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Business Journals
4 days ago
- Science
- Business Journals
Space Florida explores NASA, Space Force operations merger at Cape Canaveral
The United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket sits atop Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
NASA astronauts Butch and Suni emerge from recovery after long Starliner mission
FILE PHOTO: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams walk at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ahead of Boeing's Starliner-1 Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo WASHINGTON - Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the U.S. astronauts left on the International Space Station last year by Boeing's troubled Starliner capsule, are on the up after returning to Earth in March, emerging from weeks of physical therapy to ramp up work with Boeing and various NASA programs. "Right now, we're just coming off of the rehab portion of our return," Wilmore, 62, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. "Gravity stinks for a period, and that period varies for different people, but eventually you get over those neurovestibular balance type of issues." Wilmore and Williams, who last year set off for an eight-day Starliner test flight that swelled into a nine-month stay in space, have had to readapt their muscles, sense of balance and other basics of Earth living in a 45-day period standard for astronauts returning from long-term space missions. The astronaut duo have spent at least two hours a day with astronaut strength and reconditioning officials within NASA's medical unit while juggling an increasing workload with Boeing's Starliner program, NASA's space station unit in Houston and agency researchers. "It's been a little bit of a whirlwind," Williams, 59, said in the interview. "Because we also have obligations to all of the folks that we worked with." Williams said some of her post-spaceflight side effects were slower to clear up and she felt tired in late stages of recovery, as dozens of various muscles re-engaged. That made it hard for her to wake up as early in the mornings as she likes, until a little more than a week ago. "Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back," she said. Wilmore had some issues with his back and neck before heading to space, being unable to turn his head all the way to the side, he said. That all went away in space where "you don't have any stress on your body." When he returned in March, gravity greeted him with the neck pain he left on Earth. "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 said, laughing. The human body, evolved over millions of years in the gravity of Earth's surface, was not meant for spaceflight. The absence of gravity triggers an array of physical effects over time, such as muscle atrophy or cardiovascular shifts that can cause a chain reaction of other health changes. Confinement in a small space and higher solar radiation in space, without the protection of Earth's atmosphere, have other effects. STARLINER PROBLEMS Propulsion system issues on Boeing's Starliner forced NASA to bring the capsule back without its crew last year and to fold the two astronauts into its normal, long-duration rotation schedule on the ISS. Boeing, which has taken $2 billion in charges on its Starliner development, faces a looming decision by NASA to refly the spacecraft uncrewed before it carries humans again. Boeing spent $410 million to fly a similar uncrewed mission in 2022 after a 2019 testing failure. Reflying Starliner uncrewed "seems like the logical thing to do," Williams said, drawing comparisons with Elon Musk's SpaceX and Russian capsules that flew uncrewed missions before putting humans aboard. She and NASA are pushing for that outcome, Williams added. "I think that's the correct path," said Williams, who is "hoping Boeing and NASA will decide on that same course of action" soon. Results from Starliner testing planned throughout the summer are expected to determine whether the spacecraft can fly humans on its next flight, NASA officials have said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Launch doubleheader recap: Live updates from ULA Amazon, SpaceX Starlink liftoffs at Cape Canaveral
Launch doubleheader recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Monday, April 28, back-to-back liftoffs of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V on the KA-01 mission and a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the Starlink 12-10 mission from Cape Canaveral. Original story: Prepare for a launch doubleheader tonight: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket should lift off back-to-back from Florida's Space Coast. Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage of a unique Amazon Project Kuiper-Starlink launch doubleheader within a 3½-hour span. First, ULA's Atlas V — which was outfitted with five solid rocket boosters — lifted off at 7:01 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and deployed Amazon's first production batch of 27 Project Kuiper broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Next up, SpaceX is targeting 10:34 p.m. to launch a Falcon 9 carrying 23 Starlink satellites from pad 39A at NASA's neighboring Kennedy Space Center. That rocket will track to the southeast. The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 75% chance of favorable weather for SpaceX's upcoming nighttime liftoff, with cumulus clouds and anvil clouds posing threats. Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral Countdown Timer SpaceX Falcon 9 booster lands on drone ship Update 10:42 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster just landed aboard SpaceX's drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean, wrapping up its first mission. Liftoff! Update 10:34 p.m.: Liftoff! SpaceX has just launched the Falcon 9 carrying 23 Starlink satellites from KSC, illuminating the nighttime sky. SpaceX launch webcast begins Update 10:28 p.m.: SpaceX's launch webcast is now posted above, right below our countdown clock. Liftoff is scheduled in six minutes from pad 39A at KSC. SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch in 14 minutes Update 10:20 p.m.: Fourteen minutes before SpaceX's Falcon 9 lifts off, the countdown appears to be proceeding as planned. Rocket fueling remains well underway. Following is a list of key remaining countdown milestones. T-minus: 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch. 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins. 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies 'go for launch.' 3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start. 0 seconds: Falcon 9 liftoff. New SpaceX booster to land on drone ship Update 10:10 p.m.: Tonight's mission marks the Falcon 9 first-stage booster's maiden flight, SpaceX reported. Following stage separation, crews expect this new booster to land on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean 8 minutes, 15 seconds after liftoff. A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster reaches Port Canaveral just after sunrise in August 2021 on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas. SpaceX Falcon 9 fueling is now underway Update 10:02 p.m.: Falcon 9 fueling procedures are now underway at pad 39A, as evidence by white vapor billowing from the rocket. That means the Starlink mission countdown is locked in to lift off at 10:34 p.m. without any delays, or else tonight's launch must be postponed to a later date. Starlink launch to be 36th of year from Space Coast Update 9:50 p.m.: SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch will become the 36th orbital rocket launch thus far during 2025 from KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Click here for the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team's updating log of these missions, complete with photo galleries and story links. SpaceX Falcon 9 launch countdown Update 9:35 p.m.: Here's a rundown of SpaceX's upcoming behind-the-scenes Falcon 9 launch countdown timeline. T-minus: 38 minutes: SpaceX launch director verifies 'go' for propellant load. 35 minutes: Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins. 16 minutes: Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins. 7 minutes: Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch. 1 minute: Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins. 45 seconds: SpaceX launch director verifies 'go' for launch. 3 seconds: Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start. 0 seconds: Liftoff. SpaceX celebrates 250th Starlink mission Update 9:19 p.m.: SpaceX notched its 250th dedicated Starlink launch Sunday night from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX launched another Starlink mission this afternoon from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Tonight's upcoming liftoff stands to become No. 252. ULA: Atlas V 'precisely delivers' Amazon's satellites Update 9 p.m.: ULA issued a post-launch press release with this subheadline: "Atlas V precisely delivers the first grouping of operational broadband satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation." 'This launch is an incredible milestone in Amazon's ambitious initiative to provide fast, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world,' Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of government and commercial programs, said in the release. 'We have worked diligently with the Project Kuiper team to place this important mission on orbit and are grateful for the opportunity to continue building upon this dynamic partnership," Wentz said. Next, ULA plans to launch seven more Project Kuiper missions using Atlas V rockets before transitioning to 38 more launches using Vulcan rockets. SpaceX launch prep underway in Brevard Update 8:48 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch. Space Force: SpaceX launch could be threatened by clouds Update 8:40 p.m.: Following are details from the 45th Weather Squadron's forecast for SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 launch: "Moist onshore flow in the proximity of the (frontal) boundary and a likely seabreeze collision will leadto scattered showers and possibly a few thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening across central Florida. These are expected to gradually weaken during the late evening hours on Monday," the forecast said. "Winds behind this boundary will increase some but are still likely to remain below wind constraints. Thus, the main weather threats for the primary launch opportunity are cumulus clouds associated with nearby showers and any lingering anvil clouds from remnant thunderstorms," the forecast said. Photo shows Atlas V side boosters jettisoning Update 8:25 p.m.: FLORIDA TODAY Photographer/Videographer Craig Bailey captured this image of the five solid rocket boosters jettisoning during the Atlas V's ascent into low-Earth orbit. Boosters are jettisoned from a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket after launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Video: Atlas V rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Update 7:42 p.m.: Check out this ULA video of the fiery Atlas V launch. ULA recaps Project Kuiper mission, ends live coverage Update 7:27 p.m.: In a final live update, ULA officials provided a recap of today's liftoff: "The seven-hour countdown started at 12:10 p.m. EDT under the guidance of ULA Launch Conductor Scott Barney. The pad crew completed final preps at the complex and then cleared the area for fueling. The 'go' for cryogenic tanking was given by ULA Launch Director Eric Richards at 4:43 p.m. Tanking operations were successfully performed as 66,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen were placed into the rocket. "The clear to launch was given at 6:55 p.m. EDT to enter terminal count, which resulted in liftoff. "Today's launch is the first of 46 missions that ULA will perform for Amazon to deploy a majority of the Project Kuiper satellite constellation. Amazon will use eight launches of the Atlas V rocket and 38 launches of the Vulcan rocket to deliver its satellites into space." Mission 'in good shape' 15 minutes after liftoff Update 7:20 p.m.: A ULA update: "T+plus 15 minutes. Now one quarter-of-an-hour since launch. Centaur systems remain in good shape as the stage continues to power toward orbit with the first satellites of Amazon's Project Kuiper." Atlas V solid rocket boosters jettison Update 7:05 p.m.: ULA officials confirmed that the five solid rocket boosters have separated. "T+plus 1 minute, 50 seconds. Solid rocket booster jettison is confirmed. The Northrop Grumman-made GEM 63 motors have successfully separated from the Atlas V first stage, having completed their job," a ULA update said. "Atlas V will soon transition to closed-loop guidance, following SRB separation, to aim the trajectory towards a precise point in space," the update said. "The rocket continues towards orbit on the power of its main engine and will more than triple its speed in the two minutes remaining in first stage flight," the update said. Liftoff! Update 7:01 p.m.: Liftoff! The ULA Atlas V with five solid rocket boosters has lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ULA: Atlas V rocket is 'go for launch' Update 6:57 p.m.: The final readiness poll results: "Go for launch." Liftoff is scheduled in four minutes. Nine minutes before Atlas V liftoff from Cape Update 6:52 p.m.: The ULA launch countdown continues proceeding toward liftoff. "Kuiper 1 will mark the 250th flight of a Centaur upper stage on an Atlas rocket. The Atlas Centaur combination has successfully launched spacecraft across the solar system, including 8 trips to Mars, delivered dozens of other scientific and weather satellites, carried critical assets into space for U.S. national security, and enabled commercial missions including launching astronauts in support of NASA's Commercial Crew Program," a ULA update said. Atlas V rocket fully fueled for launch Update 6:48 p.m.: ULA just reported all three Atlas V cryogenic tanks have been topped off to flight level. "Upper level winds have been verified acceptable for launch," a ULA update said. Rocket launch target time moved to 7:01 p.m. Update 6:42 p.m.: ULA has pushed back the target launch time one minute, to 7:01 p.m. This Atlas V graphic depicts potential visibility for launch spectators across much of the eastern United States, ranging from 30 seconds to 6½ minutes after liftoff along the ascending rocket's flight path. ULA Project Kuiper launch webcast begins Update 6:35 p.m.: ULA's launch webcast is now posted above, right below our countdown clock. Liftoff is scheduled in 25 minutes from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Will cumulus cloud cause a launch delay? Update 6:28 p.m.: A cumulus cloud off the Atlantic Ocean is approaching Launch Complex 41, ULA officials warned six minutes ago. "The weather team is interrogating the cumulus cloud coming off the ocean and headed toward the pad. It likely would cause a NO GO status on the weather," a ULA update said. Atlas V Centaur liquid hydrogen filling is complete Update 6:20 p.m.: ULA announced the Centaur upper-stage liquid hydrogen tank is filled ahead of launch. "Topping mode is now underway to give us a rocket weighing 1.29 million pounds (587,000 kg) for launch. The cryogenics will be replenished throughout the countdown until the final minutes before launch to replace the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen that naturally boils away," a ULA update said. ULA Atlas V launch prep underway in Brevard Update 6:10 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of ULA's upcoming Atlas V launch. ULA making 2nd Atlas V launch try after April 9 scrub Update 6 p.m.: As a reminder, this Amazon Project Kuiper mission was initially scheduled to lift off nearly three weeks ago, on April 9. However, cumulus clouds kept encroaching the 10-mile safety ring surrounding Launch Complex 41. And the launch got scrubbed. Odds of 'go for launch' weather increase to 80% Update 5:51 p.m.: In a significant update, the 45th Weather Squadron has upped the odds of favorable launch weather from 70% to 80% when the two-hour window opens at 7 p.m. Those odds dip to 65% by the end of the launch window. In a 5:40 p.m. tweet, ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno noted that an anvil cloud is approaching the Cape. "L- 1hr 22 min. Board is green. Working no issues. Wind is good. Anvil cloud heading our way. Everybody face west and aggressively exhale," Bruno said. ULA releases Atlas V Project Kuiper video Update 5:45 p.m.: Check out ULA's video below that details tonight's upcoming mission. Fueling of the first-stage liquid oxygen tank has hit the 60% mark, ULA reported. Amazon details Project Kuiper customer terminals Update 5:35 p.m.: In a fact sheet, Amazon officials provided the following descriptions of the three primary customer terminals for the future Project Kuiper satellite internet network: Our compact model is less than 11 inches square and delivers speeds up to 400 megabits per second (Mbps). We can produce it for less than $400 and expect to bring the cost down further. Our enterprise-grade model is a full-duplex antenna that measures 19 inches by 30 inches. It can deliver speeds up to 1 gigabit per second for demanding enterprise, government, and telecommunications applications. Our ultra-compact model is 7 inches square — about the size of a Kindle — and delivers speeds up to 100 Mbps. United Launch Alliance officials shared this image of Amazon's Project Kuiper payload before it was stacked atop an Atlas V rocket. Amazon launch to be 35th of year from Space Coast Update 5:25 p.m.: ULA's upcoming Atlas V launch will become the 35th orbital rocket launch thus far during 2025 from KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. A bit later, tonight's SpaceX's upcoming Falcon 9 liftoff will clock in at No. 36. Click here for the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team's updating log of these missions, complete with photo galleries and story links. Atlas V rocket fueling is underway Update 5:15 p.m.: ULA crews are loading about 4,150 gallons of liquid oxygen into the rocket's Centaur upper stage. "The liquid oxygen — chilled to Minus-298 degrees F — will be consumed during the launch by the Centaur's single RL10A-4-2 engine along with liquid hydrogen to be pumped into the stage a little later in the countdown," a ULA blog post said. Amazon video explains Project Kuiper Update 5:04 p.m.: Check out Amazon's video below detailing Project Kuiper, the future constellation of 3,232 satellites in low-Earth orbit. ULA crews preparing to fuel Atlas V rocket Update 4:47 p.m.: The launch countdown is underway behind the scenes, and ULA reported that cryogenic tanking operations are expected to begin soon. For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida launch doubleheader: Live updates from Amazon, Starlink liftoffs
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
321 Launch: Space news you may have missed over the past week (May 5)
Foreshadowing the future, two rockets lifted a combined 50 broadband satellites for two rival space-based internet companies into low-Earth orbit Monday, April 28, from Florida's Space Coast — and both rockets launched within a 3½-hour span. The landmark evening saw a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket deploy Amazon's first production batch of 27 Project Kuiper broadband satellites. The mission was the first of dozens in the coming years to create a 3,232-satellite constellation to provide high-speed internet around the world. Read the full story here. Coming off the April 28 evening doubleheader of United Launch Alliance and SpaceX rockets, SpaceX has another launch planned to kick off the month of May. While the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket launched the first batch of Amazon Kuiper internet satellites, SpaceX launched its ever-growing Starlink internet satellites Monday. Now another Starlink launch is set for Thursday night, May 1. To date, SpaceX has over 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, which provide internet in some of the most remote places on Earth. Read the full story here. Trump's pick for NASA's administrator, Jared Isaacman, has moved forward to the full Senate for a vote, which is the last step before his confirmation to lead the space agency. During the Senate's Executive Session 9 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on April 30, the committee voted to advance the billionaire space traveler's nomination by a 19-9 vote. Read the full story here. Launch recap: Scroll down to read live updates from the Starlink 6-75 mission, which launched at 9:51 p.m. on May 1 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40. Read the full story here. A loud rumble sounded throughout the Space Coast on Thursday, May 1, as SpaceX launched the latest batch of its internet satellites. The Starlink 6-75 mission launched at 9:51 p.m. on May 1 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40, sending 28 Starlink internet satellites to orbit. Starlink provides internet to some of the most remote places on Earth, including remote communities within the United States. Read the full story here. In 2019, a mere 18 rockets launched into orbit from Florida's Space Coast. That number has already more than doubled thus far this year, with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's neighboring Kennedy Space Center hosting 37 liftoffs. Now, Space Launch Delta 45 officials project a record-breaking 107 launches may rack up this year. Read the full story here. The days of NASA's Space Launch System moon rocket and Orion space capsule may be limited, as a White House budget proposal for the space agency aims to phase out the overbudget SLS after just two more missions. And it's not just Artemis. NASA's budget as a whole would see agency-wide cuts that go beyond human exploration with the total budget dropping $6 billion from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion — or nearly 25 percent. NASA's science budget takes a particularly significant hit. Read the full story here. Department of Defense officials announced the undisclosed missile that quickly accelerated from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on April 25 was a successful hypersonic flight test. In a press release, the DoD said the secretive mission marked the first launch demonstrating a Conventional Prompt Strike capability that will be used on Navy sea-based platforms. Read the full story here. Launch recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Sunday, May 4, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on the Starlink 6-84 mission. Read the full story here. SpaceX boosted its carrying capacity of Starlink internet-beaming satellites to 29 during a predawn Falcon 9 rocket launch Sunday, May 4, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX did not publicly comment about the rocket's payload prior to liftoff of the 4:54 a.m. Starlink 6-84 mission — which fittingly took flight on Star Wars Day. Read the full story here. For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 321 Launch: Space news you may have missed over the past week (May 5)
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Amazon takes first step toward satellite internet service to rival Elon Musk's Starlink
Amazon launched its first batch of satellites into orbit on Monday in the company's first step toward rivaling Elon Musk's Starlink satellite constellation. Amazon's Project Kuiper sent 27 satellites up in a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The first batch of satellites will form the beginning of a mega constellation that will provide high-speed and affordable internet service to almost any location on Earth. Project Kuiper posted on X that the satellites' initial deployment and activation sequences are proceeding as planned. The Kuiper team will manage the constellation from its 24/7 mission operations center in Redmond, Washington. 'While this is the first step in a much longer journey to launch the rest of our low Earth orbit constellation, it represents an incredible amount of invention and hard work,' CEO and president of Amazon Andy Jassy said in a post on X. Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, plans to deliver more than 3,200 satellites into orbit. Project Kupier and its team will manage the constellation in Redmond, Washington. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The company has already planned more than 80 launches. Musk and his company SpaceX currently dominate the mega-constellation market. Since 2019, the company has launched more than 8,000 Starlink satellites, with more than 7,000 still orbiting over 300 miles above Earth. Amazon plans to deliver over 3,200 satellites into orbit. REUTERS The Project Kuiper satellites will travel at a speed of more than 17,000 miles per hour on orbit and circle the planet about every 90 minutes. While the satellites orbit, the team will send data from the internet, through its ground infrastructure, up to the satellites, and down to customer terminal antennas, and then repeat the journey in the other direction. Amazon expects to begin delivering its internet service to customers later this year. Fox Business Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
