Latest news with #SpaceXDragon
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
President Trump withdraws nominee to lead NASA Jared Isaacman
The withdrawal, first reported by the news website Semafor, comes after the 42-year-old Isaacman already cleared the Senate Commerce Committee in April and appeared on track for a full Senate vote. "The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars," White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston said in a statement. "It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda, and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon." More: Elon Musk's rise and fall: From Trump's chainsaw-wielding sidekick to a swift exit The move comes a day after Musk, a business partner and friend of Isaacman, left the White House after spending four months as a senior White House adviser overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk joined Trump for an Oval Office news conference to mark the end of the billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO's tenure in the White House. Conservative activist Laura Loomer, who has proven influential in many Trump decisions, raised alarm about the status of Isaacman's nomination in an X post, hours before the White House confirmed it was being withdrawn, writing, "There is reason to believe that Isaacman may be facing retaliation because of his friendship with Musk." More: Trump's pick to head NASA has been to space twice: Recapping billionaire's missions Isaacman, founder and CEO of the payment processing company Shift4 Payments, undertook his first private space venture in 2021, when he was commander and financier of the world's first all-civilian extended mission to space. In 2024, he returned to space with an all-civilian crew of amateur spacefarers with the Polaris Dawn missions, which he jointly funded with SpaceX. The Polaris Dawn mission got off the ground on Sept. 10 with the help of a Falcon 9 rocket, which propelled the crew to orbit on a SpaceX Dragon capsule from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew also included pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. NASA has lacked a full-time administrator since Bill Nelson, NASA administrator in the Biden administration, stepped down on Jan. 20 when Trump was inaugurated. Contributing: Eric Lagatta of USA TODAY Reach Joey Garrison @joeygarrison.
News18
2 days ago
- Science
- News18
'Just Hope He's Eating Well': Astronaut-Designate Shubhanshu Shukla's Family Prays For Space Mission
Last Updated: Shukla will fly to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 8 The family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is preparing for lift-off into space, is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions—pride, anxiety, and hope. News18 spoke to Shukla's parents and elder sister in Lucknow and they discussed his childhood, dedication, and the deep emotional current running through their home ahead of his 14-day space mission to the International Space Station (ISS). His mother, Asha Shukla, tears up while speaking about her son's extraordinary journey. 'I am proud, but also deeply anxious. He has always been calm and determined, but as a mother, I can't stop worrying. He's going so far, into space. Every day I pray for his safe return," she said. 'He used to love maa ke haathon ka khana, especially the simple meals I cooked with love. It's been years since he had that. I just hope he's eating well." His father, SD Shukla, a retired government employee, recalls his son's early years. 'He was never like the other kids—always focused, quiet, and deeply thoughtful. We didn't even know when he applied for NDA. One day he came and told us he had cleared everything—written, SSB, medical. That's how he has always been: silently determined." Sibling Bond Shukla's elder sister, Shuchi Mishra, described their bond as a lifelong friendship filled with ups and downs. 'We would fight over small things, but never stayed angry. He always had a larger-than-life dream and pursued it relentlessly. Even as a child, he stood apart—disciplined and driven. His presence always gave us strength. It's strange to see him go so far away now. I feel both proud and emotional." IAF Journey and Sacrifice Shukla joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on June 17, 2006, after clearing the NDA exam. Over nearly two decades, he has logged over 2,000 flying hours on several frontline aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. A Mission Beyond Borders Shukla is currently under quarantine with his three fellow astronauts ahead of the launch. He has expressed complete confidence in the success of the mission. 'This is a milestone for commercial spaceflight and international collaboration," he said during a pre-launch event hosted by Axiom Space. He will fly to the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The scheduled launch date is June 8. About the Axiom-4 Mission Axiom-4 (Ax-4) is a landmark mission in the evolution of commercial spaceflight. Organised jointly by NASA and private space company Axiom Space, this mission aims to deepen international cooperation in low-Earth orbit and push forward the agenda of building the world's first commercial space station—Axiom Station. The crew includes astronauts from four countries: India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary. Representing India is Group Captain Shukla; from the US is veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson; Poland is represented by Slawosz Uznanski, who will become the second Polish astronaut in space after 1978; and Hungary's Tibor Kapu will be its second astronaut after 1980. The Axiom-4 mission will dock with the ISS for 14 days, during which the crew will carry out a diverse range of tasks. The mission's primary objective is to advance scientific research in microgravity across multiple disciplines, including biology, physics, and materials science. The astronauts will also evaluate new technologies designed for deep-space travel and long-duration space habitation. In addition, the team will focus on fostering international scientific collaboration by working with institutions from around the world. Educational outreach programmes are also planned, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists, technologists, and space enthusiasts. First Published:
Mint
2 days ago
- Science
- Mint
NASA's Sunita Williams, Butch recall Starliner's journey to space: 'We didn't know if we would be able to make it back'
During their space journey last year, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore wondered whether they would have been able to 'make it back' home if their Starliner vehicle had not docked with the International Space Station (ISS). Starliner's historic first test mission with NASA astronauts had issues docking with the ISS on June 6 after five thrusters (out of 28) in its reaction control system misbehaved. Two months after safely landing on Earth, Butch Wilmore recalled the horror he and Sunita Williams faced when their Boeing Starliner capsule was detected with faults mid-journey. Wilmore told BBC News that docking of the spacecraft with the space station was 'imperative'. But when the spacecraft endured a series of thruster failures and helium leaks, the astronauts were unable to fly forward to dock. "If we weren't able to dock, would we be able to make it back? We didn't know," Wilmore said. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had launched into space on June 5, riding on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. They reached the ISS on June 6. They were supposed to spend eight days in space, but they ended up staying for around nine months due to the faults in the Starliner. The NASA had determined it was too much of a risk to put the two NASA astronauts back on board Starliner, and changed its ISS manifest to bring the astronauts home in another way. The two NASA astronauts returned safely to Earth in March this year, on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Since their return, the duo have been working with the NASA and Boeing to fix problems with the malfunctioning spacecraft that took them into space last summer, BBC reported. "We are very positively hopeful that there will be opportunities to fly the Boeing Starliner in the future," Wilmore said. Both astronauts said they would personally fly in the craft again - once those technical issues were resolved. "It's a very capable spacecraft," Sunita Williams was quoted as saying. She added, "It has unique capabilities compared to other spacecraft that are out there that are really great for future astronauts to fly."
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'Gravity stinks': NASA astronaut reveals harsh toll of Earth's pull after nine months stranded in space in latest health update
Stranded in space for 256 days, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams faced unexpected health challenges upon returning to Earth. Gravity-triggered pain, fatigue, and disorientation underscored the toll of prolonged microgravity. Now assisting NASA and Boeing with post-mission analysis, the duo's experience offers crucial lessons for upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'We Were Still Floating—And My Neck Already Hurt' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Astronaut to Earthling: A Painful Transformation A Mission That Keeps on Giving The Cost of Going Where Few Have Gone When NASA astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita 'Suni' Williams blasted off last June aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, they were scheduled for a quick eight-day hop to the International Space Station. Instead, they found themselves unwilling space castaways—stranded in orbit for an astonishing 256 days as a cascade of technical failures turned their short assignment into a nine-month was the kind of space drama that seems scripted for a sci-fi thriller, with unexpected heroes and interstellar twists. And when Boeing's beleaguered Starliner refused to bring them home, it was Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon that swooped in for the rescue. On March 18, the duo finally splashed down on Earth—but that triumphant return marked the beginning of an entirely different battle: readjusting to life on a planet where gravity is weeks after their return, the astronauts are still unpacking the effects of their unexpected exile in microgravity. Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday (28 May), a candid and humorous Butch Wilmore summed up the transition with unforgettable words: 'Gravity stinks for a period.'Wilmore, 62, revealed that he had chronic back and neck issues before the mission—problems that completely vanished in the weightlessness of space. But the moment Earth reclaimed him, so did the pain. 'We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet,' he a sobering testament to just how dramatically space reshapes the human body—and how violently gravity reasserts Suni Williams , the reentry was less dramatic but equally taxing. Despite following a strict in-space fitness regime—two hours of daily exercise meant to preserve bone density and muscle mass—her recovery has been anything but smooth. She described a strange, sluggish fatigue that lingered long after touchdown, making even waking up in the morning a challenge.'For a while, I couldn't get up when I wanted to,' Williams admitted. 'Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back.'The human body, it turns out, doesn't forgive the absence of gravity easily. While floating in space may sound like a dream, it's a physiological puzzle—one that NASA's medical teams are still trying to their boots are firmly back on the ground, Wilmore and Williams are far from finished. Their unplanned endurance test has become invaluable data for NASA and Boeing, as the space agencies refine protocols for longer missions—and brace for eventual journeys to the Moon and based in Houston, the pair spend their days splitting time between recovery sessions with NASA's strength and reconditioning team and contributing their firsthand insights to the Starliner program. From balancing on wobble boards to running simulations, their mission has become a case study in human resilience—both physical and psychological.'It's been a little bit of a whirlwind,' Williams reflected, her voice carrying the weight of both exhaustion and tale is a striking reminder: space travel isn't just about high-tech capsules and cosmic views. It's about what it takes to come home. The journey back to Earth may last only minutes, but the return to normalcy—well, that can take weeks, months, or perhaps never really be humanity dreams bigger and aims farther, Wilmore and Williams are the living proof that even our boldest scientific pursuits must grapple with the oldest of forces—gravity, and the aching, beautiful burden of being human.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Gravity stinks': NASA astronaut reveals harsh toll of Earth's pull after nine months stranded in space in latest health update
'We Were Still Floating—And My Neck Already Hurt' You Might Also Like: Astronaut Sunita Williams reveals the hardest part of being stranded in space. And it will melt your heart From Astronaut to Earthling: A Painful Transformation A Mission That Keeps on Giving You Might Also Like: NASA says this 10-minute workout beats 30 minutes of jogging and is easier on your joints The Cost of Going Where Few Have Gone When NASA astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita 'Suni' Williams blasted off last June aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, they were scheduled for a quick eight-day hop to the International Space Station. Instead, they found themselves unwilling space castaways—stranded in orbit for an astonishing 256 days as a cascade of technical failures turned their short assignment into a nine-month was the kind of space drama that seems scripted for a sci-fi thriller, with unexpected heroes and interstellar twists. And when Boeing's beleaguered Starliner refused to bring them home, it was Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon that swooped in for the rescue. On March 18, the duo finally splashed down on Earth—but that triumphant return marked the beginning of an entirely different battle: readjusting to life on a planet where gravity is weeks after their return, the astronauts are still unpacking the effects of their unexpected exile in microgravity. Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday (28 May), a candid and humorous Butch Wilmore summed up the transition with unforgettable words: 'Gravity stinks for a period.'Wilmore, 62, revealed that he had chronic back and neck issues before the mission—problems that completely vanished in the weightlessness of space. But the moment Earth reclaimed him, so did the pain. 'We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet,' he a sobering testament to just how dramatically space reshapes the human body—and how violently gravity reasserts Suni Williams , the reentry was less dramatic but equally taxing. Despite following a strict in-space fitness regime—two hours of daily exercise meant to preserve bone density and muscle mass—her recovery has been anything but smooth. She described a strange, sluggish fatigue that lingered long after touchdown, making even waking up in the morning a challenge.'For a while, I couldn't get up when I wanted to,' Williams admitted. 'Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back.'The human body, it turns out, doesn't forgive the absence of gravity easily. While floating in space may sound like a dream, it's a physiological puzzle—one that NASA's medical teams are still trying to their boots are firmly back on the ground, Wilmore and Williams are far from finished. Their unplanned endurance test has become invaluable data for NASA and Boeing, as the space agencies refine protocols for longer missions—and brace for eventual journeys to the Moon and based in Houston, the pair spend their days splitting time between recovery sessions with NASA's strength and reconditioning team and contributing their firsthand insights to the Starliner program. From balancing on wobble boards to running simulations, their mission has become a case study in human resilience—both physical and psychological.'It's been a little bit of a whirlwind,' Williams reflected, her voice carrying the weight of both exhaustion and tale is a striking reminder: space travel isn't just about high-tech capsules and cosmic views. It's about what it takes to come home. The journey back to Earth may last only minutes, but the return to normalcy—well, that can take weeks, months, or perhaps never really be humanity dreams bigger and aims farther, Wilmore and Williams are the living proof that even our boldest scientific pursuits must grapple with the oldest of forces—gravity, and the aching, beautiful burden of being human.
