During the crucial refueling process, initiated at 12:30 PM ET on Monday, mission managers temporarily halted operations twice to investigate a hydrogen fuel leak emanating from the rear of the rocket.
Although testing of the Orion spacecraft atop the rocket resumed, the hydrogen leak reoccurred in the final moments of the mock launch countdown.
NASA reported that a built-in control system on the rocket, designed to manage the booster in the countdown’s critical final minutes, “automatically halted the countdown due to a sudden spike in liquid hydrogen leakage.”
Engineers are also looking into audio issues that affected communication channels for ground teams during the wet dress rehearsals.
The four astronauts set to embark on Artemis II — NASA’s Reed Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — were expected to arrive at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday afternoon after being quarantined in Houston since January 21 to minimize exposure to bacteria before their mission.
However, NASA has confirmed that the astronauts will not proceed to Florida as anticipated and will be released from their quarantine.
Instead, they will undergo quarantine again approximately two weeks before the next targeted launch opportunity, according to agency officials.
Artemis II marks the second flight for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, and it will be the first mission with humans on board.
This much-anticipated launch is set to advance NASA’s objectives of returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
The previous unmanned Artemis I lunar orbit mission in 2022 faced a six-month delay due to a hydrogen leak detected during the initial wet dress rehearsal.
The Artemis II flight carries significant importance, being the inaugural crewed mission aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule.
“Our highest priority remains the safety of our astronauts, personnel, systems, and the public,” Isaacman stated on X, emphasizing that NASA will “proceed with the launch only when we are confident in our readiness for this historic mission.”
Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI was initially set to launch on May 26th next year, but it has now been delayed once more, this time until the end of 2026. It’s been almost two years since the game’s announcement and over 12 years since the release of Grand Theft Auto V.
“Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026,” reads Rockstar Games’ statement on X. “We apologize for extending the wait that has already been extensive, but these extra months will enable us to complete the game to the standard of quality you expect and deserve.”
The highly anticipated game centers around a duo of romantically involved criminals, Jason and Lucia, set against Rockstar’s vibrant depictions of Miami, Vice City, and Leonida, a vast Florida-like state. Development has been ongoing at Rockstar North in Edinburgh since 2018, with contributions from the company’s other studios in New York and globally. The original target date was late 2025.
“GTA VI” is anticipated to rejuvenate the gaming industry, which has been experiencing a downturn following a surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, has amassed $8.6 billion in revenue since its 2013 release, as per the latest financial report from game publisher Take-Two. Rockstar’s last game, the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2, launched in 2018 and earned $725 million in its opening weekend.
Meanwhile, fans have been eagerly looking forward to Rockstar’s latest title for quite some time. Even by gaming industry standards, where blockbuster titles often take six years to develop, the wait of over 12 years for Grand Theft Auto VI is considered lengthy.
for tourists exploring Korea, a nation renowned for its technological advancements, navigating through the heart of its cities can be unexpectedly frustrating due to the ineffectiveness of Google Maps.
This may change soon, as South Korean authorities will deliberate on whether to permit the export of Google’s intricate mapping data to foreign servers. However, the decision has already been postponed for the second time this year on Friday to allow more time for security concerns to be addressed.
Such a decision would unlock features that enable the app to offer detailed guidance and show users optimal routes for their journeys.
This ongoing discussion has spanned nearly two decades, evolving into a broader examination of how democracy can strike a balance between digital sovereignty and economic openness. Local industry advocates have raised alarms about market control by foreign firms, while supporters of Google’s request argue that restrictions may hinder tourism and innovation.
South Korea is among a select few countries, including China and North Korea, where Google Maps is not functioning optimally.
While Google dominates online services globally, the digital landscape in Korea is primarily managed by local “portal” firms, Naver and Kakao.
These platforms offer wide-ranging services such as search engines, email, news, messaging, music, and maps, creating a robust ecosystem that has effectively resisted foreign technological dominance. Local companies supply accurate public mapping information but are obligated by law to store it on domestic servers.
Google does license similar data from local providers, but it is limited to displaying information like landmarks and local businesses, without the capability to give navigational instructions.
Security concerns and local opposition
Google asserts that it needs to distribute and process data through its global server network to provide real-time navigation services to billions of users worldwide, including those exploring Korean destinations from abroad.
Nonetheless, Google counters that the mapping data it seeks has already undergone security evaluations and that sensitive location details have been omitted. Furthermore, the same data is utilized by domestic competitors. Google has stated it would obscure satellite imagery of any sensitive sites should authorities require it.
Critics assert that granting Google’s request could create precedents for other foreign companies. Photo: Andrew Merry/Getty Images
There is significant resistance to Google’s requests. The Korean Association of Spatial Information, Research and Mapping (KASM), representing 2,600 local businesses, reported that 90% of the 239 member companies surveyed opposed it, fearing market domination by U.S. tech giants.
“The government must heed industry concerns,” cautions KASM Chairman Kim Seok-Jong, warning of potential “industrial decimation.”
Critics also caution that acquiescing to the request could set dangerous precedents for other foreign firms, especially those from China. Local reports indicate that Apple has similarly sought authorization.
The government argues that if Google establishes a local data center, like its domestic rivals, it can access detailed mapping data, which does not resolve the issue of processing this data on Google’s global servers.
In 2022, vulnerabilities related to such approaches were highlighted when one of Kakao’s data centers was set on fire, leaving messaging, mapping, and ride services inaccessible to millions.
The impact of tourism
Data from the Korean Tourism Organization reveals that complaints surged by 71% last year, with Google Maps accounting for 30% of all app-related grievances.
Francesco, an Italian tourist, remarked that he was “shocked” to discover that Google Maps was ineffective upon his arrival in Seoul for a week-long visit.
“It’s quite frustrating. I’ll look for restaurants reviewed on Google, only to have to switch to Naver Maps for walking directions,” he shared.
“I heard it’s a security issue,” said Reus, a French traveler. “But I sense it’s more about protecting local businesses.”
The restrictions have drawn criticism from tourism startups and tech advocates who assert that they will struggle to develop competitive services globally and hinder growth without access to standardized international mapping tools.
Previous governmental reviews in 2007 and 2016 both declined Google’s requests.
Currently, the interagency committee, which includes representatives from the Defense and Intelligence Reports, has extended the deadline twice, from May to August and once more to October, emphasizing the need for in-depth discussions with security agencies and industry stakeholders.
This matter has surfaced amid broader U.S.-Korea trade tensions, with the U.S. Trade Bureau identifying South Korea’s mapping constraints as a “non-tariff trade barrier.”
South Korea recently wrapped up trade negotiations to secure a 15% tariff, avoiding the original 25% threat. President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in the upcoming days or weeks.
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport could not be reached for comment prior to the decision.
Google claims its map software assists individuals to “navigate and explore with confidence using fresh information about locations, roads, and traffic,” and that it “works closely with local governments to aid residents and visitors.”
Apple is facing significant challenges this year. While striving to keep pace with other tech giants in the realm of artificial intelligence, it has seen its stock prices decline by double digits since the year began. The recent closure of a Chinese store marks a troubling point, as increasing US tariffs on Beijing pose a threat to its supply chain. On Thursday, the company reported third-quarter fiscal year revenues, inviting scrutiny into its operational improvements.
Despite a bleak forecast, Apple remains valued at over $300 million and exceeded Wall Street’s expectations regarding profit and revenue for this quarter. The tech giant posted a notable 10% year-on-year revenue increase to $94.04 billion, translating to $1.57 per share. This is the most substantial revenue growth Apple has experienced since 2021, surpassing analyst forecasts of over $89.3 billion and more than $1.43 per share.
Revenue from iPhones has also surpassed Wall Street predictions, rising 13% compared to the same quarter last year.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed pride in announcing a “June quarter revenue record,” highlighting the growth across its iPhone, Mac, and services sectors. During a revenue call on Thursday, he remarked that the quarterly results were “better than anticipated.”
According to Dipanjan Chatterjee, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, the growth of services is boosting the company’s revenue streams. “Apple has grown accustomed to enhancing revenue through this service-centric margin business,” he noted.
However, he pointed out some factors contributing to underwhelming product performance, suggesting Apple is trailing in hardware innovation, leading to “consumer indifference,” with its AI rollout experiencing glitches. The AI initiative, dubbed Apple Intelligence, is introducing only incremental features rather than transformative enhancements.
It has been over a year since Apple revealed plans for the AI-enhanced version of Voice Assistant Siri, yet many features remain unreleased.
“This work [on Siri] was discussed during the company’s developer meeting in June,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s Vice President of Software Engineering.
The imposition of Donald Trump’s tariffs has also complicated matters for the company, as the US president pushes for revitalizing domestic manufacturing. A significant portion of Apple’s products are produced in China, with 90% of iPhones assembled there, despite recent efforts to shift production elsewhere. Cook warned that China’s tariffs could impact revenue by $900 million during the quarterly call.
Apple is actively working to relocate more manufacturing to countries like India and Vietnam. However, this week, Trump announced an increase in tariffs in India set to reach 25% starting August 1st.
During the revenue call on Thursday, Cook reminded analysts that Apple has committed $500 million in the US over the upcoming four years and added, “eventually we’ll do more in the US.” He mentioned that Apple has “made significant progress” with a more personalized Siri, scheduled for release next year.
Both external and internal pressures have significantly impacted Apple this year. Once celebrated as part of the “magnificent 7” industry titans—comprised of the most valuable public tech companies in the US—Apple’s stock is now the second weakest performer, declining seven spots behind Tesla. Since January, Apple’s stock has dropped approximately 15%. Nevertheless, there was a slight uptick in the stock price following Thursday’s after-hours trading, recovering 25%.
Incorporating sunlight-reflecting particles into the atmosphere may help mitigate climate change
Alexnako/Shutterstock
Continuing to emit carbon dioxide poses significant threats, including the risk of triggering tipping points that can lead to major disruptions such as the shutdown of critical ocean currents. Current modeling indicates that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight could mitigate this risk, though the effectiveness diminishes significantly if it is initiated much later, such as in 2080.
“My conclusion is that if we are genuinely committed to preventing climate change, we must take solar radiation management seriously. This includes exploring its potential advantages and drawbacks,” declared Claudia Winners from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
A tipping point signifies changes that are irreversible for centuries, including the slowing or stopping of critical marine currents that distribute immense amounts of heat, impacting the global climate.
One such current is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transfers heat from the tropics to Europe. A collapse of this system could instigate rapid sea level rises in North America, severe temperature decreases in Northern Europe, and significant disruptions to the Asian monsoon.
Stratospheric aerosol injection represents a proposed geoengineering method that involves the dispersal of sun-reflective particles in the upper atmosphere via airplanes, balloons, or rockets.
According to the model employed by Winners’ team, the strength of AMOC could decrease by over 50% in the coming century under a worst-case emissions scenario. However, utilizing stratospheric aerosol injections to maintain global temperatures around 1.5°C could significantly mitigate current weakening, as Winners explained at the Exeter Climate Conference held in the UK last week.
Indeed, AMOC would not dip below this scenario under aggressive emissions reductions without geoengineering. “So, for at least the next 80 years, the effectiveness of stratospheric aerosol injections is higher than the mitigation from greenhouse gases,” Winners stated.
However, the model indicates that AMOC would fail to recover if aerosol injections are delayed until 2080, especially if they are employed to bring global temperatures back above 1.5°C after an overshoot, as suggested by the model.
The team also examined subpolar gyres in the North Atlantic, a circular current linked to AMOC that circulates around areas where cold, saline water sinks. If this sinking process halts because the oceans become fresher and warmer, it will significantly affect the climate in Europe.
In a worst-case scenario, the model predicts that sinking will cease and that commencing stratospheric aerosol injections in 2080 would not reactive the process. However, if injections start now, subsidence could be preserved in two out of the three crucial regions.
Nevertheless, these findings necessitate validation through numerous studies examining more realistic emission scenarios, as there are potential risks involved, according to Winners. “You can really mess it up too,” she cautioned.
For successful geoengineering, sustained global cooperation over centuries will be paramount. “You might say this is the largest governance challenge humanity has ever faced,” articulated ethicist Stephen Gardiner during another session at the conference from Washington University in Seattle.
For instance, if stratospheric aerosol injections are only conducted in one hemisphere without a global consensus, Winners warns that it could alter tropical rainfall patterns worldwide.
In a subsequent presentation, Jim Heywood from the University of Exeter discussed another geoengineering method, known as marine cloud brightening, which demonstrated that localized interventions could potentially incite global climatic changes.
With the risks now understood, they can be circumvented, said Haywood. “It’s merely a shift in strategy.” Yet, many researchers remain skeptical about the feasibility of managing geoengineering risks.
“Solar radiation management sounds entirely manageable. Shouldn’t we refer to it as solar radiation interference?” Stephen Rahmstorf questioned Winners after her presentation at the University of Potsdam in Germany.
There is also a concern that geoengineering could be perceived as an alternative to emission reductions. “We are not addressing the root causes of climate change,” stated Winners. “It’s merely a symptom management strategy; however, if the symptoms deteriorate excessively, it may complement a true solution.”
Due to these concerns, some climate scientists oppose even investigating the potential risks and advantages of geoengineering. The topic has become so contentious that participants at at least one meeting opted out of a session focused on it.
Winners is not the first to assert that geoengineering might need to commence immediately to avert tipping points. Last year, two independent teams concluded that solar radiation management could prevent the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, another significant tipping point.
“It stands to reason that delaying increases the risk of irreversible changes,” Winners mentioned to New Scientist following her presentation. “I believe that’s quite clear.”
The new NASA Observatory was launched into space on Tuesday with a mission that would help scientists unravel what happened in the first fraction one second after the Big Bang.
The Spherex mission (short for Universe History, Reionization Epoch, Ice Explorer’s Spectroscopic Optical Meter) is designed to map the entire sky, study millions of galaxies, and stitch together how the universe has formed and evolved.
According to NASA, it has been postponed several times since late February to help engineers evaluate the rocket and its components recently due to bad weather at launch sites.
The cone-shaped spacecraft ended Tuesday at approximately 8:10pm above the Space Sex Falcon 9 rocket from Van Denburg Space Force Base in California. Also, to get into orbit there were four suitcase-sized satellites deployed on another mission by NASA to study the sun.
The $488 million Spherex Observatory will investigate the entire sky four times over a two-year mission. Spacecraft instruments observe the universe in 102 different colors or wavelengths.
The Spherex Observatory, located horizontally, allows you to see all three layers of photon shields and telescopes. BAE System / NASA
Colors in the infrared range have longer wavelengths than what the eye sees, so they are essentially invisible to humans. However, in the universe, infrared light from stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies contains important information about composition, density, temperature and chemical composition.
A technique known as spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze infrared light and divide it into different colors, just like the way prisms divide sunlight into colorful rainbows. Therefore, data collected by the Spherex Observatory gives researchers insight into the chemistry and other properties of hundreds of millions of galaxies in the universe.
NASA said these observations would help scientists study how galaxies are formed, trace the origins of Milky Way waters, and connect what happened later. The Big Bang that Created the Universe Approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
The failure of the SpaceX mission led to the FAA grounding air traffic around Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, citing concerns about “space-fired debris.”
“After years of traveling, this is a first,” expressed a Facebook user who goes by the name of Rappeck. Executive Peck was flying to South America but had to divert to Miami.
The flight pilot informed passengers that a space rocket had exploded during flight, causing debris to fall along their path. They reassured the passengers that they were safe but needed to circle back to Miami.
Peck shared, “We eventually had to return to Miami. It’s unbelievable. We’ve faced delays due to weather, mechanical issues, and even unruly passengers, but never because of a rocket explosion.”
Jesse Winans, a traveler en route from Costa Rica to Charlotte, found himself in an unexpected layover in Fort Lauderdale along with other passengers.
“They are trying to manage the situation with customers, but I anticipate a long process to reach our destination,” complained the frustrated traveler to NBC South Florida.
Debris from a SpaceX rocket above the Bahamas on Thursday. John Ward
The company stated Thursday night in a released statement, “We will analyze data from today’s flight tests to better understand the root causes. Success stems from our learnings, and today’s flights provide more insight to enhance Starship’s reliability.”
Elon Musk summed it up more succinctly with his statement: “Rocket science is hard.”
David K. Lee
Senior Breaking News Reporter
Brian Hamacher of NBC South Florida and Sarah Mahidri contributed.
The developer of soccer management games has decided to cancel the release of the 2025 game due to multiple delays.
Sports Interactive (SI) has confirmed that FM25 has been scrapped, and they will focus on upcoming games, typically released in November. SI, a subsidiary of Sega, issued an apology to fans for the “hard decision” to cancel the game due to technical difficulties.
“I know this is extremely disappointing, especially with the game’s release date being delayed twice already,” the statement read.
The developers had intended to introduce “significant technical and visual improvements to the series for years,” but found it unattainable.
They explained: “While many aspects of the game met our expectations, the overall player experience and interface fell short. Releasing FM25 in its current state would have been below our standards. We could have fixed issues, but that wouldn’t have been fair. Additionally, expecting players to purchase another game later in the year is unrealistic due to the timing of the football season, so we chose not to exceed the March release date.”
SI also confirmed that they will not update the 2024 game with 2025 team and roster information, but will provide full refunds to fans who pre-ordered FM25.
TikTok stated on Sunday that it would resume service in the United States following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Earlier that day, the video app received a reprieve from its ban in the country.
President Trump has allowed Truth Social additional time to find a buyer, giving the Chinese-owned video app a lifeline before facing a total shutdown. He proposed that a US company acquire 50% of the stake, signaling his intention to sign an executive order in support of this proposal.
“By doing this, we will save TikTok, ensure it remains in good hands, and keep it afloat,” Trump declared. “Without approval from the US, TikTok would not exist. With our approval, its value could reach hundreds of billions, even trillions of dollars.”
Late Saturday, TikTok suspended its services for approximately 170 million users in the US.
In April, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok, now owned by ByteDance, to sell to a non-Chinese entity or face expulsion from the US. The Supreme Court upheld this provision, leading to the app’s decision to shut down temporarily. The law prohibits the distribution, maintenance, or updates of TikTok in the US if a sale is not secured.
A message popped up for US users of the app from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, stating, “A US law has been enacted banning TikTok, hence its current unavailability.” Trump advocated for a ban during his previous presidential campaign but found it challenging to enforce it in the 2024 election. He made a last-minute attempt to intervene on TikTok’s behalf upon realizing its substantial user base.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed gratitude to President Trump for his efforts to maintain the app’s availability in the US. He anticipated attending Trump’s inauguration personally.
In response to Trump’s Sunday message, the company affirmed in a statement its “restoration of services” and assured service providers that there would be no repercussions for enabling TikTok. They thanked President Trump for this action, emphasizing their positive impact on millions of Americans and small businesses, supporting the First Amendment, and opposing arbitrary censorship. They expressed eagerness to work with Trump towards a long-term solution for TikTok in the US.
Several TikTok users reported that the app was fully functional again soon after the announcement.
Concerns about TikTok revolve around the potential access of personal data of US users by the Chinese government and manipulation of the app’s algorithms to control user content. Chu refuted any involvement of the Chinese government in the app, clarifying that ByteDance is not acting as an agent of China or any other country as of 2023.
Reports surfaced last week suggesting that Trump was considering extending the ban through an executive order. The bill allowing the ban on TikTok includes a provision that allows the president to extend the sale deadline by 90 days if sufficient progress is demonstrated, but evidence of substantial progress is required for such an extension to be granted.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced his support for banning TikTok in a NBC press event on Sunday. He interpreted Trump’s call to “save TikTok” as a directive to facilitate a legitimate sale and change of ownership for the app.
Lawmakers are primarily concerned about the Chinese Communist Party rather than the app itself, emphasizing the need for ByteDance to complete the sale of TikTok within 270 days to avert potential national security risks.
Some Republican officials oppose the idea of extending the ban’s timeframe, noting that the law should be enforced as written. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts stated that China must sever all ties with TikTok and agree to a qualified sale for the app to be considered safe for US users.
Several Democratic lawmakers urged President Biden to allow TikTok a grace period before any shutdown, emphasizing the app’s importance to content creators, privacy concerns, and national security.
Investor Kevin O’Leary reportedly offered TikTok’s owners a $20 billion buyout, while other reports suggest a potential merger with TikTok US or a sale to Elon Musk, which TikTok dismissed as untrue.
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.
SpaceX has once again delayed the launch of its Polaris Dawn mission, which was supposed to take four private citizens into space, this time citing bad weather forecasts.
The company attributed the postponement to adverse weather conditions off the Florida coast, without specifying whether their main concern was the potential impact on the spacecraft’s water landing in case of an emergency or the safety of the crew during their return home after the five-day journey.
Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Kidd, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon are set to launch early on Wednesday for what will be the first all-civilian crew spacewalk.
Isaacman noted in a post on X that the Polaris Dawn mission will face significant limitations due to the expected splashdown conditions as the capsule will not dock with the International Space Station, and astronauts might have to wait for improved weather conditions.
“With no ISS rendezvous and limited life support supplies, it’s crucial for us to verify re-entry weather conditions before the launch,” he stated.
Alternate launch dates were initially set for Thursday, but SpaceX canceled both launches due to the weather outlook. The company has yet to announce new launch dates.
“The team will continue monitoring the weather for favorable launch and return conditions,” SpaceX shared on X.
An earlier launch attempt on Tuesday was called off after a helium leak was detected on the launch pad.
In addition to attempting the first all-civilian spacewalk, Polaris Dawn aims to reach the highest orbital altitude humans have reached since the final Apollo moon mission in 1972. The mission will also test new spacesuits and other technologies for future long-duration expeditions, potentially providing valuable research to support SpaceX’s long-term goal of launching missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.
A SpaceX spacecraft set to carry four civilians on a mission into space is facing a delay due to a helium leak, pushing the launch to later this week.
The crew includes billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Kidd, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. They were all geared up for a mission that would mark the first spacewalk by a civilian crew.
The mission, known as Polaris Dawn, was initially slated for an early Tuesday launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, SpaceX published a statement on X indicating that the helium leak discovery will likely push the launch to Wednesday at the earliest.
“Teams are currently investigating a ground-side helium leak in the quick-disconnect umbilical in detail,” the company reported. “Falcon and Dragon remain in good condition, with crews ready for their multi-day journey to low Earth orbit.”
The helium leak setback comes as a disappointment for SpaceX, which has been responsible for transporting NASA astronauts to the International Space Station since 2020. In 2021, SpaceX launched its first private citizen into orbit – a mission that was also funded and participated in by Isaacman to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The highlight of the upcoming mission, the spacewalk, is expected to occur on the third day. Two crew members will be tethered out of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with all astronauts equipped in newly designed space suits as the capsule undergoes depressurization to create a vacuum.
Traditionally, only astronauts from government space agencies have ventured into space for tasks such as building or upgrading orbital space stations, satellite repairs, or scientific experiments.
The Crew Dragon capsule is set to reach an altitude of 870 miles above Earth’s surface – surpassing the orbital altitude of the International Space Station by three times. This height will allow the capsule to navigate through the inner region of the Van Allen radiation belts, a zone with high-energy radiation particles trapped in Earth’s magnetosphere.
The Polaris Dawn flight aims to study the effects of space radiation on astronauts and spacecraft, valuable research that could assist SpaceX in planning future missions to the Moon and Mars where astronauts will need to navigate both inside and outside of the Van Allen radiation belts.
Polaris Dawn is just one of three spaceflights that Isaacman is co-sponsoring and organizing with SpaceX. Details regarding the cost of the mission and the objectives of the other upcoming missions remain undisclosed for now.
The test flight of Starliner to the International Space Station is aimed at showcasing the spacecraft’s capability to safely transport astronauts to low Earth orbit and assess its various systems in space.
The launch of the capsule was delayed numerous times before finally taking off on June 5, several years behind schedule and significantly over budget.
According to NASA officials, the return date for the astronauts has not yet been determined, but they could potentially return after a spacewalk scheduled for July 2 from the International Space Station.
Officials mentioned that there is no urgency to depart as the space station has adequate supplies to accommodate the visitors. NASA will thoroughly investigate before approving the undocking of the capsule.
Wilmore and Williams are currently residing on the ISS alongside seven other crew members: NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matt Dominic, Tracy Dyson, and Janet Epps, as well as Russian cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkhin, and Oleg Kononenko.
During their prolonged stay in space, Wilmore and Williams will assist in the operations of the space station and conduct various tests as part of the certification process for Starliner by NASA.
“Crew feedback has been extremely positive, and they recognize that all the insights gained during crew flight testing will enhance and refine the experience for future crew members,” stated Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Starliner program.
Ultimately, Boeing aims to provide scheduled flights to and from the space station for NASA, akin to the commercial services offered by SpaceX with its Crew Dragon spacecraft since 2020.
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