ReportWire

Tag: New Space Race

  • SpaceX pushes back Starlink launch to Friday

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    CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. — SpaceX has pushed the second of the year from the Sunshine State to Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • SpaceX will attempt to launch Starlink 6-96 on Friday afternoon
    • Starlink 6-96 mission will take off from Space Launch Complex 40

    The Falcon 9 rocket will send up Starlink 6-96 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX.

    Originally, the launch was going to happen on Thursday, with the four-hour launch window opening at 1:29 p.m. ET, but the liftoff time was pushed back a number of times until it was scrubbed. 

    SpaceX did not give a reason why it cancelled Thursday’s launch, but the new attempt is set for Friday, with the four-hour launch window starting at 1:03 p.m. ET.

    The 45th Weather Squadron’s forecast for Friday’s mission is the same it gave for Thursday’s launch attempt: About a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concerns being the cumulus cloud rule.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    Going up

    This is the 29th mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster B1069. It has had several missions before this launch, with most of them being Starlink ones:

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket will land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions which will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites from the Starlink company, owned by SpaceX, will be heading to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there.

    Once deployed and in their orbit, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,422 are in orbit
    • 8,170 are in operational orbit

     

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Crew-11 mission cut short after astronaut has medical issue

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, said during a press conference on Thursday evening that Crew-11’s mission on the International Space Station will be cut short after one of its astronauts suffered an unknown medical issue.

    What You Need To Know

    • NASA has not released the name of the astronaut
    • The U.S. space agency has not stated what the medical issue is
    • Crew-11 mission will be cut short; Crew-12 launch could be sooner than expected

    Isaacman, Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, and NASA’s Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. James Polk stressed that this is not an emergency de-orbit and while they would not name the astronaut and say what the medical issue was that happened on Wednesday, they did say he or she is in stable condition.

    “Our crews are extensively trained, as the administrator mentioned, to manage unexpected medical situations and other off nominal events, including onboard training, which we conduct regularly for these situations. Yesterday was a textbook example of that training in action,” said Kshatriya.

    Polk said that while the International Space Station has medical hardware and the astronauts are trained, he said getting the astronaut back to Earth is the best option to fully assess the medical condition.

    The astronaut is stable and in the 25 years of operations, there have been no medical emergencies on the International Space Station, said the three men.

    Polk added that in this new event, officials are erring on the side of caution and are not considering a medical emergency since the astronaut is not immediately coming back down to Earth.

    Polk said what happened was not the result of getting ready for a planned spacewalk on Thursday.

    Crew-11 is made up of NASA astronauts Cmdr. Zena Cardman and pilot Michael Fincke, along with mission specialists Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

    Fincke and Cardman were set to conduct a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, to install a modification kit and cables for a future rollout of a solar array.

    NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the Crew-11 mission will be cut short after one of its members suffered a medical issue. (NASA)

    Isaacman said that NASA teams are working to get Crew-11 home earlier so the astronaut can be evaluated and treated.

    NASA is also considering moving up the Crew-12 launch earlier, which was supposed to go up sometime in February, Isaacman said, who added that an earlier Crew-12 timeline will not impact the launch of the Artemis II moon mission set for early next month.

    Spectrum News asked Isaacman if NASA would consider having a medical doctor on board the International Space Station and future space missions.

    “All of our astronauts go through extensive medical training. There is, as I described before, a lot of capabilities on the International Space Station that our astronauts interact with routinely, whether it’s part of their science and research obligations or just training simulations for these type of contingencies. I don’t think if we if one of our astronauts on board was a medical doctor, it would have changed anything, as it relates to our decision process on this,” he answered.

    “I think that speaks to their level of training. Also, our our teams on the ground, we have flight surgeons and not to mention numerous other surgeons and doctors that are available to weigh in on these type of situations.”

    The four Crew-11 members left from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in August 2025.

    They were expected to be onboard the International Space Station for between six to eight months.

    Once they left, Chris Williams will be the only American astronaut left onboard the space station, along with two Roscosmos cosmonauts, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Weather looking good for afternoon Starlink launch

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    CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. — The weather is looking pretty good on Thursday for the second launch of the year from the Sunshine State. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Starlink 6-96 mission will take off from Space Launch Complex 40

    The Falcon 9 rocket will send up Starlink 6-96 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX.

    The launch window will open from 1:29 p.m. ET to 5:29 p.m. ET.

    The 45th Weather Squadron is giving about a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concerns being the cumulus cloud rule.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    Going up

    This is the 29th mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster B1069. It has had several missions before this launch, with most of them being Starlink ones:

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket will land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions which will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites from the Starlink company, owned by SpaceX, will be heading to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there.

    Once deployed and in their orbit, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,422 are in orbit
    • 8,170 are in operational orbit

     

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    Anthony Leone

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  • SpaceX gets ready for Florida’s first launch of 2026

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — For those who can stay up late, you will be able to witness Florida’s first rocket launch for 2026. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Starlink 6-88 mission will be Florida’s first launch of 2026.

    SpaceX stated that its Falcon 9 rocket will be leaving Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 early Sunday morning.

    It will be sending up the Starlink 6-88 mission.

    The launch window opens at midnight and will close at 3:17 a.m. ET.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    The maiden launch

    This will be the first launch for B1101, the name of this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster.

    After the stage separation, it will land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which will be out in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, which will see its 29 satellites go to low-Earth orbit.

    Once deployed and in their orbit with the thousands of other Starlinks, they will provide internet service to many parts of the little round Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been documenting Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,395 are in orbit
    • 8,157 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • SpaceX gets ready for Florida’s first launch of 2026

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — For those who can stay up late, you will be able to witness Florida’s first rocket launch for 2026. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Starlink 6-88 mission will be Florida’s first launch of 2026.

    SpaceX stated that its Falcon 9 rocket will be leaving Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 early Sunday morning.

    It will be sending up the Starlink 6-88 mission.

    The launch window opens at midnight and will close at 3:17 a.m. ET.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    The maiden launch

    This will be the first launch for B1101, the name of this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster.

    After the stage separation, it will land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which will be out in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, which will see its 29 satellites go to low-Earth orbit.

    Once deployed and in their orbit with the thousands of other Starlinks, they will provide internet service to many parts of the little round Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been documenting Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,395 are in orbit
    • 8,157 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Record number of Space Coast launches expected in 2026

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    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Space Coast saw a record number of launches of 109 for 2025. That shattered the previous tally of 93 last year.

    As for the future, 45th Space Launch Delta Commander Brian Chatman said the current record could be broken soon.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Space Coast saw a record number of launches of 109 for 2025

    • That shattered the previous tally of 93 last year

    • With more companies taking to the skies, there are plans for more launch pads to be activated in the new year

    • The number of launches could eventually reach 300 a year by 2035

    “I think we’re going to break a hundred again next year; it’s going to be great, somewhere between 100 and 120 right now for calendar year 2026,” Chatman said.

    In addition to players like SpaceX with more Falcon 9 launches, and the company’s Starship planned for a 2026 Space Coast launch, NASA’s Artemis II mission is cued up for a potential February mission.

    Blue Origin is also prepping for its second New Glenn heavy-lift rocket launch.

    Smaller rising stars like Relativity, Stoke, Vaya and Phantom Space are gearing up for launches in the coming year.

    With more companies taking to the skies, there are plans for more launch pads to be activated in the new year. Six of them are currently operational at Kennedy Space Center and elsewhere in Cape Canaveral.

    “We have worked very tightly with the launch service providers, the different government agencies here at Cape Canaveral, and with Kennedy Space Center, to identify and maximize those efficiencies, to minimize the logistical challenges and constraints that will come in with that ops tempo,” Chatman said.

    The number of launches could eventually reach 300 per year by 2035.

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    Greg Pallone

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  • United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno resigns

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    NATIONWIDE — United Launch Alliance CEO and President Tory Bruno has resigned, according to officials on Monday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Under Tory Bruno, the Colorado-based ULA has seen a number of achievements, such as the successful launch of the company’s new Vulcan rocket in 2024

    In a press release to the media, Robert Lightfoot said that Bruno “resigned to pursue another opportunity. We are grateful for Tory’s service to ULA and the country, and we thank him for his leadership.”

    Lightfoot is the CEO of Lockheed Martin Space.

    Spectrum News has reached out to Bruno on X — which he is known to answer questions directed to him — and has not yet heard back.

    ULA is a joint Lockheed Martin and Boeing business venture.

    Under the 61-year-old Bruno, the Colorado-based ULA has seen a number of achievements, such as the successful launch of the company’s new Vulcan rocket in 2024 and getting it certified for the U.S. Space Force.  

    And the final launch of the Delta IV Heavy.

    While under Bruno, ULA was able to secure the contract to launch Amazon’s Leo internet satellites.

    However, ULA saw a decrease in rocket launches over the last few years and battling with competitor SpaceX for commercial and national contracts.

    Bruno has had a long career, including working at Lockheed Martin in 1984 and also being the vice president and general manager of FBM and ICBM, according to a ULA bio.

    Lightfoot closed the press release by saying that effective immediately, John Elbon was named as ULA’s interim CEO.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Blue Origin successfully launches New Shepard NS-37 manned mission

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    TEXAS — After having to scrub its initial launch date on Thursday, Blue Origin successfully launched its New Shepard NS-37 mission from its Launch Site One pad in West Texas on Saturday morning.

    The launch had been rescheduled earlier in the week after Blue Origin’s launch team “observed an issue with built-in checks prior to flight,” Tabitha Lipkin, of Blue Origin’s communications team, said. 

    The mission sent up six new astronauts into space going beyond the Kármán line, the internationally established edge of space at 62 miles/100 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

    Blue Origin released the mission patch prior to the launch, which includes a nod to each of the travelers. 

    According to the Blue Origin website, a few of the symbols embedded include:

    • The DNA symbolizes the importance and impact of science to Neal Milch. 
    • The hippo represents Michaela (Michi) Benthaus’ favorite animal. Her plush hippo, which comforted her in the hospital after an accident, will join her in space. The tennis ball symbolizes another of Michi’s competitive passions. She is set to be the first wheelchair-bound person in space. 
    • A baobab tree, iconic to South Africa, represents Adonis Pouroulis’ roots. 
    • A spiral galaxy symbolizes Joey Hyde’s astrophysics research. 
    • A dog-bone shape, stars in the crew capsule windows representing the number 201 and “K” are in all memoriam of Jason Stansell’s brother. 
    • The shards are intended to illustrate Blue Origin’s commitment to breaking down the barriers to accessing space, including cost, nationality and ability.  

    Mission NS-37 marked the first manned mission since Oct. 8. 

    The New Shepard spacecraft, named for pioneering Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard who was the first American in space, is a fully reusable, suborbital rocket system that takes passengers on an 11-minute journey to the Kármán line.

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    Mike D’Alonzo, Anthony Leone

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  • Isaacman sworn in as 15th NASA Administrator

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    WASHINGTON — Jared Isaacman was sworn in on Thursday as NASA’s 15th administrator after being confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jared Isaacman was confirmed as NASA administrator by a bipartisan Senate vote

    • President Donald Trump initially revoked Isaacman’s nomination due to a feud with Elon Musk

    • Isaacman promised to bring a business-minded approach to NASA

    Isaacman is an accomplished pilot, astronaut and has extensive business experience, things he said are necessary to take the agency into the future.

    President Donald Trump nominated him to the post on Nov. 4, and he was confirmed by the Senate this week.

    “It’s a big win for NASA and the space industry right here in Central Florida, because we want to make sure we have people who’ve had the public, private experience to make sure we go to the next level,” Rep. Mike Haridopolos said.

    Isaacman, an Embry-Riddle graduate, founded payment processing company United Bank Card at the age of 16. It was renamed Shift4, which now offers services to companies around the world.

    Isaacman moved into aerospace and co-founded Draken International, which provides training to U.S. military pilots.

    He is an accomplished pilot with more than 8,000 flight hours. 

    Isaacman commanded Inspiration4 and the first all-civilian spaceflight in 2021, which was heralded as a major milestone in commercial spaceflight.

    In 2024, he commanded the Polaris Dawn mission, where he and his crew traveled 900 miles from Earth — the furthest into space humans have gone since Apollo 17 in 1972.

    During that mission, he performed the first commercial spacewalk.

    “We’re launching every few days, and now that Jared can devote all of his time and attention, and have the support of people like Secretary Duffy at the Department of Transportation, should make it a win-win situation as we anxiously look forward to Artemis in February,” Haridopolos said.

    Isaacman has said he will donate his administrator salary to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp to, as he put it, “help prepare the pioneers of tomorrow.”

    “He’s got a unique perspective as a private astronaut and proven business leader that will be incredibly valuable for NASA,” said Space Florida President Rob Long.

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    Greg Pallone

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  • Senate confirms Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator on Wednesday, placing him atop the agency after a monthslong saga where President Donald Trump revoked his nomination as part of a feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jared Isaacman confirmed as NASA administrator by bipartisan Senate vote

    • President Trump initially revoked Isaacman’s nomination due to a feud with Elon Musk

    • Isaacman promises to bring a business-minded approach to NASA


    Isaacman, who has promised to bring a business-minded approach to the space agency, was confirmed in a bipartisan vote, 67-30.

    He will take over after an unusual confirmation process upended by the Republican president’s oscillating and at times tumultuous relationship with prominent tech leaders who backed his campaign, most notably Musk, the Tesla CEO who is a close ally of Isaacman.

    Trump picked Isaacman last year but withdrew the nomination in May after feuding with Musk over the administration’s policies on issues such as electric vehicles and the performance of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

    Musk was the largest contributor of donations to Trump’s 2024 campaign and after the administration took office, he assembled a team for DOGE that blitzed through the federal government’s departments, contracts and critical infrastructure. The monthslong operation led to major cuts to federal contracts focused on foreign aid, global health and mass layoffs of federal workers.

    But the effort did not lead to significant reductions in the federal budget deficit, the stated goal. Musk also feuded with some senior Cabinet officials and, eventually, Trump himself. Musk is also CEO of the space flight company SpaceX and has ambitions for humans to colonize space.

    Trump nominated Isaacman for the job again in November. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had been serving as NASA’s interim administrator until a permanent head was in place.

    The mysterious turnabout from Trump

    Isaacman is the founder of Shift4 Payments, a payment processing and technology solutions company based in Pennsylvania. He is also the co-founder of Draken International, a Florida-based aerospace company. He has done business with Musk’s Starlink and other ventures tied to the fellow billionaire.

    During Isaacman’s second confirmation hearing in December, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., pressed Isaacman to “explain what happened to make President Trump reconsider the decision to pull your nomination and what assurances you may have provided with Elon Musk and SpaceX would not create a significant conflict of interest in this role.”

    Isaacman replied that he “wouldn’t even want to begin to speculate why the president nominated and then renominated me.” He said he pledged to be free of conflicts of interest in his role. In a June letter, Isaacman had promised to resign from his private sector posts should he be confirmed as NASA administrator.

    Republicans have welcomed some of Isaacman’s proposals and some new senators strongly advocated for his confirmation. But many Democrats balked at Isaacman and Trump’s plans, including the proposed costs of some projects and overall priorities for the agency.

    “For nearly 70 years, the United States has been at the forefront of space exploration. President Trump knows how critical it is to reinvigorate NASA as we aim to reach new heights in the greatest frontier ever known, and that’s why he chose exactly the right man for the job,” Sen. Tim Sheehy, an aerial firefighter, former Navy SEAL and close ally of Isaacman, said in a statement.

    Sheehy, R-Mont. added that he was confident Isaacman “will work tirelessly to ensure America wins the 21st century space race.”

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    Associated Press

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  • Blue Origin launches New Shepard NS-37 mission

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    TEXAS — Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space exploration company, will launch New Shepard mission 37, or NS-37, on Thursday, Dec. 18.

    The mission is set to launch at 10 a.m. CDT and will send six new astronauts into space.

    Blue Origin has also released the mission patch, which includes a nod to each of the travelers. 

    According to the Blue Origin website, a few of the symbols embedded include:

    • The DNA symbolizes the importance and impact of science to Neal Milch. 
    • The hippo represents Michaela (Michi) Benthaus’ favorite animal. Her plush hippo, which comforted her in the hospital after an accident, will join her in space. The tennis ball symbolizes another of Michi’s competitive passions. 
    • A baobab tree, iconic to South Africa, represents Adonis Pouroulis’ roots. 
    • A spiral galaxy symbolizes Joey Hyde’s astrophysics research. 
    • A dog-bone shape, stars in the crew capsule windows represent the number 201 and “K” are in memoriam of Jason Stansell’s brother. 
    • The shards represent Blue Origin’s commitment to breaking down the barriers to accessing space, including cost, nationality and ability.  

    Mission NS-37 will mark the first manned mission since Oct 8. 

    The New Shepard spacecraft, named for pioneering Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard who was the first American in space, is a fully reusable, suborbital rocket system that takes passengers on an 11-minute journey to the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. 

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    Mike D’Alonzo

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  • SpaceX plans to launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — For anyone hoping to see a morning launch, your Christmas wish has come true. SpaceX is planning to launch another batch of Starlink satellites Wednesday morning. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Starlink 6-99 mission will take off from Launch Complex 39A

    SpaceX stated it is going to send up its Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center for the Starlink 6-99 mission.

    The launch window opens at 7:19 a.m. ET and it is set to close at 11:19 a.m. ET. This means the California-based company has during that time frame to send up its Falcon 9 rocket.

    The 45th Weather Squadron has given a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions.

    The only concern against the launch is the cumulus cloud rule.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    Taking the fifth

    The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster for this mission, called B1094, has two crewed launches in its young career.

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket is expected to land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions, which will be in the Atlantic Ocean..

    About the mission

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, which will see its 29 satellites go to low-Earth orbit.

    Once deployed and in their orbit with the thousands of other Starlinks, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been documenting Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,357 are in orbit
    • 8,026 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Brevard pushes for public hearing on Blue Origin’s wastewater dumping permit

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    MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Brevard County is awaiting a response after sending a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requesting to hold a public hearing about concerns over Blue Origin’s wastewater permit.

    The concerns revolve around the company’s plan to dump about 500,000 gallons of industrial wastewater daily into the Indian River Lagoon.

    What You Need To Know

    • Brevard County is pushing for a public hearing about Blue Origin’s wastewater permit

    • The permit, which has been in place for five years, allows the company to dump 500,000 gallons of treated wastewater daily into the Indian River Lagoon

    • An online petition against the permit extension has over 40,000 signatures

    Blue Origin officials are hoping to get an extension of the company’s existing permit to continue discharging the treated water, but it’s now in the hands of the Florida DEP whether that will happen.

    Meanwhile, concerns are growing about the health of the lagoon.

    Laurilee Thompson, a founding member of Indian River Lagoon Roundtable, said organization members were not aware Blue Origin was dumping treated wastewater into a ditch at its Merritt Island facility that runs to the waterway. The roundtable identifies itself as a group that looks into “environmental issues that may have an adverse effect on the Indian River Lagoon.”

    The permit was first granted by the Florida DEP in July 2020.

    “There’s a false perception that a healthy estuary can withstand large purges of fresh water,” Thompson said. “It changes the salinity regime. Too much fresh water makes it difficult for seagrass to thrive. It can survive, but we want it to thrive.”

    Over the past few weeks, an online petition against the agreement has received more than 40,000 signatures.

    “The Indian River Lagoon is already fighting for its life,” the petition stated about Blue Origin. “Decades of nutrient pollution, algae blooms, seagrass collapse, habitat loss, and record manatee deaths have pushed this fragile ecosystem to the edge. Now, it faces a NEW threat — and it’s one we cannot ignore.” 

    Blue Origin previously sent Spectrum News a statement saying the permit request is a renewal of an existing agreement that has been in place for more than five years. The spokesperson added that the company is “committed to maintaining responsible and compliant operations.”

    The deadline for public comment on the issue is Thursday, Dec. 18.

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    Greg Pallone

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  • ULA is set to launch nearly 30 Amazon Leo satellites

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — United Launch Alliance is getting ready to launch 30 Amazon Leo internet satellites early Tuesday morning.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Atlas V 551 rocket’s first-stage booster does not land on a droneship or landing zone, like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket

    Formerly known as Kuiper satellites, Amazon made the name change last month. In fact, this will be the first launch under the new name for the satellites.

    ULA’s Atlas V 551 rocket will leave Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated the Colorado-based company.

    The very short launch window will open at 3:28 a.m. ET and close at 3:57 a.m. ET.

    The LA-04 mission was originally set to launch on Monday morning, but it was pushed back due to poor weather conditions.

    At the moment, the 45th Weather Squadron is giving a 95% chance of good liftoff weather for the Tuesday morning mission, with the only concern being the cumulus cloud rule.

    The Atlas V 551 rocket’s first-stage booster does not land on a droneship or landing zone, which is what the better known SpaceX rocket — the Falcon 9 — does. Instead, it will separate and fall into the Atlantic Ocean, where it will get picked up.

    About the mission

    The Atlas V rocket sent up 27 of Amazon’s Leo satellites.

    Like the SpaceX-company Starlink and its satellites that orbit Earth, the Leo satellites will have their own low-Earth orbital satellite network.

    The Leo satellites will provide internet service to customers around the world.

    Before this launch, there were 153 Kuiper satellites in orbit, with Amazon planning more than 3,200, once all is said and done.

    Watch the launch here

    [ad_2] Anthony Leone
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  • NASA switches to Boeing for Artemis transport vans after Canoo goes bankrupt

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    NATIONWIDE — A company that was contracted to give a fleet of electric vehicle vans so NASA could use them for its Artemis astronauts has filed for bankruptcy.

    What You Need To Know

    • The three EV vans were supposed to transport Artemis astronauts to the launch pad before going to the moon
    • Canoo Technologies Inc. filed for bankruptcy earlier this year
    • NASA tells Spectrum News the company was “no longer able to meet our mission” needs
    • The space agency will use another transport vehicle, which was built by Boeing and Airstream

    In 2022, Canoo Technologies Inc. was contracted to supply three EV vans, listed as “Artemis Crew Transportation Vehicles.”

    These fully electric vans were supposed to be environmentally friendly and would not produce emissions as they would take Artemis astronauts to the Space Launch Systems rocket to the moon.

    According to the contract, it cost NASA $147,855 for the three vehicles.

    However, the California-based company filed for bankruptcy at the start of 2025.

    In 2023, Canoo Technologies delivered three EVs to NASA, which the U.S. space agency called Artemis astronauts’ “… final Earth-bound leg of their journey to the Moon before boarding their rocket and spacecraft,” in a press release.

    NASA has stated that it will be going with Boeing’s Astrovan instead.

    “As of October, NASA is leasing Boeing’s Astrovan to transport crew to the launch pad for the agency’s associated training exercises and Artemis II launch. This change in providers was necessary as Canoo Technologies was no longer able to meet our mission requirements. NASA will evaluate future transportation options,” Artemis Public Affairs specialist Tiffany Fairley stated to Spectrum News in an email.

    The Astrovan was built in partnership with Airstream and Boeing, and was used for the NASA-Boeing Starliner mission in 2024.

    The Airstream-Boeing Astrovan is seen taking the Starliner crew to the launch pad during the second launch attempt in 2024. (Spectrum News file photo/Anthony Leone)

    Spectrum News reached out to Boeing, Airstream and Canoo for comment, with Boeing being the only one who replied, but stated any questions about the Artemis mission should go to NASA.

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    Anthony Leone, Jon Shaban

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  • Weather looking clear for SpaceX’s Starlink launch Thursday afternoon

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    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The weather is looking favorable as SpaceX prepares again for another Starlink launch Thursday afternoon.

    The company will launch its Falcon 9 rocket, carrying over two dozen Starlink satellites.

    SpaceX is targeting 3:26 p.m. for liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

    The 45th Weather Squadron shows clear skies over the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday with no weather concerns.

    Sweet Sixteen

    The company said the Starlink Group 6-90 mission will be the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched:

    Following stage separation, the first stage booster will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites will head to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there once deployed.

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, where the satellites provide internet service to many areas on Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell documented the following:

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • SpaceX successfully launches U.S. security satellite into orbit

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — SpaceX successfully launched the NROL-77 mission from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 Tuesday afternoon.

    Rocket lovers may have heard a sonic boom, which was expected during SpaceX’s launch of a U.S. national security satellite.

    What You Need To Know

    • The takeoff took place at Space Launch Complex 40
    • This is a top-secret mission for the National Reconnaissance Office and U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command

     

    Going up

    This was the fourth mission for B1096, the name of this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster.

    After the first-stage separation, it landed at Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

    And many may have heard it.

    “There is the possibility that residents of Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the landing, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions,” explained SpaceX in an email to the media.

    How the first-stage Falcon 9 rocket booster lands at Landing Zone 2. (SpaceX)

    About the mission

    There is not much about the mission that can be released since it is a launch for national security.

    “The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) are partnering to launch NROL-77 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket through the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. This mission carries a national security payload designed, built, and operated by NRO,” stated the National Reconnaissance Office in a media release.

    This is SpaceX’s second NRO mission, with the first one being in 2017.

    The mission patch is of a flying squirrel, which the NRO has stated is a symbol of hard work and endurance.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink satellites Monday evening from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

    The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 5:26 p.m. EST, carrying over two dozen satellites. 

    The 32nd launch

    SpaceX said the Starlink Group 6-92 mission was the 32nd flight for the first-stage booster, B1067, which had previously launched:

    1. CRS-22
    2. Crew-3
    3. Turksat 5B
    4. Crew-4
    5. CRS-25
    6. Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G
    7. SES O3B mPOWER-A
    8. PSN SATRIA
    9. Telkomsat Merah Putih 2
    10. Galileo L13
    11. Koreasat-6A
    12. 20 Starlink missions

    Following the stage separation, the first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which is stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites will head to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there once deployed.

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, where the satellites provide internet service to many areas on Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell documented the following:

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Jared Isaacman back before the Senate seeking NASA’s top job

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — Billionaire spacewalker Jared Isaacman urged senators on Wednesday to take swift action on his bid to lead NASA, after being yanked and then renominated by President Donald Trump.


    Isaacman appeared before the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in Washington eight months after his first nomination hearing. The tech entrepreneur who’s rocketed into orbit twice with SpaceX stressed the need for “full-time leadership” at NASA as the space agency prepares to send astronauts back to the moon early next year.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been filling in as NASA’s acting administrator since summer.

    Returning astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years will be “a challenging endeavor to say the least,” Isaacman told the committee led by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

    NASA is targeting early next year for a lunar flyaround by four astronauts. They won’t land on the moon; that would happen in another mission. The goal is to beat the Chinese there by the end of the decade.

    “This is not the time for delay but a time for action because if we fall behind — if we make a mistake — we may never catch up, and the consequences could shift the balance of power here on Earth,” Isaacman told the committee.

    Cruz agreed. “NASA cannot take its eyes off the ball,” he said, referring to China’s looming moon plans. “The United States must remain the unquestioned leader in space exploration.”

    Isaacman was within days of being confirmed by the Senate as NASA’s 15th administrator when Trump pulled his nomination in May. The move came soon after Trump’s falling out with SpaceX’s Elon Musk. The president renominated Isaacman last month.

    Cruz said Isaacman’s second appearance “feels a bit like Groundhog Day” and hopes to have him confirmed by the end of the year.

    In response to questioning by senators, Issacman described both the moon and Mars as priorities for exploration by U.S. crews, with parallel efforts underway. He said he supports Duffy’s recent move to reopen the contract for the lunar lander needed for the first touchdown by astronauts under NASA’s Artemis program.

    Elon Musk’s SpaceX won the original crew lunar lander contract with Starship, but the mega rocket remains in flight testing. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is hustling to gain the lead with its Blue Moon landers; a prototype is due to launch early next year.

    Isaacman assured the senators that NASA will go with the first company capable of delivering U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface.

    “The best thing for SpaceX is a Blue Origin right on their heels, and vice versa,” he said. He also supports competition among world powers — “just as long as we don’t lose.”

    The 42-year-old founder of the payment processing company Shift4 performed the world’s first private spacewalk last fall. He bankrolled both of his spaceflights. Several astronauts were present for the hearing, including some of Isaacman’s own crewmates.

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    Associated Press

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  • Air Force clears SpaceX to build Starship launch pad at Cape Canaveral

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — The U.S. Department of the Air Force gave SpaceX approval to build a launch and landing pad for its Starship at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37.

    What You Need To Know

    • SpaceX is one step closer to bringing Starship launches from Texas to Brevard County
    • Starship could launch up to 76 missions annually and conduct up to 152 booster landings
    • Super Heavy is the rocket booster part of the vehicle; the spacecraft is called Starship
    • When they are joined together, they are called Starship

    After months of input from the community, the decision was posted on the Air Force’s website, and it is the official green light SpaceX needed to bring its Starship to Brevard County.

    The rocket booster is called Super Heavy and the spacecraft is called Starship. When they are joined together, they are collectively called Starship.

    SpaceX confirmed on X that construction for the launch pad is already underway for Starship, which will return humans to the moon in NASA’s Artemis missions.

    Once that work is complete, the plan is for SpaceX to have three launch pads on the Space Coast.

    The company said the goal is to conduct both national security and future missions under the Artemis banner.

    There was some concern about Starship coming to Florida, with public meetings being held that included discussions on environmental impacts.

    The Department of the Air Force says it plans on implementing mitigation measures to account for environmental impacts associated with these new plans.

    In this case, mitigation requires habitat restoration.

    This decision still requires an additional analysis of the impact that Starship could have on aviation in Florida.

    Pending that analysis, Starship could launch up to 76 missions annually and conduct up to 152 booster landings.

    Space Launch Complex 37’s history

    The Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has a long history, with the original plan being to support the Apollo program.

    Originally named Launch Complex 37, it was built during the Apollo era where Launch Pad 37A was never used, but it was Launch Pad 37B that saw all the action: From Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B launches to Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy takeoffs from 2002 to 2024.

    For more than 20 years, Space Launch Complex 37 was also home to Boeing’s Delta rockets until about six months ago.

    In June 2025, the blockhouse where the Delta rockets were stored at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station came tumbling down.

    At the time, Emre Kelly, media operations chief for Space Launch Delta 45, explained that once United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) lease of Space Launch Complex 37 expired, the infrastructure at the launch site was turned over to the U.S. Air Force.

    Kelly said the demolition of Space Launch Complex 37 was authorized by the U.S. Air Force “as being in the best interest of the government.”

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    Sasha Teman, Anthony Leone

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