High-Stakes Moments in NASA’s Artemis II Mission: Astronauts Gear Up for Landing

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission are nearing their return to Earth, but a crucial and perilous phase of the mission remains ahead.

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NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen are set to return to Earth Friday night following a 10-day mission in space.

Their Orion capsule is scheduled to re-enter the atmosphere around 7:53 p.m. ET, embarking on a critical journey expected to take under 15 minutes. If everything goes as planned, the mission will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego’s coast at 8:07 p.m. ET.

“There’s a 13-minute window where everything must go right,” stated Jeff Radigan, NASA’s Artemis II flight director, at a recent press conference.

Reentry poses significant risks during spaceflight, exposing the craft to temperatures near 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit as it plunges through the atmosphere. This risk is heightened for Artemis II due to a known design flaw in the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield, crucial for shielding astronauts from extreme heat.

This marks the first crewed mission for the Orion capsule.

After the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, NASA detected unexpected damage to the spacecraft’s heat shield.

NASA’s Orion spacecraft was recovered post-Artemis I test flight and transported to Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where its heat shield underwent inspection.
NASA

NASA’s research revealed that certain materials in the heat shield cracked upon atmospheric reentry, leading to “charred material flaking off” in various areas. An investigation found that improper gas venting within the heat shield’s outer layers created pressure buildup, resulting in the damage.

Damage to the heat shield from the Artemis I mission is shown.
NASA

As a result of these findings, NASA intends to revise the heat shield design for subsequent Artemis missions. The Orion spacecraft for future flights will feature a more permeable outer material layer. Unfortunately, by the time NASA identified the damage from Artemis I, the Artemis II capsule was already built and assembled.

Rather than redesign the heat shield, NASA adjusted the capsule’s reentry trajectory to mitigate risks for the astronauts. The Orion spacecraft typically descends into the atmosphere, “skipping” like a stone on water to lessen thermal stress and gravitational forces before its final descent. NASA Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya explained that this “skip” will be brief, allowing the capsule to descend more rapidly and at a steeper angle, thereby reducing exposure to extreme temperatures.

“All systems demonstrated over the past nine days, including life support, navigation, propulsion, and communications, hinge on the flight’s final moments,” stated Kshatriya during a Thursday media briefing.

He further expressed “high confidence” in the spacecraft’s heat shield with the optimized flight path.

Nonetheless, substantial risks remain, with the lives of four astronauts at stake.

Former NASA astronaut Charlie Camarda voiced concerns regarding the heat shield, suggesting NASA should have delayed the Artemis II launch pending further assessment of the existing design.

“History shows that incidents occur when organizations misjudge the complexities of problems. This issue mirrors patterns seen prior to previous tragedies,” he articulated in an open letter to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in January.

Conversely, Isaacman declared earlier this month that he holds “full confidence” in the performance of Orion’s heat shield.

Wiseman conveyed satisfaction with the current plan.

“If we adhere to the newly-established atmospheric entry path, this heat shield is safe for flight,” he affirmed during a pre-flight media event in July.

Radigan noted that precise orbital positioning is essential for the atmospheric reentry protocol. Mission control has dedicated significant effort over the past day and a half to maintain the Orion spacecraft’s orbital path, executing necessary engine burns.

“Avoid actions that are impossible,” Radigan emphasized. “Hitting the required angle is crucial for successful atmospheric reentry.”

Artemis II flight controllers monitor the Orion spacecraft from the White Flight Control Room at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Ronaldo Shemit/AFP – Getty Images

During reentry, the Orion capsule is projected to achieve speeds nearing 24,000 miles per hour, with astronauts experiencing gravitational forces approximately 3.9 times that of Earth.

As the capsule penetrates the atmosphere, communication blackouts are anticipated due to plasma buildup surrounding the craft. Flight director Rick Henfling announced that this disruption is expected to last around six minutes.

“Post-blackout, Orion will be at approximately 150,000 feet, still descending rapidly,” he noted.

On Saturday, Artemis II commander Reed Wiseman gazed back at Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s main cabin.
NASA

At approximately 6,000 feet altitude, the capsule will deploy three main parachutes to decelerate to about 20 miles per hour before making contact with the ocean.

The U.S. Navy is set to assist with recovery operations in the Pacific. Following confirmation of a safe landing area, NASA plans to extract Koch from the capsule first, followed in order by Glover, Hansen, and Wiseman.

At a press conference on Thursday, Kshatriya commended the crew, emphasizing it was time for flight officials, engineers, and recovery teams to bring them home.

“The crew has performed their duties,” he stated. “Now it’s our turn to execute our part.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Artemis II Astronauts Complete Historic Lunar Flyby: Journey Around the Moon

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The moon’s near side is visible to the right, marked by distinct dark patches, while the far side remains unseen from Earth.

NASA

Moon's Surface — The moon’s near side is visible to the right, marked by distinct dark patches, while the far side remains unseen from Earth.

NASA

In a historic event, humans have returned to the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. On April 6, four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis II mission circled the far side of the moon, reaching unprecedented distances from Earth.

Mission Commander Reed Wiseman emphasized that this journey marks a significant beginning, surpassing Apollo 13’s record of 400,171 kilometers set in 1970. “Let’s inspire this generation and the next to ensure this distance record is challenged,” he stated during a NASA livestream. During the mission, the Artemis team proposed naming two newly discovered craters: “Integrity,” after the Orion capsule, and “Carol,” in honor of Wiseman’s late wife.

Throughout the flyby, the astronauts engaged in both window-side observations and cabin communications with mission control in Houston, Texas. The crew comprises NASA astronauts Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

As Orion orbited behind the moon, the sun appeared smaller in the sky, culminating in a rare solar eclipse not observable from Earth. The astronauts donned eclipse glasses to view the sun and witness its corona, potentially allowing them to capture unprecedented lunar details free from atmospheric interference.

Artemis astronauts experienced an extraordinary solar eclipse.

NASA

The astronauts captured stunning details of the lunar surface, showcasing its vibrant color diversity. While the moon appears gray from Earth, close-up observations reveal hues of green, brown, and even orange, attributed to chemical changes in the lunar soil. “The rapid transformations of the Earth as we orbit the moon are breathtaking,” Hansen noted.

As they orbited the Moon, the crew observed previously unseen regions. They took special interest in the Terminator—the boundary separating day from night—where deep shadows accentuate the landscape’s features. “The visual magic of the Terminator, with its bright islands and dark valleys, is captivating,” Glover remarked.

The astronauts expressed deep emotions witnessing the moon’s diverse terrain up close, imagining what it would be like to traverse its surface. “The moon is a real entity in the universe, not merely a distant poster in the sky,” Koch stated.

NASA astronaut Reed Wiseman took this breathtaking photo of Earth from the Orion spacecraft.

NASA/Reed Wiseman

The Orion capsule reached its closest point to the lunar surface, approximately 6,545 kilometers away. This milestone will stand until the Artemis IV mission, which plans a landing in 2028.

As Orion returns to Earth, expected on April 10, the astronauts will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off California’s coast. Following their return, the team will analyze notes, photos, and scientific findings in preparation for advancing the Artemis program.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Artemis II Astronauts Experience Moon’s Gravity: Stronger Than Earth’s Pull

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Breaking News: The Artemis II astronaut crew has officially joined the ranks of the lunar space exploration community.

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The crew’s Orion capsule entered the Moon’s gravitational influence at 12:41 a.m. ET on Monday, marking a significant moment as they navigate an area dominated by the moon’s gravity.

“This represents a critical milestone in our mission,” stated NASA Flight Director Rick Henfling during a recent press conference.

The Moon’s sphere of influence is a mathematical boundary, not a tangible one, which indicates an astronaut’s proximity to the lunar body.

This milestone is a major achievement for NASA, marking the first human entry into the Moon’s sphere of influence since Apollo 17 in 1972.

On Sunday, astronauts shared images of their “last glimpse of Earth before approaching the moon,” capturing the planet as a distant crescent through the Orion spacecraft’s window.

The Artemis II astronauts—Reed Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—began their Sunday with a special wake-up message from Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke.

“John Young and I landed on the moon in 1972 with a lunar module we named Orion,” Duke shared in a recorded message. “It’s exciting to see a new kind of Orion leading the way for humans to return to the moon.”

Artemis II crew members (from left) Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover respond to reporter questions on Thursday.
NASA

The astronauts tested newly designed spacesuits for this flight, essential for both launch and emergency situations.

Orange spacesuits are worn during launch and can provide a breathable atmosphere for up to six days in case the Orion capsule loses pressurization, as highlighted by NASA.

The Orion spacecraft conducted a crucial 14-second engine burn on Sunday to maintain an accurate orbit around the moon. Although correction burns were planned for other dates, this was the first time one was required since leaving Earth’s orbit.

“Orion demonstrated a precise orbit, so the initial two corrections were unnecessary,” Henfling explained.

The crew will orbit the moon on Monday, reaching an approximate distance of 452,760 miles from Earth, a new record for human distances traveled from home. They are poised to surpass the Apollo 13 crew’s record of 248,655 miles.

During their lunar flyby, Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen will dedicate about seven hours to observing and photographing the moon, starting at 2:45 p.m. ET. They will explore never-before-seen areas of the moon’s surface.

NASA will deliver live coverage of the flyby starting at 1 p.m. ET.

NASA estimates the Orion spacecraft will reach a distance of 4,070 miles from the moon’s surface at its closest approach around 7 p.m. ET.

The astronauts will utilize two Nikon D5 cameras and one Nikon Z9 camera to capture stunning imagery during their mission.

Focusing on 30 scientific objectives, crew members will investigate the Oriental Basin, a 3.8 billion-year-old crater formed by a large impactor. The approximately 600-mile-wide basins on both sides of the moon harbor geological features that provide insight into ancient impacts, as per NASA.

The crew will also examine the Hertzsprung basin located on the moon’s far side. Unlike the well-preserved Oriental Basin, the 400-mile-wide crater showcases features affected by subsequent lunar impacts, providing a unique opportunity to compare lunar topographical changes over time.

To guide their observations, the crew will employ advanced software tools designed for scientific targets.

Kelsey Young, Artemis II’s lunar science director, noted the busy schedule but emphasized the need for flexibility. “They are scientists on a mission and are encouraged to deviate from the agenda if something compelling captures their attention,” she stated.

Towards the end of their lunar viewing period, astronauts will witness a solar eclipse lasting approximately one hour from their vantage point in space. This eclipse will begin at 8:35 PM ET, obstructing light from the Orion capsule’s perspective.

During this time, the moon will appear predominantly dark, offering astronauts the chance to observe the sun’s corona and detect flashes from meteoroids impacting the lunar surface.

Astronauts will also photograph other visible planets during the eclipse, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, as mentioned by Young.

“This crew stands at the forefront of lunar exploration, with the unparalleled opportunity to view the moon from a unique perspective,” she added.

“This is exploration,” Young concluded. “We have received valuable data from orbiting spacecraft, but these subtle observations are what we truly need to uncover new discoveries.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Artemis II Astronauts Share Their Journey to the Moon: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Rocketing into Space

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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Artemis II Astronauts Gear Up for Moon Mission After Overcoming Toilet and Email Challenges

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

“The aircraft itself had no issues,” stated NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman during a post-launch press conference on Wednesday. “We have re-established communications with the crew and are actively addressing this challenge.”

Crew members noted that a fault light was triggered while testing the ship’s toilets on Wednesday.

The Orion capsule features the Universal Waste Management System for its toilets, designed to drain urine into space while storing feces for crew return. A privacy door enhances comfort during use. A similar system has been tested aboard the International Space Station.

Mission managers collaborated with the astronauts overnight to troubleshoot this problem, and early Thursday, NASA confirmed that the crew successfully resolved the issue. You can read more about the toilet’s restoration.

If the issue hadn’t been resolved, the backup plan involved the use of a “collapsible emergency urinal” for urine collection in bags, while toilets would still be operational for fecal storage.

Earth’s horizon as observed from NASA’s Orion spacecraft during the initial hours of the Artemis II mission.NASA Youtube

Another relatable issue for many on Earth arose when the astronauts asked for technical assistance with their computers. The culprit? Microsoft Outlook.

“I also have two versions of Microsoft Outlook, and neither one was functioning,” remarked mission commander Wiseman, who transmitted this discovery via radio to ground control.

Ultimately, mission controllers managed to access the computers remotely, successfully restoring Outlook functionality for the astronauts.

An over-the-shoulder view of NASA astronaut Victor Glover (left) and mission commander Reid Wiseman (right) within the Orion spacecraft.NASA

These initial glitches were swiftly adjusted, leading to an important milestone for the Artemis II astronauts on the mission’s second day.

After replenishing their energy, the astronauts received a wake-up call on Thursday at 2:35 p.m. ET. They were greeted by John Legend’s “Green Light” and encouraging messages from NASA team members who supported their journey. Glover expressed gratitude for their uplifting words.

Less than two hours post-wakeup, mission managers in Houston convened to discuss the feasibility of executing a critical engine burn to position the Orion capsule into lunar orbit.

The decision was a resounding “go.”

This pivotal maneuver, known as the “lunar insertion burn,” is scheduled for 7:49 p.m. ET and will last just under six minutes. The main engine of Orion will ignite, propelling the capsule out of Earth’s orbit.

A stunning view of Earth as seen from NASA’s Orion spacecraft in orbit.NASA

The Artemis II mission’s spaceflight heavily depends on gravitational forces from both the Earth and the Moon, making this upcoming engine burn crucial. This will be the last major maneuver of this nature during the mission; once executed, the astronauts will embark on a one-way journey around the Moon.

“Flight controllers will monitor engine performance, guidance, and navigation data closely throughout this maneuver to ensure Orion is precisely targeted for its outbound journey,” NASA officials mentioned in a blog update.

If all goes smoothly, the Artemis II astronauts will make history as the first crew to journey to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Apollo 17 Astronauts Share Moonwalk Insights and Advice with NASA’s Artemis II Crew

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

When it comes to advice for the four NASA astronauts poised to embark on their lunar voyage this Wednesday, Harrison Schmidt is undoubtedly the expert you want to hear from.

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At 90 years old, Schmidt made history when he walked on the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972, the last human mission to our lunar neighbor.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch on Wednesday at 6:24 PM, marking a new chapter in lunar exploration. The mission aims to orbit the moon, paving the way for a future landing in 2028, mirroring Apollo 8’s pivotal role for Apollo 11.

According to Schmidt, the Artemis II astronauts will encounter many of the surreal vistas he experienced over fifty years ago.

“Every day, every hour, every minute is a new experience,” Schmidt remarked in an interview with NBC News.

To the Artemis II team, Schmidt advises: “Train well. Be prepared for the unexpected. But most importantly, have fun.”

Since the days of Apollo 17, much has changed. At that time, Schmidt and the crew were entrenched in a space race against the Soviet Union, whereas NASA is now in competition with China, which has its sights set on landing astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The Apollo 17 crew spent nearly 13 days in space, including three on the moon, traveling 30 kilometers on the lunar rover, the furthest any crew has gone, while collecting a record-breaking 243 pounds of geological samples.

Astronaut Harrison H. Schmidt, Lunar Module Pilot, aboard the Lunar Module LM before it lifts off from the moon in 1972.
Eugene A. Cernan/NASA

Schmidt recounts the unforgettable experience of entering lunar orbit in darkness on the moon’s far side, shielded from Earth’s view.

“As we were landing on the east side of the moon with the sun barely peeking over the horizon, stepping into that incredible darkness was surreal. The moon was visibly illuminated by Earth’s light, casting a beautiful bluish hue,” Schmidt reminisced.

Schmidt stands near the U.S. flag on the moon during a spacewalk on December 13, 1972.
JSC/NASA

The Artemis II astronauts will have an unprecedented view of the moon’s far side.

“We’ve discovered that roughly 60% of the far side has never been seen by human eyes due to its lighting conditions,” remarked Reed Wiseman, the Artemis II mission commander. “Apollo focused on lighting for landings on the near side, but this moonwalk offers a different perspective. It’s truly remarkable.”

Following Apollo 17’s conclusion, the U.S. shifted its focus away from sustaining a human presence on the moon. The 1970s budget cuts led to the cancellation of further Apollo missions, prompting a priority shift toward the space station.

The crew of Apollo 17 captured this view of Earth on December 7, 1972, while heading toward the moon.
JSC/NASA

Unlike the Apollo missions, NASA’s Artemis program intends to establish a sustainable lunar presence, laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we see people live on the moon for months or even years within our lifetime,” Schmidt expressed. “Mars is within our reach, and we will continue pushing forward.”

What fuels his optimism? “As humans, exploration is ingrained in our nature,” Schmidt asserted.

“From our origins in Africa to the present, the drive to explore and expand is deeply embedded within us,” he concludes.

Schmidt trained in the Lunar Module Simulator at Kennedy Space Center before the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
NASA

As Apollo 17 ventured away from the moon, Commander Gene Cernan remarked: “We depart just as we came; with God’s will, we will return carrying peace and hope for all mankind.”

If everything goes according to plan, Artemis II will be a significant stride in that journey. By the mission’s sixth day, the crew expects to come within just 6,000 miles of the moon’s surface, potentially reaching farther from Earth than any human has traveled before.

“This mission is essential for our nation,” Schmidt asserts. “China is clearly vying for space control, just as it is on Earth. Thus, this national initiative must be executed effectively.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Next Steps for Astronauts: What Happens After Space Missions

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

If all goes according to plan, the Artemis II astronauts will embark on a three-day journey to the moon.

Their significant milestone is set for Monday, when they will fly around the moon. This historic maneuver will enable humans to travel farther from Earth than ever before, potentially breaking the distance record of 248,655 miles established by Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970.

During the flyby, the Artemis II crew will approach within 4,000 to 6,000 miles of the moon’s surface. According to NASA, from this vantage point, the moon will appear roughly the size of a basketball held at arm’s length.

As they orbit the moon, the astronauts will observe portions of the moon’s surface for the first time through human eyes, specifically the far side of the moon that is never visible from Earth.

Following the orbit, the astronauts will conclude their mission with a return flight to Earth, culminating in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 10th.

The Artemis II mission is a crucial element of NASA’s plans to return astronauts to the moon and establish a sustainable human presence there, with future aspirations to construct a lunar base.

October 2025: Viewers witness a launch from Launch Facility 39B at Kennedy Space Center.
Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In 2024, NASA plans to launch the Artemis III mission, which will utilize a commercially built lunar lander to demonstrate technology in low Earth orbit. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing landers to transport NASA astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface.

Following Artemis III, NASA intends to launch the Artemis IV mission with the goal of landing on the moon sometime in 2028.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Historic Artemis II Launch: Astronauts Set to Return to the Moon

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Artemis II Mission Launch from Kennedy Space Center

AFP (via Getty Images)

Artemis II mission launch — Artemis II Mission Launch from Kennedy Space Center

AFP (via Getty Images)

The highly anticipated Artemis II mission marks humanity’s first crewed journey to the moon since the Apollo program ceased in 1972. Set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 1, this groundbreaking mission will take four astronauts further into space than ever before.

This mission represents NASA’s second flight of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule, showcasing its first crewed operation following the successful unmanned Artemis I mission in 2022 that circled the moon.

Upon launch, NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will spend the initial two days in Earth orbit, testing the spacecraft’s systems. A critical aspect of these tests is to maneuver the Orion capsule for docking with an older spacecraft, a process that will require astronaut control for safety.

“We may need to intervene if docking doesn’t go as planned,” Glover mentioned during a press conference on March 29. “Our goal is to ensure we can manage any unexpected situations.”

After completing these tests, Orion will embark on its lunar orbit, reaching a maximum distance of approximately 402,000 kilometers from Earth, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. This orbit will provide astronauts with an unprecedented view of the moon’s hidden regions due to favorable lighting conditions.

The entire mission is expected to span approximately 10 days before the Orion capsule returns safely to Earth. Looking ahead, the next phase—Artemis III—is slated for 2027, which will involve testing the lunar module’s docking system but will remain in Earth’s orbit, instead of landing on the moon as initially proposed. The following Artemis IV mission in 2028 aims to achieve a moon landing.

“Our team’s primary objective has always been to ensure the success of Artemis III,” Wiseman stated in a press release. These ongoing missions are essential for establishing a permanent lunar presence, with NASA officials envisioning human habitation on the moon for years to come.

“We genuinely hope that this mission opens the doors to a new era where everyone on Earth can view the moon as a reachable destination,” Koch added, emphasizing the mission’s significance.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronauts Gear Up for Artemis II Mission to Return to the Moon

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Meet the Artemis II Astronauts and the Space Launch System Rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida

Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images

Artemis II astronauts and Space Launch System rocket — Meet the Artemis II Astronauts and the Space Launch System Rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida

Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images

The highly anticipated Artemis II mission is set to launch as early as April 1, 2024. This groundbreaking NASA mission will mark the first crewed journey to orbit the Moon since 1972, allowing astronauts to capture stunning images of the Moon’s far side, a region yet to be seen by human eyes.

Originally scheduled for 2019, Artemis II faced numerous delays stemming from the earlier uncrewed Artemis I mission, launched successfully in 2022. Artemis I tested the capabilities of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule.

This time, Artemis II will carry a crew of four astronauts: NASA’s Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen.

After a “wet dress rehearsal” in February revealed a minor fuel leak, NASA successfully resolved the issue, returning the vehicle to the launch pad for final preparations. The astronauts are now in quarantine, eagerly awaiting their mission.

At a press conference held on March 29, Commander Wiseman stressed the significance of this mission as a crucial test for both the SLS rocket and Orion capsule. “This is the first time we’re trying this. We’re ready to go, but we won’t launch until we’re absolutely certain the vehicle is ready,” he stated.

If the launch does not take place by April 6, the next available opportunity will be April 30, with subsequent windows opening in May.

Once launched, the SLS rocket will spend two days orbiting Earth, during which the crew will test life support systems and maneuver the Orion capsule for docking with older spacecraft. Following this preparatory phase, the crew will embark on an eight-day journey around the Moon.

This journey will provide the first views of regions on the Moon’s far side, including the Mare Orientale crater, which has only been previously photographed by satellites. “We all think we’ve been to the moon, but approximately 60 percent of the far side is still unexplored,” Wiseman noted during the conference.

Artemis II represents a significant milestone in NASA’s long-term Artemis program. While initial plans included lunar landings by Artemis III, this has now been postponed to Artemis IV, focusing instead on preparing for future lunar operations. Artemis III is slated for 2027, followed by Artemis IV and potentially V in 2028.

These missions aim to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future explorations. “We’re excited to play our part in this monumental journey, and upon our return, we hope to inspire the next generation,” Hansen said at the conference.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How to Watch the Astronauts: History, Launch Times, and More

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA is set to livestream the launch at 12:50 p.m. ET on our YouTube channel. A live feed from the Orion capsule will also be available throughout the mission.

Wiseman shared that the crew has affectionately nicknamed their spacecraft “Integrity” to honor the principles guiding their training and teamwork.

“Honesty is fundamental,” he stated in a September interview with NBC News. “While there are times when honesty can be challenging, the original Artemis crew commits daily to embodying this value.”

Glover mentioned that the crew crafted the mission insignia to foster unity. The mission patch creatively incorporates the “A II” from “Artemis II” to represent the word “All.”

“We want everyone to join us on this mission,” he expressed. “Numerous minor differences can divide us, and if we ignore them, they can become significant. I hope this mission stands as a bridge to fill those gaps and promote unity.”

Artemis astronauts display their emblem.
Robert Markowitz / NASA

Approximately eight and a half minutes post-launch, astronauts Wiseman, Koch, Glover, and Hansen will ascend to space. The first day will focus on testing Orion’s life support systems, which include temperature regulation, air quality management, and other essential safety measures like drinking water, food, and waste systems.

On the second day, the spacecraft’s primary engine will ignite, initiating its trajectory toward the moon.

Over the next four days, astronauts will assess how effectively the Orion capsule shields against space radiation, while also practicing emergency protocols in preparation for future Artemis missions. The upcoming Artemis III flight aims to conduct advanced technology demonstrations in low Earth orbit, including docking with a secondary spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to the lunar surface. Following that, NASA is scheduled to send astronauts to the moon with the Artemis IV mission in 2028.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA Astronaut’s Medical Emergency Leads to Historic First Ever ISS Escape

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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Four Astronauts Arrive at Space Station Following Early Departure of Previous Crew

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Four new crew members, including two from the United States, received a warm welcome upon their arrival at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday.

The spacecraft, transporting NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrei Fezyaev, docked with the ISS at 3:16 p.m. ET.

“Everyone arrived safely. We have been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” commented Sergei Kud Sverchkov, a current member of the Russian Federation’s Roscosmos crew on board.

The Dragon spacecraft was propelled into orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Friday morning.

“We’re thrilled to be here and ready to get to work,” Meir said after meeting the ISS crew. “We made it. We’re here. We love you.”

Later, Adenot mentioned how much she enjoyed the journey.

“It was quite a ride, but it was a lot of fun,” she remarked. “Seeing the Earth from above is mesmerizing; you can’t distinguish any lines or boundaries.”

They arrived at an unusually quiet orbital laboratory.

Originally, the four crew members were expected to overlap in space with the departing team on Mission Crew 11. However, that group had to return to Earth early due to medical issues. (NASA has maintained privacy regarding the identities of the affected astronauts.)

The Crew-11 astronauts departed on January 14, leaving behind NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Kudo Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev on the ISS.

The four new arrivals will be designated Crew 12, increasing the ISS’s occupancy to seven astronauts.

“Floating in zero gravity is an incredible experience,” Hathaway said after greeting fellow passengers. “The journey was fantastic, shared with great friends from Crew 12.”

A time-exposure shot of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday.
John Rau/AP

The crew launched from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at 5:15 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

NASA delayed the launch by two days due to high winds affecting the flight path earlier in the week. The agency continuously monitors weather conditions for safe ascent and emergency scenarios.

Recently, a Falcon 9 incident during an unmanned mission to deploy SpaceX’s Starlink satellites prompted NASA to review safety findings before this launch.

Following the Feb. 2 incident, SpaceX paused launches for an investigation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA later permitted SpaceX to resume operations, successfully deploying Starlink satellites thereafter.

NASA officials confirmed in a recent press conference that there have been no significant issues while the ISS has been understaffed, allowing a relaxed timeline for the arrival of new crew members.

“We anticipate additional support soon, but will launch when ready,” stated Dina Contera, NASA’s deputy director of ISS programs at the Johnson Space Center.

Crew-12 members, from left, Andrei Fezyaev, Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir, and Sophie Adenot during a press conference at NASA.
NASA

The Crew-12 mission members are slated to stay at the ISS for approximately eight months, where they will conduct scientific research including food production in space, examine how microgravity impacts blood flow, and study bacteria linked to pneumonia. NASA states these endeavors will enhance research for future missions to the Moon and Mars and will provide benefits for humanity on Earth.

This mission marks Hathaway and Adenot’s first spaceflight, while Fezyaev is on his second journey. Meir has previously spent 205 days aboard the ISS starting in July 2019 and made history with fellow astronaut Christina Koch during NASA’s first all-female spacewalk. They are also part of the Artemis II lunar orbit mission set to launch in March.

On Saturday, Meir expressed her surprise at the collaborative spirit that has turned the ISS into a beacon of human achievement.

“This represents a commitment from five nations, underpinned by trust, collaboration, and powered by science, innovation, and curiosity that has been upheld for decades,” she stated before entering the ISS. “Looking back at Earth from these windows, we are reminded that cooperation is not just possible, but essential. There are no borders in space, and hope transcends all.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA Report Reveals Alarming Details of Boeing Accident That Stranded Astronauts in Space

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA announced significant findings on Thursday regarding a failed Boeing flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024, which left two astronauts stranded for months.

The investigation outcomes were critical of both Boeing and NASA, highlighting issues such as inadequate testing, communication breakdowns, and leadership failures.

The report categorized these incidents as a “Type A disaster,” which is NASA’s highest classification, reserved for accidents that pose severe risks, including significant economic loss and potential fatalities. This designation was previously applied to the tragic loss of Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven crew members in 2003.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who assumed office in December, stated at a press conference, “We brought our crew home safely, but the path we took did not reflect the best of NASA.” He noted that this incident has fostered a “culture of mistrust.”

The Starliner mission, designed to last approximately eight days, aimed to validate Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for transporting NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. Launched in June 2024 with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard, the mission quickly encountered issues.

Shortly after liftoff, mission managers identified a helium leak within the capsule’s propulsion system, leading to multiple thruster failures as the spacecraft attempted to dock with the ISS.

After extensive testing, NASA decided to return the Starliner capsule to Earth without crew. Consequently, Wilmore and Williams remained aboard the ISS for over nine months, awaiting an opportunity for recovery.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, before boarding Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner in 2024.Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP – Getty Images File

NASA’s comprehensive report illustrates the growing distrust between NASA and Boeing, citing a “chaotic meeting schedule” during the mission and a willingness among managers on both sides to overlook risks.

While the investigation highlighted Boeing’s shortcomings in producing and testing the Starliner spacecraft, Isaacman emphasized that NASA’s civilian crew program also bears responsibility.

“While Boeing constructed the Starliner, NASA permitted and launched two astronauts into space,” he clarified, stating that NASA “must acknowledge our mistakes to ensure they are not repeated.”

NASA Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya further emphasized that both NASA and Boeing’s actions compromised the safety of Wilmore and Williams.

“The authorities have failed them,” Kshatriya asserted at a news conference. “We must recognize our responsibility to them and all future crews.”

In response, Boeing expressed gratitude for NASA’s thorough investigation, noting that significant progress has been made in addressing the technical challenges and cultural changes within the team since the incident.

To safely return Williams and Wilmore, NASA enlisted SpaceX, which transported them in a Dragon capsule alongside NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, concluding their six-month mission on the ISS. They landed safely in March.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully docks at the ISS on July 3, 2024.NASA (via AP)

Wilmore retired from NASA in August 2024 after 25 years, having spent 464 days in space. Williams announced her retirement last month after a remarkable 27-year career and 608 days in space.

In late 2024, NASA officials confirmed they were collaborating with Boeing to enhance the Starliner’s thrusters and that corrective actions would follow the investigation’s release.

Isaacman stated that NASA “will not allow new crew members aboard Starliner until the underlying technical problems are identified and resolved.”

Boeing developed the Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, initiated in 2011 to ensure safe civilian transport following the retirement of NASA’s space shuttles. Competing company SpaceX has been regularly flying its Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS since 2020.

The recent report is the latest in a series of challenges faced by Boeing. Prior to the Starliner crisis in 2024, the company dealt with issues concerning its 737 Max 9 planes, which saw critical failures leading to accidents and extensive scrutiny.

Boeing’s Starliner program experienced a difficult start; its unmanned debut in 2019 was aborted due to a software error that prevented docking at the ISS. Following delays caused by fuel valve issues, Boeing eventually demonstrated successful docking and return to Earth in 2022.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA Plans Lunar Orbit Mission to Launch Astronauts by March 6th

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA is set to launch four astronauts on the highly anticipated Artemis II mission, scheduled for March 6. This groundbreaking flight will take astronauts around the moon, marking a historic return to lunar exploration.

The launch date was confirmed after NASA successfully filled the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with over 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant and completed a comprehensive refueling test. This test simulated nearly every countdown step and launch-day procedures.

A successful wet dress rehearsal indicates that astronauts could be just two weeks away from visiting the moon for the first time in over half a century.

The Artemis II mission will be historic, as it will be the first time NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule carry humans. The mission is set to last 10 days, during which astronauts will journey farther from Earth than any humans have ever traveled.

Thursday’s extensive refueling test signaled significant progress for NASA. This was the second attempt at a wet dress rehearsal; the first was halted on February 2 due to a hydrogen fuel leak detected in the rocket’s rear. This issue led mission managers to abandon all launch windows for February.

Lori Glaze, acting deputy administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, emphasized that the March 6 launch depends on completing necessary work on the launch pad and the thorough evaluation of the wet dress rehearsal results.

The mission team plans to hold a flight readiness review next week, where NASA managers and executives will officially certify the rocket and spacecraft for flight.

“Everything is set in front of us,” Glaze stated at a press conference on Friday. “If we can get through these final preparations, we are in a strong position to target March 6.”

In the interim between the first and second wet dress rehearsals, engineers addressed earlier leaks by replacing two seals in the fuel supply line and conducting repairs and tests on the launch pad. Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson reported that the seals are now “rock solid” after the recent repairs.

“Overcoming this wet dress rehearsal milestone was crucial for our progress,” she noted.

The Artemis II crew consists of NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. While they did not participate in the wet dress rehearsal, several crew members were present at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during the test.

“I had the opportunity to speak with Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen,” Glaze shared. “They are extremely enthusiastic about the possibility of a March launch.”

To ensure their health ahead of the mission, the astronauts will undergo quarantine in Houston starting Friday afternoon. They will arrive in Florida about five days before the launch and continue their pre-flight quarantine at Kennedy Space Center.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Discover NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Astronauts: Meet the Team Leading Our Lunar Exploration

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Three highly skilled NASA astronauts are embarking on an exciting mission into space. Reed Wiseman, a former Navy officer who transitioned to astronaut status in 2009, brings significant experience, having spent six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014.

Reed Wiseman and daughters.
Provided by Reid Wiseman

Since the passing of his wife in 2020, Wiseman has taken on the challenging role of raising two children as a single parent. He acknowledges the stress that comes with being an astronaut, noting that the thrill of the mission is often tempered by the sacrifices it demands from their families.

“I’m a dedicated single father to two daughters,” he shared with NBC’s “TODAY” during a candid interview with fellow crew members. “While it might be easier to relax on the couch with a football game, the reality is that we have four individuals ready to undertake extraordinary and groundbreaking explorations in our civilization.”

Wiseman expressed hope that the outcomes of this monumental mission will validate the sacrifices made by the families of the crew.

“We often look toward the moon and proudly state, ‘We’ve been there.’ However, for this generation—both current and future, known as the Artemis generation—they will look at the moon and proudly declare, ‘We are there,'” he emphasized.

A pendant featuring Jeremy Hansen’s family birthstones accompanied by the engraving “Moon and Back”.
Provided by Jeremy Hansen

Each astronaut will carry personal tokens on their historic flights around the moon. Wiseman and Koch will carry letters from their families, while Grover plans to bring a Bible, wedding ring, and a cherished heirloom for his daughters. Hansen will carry a moon pendant featuring his family’s birthstone and the phrase “Moon and Back.” These items serve as meaningful mementos and ways for the astronauts to connect their families to the journey.

Koch, a veteran of profound space missions, holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent a remarkable 328 days on the ISS in 2019. Alongside fellow astronaut Jessica Meir, she made history with NASA’s first all-female spacewalk.

Christina Koch with her husband and dog.
Provided by: Christina Koch

Koch expressed her contentment about not participating in another significant milestone, stating her excitement for her colleagues who are set to leave footprints on the lunar surface.

“I’m genuinely thrilled to see familiar faces taking steps toward walking on the moon. However, if that is not my destiny, I am completely at peace with it,” Koch mentioned, noting NASA has yet to assign a crew for the Artemis III mission.

Victor Glover with his family.
Provided by: Victor Glover

In a similar vein, Grover previously participated in a historic flight, flying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to the ISS in 2020. Glover, a former U.S. Navy captain and test pilot, was transitioned from his position in the U.S. Senate when he was selected for NASA’s astronaut program in 2013. Grover and his wife are parents to four children.

Hansen, marking his spaceflight debut, is set to become the first Canadian to explore lunar terrain. A graduate of the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut program in 2009, he previously served as a fighter pilot and colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces.

With three children, Hansen highlighted the camaraderie that has developed among the crew, remarking that they’ve formed a familial bond through years of intense training together.

Jeremy Hansen with his family.
Provided by Jeremy Hansen

The upcoming Artemis II launch will be only the second deployment of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket paired with the Orion capsule. The inaugural launch, Artemis I, conducted an unmanned mission that circled the moon over three years ago.

Wiseman, Koch, Grover, and Hansen view this mission as a crucial stepping stone towards the Artemis III ambition, which aims to land four astronauts near the moon’s polar regions in 2027. Throughout their mission, the crew will practice docking procedures in Earth orbit, conduct scientific experiments, and evaluate various systems inside the Orion capsule, serving as a trial run for a forthcoming lunar landing.

“To us, achieving success is synonymous with landing on the moon during Artemis III,” Koch stated. “Success is always Artemis 100. Everything we do is centered around that.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Study Reveals How Space Travel Alters Astronauts’ Brain Shape and Position

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study reveals that astronauts’ brains can experience changes in shape and position during their time in space, presenting significant implications for NASA’s objectives of long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.

Published on Monday in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research indicates that astronauts’ brains tilted upward after spaceflight, deviating from their normal Earth position and shifting within their skulls. The study identified that areas associated with sensory functions, motion sickness, disorientation, and balance were notably affected.

This research contributes to the evolving field of aerospace medicine, which investigates the physical toll spaceflight and microgravity exert on the human body. Such insights are crucial for planning NASA’s ambitious projects to establish a base on the Moon and conduct crewed missions deeper into the solar system.

“Understanding these changes and their implications is vital for ensuring astronauts’ safety and health, as well as ensuring their longevity in space,” stated Rachel Seidler, a professor at the University of Florida and co-author of the study.

Seidler and her team examined MRI scans of 26 astronauts taken before and after their missions in orbit. The duration of spaceflight varied from a few weeks (for Space Shuttle missions) to about six months (the typical length for International Space Station missions). Some astronauts even spent a year aboard the station.

“Those who spent a year in space exhibited the most significant changes,” Seidler revealed. “We observed noticeable alterations even in astronauts who were in space for just two weeks, indicating that duration is a key factor.”

She added that among astronauts who remained in microgravity for over six months, the upward movement of their brains was “quite widespread,” particularly within the upper brain structures.

“The movement is in the range of a few millimeters. While this might not seem significant, in terms of brain dynamics, it truly is,” she noted.

Seidler pointed out that the observed brain changes often lead to “sensory conflicts” while astronauts are in space, resulting in temporary disorientation and motion sickness. Upon returning to Earth, such changes may also contribute to balance issues as astronauts readjust to the planet’s gravity. However, the study did not report any severe symptoms, like headaches or cognitive impairment, either during or after spaceflight.

“That was a surprise to me,” Seidler remarked.

For a comparative analysis, the research team also examined brain scans of 24 civilian participants who underwent bed rest for up to 60 days with their heads positioned at a 6-degree angle downward, mimicking microgravity conditions. Similar changes in brain position and shape were observed, yet astronauts’ brains displayed a more pronounced upward shift.

Dr. Mark Rosenberg, assistant professor of neurology and director of the Aerospace and Performance Neurology Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, emphasized that while the effects of spaceflight on the brain have been recognized, Seidler’s study is pioneering in documenting how these upward shifts impact astronauts both in space and upon their return to Earth.

“While we knew the brain shifted upward, we needed to explore any operational consequences,” said Rosenberg, who did not participate in the study. “This work helps clarify those relationships.”

The findings prompt additional questions for future studies, including whether brain changes differ between male and female astronauts and whether the age of crew members influences these changes. However, gathering a comprehensive dataset is challenged by the limited number of astronauts launched to the International Space Station each year, a demographic that has predominantly been male.

Further research is essential to establish whether the observed brain changes have long-term repercussions.

Currently, these changes do not appear to be permanent, similar to various physiological changes astronauts experience post-mission, such as bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and fluid redistribution. Once the body readjusts to Earth’s gravity, conditions largely normalize, Rosenberg explained.

However, it remains uncertain whether different gravitational environments might introduce new complications.

“If an astronaut were on Mars, which has one-third of Earth’s gravity, or on the Moon, with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity, how much longer would it take to return to normal?” Rosenberg queried.

Both he and Seidler assert that the current findings shouldn’t deter humans from spending extended periods in space. It is crucial, however, to comprehend any potential long-lasting damage and identify strategies to mitigate it.

“Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are destined to become a spacefaring species,” Rosenberg concluded. “It’s merely a matter of time. These are just some of the essential questions we need to address.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA Schedules Astronauts’ Early Departure from ISS Amid Medical Concerns

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has announced plans to return four astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) earlier than initially scheduled due to a crew member’s health issue encountered in orbit.

According to a statement released by NASA late Friday, the undocking from the ISS is set to take place by 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, weather permitting at the designated splashdown site off California’s coast.

This marks the first occasion in the 25-year history of the ISS that a mission has been interrupted due to a medical incident in space.

While NASA confirmed a medical issue arose earlier this week, specific details regarding the crew member’s condition or identity have not been disclosed, citing medical privacy regulations.

During a news conference on Thursday, agency officials reassured that the situation is stable, and the decision for early departure is a precautionary measure rather than an emergency evacuation.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated, “After consulting with Chief Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk and agency leaders, we concluded that it’s best for the astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of schedule.”

The returning crew includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Finke, Japanese astronaut Kamiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Crew-11 was initially slated to reach the ISS in early August and remain in the laboratory until late February.

The astronauts will return in the same SpaceX Dragon capsule that transported them to the ISS. If all goes as planned, undocking will occur Wednesday night, with an expected splashdown in the Pacific Ocean around 3:40 a.m. Thursday.

NASA and SpaceX will provide further updates on the precise landing time and location as it gets closer to the undocking.

Post Crew-11’s departure, NASA will maintain one astronaut aboard the ISS to oversee U.S. scientific experiments and operations. Flight engineer Chris Williams launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on November 27th and will be joined by Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev.

The next crew is scheduled to launch to the ISS in mid-February, with NASA considering enhancements to this mission, known as Crew-12.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA to Return Space Station Astronauts Early Due to Medical Concerns

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

NASA has announced that four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth over a month early due to medical issues. This unprecedented evacuation marks the first of its kind in the ISS’s 25-year history.

Due to medical privacy regulations, NASA refrained from disclosing specific details, including the identities of the affected astronauts and the nature of their medical conditions. However, officials confirmed that the overall situation remains stable.

Speaking at a recent news conference, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the astronauts are expected to return home in the coming days. An exact timeline for undocking and landing has not yet been provided.

“After consulting with Medical Officer of Health Dr. J.D. Polk and leadership across the agency, we believe returning Crew-11 early is in the best interest of the astronauts,” Isaacman said in a statement.

Inside the International Space Station.
NASA

Isaacman noted that further updates would be available within the next 48 hours.

The Crew-11 team evacuating the ISS consists of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Finke, Japanese cosmonaut Kamiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They had originally arrived in early August with plans to stay until late February.

Dr. Polk reassured the public that the situation is stable, clarifying that the decision to evacuate was made for the well-being of the astronauts, not due to an emergency.

“While the ISS is equipped with sophisticated medical technology, it cannot match the complete resources of a hospital emergency department for thorough patient evaluations,” Polk explained. “In this case, there were multiple medical events which necessitated a careful assessment of the astronauts’ health.”

NASA first made the medical concerns public on Wednesday, when it was revealed that Cardman and Finke were deferring a scheduled spacewalk.

Following the early return of Crew-11, NASA will operate with just one astronaut on the ISS, who will oversee ongoing U.S. scientific operations. Flight engineer Chris Williams launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on November 27, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Oleg Platonov, Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev.

The subsequent crew is slated to launch to the ISS in mid-February, but Isaacman indicated that NASA may evaluate enhancements for this upcoming mission, known as Crew-12.

This week’s developments present Isaacman’s first significant challenge since taking office on December 18.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

2026: NASA Astronauts Poised for Historic Return to Lunar Orbit

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

According to NASA’s ambitious timeline, 2026 marks the exciting return of astronauts to the moon.

In just a few months, four astronauts will embark on a groundbreaking 10-day lunar mission. This will be the closest humans have ventured toward the moon in over half a century.

The historic flight, dubbed Artemis II, is slated to launch as early as February, signaling a much-anticipated revival of America’s lunar exploration efforts. This mission will serve as a critical test for NASA’s state-of-the-art Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, both of which have faced numerous delays and budget challenges over the past decade.

Reestablishing a presence on the moon has been a key objective during President Trump’s first term, and the current administration is intensifying its focus on the escalating space race with China, which aims to land its astronauts on the moon by 2030.

Beyond its geopolitical significance, Artemis II represents a pivotal step in space exploration. The mission aims to lay the groundwork for a sustainable lunar base before advancing human exploration to Mars.

“In the next three years, we’ll land American astronauts on the moon again, but this time we’ll build the necessary infrastructure for their extended stay,” stated new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in a recent NBC News interview.

For many scientists, the excitement surrounding the moon’s return lies in the chance to uncover long-standing mysteries related to its formation and evolution—topics that were the focus of the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s.

“Moon scientists have had a plethora of questions over the decades,” says Brett Denebi, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.

Addressing these questions may provide crucial insights into the processes that shaped Earth, according to Dennevy.

“Earth is, in some ways, a poor record keeper,” she notes. “Plate tectonics and weather have erased much of its ancient history. In contrast, the moon has preserved landforms that date back approximately 4.5 billion years, waiting for us to explore.”

Although Artemis II will not involve a moon landing, it will assess essential technologies. Docking procedures and life support systems, initially tested in Earth orbit and later in lunar orbit, are crucial for future lunar missions.

In 2022, NASA launched the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule on a successful uncrewed test flight around the moon, known as the Artemis I mission.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Private Space Flights Conclude with Pacific Splashdown for Astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Cape Canaveral, Florida – a Private Space Flight from Poland and Hungary, featuring India’s first astronaut in over 40 years, concluded on Tuesday with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The SpaceX capsules detached from the International Space Station on Monday and parachuted into waters off Southern California less than 24 hours later.

Hungarian Tibor Kapu emerged from SpaceX capsules in Southern California on Tuesday.
SpaceX via AP

The four-member crew launched nearly three weeks ago on a mission arranged by Axiom Space from Houston.

Axiom’s Peggy Whitson, the most seasoned U.S. astronaut, served as commander. She was joined by Shuvansch Shukla from India, Slouz Uznansky Wysniewsky from Poland, and Tibor Kap from Hungary, with the countries collectively investing over $65 million in the mission.

SpaceX capsules carrying four astronauts parachute into the Pacific Ocean off Southern California on Tuesday.
SpaceX via AP

“Thank you for the wonderful ride and safe journey,” Whitson remarked post-splashdown. Her record now surpasses that of other American astronauts and women, encompassing a total of 695 days in space across five missions.

The visiting astronauts executed numerous experiments in orbit, celebrating their heritage. The last instance of India, Poland, and Hungary sending individuals into space was in collaboration with the Soviet Union during the late 1970s and 1980s. They waved and smiled as they exited the capsule one by one into the dim early morning.

Poland’s Slouz Uznanski Wysniewski made landfall in Southern California on Tuesday.
SpaceX via AP

This marked Axiom’s fourth mission for the orbital forward base since 2022 and is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to expand access to space for more businesses and individuals. The company is among those developing their own space stations to succeed the current one. NASA plans to retire its space station by 2030 after over 30 years of service.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA Astronauts Venture Outside the Space Station for Fifth All-Female Spacewalk

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The astronaut missed during the first all-female spaceship due to a sizing issue with the space suits. Six years later, I finally got my chance on Thursday.

NASA’s Anne McClain ventured out from the International Space Station alongside Nichole Ayers. Both are military officers and pilots who returned instead of going to the Orbit Lab in March with two other astronauts. Now, I’m back home.

Just before floating out, McClain spotted a loose string on the index finger of her right glove. Mission Control briefly postponed the launch to ensure her glove was secure.

During the mission, the duo prepared the space station for a new solar panel and adjusted the antenna at the 260-mile-high complex.

On Wednesday evening, the space station needed to be elevated slightly to avoid debris: remnants of a 20-year-old Chinese rocket.

McClain, an army colonel and helicopter pilot, was originally set to participate in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, but the medium-sized suit was insufficient. The historic mission was accomplished by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. This latest outing marks the fifth time a woman has gone outside the spacecraft in a 60-year history.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers prepare for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14.
Craig Bailey / USA Today Network

Koch is set to become the first woman to fly to the moon. Along with three male astronauts, she will orbit the moon without landing next year as part of NASA’s Artemis program, the successor to Apollo.

Currently, men continue to outnumber women in NASA’s astronaut corps.

Out of NASA’s 47 active astronauts, 20 are women. Among the seven astronauts now aboard the space station, McClain and Ayers are the only females. This marks Ayers’ first mission, while McClain is on her third.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

China sends three astronauts to rotate crews at Tiangong Space Station

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

China has successfully launched three astronauts into space as part of the crew replacement mission for China’s Tiangong space station, marking another milestone in the country’s aspirations for manned missions to the moon and Mars.

The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft lifted off as scheduled at 5:17pm (0917 GMT) atop China’s Long March 2F rocket, set to arrive at Tiangong after approximately 6.5 hours.

The rocket launched from a facility near the Gobi Desert in northwestern China, and the spacecraft will remain in space until it returns the current crew back to Earth.

Tiangong, also known as the “Celestial Palace” space station, is a Chinese-built station that positions China as a significant player in space exploration after being excluded from the International Space Station due to US national security concerns. China’s space program is overseen by the People’s Liberation Army, a military branch of the ruling Communist Party.

There are concerns about China’s potential use of technology onboard the space station to interfere with satellites and other spacecraft in times of crisis.

Astronauts Chen Zonglui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie embarked on the delayed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday.
Andy Wong / AP

Since sending its first astronauts into space in 2003, China has made significant strides in its space program, becoming the third country to do so. It has also landed explorers on Mars and the far side of the moon, with plans to land humans on the moon by 2030.

The Shenzhou 20 mission is led by astronaut Chen Dong, on his third spaceflight, accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zonglui and engineer Wang Ji. Unlike previous crews, the Shenzhou 20 mission consists entirely of male astronauts.

The incoming crew will replace the current astronauts on board the Chinese space station, staying onboard for approximately six months, like their predecessors.

Scheduled to reach Tianong after 6.5 hours, the spacecraft was launched into space atop the Chinese Long March 2 rocket at 5:17pm on March 2.

The current crew was sent last October and spent 175 days in space. They are set to return on April 29, following a brief overlap with the incoming crew. Tianong, completed in October 2022, has a capacity of up to six people.

During their mission, the astronauts will conduct medical and technological experiments, perform spacewalks for maintenance tasks, and install new equipment, as announced by the Manned Space Agency.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

SpaceX Astronauts Departing from California Coast for Historic Flight

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Four civil astronauts concluded their mission on SpaceX vehicles on Friday, landing in waters near Oceanside, California.

This marked the first time the company had brought people back to Earth in the Pacific Ocean after six years of Dragon Capsules splashing down in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.

The FRAM2 mission orbited the Earth for four days in a north-south trajectory, allowing astronauts to witness North and Antarctica directly from space for the first time.

SpaceX relocated its operations to the Pacific Ocean to prevent dragon capsule debris from falling into random parts of the Earth. The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and favorable weather along the US West Coast provided a safe and conducive environment for the astronauts’ return.

The first SpaceX Astronaut Mission, a test flight in May 2020, saw Douglas Hurley and NASA’s Robert Behnken launching to the International Space Station. They returned just two months later, splashing down in the Gulf waters off Pensacola, Florida. This mission introduced SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon 2 capsule design.

Subsequently, there were nine NASA-funded flights, five private flights, and ten cargo missions to the International Space Station, all safely landing in Florida.

However, fragments of the spacecraft’s trunk began descending in unexpected locations, such as Australian sheep fields and North Carolina hiking trails. While no injuries or property damage occurred, the continuous rains of space debris pose a risk that needs to be addressed.

SpaceX had initially expected the spacecraft’s trunk to completely burn up during re-entry, but this turned out to be untrue. Therefore, last year, SpaceX announced changes to their Dragon Landing process.

The Dragon Trunk is now abandoned later in the return journey after the spacecraft uses thrusters to deorbit. This ensures targeted debris disposal, with the Pacific Ocean providing a safe area for debris to land without posing a threat to people.

Previously, the Dragon Trunk remained on trajectory for extended periods without a clear prediction of its re-entry location.

The milder Pacific climate also benefits NASA in scheduling missions.

SpaceX’s move partially to the Pacific Ocean for Dragon Landing meets NASA’s requirements for faster processing of scientific experiments returning from space, allowing SpaceX time to prepare for subsequent flights.

The most recent East Coast landing featured a NASA mission returning from the space station with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, their stay in orbit extended over nine months. The mission ended with a playful encounter with a pod of dolphins investigating the spacecraft.

In this week’s FRAM2 mission, Chun Wang, an investor in blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, funded a private mission and chose three companions: Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robot researcher Laveer Lodge, and Australian explorer Eric Phillips.

Mr. Wang named the mission after the Norwegian ship Fram, which explored the Arctic Circle in the 19th century. He provided updates from orbit, including his experience with space sickness and the uniqueness of Pacific Ocean landings.

“Space motion sickness affected us all – we felt nauseous and vomited several times,” wrote Mr. Wang.

Splashdowns in the Pacific Ocean have historical significance in spaceflight, with most of NASA’s Apollo missions landing there. SpaceX’s return to Pacific landings marks a shift from previous missions primarily landing in Florida.

The curiosity of West Coast dolphins remains to be seen, adding a whimsical touch to the return of space missions.

Source: www.nytimes.com

NASA astronauts share their experiences after nine months aboard the ISS

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Following an unexpected extended stay at the International Space Station lasting nine and a half months, NASA astronaut Suni Williams is back on Earth, enjoying herself once more.

“I actually went out and ran three miles yesterday,” Williams mentioned during a press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday. “So I’ll give myself a little pat on the back.”

Williams, along with her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, expressed their gratitude multiple times. Williams thanked the two astronauts who shared the Dragon Capsules of the SpaceX Crew, NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, and the medical team for helping them readjust to gravity.

These expressions of gratitude, much like many federal workers, were likely well received by individuals in the space agency who have faced uncertainty about their mission, direction, and ongoing employment since President Trump’s inauguration.

Williams and Wilmore embarked on a test flight of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft last June, initially planned as a brief visit to the International Space Station. However, due to issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system, NASA officials decided to bring the Starliner back to Earth, extending Williams and Wilmore’s stay until February.

Upon their return to Earth, they returned to a transitioning NASA, the trajectory of which remains uncertain.

Elon Musk and his government’s focus on efficiency aim to disrupt traditional bureaucratic structures. Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Musk envisions sending settlers to Mars, sparking speculation about NASA’s current primary focus, the Artemis program, aimed at sending astronauts back to the moon.

In January, Williams and Wilmore found themselves caught in a political quarrel, as Trump and Musk insinuated they were left stranded in space to undermine favorable publicity for Musk, a Trump supporter during the presidential campaign, without providing any concrete details or evidence.

Both astronauts have publicly maintained that they were not abandoned in space for political reasons.

During a press conference at the Johnson Space Center, Williams, Wilmore, and Nick Haag, commanders of the SpaceX Crew Dragon mission that brought them back home, steered clear of political controversy and emphasized the cooperation and shared purpose essential for their astronaut mission.

“When you link with a nation that stands by, cares about human spaceflight programs, and supports us and our endeavors,” Wilmore stated.

Haag noted that much of the turmoil on Earth remains distant:

“When we are working in space, politics fade away,” he remarked. “It’s solely focused on the mission.”

He highlighted Williams’ nearly six-month tenure as commander of the space station.

“The magic of human spaceflight lies in our ability to concentrate on positive elements that unite people together,” Haag concluded.

Wilmore, who led the Starliner Mission, refused to place blame solely on Boeing for the issues with the Starliner capsule that led to their prolonged stay. “I dislike that term,” he commented.

Wilmore stated that both Boeing and NASA share responsibility for the malfunctioning system.

“I won’t point fingers and place blame,” Wilmore mentioned. “I might have posed some questions, and the responses could have altered the outcome.”

NASA officials anticipate the next Starliner flight could take place later this year or the following year. When asked if they would be willing to embark on another such flight, both Williams and Wilmore quickly responded affirmatively.

“Because we will address all the challenges we encountered,” Wilmore affirmed. “We will resolve them. We will make it work. Boeing and NASA are fully committed to this endeavor.

“I concur,” added Williams. “Spacecraft are incredibly capable.”

The International Space Station’s operations are scheduled until 2030, at which point a specially designed SpaceX spacecraft will guide the station out of orbit into the Pacific Ocean. Recently, Musk has suggested that space stations should increase their utility and be discarded sooner, within a few years. However, the astronauts spoke enthusiastically about the research they conducted aboard.

Haag remarked on the significant advancements in complexity of experiments compared to his prior mission six years ago.

“It gives you the sense that we are currently in the golden age of space stations in terms of the return on investment,” Haag concluded.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Boeing Starliner capsule astronauts from NASA set to return home in nine months

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

NASA Astronaut Suni Williams and Butch Willmore have finally returned home.

The astronauts, who had initially planned to visit the International Space Station for just a week, ended up staying for over nine months and are now scheduled to leave on Tuesday.

Their journey back to Earth marks the end of a unique chapter in spaceflight history. Williams and Wilmore gained recognition when they embarked on the first crew test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June. However, issues with the vehicle’s thruster during docking with the space station led to NASA returning the Starliner to Earth without anyone on board.

As a result, Williams and Wilmore had to extend their stay, but they are now set to depart on Tuesday at 1:05am aboard the SpaceX Dragon Capsule. The astronauts are expected to splash down off the Florida coast at 5:57pm ET.

Joining them on the return flight are NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

The timing of their return on Tuesday was determined based on optimal conditions expected for the evening of March 18th, as stated in a NASA statement.

The four-person crew arrived at the space station in September aboard a SpaceX vehicle, carrying Hague, Gorbunov, and two empty seats for their colleagues. Williams and Wilmore stayed behind to allow Hague and Gorbunov to complete their mission.

Despite the challenges they faced, Williams and Wilmore have embraced their extended stay in space and have enjoyed their time orbiting the Earth.

In a recent news briefing, Williams and Wilmore chose to focus on their mission rather than engage in politics. Williams expressed her disagreement with Elon Musk’s suggestion that the US should halt operations on the International Space Station earlier than planned.

“I think we’re thriving right now,” she said. “It’s not the right time to abandon it.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Alternative Space Station Options Welcomed by NASA Astronauts

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

SpaceX Crew Capsules finally reached the International Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla. more than a day after the explosion. They are there to provide an alternative to NASA’s two occupied astronauts.

The four new arrivals from the US, Japan, and Russia will spend the next few days learning about the space station from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They will then secure themselves in their own SpaceX capsule later this week. One of the astronauts has been aboard the station since last year, concluding an unexpected extended mission that began last June.

Originally, Wilmore and Williams expected their space trip on Boeing’s first astronaut flight to only last a week. However, they have now spent nine months in space, waiting for the Starliner capsule while encountering numerous issues.

Upon arrival at the space station, Wilmore opened the hatch and rang the ship’s bells as the new astronauts floated in one by one, greeted with hugs and handshakes.

“It’s been a great day. It’s nice to see our friends arrive,” Williams reported to Mission Control.

Wilmore and Williams arrived in late September with a reduced crew of two, leaving two empty seats reserved on the crew. However, delays occurred when the new capsules needed extensive battery repairs, forcing the old capsules to be replaced and pushing the return home to mid-March.

Assuming the weather permits, the SpaceX capsules carrying Wilmore, Williams, and two other astronauts will detach from the space station before Wednesday and will land off the coast of Florida.

Currently, there are 11 astronauts stationed in the orbital labs, representing the US, Russia, and Japan.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Two NASA astronauts are launched into the space station by a new crew and begin the return process.

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Four astronauts were launched into orbit on their way to the International Space Station on Friday evening. The astronauts included NASA’s Anne McLain and Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Onysia, and Russian astronaut Kirill Peskov. They were lifted from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 7:03 pm and soared into the blue sky over Florida approximately 48 hours after the initial launch.

“This mission is evidence of what humans can achieve when we work together,” Ayers radioed mission control during the smooth countdown.

The Crew 10 mission is part of the regular rotation of NASA crew members to the space station. This particular mission is drawing more attention as it involves the anticipated return of NASA astronauts Snie Williams and Butch Willmore back to Earth.

Crew-10 Mission Roscosmos Cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, NASA ASTRONUTS NICHOLE AYERES and ANNE MCCLAIN and JAXA ASTRONAUT TAKUYA ONISHI on Wednesday.Gregg Newton / AFP / Getty Images

Williams and Wilmore have been in the spotlight for months due to unusual circumstances in orbit. They were initially scheduled for a one-week stay in June as part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft but encountered vehicle issues that extended their stay at the space station.

The new crew will relieve Williams, Wilmore, and two others for a six-month stint at the space station, including NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Alexander Golvnov.

The crew of Crew 10 was launched atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The first reusable booster stage successfully returned to Earth about ten minutes after liftoff, landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

“Tonight was an honor to fly with you,” said a SpaceX flight director to the crew in orbit. “We will support you on your journey and wish you the best.”

The crew of 10 astronauts will spend over 28 hours in low-Earth orbit traveling to the space station. They are expected to reach the space station on Saturday. The return crew could depart as early as March 19th, according to NASA.

More than 270 people arrived at the space station. NASA astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams arrived on June 6th.NASA

The recent launch attempts added drama to the situation. The countdown was halted on Wednesday with 40 minutes remaining due to a ground system issue at the launch pad. The astronauts were already strapped inside the dragon capsule when the decision was made.

The Crew 10 Group consists of a mix of experienced astronauts and first-timers, all with a background as pilots. McLain and Onisi are visiting the space station for the second time, while Ayers and Peskov are on their first space flight journey.

Arrivals at the space station mark the beginning of a handover period which includes training new crews and catching up on scientific experiments, maintenance work, and other projects.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday.Craig Bailey/Reuters

Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Golbunov are expected to return to Earth via the SpaceX Dragon Capsule, where Hague and Golbunov originally flew to the space station. The Starliner spacecraft, which encountered issues, is being brought back to Earth without any crew onboard.

The extended stay of Williams and Wilmore in low-earth orbit has gained political attention, with claims by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump regarding their return to Earth. However, NASA has planned to use SpaceX vehicles for the return journey since the announcement in August.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Delayed Launch for NASA Astronauts heading to the Space Station

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The journey to the International Space Station for the four astronauts has been delayed due to issues with one of the clamp arms holding the SpaceX rocket in place on the launch pad. The mission controller stopped the planned launch on Wednesday, and NASA has not yet announced the new release date and time.

Originally, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Willmore were expected to stay at the ISS for just a week in June as part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but due to vehicle issues, they are now in orbit for nine months.

Astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams will be on the ISS in June.
AP

The launch for Crew 10 was scrubbed with about 43 minutes left on the countdown clock. The lift-off was scheduled for 7:48pm from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket.

There are additional opportunities for the launch this week on Thursday at 7:26pm and Friday at 7:03pm, pending resolution of clamp arm hydraulic issues.

SpaceX Crew-10 Commander Anne McClain is waving alongside his crew at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday. From left are pilots Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronauts Onish and McClain, and astronaut Kiril Peskov.
Greg Newton / AFP-Getty Images

Once Crew 10 arrives at the space station, they will take over from the current crew, including Williams, Wilmore, and two other members, preparing for the astronauts’ return home.

Williams and Wilmore will return home on the SpaceX Dragon Capsule, which arrived at the space station in September. This will mark the end of their months-long mission on the ISS.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spaceship is being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday.
Terry Renna / AP

The situation has sparked political discussion, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump involved. Trump claimed that the Biden administration returned the astronauts to Earth for political reasons, which has been refuted. Plans for NASA to use SpaceX vehicles for the return journey remain unchanged.

NASA has not yet announced the date of the crew’s closure and landing, which typically occurs after a handover period for exchanging information about ongoing projects at the space station.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Astronauts launching into space in Boeing capsules reduce the number of pairs flying together

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A team of four astronauts is gearing up for launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the process to bring NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Willmore back to Earth.

Williams and Wilmore have been capturing public interest since their launch in June on a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Initially planned to stay at the space station for a week, they are now set to spend nine months in orbit.

During their journey to the ISS, the Boeing capsule faced various challenges like thruster malfunctions and propellant leaks. Consequently, NASA decided to return the Starliner craft to Earth with only one crew member, leaving the two astronauts aboard the orbiting outpost.

NASA then rearranged crew rotations to free up seats on the SpaceX Dragon Capsule for Williams and Willmore to return home.

On September 29th, the capsule arrived at the space station carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The plan is for Willmore and Williams to hitch a ride back with them at the end of their approximately six-month mission.

As the new crew gets ready to launch, NASA astronauts Anne McLain and Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Onishi, and Russian astronaut Kiril Peskov are set to blast off into space on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the Crew-10 mission.

The liftoff is scheduled for 7:48pm from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Crew-10 astronauts are expected to dock around 6am on Thursday and reach the space station later that day, taking over from the current crew of four.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA astronauts to extend their stay in space by boarding Boeing spacecraft

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA announced on Tuesday that two astronauts have been stranded on the International Space Station since a problem with their Boeing spacecraft in June. Due to delays, they will have to remain there even longer.

The next astronaut launch to the ISS, originally scheduled for February, has been postponed to late March. This is to allow the new SpaceX spacecraft used for the mission more time to complete processing.

The four crew members currently on board the station must wait for the next crew member to arrive before departing in another SpaceX Dragon capsule. Among them are NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are set to embark on the first test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Originally planned to spend about a week on the space station, Williams and Wilmore have now been living and working in orbit for over nine months, including additional time due to the recent delay.

Typically, new crew members overlap with departing crew members for a short period on the ISS, known as the handover period. During this time, astronauts exchange information about ongoing experiments, maintenance projects, and other protocols.

When Williams and Wilmore finally depart, NASA astronaut Nick Haig and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will also return home with them.

December 2, 2024, ISS astronaut Suni Williams.
NASA (via Flickr)

According to officials, the new Dragon capsule scheduled for launch in late March should arrive at NASA’s processing facility in Florida in early January. Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized the meticulous attention to detail required in manufacturing, assembling, testing, and integrating a new spacecraft.

The capsule, known as Crew 10, will be launched by NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers, Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, and Japanese cosmonaut Takuya Onishi. Until then, the quartet will continue training for the mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA delays lunar exploration in order to prioritize landing astronauts before China

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

overview

NASA’s next Artemis mission, scheduled to send four astronauts to orbit the moon, has been postponed until 2026, the agency announced.
The delay also postpones the expected schedule for Artemis’ subsequent mission to land astronauts on the moon.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that under the new schedule, the United States would land astronauts on the moon before China.

NASA announced Thursday that the next Artemis mission that will send four astronauts around the moon will be delayed until 2026. A program already years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget has been delayed further.

NASA announced in January that the Artemis II mission would launch in September 2025 instead of late 2024. Now, NASA says it is targeting an April 2026 launch to give it more time to address issues with its next-generation Orion space capsule. The problem was discovered during an unmanned Artemis test flight in 2022.

The delay will also postpone the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts near the moon’s south pole. That mission is planned for mid-2027, rather than launching in September 2026.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the adjusted schedule should still put the United States on track to return astronauts to the moon before China lands its own. .

Nelson said the mid-2027 goal is “much earlier than the Chinese government’s stated intention” to land Chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030.

China’s interest in moon exploration has sparked a new space race of sorts, with some U.S. experts and officials saying that if China reaches the moon’s surface before the United States, There are growing concerns that there may be competition for space resources, which are thought to be water ice. They will be trapped in a permanently shadowed crater at the moon’s south pole. It is believed that water on the moon could be used to make rocket fuel to power missions deep into space.

“Landing on the moon’s south pole is critical to avoid ceding part of the moon’s south pole to China,” Nelson said.

NASA officials attributed the need to delay the Artemis mission to a flaw in the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield that was discovered during the capsule’s uncrewed flight. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said, for example, that the researchers noticed that the heat shield was worn in places, with some of the outer layers cracking and peeling off due to internal pressure buildup.

Orion’s heat shield covers the bottom of the capsule and plays a key role in protecting the spacecraft and its potential astronauts from extreme temperatures upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. .

Extensive testing has determined that the Orion capsule’s unique method of returning to Earth likely eroded its heat shield. The spacecraft is designed to perform what’s called a “skip entry,” in which it enters and exits the atmosphere, dissipating energy and slowing it down.

But Melroy said this reentry caused heat to build up inside the outer layer of the heat shield, eventually causing it to crack and wear out in parts.

The delays for Artemis’ next two flights will give engineers time to address these shielding issues and prepare for what Nelson called a “modified approach trajectory.”

“Astronaut safety is always paramount in our decisions. It is our North Star,” Nelson said. “We will not fly until we are confident that we have made the flight as safe as possible for our passengers.”

With the new administration of Donald Trump set to take over the White House in January, some space industry experts are speculating that parts of the Artemis program may be revisited or even scrapped. There is.

But Melroy said the decision to proceed with the Artemis program was “pretty clear” and should not be delayed during the transition period as the incoming administration establishes its goals and priorities.

“We would like to postpone any decisions about starting or ending the program for as long as possible,” Melroy said. “We had to postpone important decisions for our new team and we haven’t had a chance to explain them to anyone since we haven’t yet accepted a transition team.”

NASA has spent more than $42 billion over more than a decade developing the new Space Launch System mega-rocket and Orion spacecraft aimed at bringing astronauts back to the moon. As part of this effort, NASA envisions launching regular missions to set up base camps on the moon before eventually heading to Mars.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Astronauts find it challenging to think fast while in space.

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

There's a lot to keep in mind when working in space

NASA (from Getty Images)

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have shown declines in memory, attention, and processing speed after six months, raising concerns about the impact of cognitive impairment on future space missions to Mars.

The extreme environment of space, including reduced gravity, harsh radiation, and lack of regular sunrises and sunsets, can have dramatic effects on astronauts' health, from muscle loss to increased risk of heart disease. There is a gender. However, the cognitive effects of long-term space travel are less well documented.

now, Sheena Dev Researchers from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, examined the cognitive abilities of 25 astronauts while on the ISS.

The team conducted 10 tests on the astronauts, some on Earth once before and after the mission, and others on the ISS early and late in the mission. These tests measure specific cognitive abilities, such as finding patterns on a grid to test abstract reasoning, or choosing when to stop an inflated balloon before it bursts to test risk-taking. I did.

The researchers found that on the ISS, astronauts took longer to complete tests measuring processing speed, working memory, and attention than on Earth, but the accuracy was the same. Although there were no overall cognitive impairments or lasting effects on the astronauts' abilities, some measures, such as processing speed, took longer to return to normal after returning to Earth.

Having clear data on the cognitive effects of space travel is critical for future human spaceflight. Elisa Raffaella Ferre But before we know the full story, it's important to collect more data both on Earth and in space.

“Mission to Mars is not only long in terms of time, but also in terms of autonomy,” Ferre says. “Human performance is key as people on the ground will have a completely different interaction with ground control due to distance and communication delays and will need to be fully autonomous in making decisions. You wouldn't want an astronaut on Mars who has slow reaction times in terms of attention, memory, and processing speed. ”

Given the unusual environment of space, it's not surprising that there was a certain decline in cognitive performance, he said. Joe Bower at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. “It's not necessarily a huge cause for alarm, but it's useful to know, especially to know your limits when you're in such an extreme environment,” she says.

That awareness could be especially helpful for astronauts on long-duration missions, Bower added. “It’s not just about how well you do on a test, it’s also about how you perceive your abilities,” she says. “For example, when you're sleep deprived, your performance often suffers, but you don't even realize it's happening.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

This Is How Astronauts Vote in Space (and It’s Super Weird)

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The first cosmonaut to cast a vote from space was actually a cosmonaut (individuals trained by the Russian Space Agency for space travel) who flew from the Salyut-1 space station to the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1971. I voted.

Subsequently, three more cosmonauts voted in the 1989 Soviet parliamentary elections from the Mir space station, which operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001. Their votes were not confidential, and they communicated their choices to ground controllers instead of using regular communications. This public vote could have been great publicity for those seeking support from space.

However, when it came to democratic voting with secure ballots, there was a challenge. In November 1996, during the United States presidential election featuring candidates Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Ross Perot, astronaut John Blaha, a U.S. citizen residing in Texas, wanted to vote. As he was on the Mir space station, NASA facilitated secure communications for his voting process. Yet, the Texas Secretary of State intervened due to the lack of provisions in Texas election law for electronic voting, preventing Mr. Blaha from casting his vote.

This situation led to the signing of a new bill in 1997 by Governor George W. Bush, explicitly allowing voting from space. Astronaut David Wolfe’s first vote took place in a local election in Texas.

Since then, astronauts have been able to vote from space, with most opting to do so. The majority of astronauts relocated to Texas for training, enabling them to vote legally under the new law. There are also provisions for residents of other states to vote through collaboration with NASA.

read more:

So, how do astronauts actually vote from space? Before their launch, all military personnel overseas must register for a federal postcard application. When it’s time to vote, NASA’s Johnson Space Center sends test ballots provided by the relevant county clerk to the astronauts. The astronauts use a training computer to complete the ballot, ensuring it is correctly received on Earth. The authentic ballot, along with credentials from the county clerk, is securely transmitted to the astronaut’s computer for electronic completion, then sent to NASA.

The ballot transmission occurs through NASA’s Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) to the White Sands Complex in New Mexico, and then via landline to Mission Control at Johnson Space Center. The completed ballot is emailed as a password-protected secure file to the county clerk for formalization.

STS-86 crew member David Wolfe, first American to vote in space – Photo credit: NASA

With the upcoming US presidential election in November 2024, stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore may still be in space, necessitating the need for them to vote from space. Originally scheduled to return in June 2024, delays have extended their stay, with their planned return now set for February 2025 by SpaceX.

The crucial question remains: did they submit the federal postcard application for voting prior to launch? Failure to do so may still prevent them from voting.

Check out our ultimate fun facts More amazing science pages.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Future of Advertising: Astronauts Climbing and Spelling Mistakes

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

James Blake/Falklands Marine Heritage Trust

Advertisement from hell

Feedback is often confused or intrigued by the tricks advertisers use to try to sell things, but more recent strategies have been tricking them in the wrong direction, such as intentionally weird capitalization or bad grammar. It seems that it is designed to.

While we were fiddling with our smartphones, Feedback kept coming across ads for mobile games that promised “the most difficult levels ever.” We spent several days trying to figure out why it looks that way.

The name of the game in question is Climb! It's a puzzle game in which a group of climbers climbs to the top of a mountain, tangles safety lines, and the player must untie them. So it's essentially the flip side of Feedback TV, except it's gamified and at least somewhat solvable.

Feedback initially wondered if this was a non-English speaking developer skimping on translation costs. There is precedent for this. Dating back to 1991, it's a Japanese space shooter. zero wing It was released in Europe with a notorious translation. As a result, in the introductory cutscene, the alien invaders announced:all your bases are ours” After it was rediscovered in the late 1990s, it became one of the most widely shared internet memes of the time.

However, if you look closely, Climb! It suggests something else is going on. It's made by a company called FOMO Games. Although the company is based in Turkey, its staff clearly have good English skills, as evidenced by the information provided for all of the company's other games. Not to mention, as the company's brilliant corporate text on its website explains, “FOMO stands for Fear Of Missing Out.” This defines our product vision and culture. ”

Rather, the feedback makes me suspect that the poor English is intentionally designed to get our attention. In line with this, the ad also has other strange features that add to its strangeness. What's notable is that the game's title makes no sense at all, as the game's mountaineers have been replaced by spacesuit-clad astronauts floating against a starry sky. It wasn't until I saw the game in the app store that the mountaineering theme was revealed and things became clear.

This seems like a new and devilish way to promote products online. They intentionally create a perfect hash of their ad, hoping that this will pique people's interest and make them click through.

And on some level it worked. Because we are here. But the feedback is not downloading the game. As a general rule, we do not believe in rewarding intentionally incorrect spellings.

monkey in politics

At the time of this writing, the US presidential election is imminent, and the feedback has fallen into a never-ending cycle of news articles reporting polls, experts endlessly reinterpreting that poll, and then doing more polls. I am. This is a very long-winded way of saying, “I don't know what's going to happen.”

Now, our colleague Alexandra Thompson has highlighted an important new contribution to the field of mimetic prediction: a paper titled “Monkey predicts US election”.

Unfortunately, this doesn't require having countless monkeys in the voting booth. Instead, the researchers showed the monkeys pairs of photos of candidates for the Senate and gubernatorial races.

Monkeys spent more time looking at the losers than the winners. This seems like a unique form of torture for politicians. It says that not only did you lose, but the monkey looked at you with critical eyes.

This study extended previous research showing that children can identify election winners and losers purely based on pictures of candidates. Both children and monkeys made choices based on face shape, and a square jawline was a key indicator of increased chances of victory.

Who would do such research? Three of the researchers are affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, while the fourth is affiliated with a research institution in Portugal. Champalimaud Unknown Center. I don't really know what to make of the feedback.

Unconscious factors seem to influence our voting decisions. It's often said that taller candidates tend to win in American elections, and there appears to be some truth to this.

A 2013 study extracted data on every U.S. presidential election to date and found: tall candidate Although they received more votes in the popular vote, this did not actually make them more likely to be elected. It can only be described as double subject determinism, and one of the authors is a social psychologist. Abraham Bunck.

Readers interested in the outcome of the US election are advised: Whatever you do, don't look up the respective heights of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

One more for the road

In these stressful times, like many people, your feedback is directed toward comforting alternative realities such as: great british bake off (great british baking showif you live in North America).

There are lots of all kinds of fascinating and delicious things to learn about the ingredient science of bread, cakes and biscuits, but the show's home production of all sample biscuits, tarts and desserts to meet the technical challenges economists are called hattie baker.

Have a story for feedback?

You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please enter your home address. This week's and past feedback can be found on our website

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Images of Comet Gassan-ATLAS Captured by NASA Astronauts and SOHO Spacecraft

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A bright comet from the Oort cloud named C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is passing close to Earth and will be visible until late October 2024.

This image, taken by the ESA/NASA Solar-Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) on October 10, 2024, shows Comet Atlas Gassan and its bright tail streaming from upper left to right. Mercury will be visible as a bright dot on the left. Image credit: ESA/NASA.

Comet Tsuchiyama-ATLAS It was discovered on January 9, 2023 by astronomers from China's Zishan Observatory.

The comet, also known as C/2023 A3, was independently discovered by South Africa's ATLAS on February 22, 2023.

It orbits the Sun in a retrograde orbit and lies at an inclination of 139°.

It reached perihelion on September 27, 2024, at a distance of 0.391 astronomical units. Its closest approach to Earth was on October 12th. It is expected to be 200 AU from the Sun in 2239.

Each day throughout October, the comet rises higher and higher in the western sky as it moves away from the sun. But as it progresses, it gets darker and darker.

October 14th to 24th is the best time to observe it using binoculars or a small telescope.

Eagle-eyed skywatchers may be able to spot the star with their naked eyes for a few days, but then binoculars or a telescope will be needed as it gets darker.

“Comet Tuchinshan-Atlas may have come from the Oort Cloud, a region of space between 2,000 times the distance between Earth and the Sun and one light year.” said Jason Ybarra, director of the WVU Planetarium and Observatory.

“This region is so far away that the gravitational pull from the Sun competes with the gravitational pull from passing stars and the entire Milky Way galaxy.”

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick took this photo of comet Atlas Tsuchiyama on September 28, 2024. At the time, the comet was about 70.8 million kilometers (44 million miles) from Earth. Image credit: NASA/Matthew Dominick.

“The larger the orbit, the longer it takes for the comet to orbit that orbit,” he added.

“In the case of comets originating from the Oort cloud, their orbits take a very long time, so their orbits may change due to gravitational interactions with other bodies in the solar system, and it is possible to predict the future behavior of comets. It becomes difficult to do so.”

“If it gains enough energy from these interactions, Comet Gassan-ATLAS may never come back. It will have to wait at least another 80,000 years. In any case, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s an event.”

Just before sunrise on September 28, NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick took a time-lapse photo of the comet Tuchingshan Atlas orbiting over the South Pacific Ocean southeast of New Zealand from the International Space Station.

From October 7th to October 11th, the comet brightly illuminated the field of view of the onboard LASCO (Large Angle Spectroscopic Coronagraph Experiment) instrument. ESA/NASA Solar Heliosphere Observatory (Soho).

This device uses a disc to block the sun's bright light, making it easier to see details and objects near the sun.

Source: www.sci.news

Astronauts Could Potentially Consume Asteroids in the Future

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Samples from asteroid Ryugu

JAXA

Future astronauts may be able to eat a nutritionally complete meal made from bacteria grown on crushed asteroids, creating a type of milkshake or yogurt.

Astronauts on the International Space Station are experimenting with growing salad leaves, but most of the food consumed in space comes from Earth. This will not be possible for more distant and longer duration space missions. joshua pierce and his colleagues at Western University in Ontario, Canada, decided to study the use of bacteria to convert carbon-containing compounds from asteroids into edible food.

Although they have not yet performed this process using real asteroids, Pearce and his team performed a similar experiment using bacteria that breaks down plastic from leftover military ration packets. To do this, they heated the plastic in the absence of oxygen, a process called pyrolysis, and fed this to a mixture of carbon-eating bacteria.

“If you look at the pyrolysis products that bacteria are known to eat and the materials found in asteroids, there's actually a pretty reasonable match,” Pearce said. “So I think this really works.”

The bacterial aggregates end up being “something like a caramel milkshake,” Pearce said, and the team is also experimenting with drying the material to make something like yogurt or powder.

Although it may not be very appetizing, Pearce says this bacteria is highly suited for human needs. “We did a nutritional analysis and found it to be a nearly perfect food,” he says. “We found that the bacterial consortium we were using was more or less allocating a third each to protein, carbohydrates, and fat.”

If this idea is correct, a 500-meter-wide asteroid similar to Bennu, which NASA visited in 2020, could feed between 600 and 17,000 astronauts for a year, Pierce said. say. The exact amount depends on how efficiently the bacteria can digest the asteroid's carbon compounds.

A fully operational asteroid food project would require an “industrial-sized supermachine” in space, but researchers will begin testing the idea on a small scale next year, starting with coal. He says he wants to move on to meteorites next. They are currently working on the proposal. “It's very expensive, so we have to destroy it.” [the meteorites]So when we made these proposals, the stone collectors were not happy,” Pearce says.

“There's definitely potential there, but it's still a very futuristic and exploratory idea,” he says. Annemiek Wargen At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. “It's good to think about these things, but in terms of technology, there's still quite a bit of development to be done before we can use these methods.”

The success of this process depends on how much of the carbon compounds in the asteroid are suitable food for bacteria, Wagen said. Based on the composition of meteorites on Earth, it's likely somewhere in the middle of the range the researchers calculated, she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth without astronauts on Friday

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA announced on Wednesday that the troubled Boeing spacecraft will undock from the International Space Station on Friday and attempt to return to Earth without any astronauts on board. The uncrewed liftoff of the Starliner spacecraft is set to take place, assuming the weather is clear at the landing site in New Mexico. The return journey is expected to last about six hours, with the spacecraft scheduled to land at White Sands Spaceport early Saturday morning.

This return flight marks the final phase of a challenging test flight that did not go as planned. The mission was supposed to demonstrate Boeing’s capability to safely transport astronauts to the space station, leading to NASA certification. However, after encountering issues with thrusters and a helium leak from its propulsion system, the mission had to be aborted, leaving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stranded on the space station for an extended period of time.

During a press conference, Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, expressed excitement about Starliner’s return and the lessons learned from this test flight. The spacecraft is set to undock from the space station on Friday evening and land in New Mexico early Saturday morning.

The undocking process will be different without astronauts on board, with precautions taken to protect the space station in case of any malfunctions. After departing from the space station, Starliner will perform a deorbit burn before landing in New Mexico with the help of parachutes and airbags.

A successful return would be significant for Boeing, potentially signaling the safe return of NASA astronauts aboard the spacecraft. However, NASA has requested SpaceX to handle the return flight to minimize risks.

The certification process for Starliner remains uncertain, with NASA and Boeing working together to address issues and improve the spacecraft’s thrusters.

Boeing, along with SpaceX, was awarded a contract under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to develop spacecraft for transporting astronauts to low Earth orbit. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft has been successfully ferrying NASA astronauts to the space station since 2020.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Astronauts stranded on ISS after Starliner failure: US space program not in jeopardy

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is not scheduled to return astronauts from space this year

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

It’s official: Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain aboard the International Space Station until at least February. While it’s a major setback for Boeing’s Starliner, the plane that carried them there, it doesn’t spell doom for the U.S. space program. Rather, it highlights the success of the transition from the government providing the sole rocket to space to a proliferation of commercial spaceflight options.

This is exactly the contingency that NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which transports astronauts to the ISS using spacecraft built by private companies, was designed to handle. “The Commercial Crew Program deliberately selected two providers for redundancy in preparation for exactly this situation,” he said. Laura Forzigan independent space industry consultant. The two NASA astronauts were originally scheduled to arrive at the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5 and return to Earth about a week later. However, issues with the spacecraft resulted in them staying for an extended mission before returning home aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft instead of the Starliner.

“If they had only picked one provider, it would have been Boeing because SpaceX was a riskier proposition at the time,” Forczyk said, “so in some sense, this is a win for the Commercial Crew program.”

The mission was Starliner’s first manned test flight, and it was rocky from the start: valve leaks and thruster failures on the journey into space forced NASA and Boeing to reconsider whether the spacecraft could safely return astronauts to Earth. Tests of the thrusters on the ground were inconclusive, and there was still a risk of the thrusters failing during the return journey.

The safest alternative would be for astronauts to remain on the ISS until SpaceX’s proven Crew Dragon spacecraft has room to return, which could happen in early 2025. In the meantime, Starliner will autonomously detach from the ISS in September and return to Earth without a crew member while Boeing engineers continue to troubleshoot.

“This was a test mission, but sometimes testing gives you answers that tell you there are things that need to be fixed,” said former NASA astronaut Michael Fossum. statement“Testing doesn’t necessarily prove that everything worked perfectly.”

At a press conference on August 24, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Though Boeing has been adamant that Starliner will get another chance to carry crew to the ISS, some aren’t so convinced. Boeing’s contract requires that the vehicle isn’t certified for use in real missions until it completes a successful test flight, which it didn’t this time. If NASA requires Starliner to undergo another test flight, Forchik says, the first operational flight could be delayed until 2026 at the earliest. With the ISS scheduled to close around 2030, keeping Starliner ready for active duty may not be worth it.

Without redundancy in the commercial crew program, the failure of Starliner could have left the U.S. without a launch provider entirely. As it stands, SpaceX will continue to shuttle astronauts to and from the ISS. Although Wilmore and Williams will need to stay aboard the ISS for a little longer, they are veteran astronauts with the experience and equipment to quickly jump into daily life in space before returning safely to Earth.

For Wilmore and Williams, the challenges and inconveniences of a long-term stay may not outweigh the excitement of life in orbit. “I know them really well, and I think in some ways they were a little disappointed to be up there in such a short amount of time,” Fossum said. “They both have been on long-term missions aboard the space station before… and they both enjoyed it.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA reveals astronauts stranded in space will wait for SpaceX spacecraft instead of returning in Boeing capsule.

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA announced on Saturday that SpaceX will bring home the two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station since early June due to issues with Boeing’s spacecraft. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft instead of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. This decision follows months of uncertainty within the space agency regarding the safe return of the crew members on a mission initially planned to last eight days.

The problems with the Starliner spacecraft have posed a significant setback for Boeing’s space program, which has been struggling to keep up with SpaceX. The Starliner program was already over budget and behind schedule before the launch of Wilmore and Williams in June.

Top NASA officials, led by Administrator Bill Nelson, held a formal review in Houston and based their decision on the results of tests conducted in orbit and on the ground. The announcement to choose SpaceX for the astronauts’ return was made during a press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Although the return plans have been finalized, Wilmore and Williams will remain on the space station for approximately six more months before coming back in February. NASA revealed that two seats on SpaceX’s next launch, Crew 9, will be left empty to accommodate the astronauts on their return journey.

The Crew 9 mission is scheduled to launch on September 24 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meanwhile, the troubled Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth without its crew.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA to determine astronauts’ return method on Boeing spacecraft within two weeks

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Should NASA opt to utilize SpaceX for the return journey, Wilmore and Williams would be required to stay aboard the space station for an additional six months.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is set to launch a new crew to the orbital outpost in September on a mission named Crew 9. NASA has announced a change in plans to send only two astronauts instead of the initial four, and could potentially use the available seats to bring back Wilmore and Williams at the conclusion of Crew 9 in February.

Under this scenario, the Starliner spacecraft would return to Earth without one crew member, as stated by NASA.

Bowersox mentioned on Wednesday that no decisions have been made as yet, but NASA must soon finalize a plan to manage the space station’s resources and ensure smooth operations in orbit.

“We’re approaching a point where a decision needs to be made by the end of August, potentially even earlier,” he explained.

The launch of Wilmore and Williams marked the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission was intended to serve as a critical final test before NASA grants approval for Boeing to conduct regular trips to and from the International Space Station.

However, in June, five of Starliner’s thrusters malfunctioned as the spacecraft was nearing the space station, leading to a delay in the rendezvous and docking process. Helium leakage was detected from the capsule’s propulsion system during the flight. Mission managers were already aware of this issue prior to Starliner’s launch into orbit, but stated that it was unlikely to impact the mission or the astronauts’ safety.

Joe Acaba, astronaut office chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, stated that astronauts undergo training for potential contingencies, including accidents that could result in an extended stay in space.

While in orbit, Wilmore and Williams utilize their free time to conduct scientific experiments and assist the space station’s crew with maintenance work.

Acaba mentioned that the duo are kept informed about NASA’s decision-making process, but ultimately must rely on the expertise of engineers and mission managers on the ground.

“They will adhere to our directives. That’s their duty as astronauts,” Acaba affirmed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

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