Latest news with #KennedySpaceCenter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Space Force to launch eighth X-37B spaceplane flight next month
The Space Force's X-37B spaceplane will take off on its eighth mission next month, this time with experiments focused on space-based communications and quantum sensing. 'These experiments come as part of a broader push across the U.S. Space Force to uphold the safety and security of the space domain by enhancing the resilience and flexibility of U.S. orbital systems,' the service said in a statement Monday announcing the launch. The spacecraft, built by Boeing, has served as a testbed for the Defense Department and NASA since its first flight in 2010. While not an operational spacecraft, the mini space shuttle is used to fly experiments and test maneuvers and operational concepts in orbit. Much of that work has been classified, but the Space Force in recent years has offered more insight into the platform's missions. Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman discussed the forthcoming mission, which will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter. 'It's about making our joint force more connected, more resilient and ready to operate in the face of any challenge,' Saltzman said. 'That's how America's Space Force secures our nation's interests in, from and to space.' For the communications experiment, the service will coordinate with commercial satellite networks in low Earth orbit, about 1,200 miles above the Earth's surface, to demonstrate laser communications — a technology that enables larger amounts of data to be transmitted more securely than traditional radio frequencies. 'The use of proliferated relay networks enhances the resilience of U.S. space architectures by ensuring that they contain no single point of failure,' the Space Force said. The quantum sensing demonstration will feature the highest performing quantum inertial sensor that's ever been used in space, according to the service. The sensor is designed to support navigation in orbit without GPS or other satellite networks. 'This technology is useful for navigation in GPS-denied environments and consequently will enhance the navigational resilience of U.S. spacecraft in the face of current and emerging threats,' the service said. 'As quantum inertial sensors would be useful for navigation in cislunar space, they additionally promise to push the technological frontiers of long-distance space travel and exploration.' The Fifth Space Operations Squadron at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC, conducts X-37B operations and experiments in partnership with the Space Rapid Capabilities Office. The service didn't describe the length of the mission or list any other experiments. It's last X-37B flight flew for 434 days, returning in March of this year. Among that mission's milestones was the demonstration of a series of aerobraking maneuvers that allowed the space vehicle to change orbits using minimal fuel.
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Science
- Digital Trends
Watch NASA's trailer for SpaceX's Crew-11 launch this week
NASA has released its official trailer (above) for the upcoming launch of SpaceX's Crew-11 to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA and SpaceX are targeting Thursday, July 31, for the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. To watch a live stream of the final pre-flight preparations as well as the launch itself, Digital Trends has all the details. NASA's trailer features some of the four Crew-11 participants — Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, along with Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov — talking about the fast-approaching mission. 'I think, in a lot of ways, science and exploration is just innate to us as human beings, it's just innate to who we are,' said Cardman, who's traveling to space for the first time. 'In many ways, I think trying to explore space generates solutions to problems that we didn't even know we had.' Meanwhile, Fincke, who's heading to orbit for the fourth time, describes the space station as 'one of humanities greatest accomplishments so far, and it just shows what human beings can do when we work together.' The four space travelers will spend about six months living and working aboard the orbital outpost. Besides engaging in science research and possibly taking part in spacewalks, the crew will also take time out for regular exercise, and enjoy some amazing views of Earth and beyond. NASA released the trailer on the same day that the crew conducted a rehearsal for Thursday's launch. SpaceX shared some photos and footage of the event. Crew-11, SpaceX, and @NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities — SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 28, 2025 The rehearsal involved the crew climbing into their spacesuits at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center, boarding vehicles for the drive to the launchpad, taking an elevator up the launch tower, and entering the Crew Dragon spacecraft that will carry them to the ISS. The crew and the mission team are now keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for the Space Coast. The conditions are currently looking a little unsettled, and a final decision on whether Thursday is a go for launch will be made in the coming days.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 arrives at Florida's Kennedy Space Center ahead of Thursday launch
The Brief NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 arrived at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday afternoon. Crew-11 is preparing to launch Thursday afternoon to the International Space Station (ISS) to perform research, technology demonstrations and maintenance activities aboard the orbiting laboratory. The four members of Crew-11 are NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA'sSpaceX Crew-11 arrived at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday afternoon ahead of their Thursday launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Crew-11 will perform research, technology demonstrations and maintenance activities aboard the orbiting laboratory. The flight is more than just a crew rotation — it lands during a historic moment in spaceflight: the 25th anniversary of uninterrupted human habitation aboard the ISS. What is NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 launch? What we know NASA and SpaceX are preparing to launch a new crew from Florida's Space Coast to the ISS next week as part of their ongoing partnership under the Commercial Crew Program. This mission will mark the 11th rotation flight and 12th astronaut mission under SpaceX's Commercial Crew partnership with NASA. Crew-11 will perform research, technology demonstrations and maintenance activities aboard the orbiting laboratory. NASA officials said Crew-11 will also contribute to the Artemis campaign by simulating moon-landing scenarios that astronauts may encounter near the lunar South Pole, showing how the space station helps prepare crews for deep space human exploration. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP The four members of Crew-11 are NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The crew will fly aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named "Endeavour," which previously flew NASA's SpaceX Demo-2, Crew-2, Crew-6 and Crew-8 missions, as well as private astronaut mission Axiom Mission 1. The launch is expected to take place at 12:09 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. What we don't know Officials have not disclosed the full timeline for the mission's duration or the complete list of experiments the astronauts will conduct aboard the ISS. Additionally, the specific symbolic items the astronauts are bringing to commemorate 25 years of continuous human presence in space have not been revealed. What's next Crew-11 will spend the remaining few days ahead of their launch to the ISS in quarantine and conducting preflight operations at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. The backstory Crew-11 was originally scheduled to launch earlier in 2024, but their mission was delayed to allow for the return of Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, whose trip home was postponed due to spacecraft issues. This mission continues NASA's goal of maintaining multiple commercial partnerships for human spaceflight. SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS 'Ready to fly' What they're saying "We are ready to fly," Cardman said during a short press conference after the crew's arrival at the Kennedy Space Center. "It's starting to feel very real. I'm so honored to be here for this special moment in history." "What a great crew to launch with," Fincke said. "This crew is exceptional." "We are showing a good example of international cooperation," Yui said. "I'm so grateful to be here with this great team. We are ready, and I'm looking forward to flying." "It's my honor to be here," Platonov said. "Crew-11, go!" Launch marks historic moment in spaceflight Big picture view This flight is more than just a crew rotation — it lands during a historic moment in spaceflight: the 25th anniversary of uninterrupted human habitation aboard the ISS. The mission also underscores the ongoing international cooperation between NASA, JAXA and Roscosmos amid evolving geopolitical challenges. The astronauts will focus on scientific research, technology demonstrations and essential station upkeep while representing the enduring global commitment to space exploration. The Source This story was written based on information shared by NASA on its website and the Crew-11 members during a short press conference after their arrival at the Kennedy Space Center on July 26, 2025. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
2 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
6 Black Women Astronauts In Space, 5 Fortune 500 CEOs On Earth (Pt. 1)
African American astronaut Mae Jemison, left, smiles as suit technician Sharon McDougle performs an ... More unpressurized and pressurized leak check on her spacesuit prior to the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission on the shuttle Endeavour, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, September 12, 1992. (Photo by NASA/) The underrepresentation of Black women in leadership roles within corporate America is stark, as highlighted by the surprising statistic that more Black American women have traveled to space as astronauts than have led a Fortune 500 company here on Earth. That is not a misprint. This fact highlights the broader challenge of the underrepresentation of Black females in many aspects of American work life. However, research suggests that while most Americans support equity goals, they may overlook that organizations have made little tangible progress on the issue. This article is the first in a three-part series that will document and analyze the issue, concluding with the third article, which will offer some solutions. The Underrepresentation Of Black Women Fortune 500 CEOs Recently, the media reported that tech billionaire Marc Andreessen, in a WhatsApp chat, said, 'Discrimination was now aimed at us,' apparently referring to the Black Lives Matter advocacy that arose after George Floyd's murder in May 2020. Mr. Andreessen also reportedly said, 'My people are furious and not going to take it anymore.' The main idea he seemed to be communicating was that people who look like him were being victimized, losing out in a zero-sum calculus, by 'DEI and immigration.' Mr. Andreessen's comments, while focused on college admissions and access to tech careers, framed the creation of opportunities for others as both a general threat and a personal threat to him. In doing so, he negated the needs of those who have never had the opportunities that he, and many of those for whom he advocates, already have. Losing something differs from never having had it in the first place. Such objections overlook the historical context of systemic disadvantage and significant underrepresentation faced by Black Americans, particularly Black women, in various sectors of American society. Disparities, rooted in the country's history of Black enslavement, persist in economics, healthcare, political representation, and psychological hurt. Disparities persist even when we narrow our focus to the workplace, and particularly if we focus on leadership roles. Data from 2023 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Black workers comprise about 13% of the workforce but hold only 3.3% of executive-level jobs. According to McKinsey, 'At the managerial level, the Black share of the workforce declines to 7 percent. Across the senior manager, VP, and SVP levels, Black representation holds steady at 4 to 5 percent.' Black women, who account for about 7.5% of the workforce, have less than 2% of C-suite roles. And, there are only two Black women on the most recent version of the Fortune 500 CEO list, published in June 2025. 5 Black women Have Made It to the Fortune 500 CEO Role The Fortune 500 ranks U.S. companies by revenue, and leadership roles in these organizations have a significant impact. Since Fortune began compiling the list in 1955, corporate boards have chosen fewer than 30 Black Americans to serve as the permanent CEOs of Fortune 500. In 70 years of the list's existence, only five of the chosen CEOs have been Black women. Table with data about the 5 Black women who have held Fortune 500 CEO roles This disparity serves as a signal of under-representation and highlights the link between diversity in leadership roles and overall organizational diversity, as McKinsey reports. A diverse executive leadership team is more likely to build a diverse workforce. 6 Black Women Have Made It To Outer Space As Astronauts Meanwhile, in an equally elite field, space exploration, Black women have found opportunities sooner. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected only about 360 astronaut candidates since its first class of astronauts in 1959. As of this writing, the active astronaut corps is fewer than 50 people. Given the small number of openings, the high degree of specialized skills required, and the physical risks that accompany these jobs, very few people get to be called an 'astronaut.' However, NASA has selected a higher proportion of Black women astronauts; in comparison, a smaller proportion have been chosen as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Moreover, the first Black woman astronaut, Mae Jemison, went to outer space in 1992. It would be another 17 years before the first Black woman, Ursula Burns, became the CEO of Xerox, a Fortune 500 company, in 2009. A table with data about the 6 Black women astronauts who have gone to outer spaceNote that the Black Americans Gayle King and Aisha Bowe, who were part of the recent Blue Origin private space flight, are part of a new category designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as 'spaceflight participants or civilian space travelers,' not as 'astronauts.' Black women in corporate America have more ambition, equal qualifications, and, in some cases, outperform their peers; yet they remain underrepresented in top leadership jobs in Fortune 500 companies. While this statement may seem startling, it underscores a broader challenge: understanding the underlying causes of these disparities. The next article in the series, Part 2, will provide the evidence supporting that statement by examining the specific challenges and systemic decisions that contribute to the limited number of Black women reaching the top of corporate America.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronauts for Crew-11 fly into KSC ahead of upcoming launch
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — The business of hurtling humans into space is getting routine on the Space Coast with the fourth flight of a SpaceX Crew Dragon queued up for this week. The crew going for that ride arrived in Florida on Saturday. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, the quartet for SpaceX's Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, flew into the former space shuttle landing site at KSC after noon under the searing sun as temperatures on the tarmac climbed into the 90s. 'Sorry for the heat, but it's Florida in the summertime,' said veteran Fincke, who kept cracking jokes and even made bunny ears behind Platonov's head during a photo as the crewmates talked to media. They're slated to lift off as early as 12:09 p.m. Thursday from KSC's Launch Pad 39-A atop a Falcon 9 rocket riding in the Crew Dragon Endeavour. 'We've been training together for over a year now and we are ready to fly,' said Cardman, who is making her first spaceflight. 'As a first-time flyer, this is the first moment when it's really starting to feel real.' They expect at least a six-month stay on board the space station where they will relieve the four members of Crew-10 on board since March. In addition to the two NASA flights this year, SpaceX has flown a private polar orbital mission Fram2 in March and the private Axiom Space Ax-4 mission to the space station last month. The launch is one shy of the five human spaceflight missions from Florida seen in 2024, although it would equal the number of people launching with 16 in space. Both last year's Boeing Starliner CFT mission and the Crew-9 mission only flew up with two crew each instead of four. That was because Crew-9 became the ride home for Starliner astronauts after NASA opted to send Boeing's beleaguered spacecraft home minus crew over safety concerns — and they ultimately had to be ferried home by SpaceX. NASA astronaut Michael Fincke talks about how he started to bald after going to space causing laughter from Crew-11 crewmate and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui after they arrived to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel) NASA astronaut and pilot Michael Fincke gives a handoff wave to Crew-11 crewmate JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yu as NASA astronaut and commander Zena Cardman, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, right, look on after they arrived to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel) NASA astronaut and pilot Michael Fincke cracks a joke causing JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui to break into laughter after they and their fellow Crew-11 crewmates, NASA astronaut and commander Zena Cardman and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, arrived to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel) The four members of Crew-11 arrive to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. From left to right are NASA astronaut and commander Zena Cardman, NASA astronaut and pilot Michael Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov along with his translator. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel) The four members of Crew-11 arrive to Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. From left to right are NASA astronaut and commander Zena Cardman, NASA astronaut and pilot Michael Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov along with his translator. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 6NASA astronaut Michael Fincke, right, raises some bunny ears behind the head Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov while posing for photos with their Crew-11 crewmates, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, after arriving at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 ahead of their planned launch this week to the International Space Station. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)Expand Endeavour is making a record sixth trip to space, the first of SpaceX's fleet of five Crew Dragons to hit that mark as NASA looks to stretch their utility beyond the original five flights for which they have been certified. Cardman was originally tapped as commander for the Crew-9 mission, but as a rookie, she was bumped in favor of another member of that crew with flight experience. She is now back for Crew-11 as its commander. She becomes the last of 12 NASA astronauts from the 2017 class known as The Turtles to make it space. 'In spaceflight, the journey is often nonlinear. It's just a privilege to be here with this crew, especially. I have the privilege of overlapping with one of my classmates, Jonny Kim, who's currently on board as a member of Expedition 73. I also have the privilege of flying with Kimiya Yui, whose patch has a turtle on it. And so that makes him an honorary turtle in my heart.' Fincke was also reassigned from what was supposed to be Starliner's first operational crew mission, Starliner-1, but shifted to this SpaceX mission as Boeing and NASA continue to work on Starliner's issues. He is making his fourth trip to space having made trips on Soyuz in 2004 and 2008 as well as the penultimate flight of the Space Shuttle Program, STS-134, on Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2011. 'It's been a really interesting journey watching brand new spaceships be built,' Fincke said. 'I'm very proud of our teams, both SpaceX and Boeing, to what they built together and really proud to actually finally fly on a commercial crew spacecraft.' Japan's Yui also was training for a Starliner flight, but is now headed for his second trip to space — having been on a Soyuz mission in 2015. 'My last mission was 10 years ago, so I'm very much looking forward to going back to my home,' he said. Platonov joins Cardman as the second rookie on this mission. The four will be on board when the station reaches a milestone on Nov. 2, which will signify 25 years of continuous occupation. They will be part of Expeditions 73 and 74 along with the three members on board that flew up on a Soyuz. 'I'm personally looking forward to going back up to the space station. I helped build it, and now I get to see it in its full maturity with six other crewmates,' Fincke said. NASA looks to decommission the station after 2030. 'I know it's coming near its time, but this is something that I think that humans should just really remember of all the cool things we can do when we work together constructively,' Fincke said. Solve the daily Crossword
