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NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro Announces Retirement, Kelvin Manning to Assume Acting Role

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro Announces Retirement, Kelvin Manning to Assume Acting Role

Janet Petro, the director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has announced her retirement. Petro, who began her career at NASA in 2007, has been a pivotal figure in transforming the Kennedy Space Center into a leading multiuser spaceport. Her tenure included serving as acting administrator from January to July 2025. Petro's leadership has been instrumental in streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency at NASA, working closely with the FAA and U.S. Air Force. She has also held significant roles outside NASA, including positions at Science Applications International Corporation and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Corporation. Petro's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the President's Distinguished Executive Award and the astronaut-selected Silver Snoopy Award. Kelvin Manning, with over 32 years of experience, will step in as the acting center director.

NASA Balances Launch Schedule with Environmental Management at Kennedy Space Center

NASA Balances Launch Schedule with Environmental Management at Kennedy Space Center

NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has successfully integrated prescribed burns into its operations, even during active launch countdowns. This marks a significant shift in land management practices at the spaceport, which is located within a large federal reserve. The prescribed burns, affecting approximately 2,600 acres of scrub habitat, are essential for maintaining the ecosystem, particularly for the federally protected Florida scrub-jay. Historically, launch operations were paused for such burns, but with an increasing launch cadence, NASA has adapted its approach to balance environmental stewardship with its mission objectives.

NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for Launch with New Equipment at Kennedy

NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for Launch with New Equipment at Kennedy

NASA has received key support equipment at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the upcoming launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Technicians have offloaded eight high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) wall modules and other ground support equipment to enhance the clean room systems at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. This equipment is crucial for maintaining the telescope's stringent cleanliness requirements during its preparation for launch. The Roman Space Telescope, equipped with a Wide Field Instrument and a Coronagraph Instrument, aims to observe the universe in infrared light, providing insights into cosmic mysteries such as the universe's accelerating expansion. The launch is targeted for early September aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for Launch with New Equipment at Kennedy Space Center

NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for Launch with New Equipment at Kennedy Space Center

Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida have received and offloaded eight high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) wall modules and other ground support equipment. This equipment is crucial for the launch processing of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The modules, each weighing 1,800 pounds, are designed to enhance the clean room systems at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF), ensuring the telescope meets stringent cleanliness requirements. The Roman Space Telescope is set to observe the universe in infrared light, utilizing its Wide Field Instrument and a Coronagraph Instrument technology demonstration. This mission aims to produce panoramic images that will help astronomers explore cosmic mysteries, such as the accelerating expansion of the universe. The telescope will also contribute to the study of exoplanets and the mapping of normal and dark matter across space and time. The launch is targeted for early September aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39...

NASA's STORIE Instrument Set for Launch to Study Earth's Magnetosphere

NASA's STORIE Instrument Set for Launch to Study Earth's Magnetosphere

NASA's STORIE (Storm Time O+ Ring current Imaging Evolution) instrument is being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Part of the Space Test Program – Houston 11 (STP-H11), a collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and NASA, STORIE will be installed on the International Space Station's Columbus module. The instrument is designed to study the Earth's magnetosphere, specifically the ring current, which plays a crucial role in space weather phenomena. The data collected by STORIE will help scientists understand how space weather events impact Earth's magnetic field and potentially affect satellite operations and communication systems.

NASA's STORIE Instrument Set for Launch to Study Earth's Ring Current

NASA's STORIE Instrument Set for Launch to Study Earth's Ring Current

NASA's STORIE (Storm Time O+ Ring current Imaging Evolution) instrument is prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is part of the Space Test Program – Houston 11 (STP-H11) payload, a collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and NASA. The instrument is designed to be installed on the International Space Station's Columbus module. STORIE aims to provide insights into Earth's ring current, a crucial component of the planet's magnetosphere, which affects space weather and can impact satellite operations and communication systems.

Artemis II Crew Surprises Young Aspiring Astronaut with Personalized Spacesuit

Artemis II Crew Surprises Young Aspiring Astronaut with Personalized Spacesuit

The Artemis II crew recently surprised a young aspiring astronaut, Jack, during a CBS Mornings town hall event. Jack, a 5-year-old from Atlanta, has been fascinated with space and wore a spacesuit with the rank of commander during the Artemis launch from Florida. The crew, recognizing his enthusiasm, presented him with an orange spacesuit similar to those worn by the astronauts, complete with the title 'commander' and signed by the crew. This gesture was led by mission specialist Christina Koch, who invited Jack to be part of their team, much to his delight. Jack's mother expressed gratitude to the crew for inspiring her son and others with their mission.

Young Aspiring Astronaut Thrilled by Historic Artemis Launch

Young Aspiring Astronaut Thrilled by Historic Artemis Launch

Young Aspiring Astronaut Thrilled by Historic Artemis Launch

Exclusive-SpaceX spending on Starship tops $15 billion in rush for airline-like rocketry

Exclusive-SpaceX spending on Starship tops $15 billion in rush for airline-like rocketry

By Joey Roulette and Echo Wang WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - SpaceX has spent more than $15 billion developing its next-generation Starship rocket, according to the company’s IPO registration reviewed by Reuters, a sum that dwarfs the cost of its workhorse Falcon rocket as Elon Musk’s space company

NASA's Artemis 3 Rocket Core Arrives in Florida, Advancing Lunar Mission Plans

NASA's Artemis 3 Rocket Core Arrives in Florida, Advancing Lunar Mission Plans

The core stage of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis 3 mission has arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marks a significant step in the Artemis program, which aims to advance human space exploration. The core stage traveled from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and will be integrated with its engine module at the Vehicle Assembly Building. Although Artemis 3 will not land on the moon, it will test critical systems in Earth orbit, including docking procedures with lunar landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

NASA's Lithium Plasma Engine Test Marks Milestone for Mars Missions

NASA's Lithium Plasma Engine Test Marks Milestone for Mars Missions

NASA has successfully tested a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. This test marks a significant advancement in electric propulsion technology, achieving power levels of 120 kilowatts, which surpasses any current electric propulsion system on U.S. spacecraft. The thruster uses lithium vapor, electromagnetically accelerated into plasma, to generate thrust. This development is part of NASA's long-term strategy for human missions to Mars, aiming to reduce travel time and launch mass requirements. The test is a result of over two years of development under NASA's Space Nuclear Propulsion program, in collaboration with Princeton University and NASA's Glenn Research Center.

NASA Successfully Tests Advanced Electric Thruster for Mars Missions

NASA Successfully Tests Advanced Electric Thruster for Mars Missions

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in collaboration with Princeton University and NASA's Glenn Research Center, has successfully tested a prototype magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) electric propulsion thruster. This thruster is 25 times more powerful than the one used in NASA's Psyche mission and is part of the Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) program. The test marks the first time in the U.S. that an electric propulsion system has operated at such high power levels, reaching up to 120 kilowatts. The MPD thruster uses lithium metal vapor as a propellant and could potentially carry humans to Mars, offering significant cost savings over conventional rockets by using up to 90% less propellant.