and transported to U.S. Naval Base San Diego, where engineers prepared the spacecraft for its trek by …
- Artemis I Update: Orion Offloaded from USS Portland in Preparation for Transport to Kennedy Space Centerby Tiffany Fairley on December 14, 2022 at 10:48 pm
Team members with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems program successfully removed the Artemis I Orion spacecraft from the USS Portland Dec. 14, after the ship arrived at U.S. Naval Base San Diego a day earlier. The spacecraft successfully splashed down Dec. 11 in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California after completing a 1.4 million-mile journey …
- Artemis I Update: Orion Secured Inside USS Portland Ahead of Return to Shore by Antonia Jaramillo Botero on December 11, 2022 at 11:53 pm
The Orion spacecraft has been secured in the well deck of the USS Portland. The ship will soon begin its trip back to U.S. Naval Base San Diego, where engineers will remove Orion from the ship in preparation for transport back to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for post-flight analysis. Upon Orion’s successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California at 9:40 PST/12:40 EST Dec. 11, flight …
- NASA astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Testby Will Robinson-Smith on April 25, 2024 at 11:04 pm
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived at the Cape in T-38 jets, the first such arrival since the space shuttle era. The mission is aiming to launch on Monday, May 6, at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 UTC).
- Rocket Lab launches NASA, Korean payloads on Electron flightby Will Robinson-Smith on April 23, 2024 at 4:08 pm
NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) will test materials and a deployable system for a solar sail-style propulsion system. Liftoff from New Zealand happened at 10:32 a.m. NZT on April 24 (6:32 p.m. EDT, 2232 UTC on April 23).
- SpaceX completes 300th Falcon booster landing during Starlink missionby Will Robinson-Smith on April 23, 2024 at 3:56 pm
The mission was the 30th orbital launch from Florida in 2024. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 happened at 6:17 p.m. EDT (2217 UTC).
- News from the Press Site: NASA explores new path for Mars Sample Return, Dragonfly mission to Titan gets green lightby Will Robinson-Smith on April 22, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Joining the video podcast on Friday, April 19, in this episode were Marina Koren, staff writer for The Atlantic, and Jack Kuhr, research editor for Payload Space.
- SpaceX completes 40th Falcon 9 launch of the year with Starlink missionby Will Robinson-Smith on April 18, 2024 at 4:52 pm
The mission comes a day after launching 23 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A. Liftoff of the Starlink 6-52 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 happened at 6:40 p.m. EDT (2240 UTC).
- SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket on Starlink mission from Kennedy Space Centerby Will Robinson-Smith on April 17, 2024 at 5:16 pm
With this launch, SpaceX is now one flight shy of tying the total number of Space Shuttle missions from this historic launch pad. This was the 81st flight of a Falcon rocket compared to the 82 total shuttle flights. Liftoff of the Starlink 6-51 mission happened at 5:26 p.m. EDT (2126 UTC).
- Boeing, ULA roll Starliner spacecraft out to pad 41 ahead of Crew Flight Test launch in Mayby Will Robinson-Smith on April 16, 2024 at 2:13 pm
The rollout operation on Tuesday followed a day of evaluations using Boeing’s weight and center-of-gravity machine to determine the final measurements on the spacecraft. Launch is still targeting May 6 at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 UTC).
- NASA requests proposals to reduce cost, timeline of Mars Sample Return missionby Will Robinson-Smith on April 16, 2024 at 1:06 am
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson described the projection of an $11 billion mission price tag that wouldn’t see the samples returned until 2040 as “unacceptable.”
- SpaceX launches Falcon 9 booster on record-breaking 20th flightby Spaceflight Now on April 12, 2024 at 11:46 pm
SpaceX shattered multiple records Friday night as it launches 23 satellites for the company's Starlink internet service from Cape Canaveral. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 UTC).
- News from the Press Site: Delta 4 Heavy finale, Starliner preparations and ExoMars gets new contractby Will Robinson-Smith on April 12, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Joining the live video podcast on Friday, April 12, are Elizabeth Howell, staff writer for Space.com, and Bill Harwood, space consultant for CBS News. The show begins at 4 p.m. EDT (2000 UTC) on the Spaceflight Now YouTube channel.
- Shenzhou-18 crew launches to Tiangong Space Stationby Adrian Beil on April 25, 2024 at 6:56 pm
China launched the crewed Shenzhou-18 mission on April 24 at 12:58:57 UTC. The launch was… The post Shenzhou-18 crew launches to Tiangong Space Station appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- New solar sail technology launches on Rocket Lab flightby Sawyer Rosenstein on April 23, 2024 at 6:39 pm
A potential new way to travel through space launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from… The post New solar sail technology launches on Rocket Lab flight appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- Launch Roundup: SpaceX lands its 300th booster, NASA tests a solar sail, and China launches three more taikonautsby Martin Smith on April 22, 2024 at 10:14 pm
During the last full week of April, planned launches include two Starlink missions and another… The post Launch Roundup: SpaceX lands its 300th booster, NASA tests a solar sail, and China launches three more taikonauts appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- Juno observes lava lake on Io, provides insight into Jupiter’s water abundanceby Haygen Warren on April 21, 2024 at 7:50 pm
In December 2023 and February 2024, NASA’s Juno spacecraft, currently in orbit around and investigating… The post Juno observes lava lake on Io, provides insight into Jupiter’s water abundance appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship’s future is coming into focusby Justin Davenport on April 19, 2024 at 6:51 pm
After the historic IFT-3 launch in March, the Starship program is proceeding with plans to… The post As IFT-4 prepares for launch, Starship’s future is coming into focus appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- China Roundup: ZhuQue-3 moves left, Tianlong-3 gets engines, and Chang Zheng rockets launchby Adrian Beil on April 18, 2024 at 6:11 pm
China’s upcoming and already operational startup aerospace companies are showing significant progress as of late.… The post China Roundup: ZhuQue-3 moves left, Tianlong-3 gets engines, and Chang Zheng rockets launch appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- As Europa Clipper nears October launch date, scientists anticipate groundbreaking resultsby Haygen Warren on April 16, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Later this year, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch from Launch Complex 39A at… The post As Europa Clipper nears October launch date, scientists anticipate groundbreaking results appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- Launch Roundup: SpaceX reaches its 40th Falcon 9 flight of 2024by Martin Smith on April 15, 2024 at 9:27 pm
With seven Falcon 9 launches flown this month already, SpaceX’s rapid pace continues with another… The post Launch Roundup: SpaceX reaches its 40th Falcon 9 flight of 2024 appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- Delta IV Heavy launches on final missionby William Graham on April 9, 2024 at 5:01 am
United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV rocket has successfully launched Tuesday on its final flight, the… The post Delta IV Heavy launches on final mission appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
- Launch Roundup: Delta IV swan song, Angara test flight from Russia, and three Falcon 9 flightsby Justin Davenport on April 8, 2024 at 9:32 pm
The second week of April not only has a long-awaited total solar eclipse but also… The post Launch Roundup: Delta IV swan song, Angara test flight from Russia, and three Falcon 9 flights appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.