Explore

SpaceX Prepares for Starlink Satellite Launch from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Prepares for Starlink Satellite Launch from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch is scheduled for Monday, August 10, with a window from 10:49 a.m. to 2:49 p.m. ET. Weather permitting, the launch may be visible from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach. This launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts to expand its Starlink broadband network, which aims to provide global internet coverage. The event will be covered live by USA TODAY's Space Team, offering viewers a chance to witness the launch and learn more about SpaceX's mission.

SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites from California, Expanding Internet Constellation

SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites from California, Expanding Internet Constellation

SpaceX Launches 24 Starlink Satellites from California, Expanding Internet Constellation

SpaceX Falcon 9 Upper Stage Creates New Lunar Crater, Offers Scientific Insights

SpaceX Falcon 9 Upper Stage Creates New Lunar Crater, Offers Scientific Insights

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage, launched a year prior, has impacted the Moon, creating a new crater. This stage was part of a mission carrying two lunar landers, including Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and Japan's Hakuto R. The upper stage drifted in an elliptical orbit for nearly a year before being pulled by the Moon's gravity. The impact was anticipated by an independent astronomer, who accurately predicted the date and location. The collision has provided scientists with a rare opportunity to study the lunar surface and the effects of such impacts.

SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 Booster for 18th Time, Highlighting Reusability Advantage

SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 Booster for 18th Time, Highlighting Reusability Advantage

SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 Booster for 18th Time, Highlighting Reusability Advantage

SpaceX's 'Space Jellyfish' Phenomenon Captivates Skywatchers

SpaceX's 'Space Jellyfish' Phenomenon Captivates Skywatchers

The 'space jellyfish' phenomenon, observed after SpaceX rocket launches, continues to captivate skywatchers. This visual spectacle occurs when the rocket's engines expel water vapor and carbon dioxide, forming ice crystals that trail behind the rocket, creating a jellyfish-shaped plume. The phenomenon is particularly visible during twilight launches, resulting in colorful or iridescent displays. SpaceX frequently launches Falcon 9 rockets for its Starlink missions, with primary launch locations in California and Florida.

SpaceX Continues West Coast Launch Surge with Starlink Mission

SpaceX Continues West Coast Launch Surge with Starlink Mission

SpaceX has successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Starlink 17-38 mission, which took place at 9:35 a.m. PDT, marks SpaceX's 50th launch from the West Coast this year. The mission deployed 24 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit, further expanding SpaceX's Starlink internet service. The first stage booster, B1093, which has previously flown 15 missions, was used for this launch and successfully landed on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' in the Pacific Ocean.

NASA Celebrates Idaho National Laboratory's Role in Nuclear-Powered Space Exploration

NASA Celebrates Idaho National Laboratory's Role in Nuclear-Powered Space Exploration

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to celebrate its contributions to nuclear power in space exploration. The visit highlighted INL's work on microreactors and the Space Reactor 1 Freedom (SR-1), which is set to power an interplanetary spacecraft to Mars in 2028. The event underscored the collaboration between NASA and the Department of Energy, with INL playing a pivotal role in advancing nuclear technology for space missions. The celebration also marked the successful testing of nuclear reactors at INL, aligning with an executive order from President Trump to advance nuclear power.

SpaceX Continues West Coast Launch Surge with Successful Starlink Mission

SpaceX Continues West Coast Launch Surge with Successful Starlink Mission

SpaceX Continues West Coast Launch Surge with Successful Starlink Mission

Inside NASA’s First Successful Mission to Orbit the Moon

Inside NASA’s First Successful Mission to Orbit the Moon

In 1966, NASA launched Lunar Orbiter 1, a groundbreaking mission that marked the United States' first successful attempt to orbit the Moon. This mi...

Rocket Lab's Stock Decline Contrasts with Analysts' Optimistic Projections

Rocket Lab's Stock Decline Contrasts with Analysts' Optimistic Projections

Rocket Lab's Stock Decline Contrasts with Analysts' Optimistic Projections

China's Landspace Prepares for Major Reusable Rocket Launch and Landing

China's Landspace Prepares for Major Reusable Rocket Launch and Landing

Landspace, a private Chinese space company, is gearing up for a significant test of its reusable rocket technology. The upcoming launch and landing attempt is a crucial step in China's efforts to develop rockets that can return to Earth after flight, thereby supporting more frequent and cost-effective space operations. This mission follows a series of successful ground tests that validated the rocket's key systems. A successful launch would place Landspace among a select group of organizations worldwide working on operational reusable launch vehicles, marking a new phase in China's commercial space ambitions.

Soviet Buran Shuttle's Historic 1988 Flight and Program Cancellation

Soviet Buran Shuttle's Historic 1988 Flight and Program Cancellation

The Soviet Buran shuttle, launched on November 15, 1988, completed its only flight by orbiting Earth twice and landing automatically in challenging weather conditions. The mission demonstrated the first automatic landing of a winged orbital spacecraft. Despite its success, the Buran program was canceled due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and financial constraints. The shuttle was destroyed in 2002 when the hangar roof collapsed. The Buran's design, similar to NASA's shuttle, was part of a broader Soviet response to American space capabilities, but it never flew again due to geopolitical and economic changes.