Latest news with #Apollo17
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches megarocket from South Texas, loses control during mid-mission
BOCA CHICA, Texas – SpaceX launched its ninth Starship flight test from South Texas on Tuesday evening but reported losing control of the rocket halfway through the test mission. The launch occurred under mostly clear skies and the spacecraft was able to reach orbital altitude - a stark contrast to previous missions this year, which ended in explosions over the southwest Atlantic. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the go-ahead for the Elon Musk-led company to proceed with the launch after determining that SpaceX had adequately addressed the causes of the March mishap, which had forced airplanes to scramble to avoid collisions with falling debris. SpaceX had previously attributed the failure of the March test to the loss of multiple Raptor engines, which caused the rocket to lose control less than 10 minutes into the flight. Spacex Given Federal Approval To Resume Starship Megarocket Test Launch After Spectacular Explosion Although Tuesday's test flight lasted approximately an hour, it did not achieve all of its mission goals. Less than 20 minutes into the mission, the Starship appeared unable to deploy dummy Starlink satellites and around 30 minutes in, fuel leaks were reported aboard the spacecraft. Shortly after, the rocket appeared to enter an uncontrolled spin and was expected to crash harmlessly into the Indian Ocean. Mission control had planned to observe the rocket's heat shield during its reentry phase, but due to the mid-flight issues, they were unsuccessful in completing all of Tuesday's planned milestones. Unlike several previous missions that caused debris to rain down over active flight zones, SpaceX said the rocket was on a trajectory to land in a designated area that had been alerted prior to the mission. Before the launch, the FAA said it was in contact with its counterparts in the United Kingdom, Bahamas, Mexico, Cuba and the Turks & Caicos Islands to monitor any long-range impacts from launches. As of Tuesday evening, it was unclear whether the agency would initiate another lengthy investigation into the latest mishap. ""Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also, no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent. Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review," Musk stated after the failure. Spacex Starship Explosion Causes Scrambled Flights As Debris Rains Down Over Atlantic The Starship spacecraft is being developed with the long-term goal of carrying astronauts to the Moon and, potentially, Mars, but SpaceX has not publicly disclosed a timeline for when the rocket will be certified for human space travel. Several previous test flights have encountered challenges, leading to uncertainty about the objectives of Nasa's Artemis program. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2027, marking the first crewed Moon mission since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022 using a Boeing Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The next mission, Artemis II, is expected to be a crewed flight, but it also will not involve SpaceX's Starship, which likely will not be used until at least Artemis III. Depending on the outcome of any future investigation, the next Starship launch is unlikely to occur before article source: SpaceX launches megarocket from South Texas, loses control during mid-mission
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - What a commercial crewed moon mission could look like
Sometime in the near future, if all goes well, a billion or more video screens will show the image of a stainless-steel tower on the lunar surface, the Starship Human Landing System. Then, a close-up of the elevator will follow, bearing two space-suited astronauts from the crew compartment to the base of the lander. The two astronauts will discuss the landscape before them and the condition of the lander, especially the landing legs. Then will come the big moment. One of the astronauts will put boots on the lunar surface and will say something profound for the billions watching. For the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972, humans from the planet Earth will walk on the moon. It will be the beginning of an era of lunar exploration. But, as a recent piece in Ars Technica suggests, it will be the end of an era of Apollo-style voyages of exploration. It will be the last mission of the heavy lift, uber-expensive Space Launch System and (at least in its current form) the Orion spacecraft, flying in lunar orbit as the scene we just presented takes place. The Artemis IV mission will be the first of what can best be called Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. Just as travel to and from low Earth orbit has gone commercial, so will voyages to and from the moon. According to Ars Technica, 'Under the [Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services] model, NASA provides funding and guidance to private companies to develop their own spacecraft, rockets, and services, and then buys those at a 'market' rate.' The Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services would be far more complex than the original commercial crew. 'Sources indicate NASA would go to industry and seek an 'end-to-end' solution for lunar missions. That is, an integrated plan to launch astronauts from Earth, land them on the Moon, and return them to Earth.' SpaceX is an obvious contender for a Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services contract. In the scenario we have presented, the Starship Human Landing System will already have been proven. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, with its Blue Moon lunar lander under development and the heavy-lift New Glenn, would be another. Other companies will no doubt step forward. The advantage of going the commercial route is that it makes lunar exploration, especially the creation of a lunar base, sustainable. Commercial Orbital Transfer Services and Commercial Crew have reduced the cost of operating the International Space Station and promise to enable the creation of commercial space stations that are planned to replace the ISS. The same applies to the moon. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services will likely allow visits of private astronauts to the moon, just as Commercial Crew (like Jared Isaacman's Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn flights) enabled private visits to low Earth orbit. The disadvantage of the commercial approach is entirely political. Progressive politicians such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have occupied a lot of breath and bandwidth slamming tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for spending money on space exploration. A few years ago, Sanders declared, 'I am concerned that NASA has become little more than an ATM machine to fuel a space race not between the U.S. and other countries, but between the two wealthiest men in America — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.' The senator went on to decry the very idea of mining asteroids for their vast mineral wealth. He suggested that commercializing space exploration would allow people like Musk and Bezos to hoard that wealth, displaying a misunderstanding of how free-market capitalism works. If Artemis III takes place in the waning days of the second Trump administration, the first commercial crewed lunar flight will likely take place in the early days of the next presidency. Considering that the Democrats are talking about running Sanders's protégé, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), for president in 2028, Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services may become an issue in that election. Vice President JD Vance, or whoever the Republicans run in that year, had best be ready. Jared Isaacman, the moment he is sworn in as NASA administrator, should get the ball rolling for Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. The commercial lunar program is vital for the establishment of a lunar base, an immediate priority for NASA and its commercial and international partners. The process of commercializing travel to the moon and back could be a lengthy one. Commercial Crew took 10 years between the first proposals in 2011 and the first flight of the Crew Dragon in 2021. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services should not take that long, four or five years at most, if everything goes right. Thus, human civilization will extend across space to the surface of the moon. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond'and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
What a commercial crewed moon mission could look like
Sometime in the near future, if all goes well, a billion or more video screens will show the image of a stainless-steel tower on the lunar surface, the Starship Human Landing System. Then, a close-up of the elevator will follow, bearing two space-suited astronauts from the crew compartment to the base of the lander. The two astronauts will discuss the landscape before them and the condition of the lander, especially the landing legs. Then will come the big moment. One of the astronauts will put boots on the lunar surface and will say something profound for the billions watching. For the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972, humans from the planet Earth will walk on the moon. It will be the beginning of an era of lunar exploration. But, as a recent piece in Ars Technica suggests, it will be the end of an era of Apollo-style voyages of exploration. It will be the last mission of the heavy lift, uber-expensive Space Launch System and (at least in its current form) the Orion spacecraft, flying in lunar orbit as the scene we just presented takes place. The Artemis IV mission will be the first of what can best be called Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. Just as travel to and from low Earth orbit has gone commercial, so will voyages to and from the moon. According to Ars Technica, 'Under the [Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services] model, NASA provides funding and guidance to private companies to develop their own spacecraft, rockets, and services, and then buys those at a 'market' rate.' The Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services would be far more complex than the original commercial crew. 'Sources indicate NASA would go to industry and seek an 'end-to-end' solution for lunar missions. That is, an integrated plan to launch astronauts from Earth, land them on the Moon, and return them to Earth.' SpaceX is an obvious contender for a Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services contract. In the scenario we have presented, the Starship Human Landing System will already have been proven. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, with its Blue Moon lunar lander under development and the heavy-lift New Glenn, would be another. Other companies will no doubt step forward. The advantage of going the commercial route is that it makes lunar exploration, especially the creation of a lunar base, sustainable. Commercial Orbital Transfer Services and Commercial Crew have reduced the cost of operating the International Space Station and promise to enable the creation of commercial space stations that are planned to replace the ISS. The same applies to the moon. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services will likely allow visits of private astronauts to the moon, just as Commercial Crew (like Jared Isaacman's Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn flights) enabled private visits to low Earth orbit. The disadvantage of the commercial approach is entirely political. Progressive politicians such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have occupied a lot of breath and bandwidth slamming tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for spending money on space exploration. A few years ago, Sanders declared, 'I am concerned that NASA has become little more than an ATM machine to fuel a space race not between the U.S. and other countries, but between the two wealthiest men in America — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.' The senator went on to decry the very idea of mining asteroids for their vast mineral wealth. He suggested that commercializing space exploration would allow people like Musk and Bezos to hoard that wealth, displaying a misunderstanding of how free-market capitalism works. If Artemis III takes place in the waning days of the second Trump administration, the first commercial crewed lunar flight will likely take place in the early days of the next presidency. Considering that the Democrats are talking about running Sanders's protégé, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), for president in 2028, Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services may become an issue in that election. Vice President JD Vance, or whoever the Republicans run in that year, had best be ready. Jared Isaacman, the moment he is sworn in as NASA administrator, should get the ball rolling for Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. The commercial lunar program is vital for the establishment of a lunar base, an immediate priority for NASA and its commercial and international partners. The process of commercializing travel to the moon and back could be a lengthy one. Commercial Crew took 10 years between the first proposals in 2011 and the first flight of the Crew Dragon in 2021. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services should not take that long, four or five years at most, if everything goes right. Thus, human civilization will extend across space to the surface of the moon. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond'and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Call for volunteers to place flags at Santa Fe National Cemetery
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Santa Fe National Cemetery is asking for volunteers to help them place flags ahead of Memorial Day on Monday. Officials are looking to honor fallen military and veterans with flag placements throughout the cemetery. Moon mission: New discoveries still remain for the 50 year old Apollo 17 If interested in helping, you're asked to meet at the flagpole and rostrum this Saturday at 8 a.m. They will provide the flags and tools in designated areas throughout the cemetery. The flags are just one part of their Memorial Day ceremony, which will take place on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Moon mission: New discoveries still remain for the 50 year old Apollo 17
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Fifty years ago, the visit of the Apollo 17 spacecraft would be the last time man set foot on the moon. Half a century later, we are still learning from that visit to Earth's only natural satellite. This week Chad Brummett sat down with Dr. Chip Shearer, Research Scientist at the Institute of Meteoritics and Research Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UNM, to talk about what we can still discover from decade old rocks of lunar regolith and how these can help future exploration of space by learning to 'live off the land' on the moon. Learn more about the Casa Moon project Mexico Frontiers Digital Show is KRQE New 13's online exclusive web series, giving viewers a more detailed look into how the state is making waves in the Aerospace, Bio-science, Renewable Energy, Digital Media and Film, and Advanced Manufacturing communities. For more segments on prior stories, visit the New Mexico Frontiers page by clicking this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
