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Starliner might fly into space this year
2 months ago
- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was classified as a 'Type A' mishap in February 2024, indicating a serious failure during its crewed test flight.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated the agency was collaborating with Boeing to understand and fix risks with Starliner before its next cargo mission to the ISS.
- Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg reported during a quarterly earnings call that the redesign of Starliner's deficiencies, particularly in the propulsion system, is progressing well.
- The propulsion issues forced NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams to return to Earth via Crew Dragon in early 2025.
- Ortberg noted that most redesign work is complete, with the main remaining challenge being scheduling a launch date with NASA for a cargo mission to the ISS.
Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit
2 months ago
- The Link satellite, built to rescue NASA's Swift telescope, is experiencing attitude control issues, with two of three reaction wheels inoperable and partial loss of cold gas thruster functionality.
- Launched on July 3, the mission initially showed good progress including solar array deployment and first firings of electric thrusters, which are critical for orbit raising and eventual attachment to Swift.
- Without rescue, Swift, which is nearly 22 years old and lacks propulsion, will burn up in the atmosphere within months; NASA is paying Katalyst $30 million for the service due to Swift's unique role in detecting gamma-ray bursts.
Boeing still working with NASA to schedule next Starliner flight – SpaceNews
2 months ago
- Boeing is working with NASA to schedule a cargo mission for its CST-100 Starliner, which has not flown since the Crew Flight Test mission two years ago due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.
- The Starliner-1 cargo mission is effectively another test flight, and Boeing is redesigning deficiencies, but NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel notes it could take up to a year for the vehicle to fly again.
- Boeing now expects an uncrewed mission no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2026, with discussions ongoing with NASA about timing and requirements for future missions.
- Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated that the Starliner program is the last fixed-price contract in the company's defense unit to address cost overruns, and he does not anticipate additional financial hits before return to flight.
- Boeing, as co-owner of United Launch Alliance, provided a $500 million loan guarantee due to ULA's financial challenges from the grounding of its Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Why are the Artemis II photos on Flickr? - Anil Dash
2 months ago
- Flickr originated from the Web 2.0 era, emphasizing user control over data and content licensing.
- The platform was designed for high-resolution photography, preserving full image details and metadata.
- Flickr's adoption of Creative Commons licenses enabled clear permissions for reuse and remixing.
- After corporate acquisitions, Flickr was acquired by SmugMug, a family-owned company committed to long-term preservation.
- The Flickr Foundation, in collaboration with the Library of Congress, aims to archive public photos for 100 years.
- NASA uses Flickr to ensure its images are stored in full resolution, in the public domain, and protected from government censorship or alteration.
- Flickr's archival stability contrasts with modern social media, which often degrade image quality or lack long-term commitment.
Wildfire Forces Evacuation of NASA's Deep Space Network Complex in Spain
2 months ago
- A wildfire forced evacuation of NASA's Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, temporarily halting operations at a key tracking station.
- The station is part of NASA's Deep Space Network, supporting over 40 missions including Artemis and Voyager.
- Operations were seamlessly transferred to the Goldstone Complex in California to ensure uninterrupted spacecraft communications.
- NASA is coordinating with local authorities and the US Embassy to monitor the wildfire situation.
- The Deep Space Network uses a 'follow the Sun' model with control centers in Australia, California, and Spain.
Photos: 50 Years Since Viking 1 Landed on Mars
2 months ago
- On July 20, 1976, Viking 1 became the first successful Mars lander in history.
- NASA's Viking Program included two pairs of orbiters and landers sent to Mars.
- The mission gathered a vast amount of data and imagery from 1976 to 1982.
Pluto fly-by mission wakes after long sleep nearly 9.5B kilometres from Earth
3 months ago
- NASA's New Horizons spacecraft woke from hibernation on June 23 after being in sleep mode since August 7, 2025, now located 9.5 billion kilometers from Earth.
- The mission has explored Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, including a fly-by of Pluto in 2015 and the snowman-shaped object Arrokoth in 2019.
- New Horizons is collecting data on Kuiper Belt objects' rotations, shapes, and the distribution of gas and dust, revealing surprises like extended dust beyond the belt.
- Instruments measure galactic cosmic rays and heliosphere shielding, helping understand space threats and solar system protection.
- Hibernation periods have been crucial for conserving resources and extending the spacecraft's lifespan since its 2006 launch, with over 20 hibernations since 2007.
- The mission is currently in its second phase, set to conclude in 2029, but may continue to interstellar space if the spacecraft remains healthy.
NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction
3 months ago
- NASA's Swift Observatory is at risk of falling out of orbit due to increased solar storms.
- A rescue mission, launching a commercial robotic spacecraft named LINK by Katalyst Space, aims to boost the telescope's orbit.
- This is the first attempt to service a satellite not designed for in-space capture.
- If successful, the mission will extend the observatory's life and test new capabilities for future missions.
- The launch, using Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket, was postponed due to an issue; a new date is pending.
- Swift studies gamma-ray bursts and has operated since 2004, but lacks propulsion to counter atmospheric drag.
- Without intervention, Swift has a high chance of uncontrolled reentry by 2026.
NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth
3 months ago
- NASA funded the launch of the spacecraft LINK to rescue the Swift observatory, which is at risk of crashing due to atmospheric drag from solar activity.
- Swift, launched in 2004, is crucial for studying high-energy cosmic explosions, and its orbit has fallen from 373 to 220 miles, with a rescue needed before it drops below 186 miles.
- Katalyst Space Technologies designed and built the three-armed LINK robot in eight months for this unprecedented mission, aiming to grab Swift and raise its orbit over 2-3 months back to 373 miles.
- The rescue involves LINK approaching, circling, and gently lifting Swift without sudden boosts, with success potentially paving the way for saving other telescopes like Hubble.
- The mission is high-risk but deemed worth it due to Swift's unique scientific value in observing brief, powerful cosmic events that reveal the dawn of the cosmos.
Historic Photos of NASA's Cavernous Wind Tunnels
3 months ago
- NASA and its predecessor, NACA, extensively used wind tunnels to test vehicle designs throughout the 20th century.
- Specialized wind tunnels at Langley and Ames centers studied effects like high speed, turbulence, icing, and ionization.
- Some facilities were enormous, including an 80x120-foot tunnel still operating at Ames Research Center.
- In the 1990s, consolidation occurred due to surplus tunnels and advances in computer simulations, leading to demolitions.

Starliner might fly into space this year

Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit

Boeing still working with NASA to schedule next Starliner flight – SpaceNews

Why are the Artemis II photos on Flickr? - Anil Dash

Wildfire Forces Evacuation of NASA's Deep Space Network Complex in Spain

Photos: 50 Years Since Viking 1 Landed on Mars

Pluto fly-by mission wakes after long sleep nearly 9.5B kilometres from Earth

NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction

NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth

Historic Photos of NASA's Cavernous Wind Tunnels