Latest news with #CRS-32
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites to expand global internet coverage
In the early hours of June 28, after a day of severe weather warnings and storm activity across Central Florida, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 27 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch, which occurred at 12:26 a.m. from Launch Complex 40, followed hours of anticipation as meteorologists issued multiple thunderstorm alerts and lightning watches that could have delayed the mission. Fortunately, the skies cleared just in time, granting the launch team a window of calm, 10-mile visibility, and ideal conditions. This mission adds to SpaceX's expanding Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet coverage, especially in remote and underserved regions. It also coincided with a significant date in SpaceX's history — the 10th anniversary of a Falcon 9 rocket explosion that occurred on June 28, 2015, during a NASA resupply mission to the International Space Station. The stark contrast between the two events underscores the remarkable technological and operational progress SpaceX has achieved over the past decade. SpaceX and Starlink reusability in action with veteran Falcon 9 booster The Falcon 9 rocket used for this mission was not a newcomer to the skies. SpaceX confirmed that the first-stage booster was flying its fifth mission, having previously launched CRS-32, NROL-69, GPS III-7, and another Starlink deployment. Once its primary task of lifting the payload into low-Earth orbit was complete, the booster executed a successful landing on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This routine yet remarkable display of reusability continues to demonstrate the economic and environmental efficiency of SpaceX's design. Each recovered booster reduces the cost of subsequent missions and supports SpaceX's long-term vision of sustainable space travel and interplanetary missions. A decade after failure, SpaceX looks ahead June 28 also marks a solemn moment in the company's history. On this day in 2015, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying over 5,000 pounds of cargo aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule for NASA broke apart just over two minutes into flight. The explosion was a major setback at the time, but it became a pivotal learning moment that shaped the company's future approach to reliability and design improvements. This latest launch occurred under the watch of newly appointed commander Col. Brian Chatman, who now leads Space Launch Delta 45 and oversees operations at Patrick Space Force Base and the broader Eastern Range. Responsible for ensuring safety over a vast 15-million-square-mile operational area, Chatman's leadership coincides with a period of increasing launch activity, making the success of such missions a reflection of both technical coordination and operational precision.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA and SpaceX reschedule Dragon capsule departure from ISS to May 23
NASA and SpaceX have officially rescheduled the undocking of the Dragon cargo capsule from the International Space Station ( ISS ) to May 23, after poor weather conditions at the splashdown site prompted a delay. Originally planned for May 22, the departure is now set for 12:05 p.m. EDT on Friday. The capsule, part of the CRS-32 mission , has been docked at the station since April 22 and is scheduled to return to Earth carrying scientific experiments and supplies. NASA will livestream the undocking event on its NASA+ platform, beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT. What is CRS-32 mission of SpaceX and NASA The CRS-32 mission is the 32nd cargo delivery flight operated by SpaceX under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. Launched on April 21 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon capsule arrived at the ISS a day later. It delivered approximately 6,700 pounds of food, hardware, and scientific research material. What is the reason for delay by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The departure was initially scheduled for May 22, but unfavorable weather at the Pacific Ocean splashdown zone forced the teams to postpone the undocking. Safety protocols require suitable sea conditions to ensure a smooth recovery of the spacecraft and its cargo. SpaceX and NASA are now targeting May 23, anticipating improved weather conditions for re-entry and splashdown operations. Return cargo and experiments The Dragon capsule will bring back a variety of scientific experiments, including samples from NASA's MISSE-20 materials study, which evaluates how different materials withstand space conditions. Also on board are the Astrobee robotic assistant, technology demonstration hardware such as the REACCH system, and other items no longer needed on the station. Some non-recyclable waste will also be disposed of on re-entry. Undocking and splashdown timeline If undocking proceeds as planned at 12:05 p.m. EDT on May 23, the Dragon capsule will slowly maneuver away from the station. It will conduct a series of orbital adjustments before beginning its deorbit burn. The capsule is expected to splash down off the California coast early Sunday morning, May 25. Although NASA will broadcast the undocking live, the splashdown itself will not be webcast. Unique capabilities of Dragon SpaceX's Dragon is currently the only operational cargo spacecraft capable of returning significant payloads safely to Earth. Other supply vehicles like Northrop Grumman's Cygnus and Russia's Progress are designed to burn up during reentry. This return capability makes Dragon essential for transporting completed experiments, station hardware, and other valuable cargo back to Earth. As part of an ongoing partnership between NASA and SpaceX, Dragon missions like CRS-32 support continuous research and resupply operations aboard the ISS. With future flights already scheduled, including both cargo and crewed missions, the success of each Dragon capsule recovery helps ensure reliability and continuity in space logistics.
NDTV
23-04-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Pics: SpaceX Rocket Creates Stunning Nebula-Like Glow During Return To Earth
New Delhi: The Florida skies lit up in the early hours of Monday when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket created a glowing, cloud-like trail during its return to Earth. The spectacle came after Elon Musk's SpaceX launched its 32nd uncrewed cargo mission (CRS-32) to the International Space Station. As the rocket's first stage separated from the second stage and began heading back to land, it performed a special maneuver called a "boostback burn." This burn, done high in the atmosphere, changed the rocket's course and produced a burst of engine exhaust that glowed against the pre-dawn sky, making it look like a colourful space nebula. SpaceX shared the pictures of the spectacle on X. Falcon 9 launches the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission to orbit from Florida — SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 22, 2025 Though such sights often occur during Falcon 9 landings at Cape Canaveral's Landing Zones 1 and 2, each one is different, shaped by timing, altitude, and weather. The mission launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and wrapped up with a smooth landing just a few km away at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch marked SpaceX's third Falcon 9 rocket launch in less than 48 hours, sending a batch of satellites into space as part of the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission. This was SpaceX's 245th orbital launch from Cape Canaveral and the 300th overall from that site. One of the key payloads on this flight was Phoenix 1, a small reentry capsule built by German company Atmos Space Cargo. If all goes to plan, it will splash down in the Atlantic Ocean about 2000 km off the coast of Brazil after circling the Earth once. This would make it the first-ever reentry mission by a European company, according to Atmos. "Our mission is to revolutionise space logistics, enabling groundbreaking advancements in microgravity research, in-orbit manufacturing, defence applications and life sciences," the company says on its website. SpaceX used a Falcon 9 booster numbered B1090 for the flight. This was the booster's third launch.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space picture of the day for April 21, 2025
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. What is it? In the early morning hours of April 21, 2025, SpaceX launched an uncrewed Dragon spacecraft with its 32nd delivery of supplies for the International Space Station. After the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage completed its part in the ascent, it separated from the booster's second stage to begin its return to Earth. Still high in atmosphere, the first stage relit some of its engines to perform a "boostback" burn, changing its direction from heading out over the Atlantic Ocean to heading back to its launch site. The exhaust from that firing created this ethereal glow, resembling the colorful, glowing gases of a nebula. Where is it? SpaceX's CRS-32 launch took place from Launch Complex-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After creating this light show in the sky, the Falcon 9's first stage returned to a landing pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, a short distance from where it lifted off. Why is it amazing? Though the phenomena can be seen every time a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage returns to Cape Canaveral's Landing Zone 1 or 2, each "nebula" is different in appearance and no less a spectacular sight to behold. Want to know more? You can read more about SpaceX's CRS-32 Cargo Dragon launch and learn more about astronomical nebulae.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX knocks out 1st of 2 Monday launches, both with sonic boom warnings
An early Monday morning launch was the first of two on the Space Coast with planned booster landings that could bring sonic booms to Central Florida. First up was a Falcon 9 on the CRS-32 resupply mission to the International Space Station that launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39-A at 4:15 a.m. The first-stage booster made its third flight with a recovery landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Landing Zone 1. CRS-32 sent a cargo Dragon spacecraft with about 6,700 pounds of supplies to the ISS. That includes a demonstration of refined maneuvers for free-floating robots, an enhanced air quality monitoring system that could be used for missions to the moon and Mars, and two atomic clocks. This is the fifth flight of the Dragon spacecraft. It will dock with the ISS after a 28-hour flight targeting 8:20 a.m. Tuesday. It won't undock until May. Next up for launches will be a Falcon 9 on the rideshare mission for multiple customers Bandwagon-3, set to lift off from Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40 at 8:48 p.m. with a backup on April 22 at 8:26 p.m. This is the third flight for the first-stage booster and it will attempt a recovery landing at Canaveral's Landing Zone 2. 'There is the possibility that residents of Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Indian River, Seminole, Volusia, Polk, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the landings, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions,' SpaceX said in an alert ahead of the launches. They mark the 30th and 31st launches from the Space Coast this year, with all but one coming from SpaceX. Blue Origin had the other, but United Launch Alliance is slated to make its first flight next Monday when an Atlas V rocket on the delayed Kuiper 1 mission targets a launch from Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 during a two-hour window from 7-9 p.m. and backup on April 29 during same window. It would be the inaugural launch of Amazon's Project Kuiper to deliver the first satellites of the constellation into low-Earth orbit.
