For the first time in over 50 years, humans are on their way to the Moon
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Space Explored Podcast 27: GAO denies Blue Origin, SpaceX Starship Hussle, ISS troubles, and more
This week on the Space Explored Podcast Seth and Jared discuss Blue Origin’s protest being denied by the GAO, SpaceX hustling to get Starship Booster 4 and Ship 20 built, the troubles Nauka caused the ISS, and more.
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Starship Superheavy orbital launch tower completion, 100th raptor engine built & more Elon tweets this week
This week, SpaceX has added the final section to the orbital Starship launch tower, integrated the orbital launch table, and completed a great deal of work on their first Superheavy booster slated for flight, booster 4.
Expand Expanding CloseInspiration4 crew sign their booster as more flight training is underway for their launch
On Saturday, SpaceX and Inspiration4 both shared images of the crew signing their booster, after arriving for another week of training. The new tradition was started by the members of NASA’s Crew-2 mission, the first crew to fly on a flight-proven booster.
Expand Expanding CloseAriane 5 launches satellites into geostationary orbit
This Day In Space: Perseverance launches to Mars; NASA’s most advanced rover yet
The Mars 2020 mission consisted of two main payloads, the Perseverance rover and a technology demonstration helicopter called Ingenuity. Perseverance was the 6th rover ever sent to the Martian surface and was based on the successful design of the 2011 Curiosity rover. On this day, Mars 2020 launched to space.
Expand Expanding CloseScoop: Space Florida to construct an Astronaut Training Complex at Kennedy Space Center
New information found shows that Space Florida, Florida’s spaceport authority, will be building a new complex for astronaut training near Blue Origin’s factory.
Expand Expanding CloseGAO backs NASA decision to rely on SpaceX Starship for Moon landing, dismissing Blue Origin-backed protest
SpaceX Starship will officially be the single solution for the first lunar landing mission under NASA’s Artemis program to return to the Moon. This comes after the US GAO backed the decision to use Starship as the lander, stating it didn’t break any laws with the selection. The space agency first announced its decision to land astronauts on the Moon with SpaceX in April, but legal protests from the Blue Origin-led National Team and Dynetics halted progress for the contract.
Expand Expanding Close[UPDATE: New OFT-2 Launch Date] New Space Station module causes loss of attitude control; Control since regained
The new “Nauka” Space Station module arrived at the ISS early this morning. Since then, it has caused the station to lose attitude control by firing its thrusters without being commanded. The ISS has since regained attitude control.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Nauka module arrived at ISS] New International Space Station module ‘Nauka’ overcomes issues while in orbit
On July 21st, a new module to join the International Space Station launched on a Proton rocket into orbit. Since then numerous issues with the Nauka module have cropped up, but recently, it seems to be trending well.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Launched] Rocket Lab planning its return to flight Electron mission
After a failure in the second stage during their “Running Out Of Toes” mission earlier this year. Rocket Lab is planning to return with a now improved system this week. The mission will carry a test satellite for the United States Space Force to evaluate new sensor technology. In tradition with Rocket Lab’s fun naming style, this launch will be named “It’s A Little Chile Up Here”. This is in honor of the green chile of New Mexico where the Space Force’s Space Test Program is based.
Date: Thursday, July 29th at 4:00 a.m. EDT (2-hour window)
Expand Expanding CloseApple TV+ seemingly signs off on fourth ‘For All Mankind’ season during S3 production
‘For All Mankind’ has captivated audiences for two seasons with a look at what may have happened if the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union had continued. Now, it appears that Apple TV+ has seemingly green lit For All Mankind season 4, in addition to the third season which is filming now.
Expand Expanding CloseRapid Unscheduled Discussions S2 E2: Some rich dude went to space, one less SLS launch, Elon on TikTok?
This week on Rapid Unscheduled Discussions Seth and Daryl discuss Wally Funk going to space, Europa Clipper moving to Falcon Heavy, Elon meme page on TikTok, and sports got brought up more than it should.
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Check out this animation showing NASA Ingenuity’s 9th flight [Video]
At the beginning of this month, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter made a daring flight that would trek over 600 meters, at speeds of up to 5 m/s for just under 3 minutes. A user created an animation of the Ingenuity’s flight so you can see it from any angle.
Expand Expanding CloseSpace Explored Podcast 26: Bezos to space, Starship action is back, Europa Clipper gets a new ride, and more
This week on the Space Explored Podcast Seth and Derek discuss what it means for Jeff Bezos to go to space, new Super Heavy boosters, Europa Clipper getting a new ride to Jupiter, and more.
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Top stories this week: Blue Origin fly oldest and youngest humans, Falcon Heavy to launch Europa Clipper, and more
This week, the focus has been on Blue Origin. On Tuesday, they completed the first crewed flight of New Shepard, flying the oldest and youngest person to ever visit space.
Expand Expanding CloseElon tweets this week: Super Heavy static fire, smaller Starship fins and a new high bay
While the news this week primarily focused on Blue Origin’s flight to space on Tuesday, SpaceX has continued to work towards the first flight of Starship Super Heavy. This week, Super Heavy had its first static fire, while Starship may see some slight design changes moving forward.
Expand Expanding CloseFalcon Heavy selected by NASA to launch Europa Clipper mission previously tied to SLS
SpaceX’s winning streak continued Friday with NASA’s announcement that it has selected Falcon Heavy to launch the agency’s long-awaited Europa Clipper mission in 2024.
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NASA shares video celebrating the final shuttle flight and what’s to come
Yesterday NASA shared a video to their YouTube channel celebrating the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. In it, they discuss how far we’ve come since then and what is to come after.
Expand Expanding CloseBoeing’s OFT-2 mission completes its Flight Readiness Review before launch
NASA and Boeing will attempt to launch the Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) mission on July 30th at 2:53 PM EDT. This comes after a successful Flight Readiness Review today.
Expand Expanding CloseSkittles announce new Zero-G candy in celebration of their flight to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard
Update: Skittles will not be selling these in stores but rather giving a select few away on their social media platforms.
Along with the fancy watches, sapphire dotted wings, and national media attention, the crew of Blue Origin’s NS-16 flight also carried some Skittles with them to space. Now the company will give away a number of limited-edition Skittles Zero-G pack of the candies on their social media channels.
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Astronaut visits ULA’s facilities and shows off their wonky elevator floors
NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick visited ULA’s SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to check out Starliner and shared an interesting photo of the VIF’s floors.
Expand Expanding CloseWho makes the cut for FAA Astronaut Wings?
Over the last two weeks, we saw the first two private commercial space flights. Both companies pinned their participants with their versions of “Astronaut Wings” but are they real astronauts? The FAA just released their requirements for the title of astronaut.
Expand Expanding CloseAfter addressing Electron failure, Rocket Lab prepares for their next launch
In May of this year, Rocket Lab attempted to launch their 20th mission to space. The mission ended with failure of the Electron’s upper stage, but now they are ready to move on to their next flight.
Expand Expanding CloseBlue Origin launches youngest and oldest humans to space alongside Jeff and Mark Bezos
It has been over a month since Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos announced he was flying to space. After decades of development, and many test flights of the New Shepard rocket, the day finally arrived.
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