KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

In space news this week, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V first stage booster that will help launch a Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in March arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and was trucked to ULA's Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center. Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana led a panel discussion with his STS-88 crewmates to mark the 20th anniversary of ISS assembly.

NASA’s first Venture Class launch is flying on the Rocket Lab Electron. On board, the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites-19 payload – 10 small satellites – are ready for their first-class ride into space.

Kennedy Space Center Engineers are Engineering the future today! Check out this video to learn how the Engineers of Kennedy Space center are performing the impossible while supporting NASA’s deep space exploration goals.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launch on the company's 16th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, and ten CubeSats are prepared for their first-class ride into space aboard Rocket Lab USA's Electron rocket.

The SpaceX CRS-16 Dragon spacecraft separated from the SpaceX rocket Falcon 9 rocket as it continues on the 16th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff took place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 1:16 p.m. EST.

The SpaceX CRS-16 Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, sending a Dragon spacecraft on the company's 16th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 1:16 p.m. EST.

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to boost a Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A on the company's 15th commercial resupply services mission to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station.

For years, tiny CubeSat satellites could only fly into space as hitchhikers, riding along with larger, primary payloads. Now, thanks to Venture Class Launch Services, these small packages of big science are getting their own rides into space on dedicated rockets -- and on their own terms. Rocket Lab USA of Huntington Beach, California, and Virgin Orbit of Long Beach, California, are the two companies poised to propel CubeSats from coach class to first class. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music.

NASA's InSight lander successfully touched down on Mars and will begin its two-year mission to study the Red Planet's deep interior. Also, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which will fly astronauts to the International Space Station in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, arrived at Boeing's testing facilities in El Segundo, Calif.

NASA held a “Powering Exploration Mission-1” ceremony in the high bay of the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Nov. 16, 2018, to mark a major milestone, the arrival of the European Service Module for the first test flight of Orion atop the Space Launch System rocket. Several members of the center’s Emergency Response Team competed and placed second overall in this year’s SWAT Roundup International, held in Orlando last week. And in Commercial Crew Program news, the SpaceX Falcon 9 Demo-1 uncrewed flight test will lift off from Launch Pad 39A on Jan. 7, 2019.

NASA's InSight mission will be the first to study the Red Planet's deep interior. InSight, which stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, launched May 5, 2018 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Learn more at: https://www.nasa.gov/insight

In this episode, we sit down with the Space Shuttle commander who officially began construction of the ISS in space. Former astronaut Bob Cabana recounts his experiences in being the first American on station and turning on the lights.

This week in space news, the recently arrived European Service Module -- the powerhouse for the Orion spacecraft -- was unpacked and moved into the high bay in Kennedy Space Center's Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to begin processing for Exploration Mission-1. Also, launch teams from Boeing, United Launch Alliance and NASA successfully completed an integrated simulation for the first flight of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard an Atlas V rocket.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is a world premier multi-user spaceport with more than 250 active partnership agreements with industry, academia and government agencies. The partnerships are coordinated by the Center Planning and Development Directorate at the center.

This week in space news, after a week at sea, Exploration Ground Systems' Landing and Recovery Team is one step closer to being ready to recover the Orion spacecraft and astronauts on board after future deep space exploration missions. And the powerhouse for the Orion spacecraft, the European Service Module, has arrived at Kennedy from Bremen, Germany.

Check out this incredible aerial view of NASA’s Recovery Team and the US Navy practicing recovering a test version of the Orion crew capsule after it splashes down. Underway Recovery Test-7 is one in a series of tests to verify and validate procedures and hardware that will be used to recover the Orion spacecraft after it splashes down in the Pacific Ocean following deep space exploration missions.

Teams from NASA, the Department of Defense Human Space Flight Support Office, and SpaceX recently rehearsed medical triage and evacuation in preparation for Commercial Crew Program launches from American soil. Also, NASA's Exploration Ground Systems kicked off a week of Orion recovery testing off the California coast.

This week at Kennedy, the Northrop Grumman L-1011 Stargazer aircraft recently arrived at the Cape Canaveral Force Station Skid Strip in Florida, with the Pegasus XL rocket attached beneath it. NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite is inside the rocket's payload fairing. NASA's 2018 Business Opportunities Expo took place Oct. 23 at Port Canaveral's Cruise Terminal. Kennedy Space Center's Small Business Programs Office and Prime Contractor Board were among the hosts of the event.

Description

When people think of the Kennedy Space Center, rockets are what likely come to mind. But we have more than rocket scientists here on the Space Coast. In this episode, we meet a few Ranch hands with odd jobs you may not expect to find around these parts.

NASA is preparing to launch the Ionosphereic Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite to study the zone where terrestrial and space weather meet. Additionally, at Launch Complex 39B, the pad’s Ignition Overpressure Protection and Sound Suppression water deluge system underwent two flow tests this week.

Paul Hintze, a chemist with Kennedy Space Center's Exploration Research and Technology Programs, helps to develop technology that will help us live somewhere besides Earth.

Kennedy Space Center’s scenic location on central Florida’s east coast is perfect for launching rockets, but beach erosion is a concern – especially during hurricane season. That’s why NASA is managing a project to renourish the shoreline with beach-quality sand, building up the dune that helps to protect vital spaceport infrastructure.

One day, space travel won’t be just for government astronauts. NASA is nurturing private industry to usher in a new era of commercial space, where exponential growth is poised to take flight.

NASA is marking two important anniversaries this month. October 1 is the 60th anniversary of the official creation of the agency. And NASA's Launch Service Program was created 20 years ago, in October 1998, with management of the program based at Kennedy Space Center.

The first science observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, are providing valuable data to help NASA scientists discover and study exoplanets — planets beyond our solar system. Children around the world, from ages four to 12, have an opportunity to contribute to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Winning artwork from a contest that runs through Oct. 17 will be used to create a 2019 calendar with different space themes for each month.

Boeing and SpaceX are getting ready to launch astronauts from U.S. soil, but getting off the ground is just the beginning. Once they arrive at the International Space Station, astronauts will be working on research to improve life on Earth, and help us send humans into deep space—farther than ever before.

NASA's Launch Services Program is responsible for launching uncrewed rockets delivering spacecraft that observe the Earth, visit other planets and explore the universe - from weather satellites to telescopes to Mars rovers and more. In this episode, hear from two powerhouses in NASA’s Launch Services Program: Mic Woltman, chief of Fleet Systems and Integration, and Launch Director Tim Dunn. Since the recording of this interview, the ICESat-2 mission successfully launched on the last United Launch Alliance Delta II, and the Launch Services Program is now five for five on successful missions in 2018, with a sixth still to come before the end of the year.

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is prepared for its planet-seeking mission and launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. TESS will survey the sky for exoplanets around nearby bright stars. The spacecraft lifted off April 18, 2018, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Learn more at: http://www.nasa.gov/tess

This week in space news, NASA’s ICESat-2 spacecraft begins its three-year mission to measure the changing height of Earth's ice after a spectacular liftoff on Saturday, September 15, from Space Launch Complex-2 at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base. By delivering the ICESat-2 spacecraft to its orbital destination, the Delta II rocket finished its 29 years in service with one more success.

Following years of work and preparation, a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket launched NASA's Parker Solar Probe for an unprecedented mission to "kiss the Sun." The spacecraft aims to unravel 60 years' worth of mysteries surrounding the Sun’s corona and how it effects life on Earth. Learn more at: http://www.nasa.gov/parkersolarprobe

Following the successful liftoff of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket orbiting NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), Launch Director Tim Dunn speaks with Joshua Santora of NASA Communications and Mic Woltman, a Launch Services Program engineer.

A camera on the upper stage shows NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) as it is deployed into orbit above the Earth. Immediately following separation, agency and industry managers celebrate the successful launch. Liftoff took place atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 6:02 a.m. PDT (9:02 a.m. EDT). ICESat-2 carries the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System to help scientists better understand why and how much Earth's frozen and icy areas, called the cryosphere, is changing.

A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket lifts off at 6:02 a.m. PDT (9:02 a.m. EDT) from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). The spacecraft will measure the height of a changing Earth, one laser pulse at a time, 10,000 laser pulses a second. The satellite will carry a single instrument, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System. ICESat-2 will help scientists investigate why, and how much Earth's frozen and icy areas, called the cryosphere, is changing.

In the launch control at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA and contractor managers and engineers monitor progress in the countdown to launch the agency's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). The poll is designed to verify that all is ready for liftoff, now targeted for 6:02 a.m. PDT (9:02 a.m. EDT). The satellite will carry the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System to help scientists better understand why and how much Earth's frozen and icy areas, called the cryosphere, is changing.

The countdown is underway for the liftoff of NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is scheduled for 5:46 a.m. PDT (8:46 a.m. EDT). ICESat-2 will measure the height of a changing Earth, one laser pulse at a time, 10,000 laser pulses a second. The satellite will carry a single instrument, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System. ICESat-2 will help scientists investigate why, and how much Earth's frozen and icy areas, called the cryosphere, is changing.

NASA’s Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, is poised for liftoff Saturday, Sept. 15, from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the final flight of the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Also, the agency’s modified mobile launcher completed its move from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building, in preparation to support the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft on Exploration Mission-1.

At Kennedy Space Center, NASA's mobile launcher, atop crawler-transporter 2, makes the trek along the crawlerway to Launch Pad 39B for several days of systems checks. Then, the crawler carried the mobile launcher to the Vehicle Assembly to begin testing with the 10 levels of new work platforms and other systems in High Bay 3. Workers and guests viewed the mobile launcher's trek to the VAB during an employee event.

From trying on spacesuits to preparing for potential emergencies, see how astronauts are getting ready to fly on the test flights and first missions of Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

The mobile launcher modified for NASA's new Space Launch System rocket moves into Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building in the early morning of Sept. 8, 2018.

For the first time, NASA's modified mobile launcher made a trek to Launch Pad 39B atop crawler-transporter 2. The 380-foot-tall structure underwent a fit check on the surface of the pad, followed by several days of systems testing. Then it will depart the pad and make the trek to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

At NASA, employee safety is our number one priority. The 7.5-minute video you are about to watch is the result of an active shooter exercise reenactment designed to train NASA protective services teams in “what if” scenarios to be prepared for such an event. Ironically, this video is about the average time of most active shooter incidents. Remember, safety is your responsibility too. Have a plan – use the run, hide, fight method to survive this all too common threat.

Watch in 360 degrees as a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida carrying NASA's Parker Solar Probe. Roughly the size of a small car, the spacecraft lifted off at 3:31 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2018, starting its historic mission to the Sun.

The Orion pressure vessel for Exploration Mission-2 arrived at Kennedy Space Center. The mobile launcher for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket was transported to Launch Pad 39B atop crawler-transporter-2 for system checkouts. Teams from various NASA centers supporting the Commercial Crew Program met at Kennedy to review launch and landing operations as Boeing and SpaceX gear up for their flight tests.

Learn about the first flights of Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon with and without astronauts on board, and what they will accomplish for NASA and its commercial partners.

Where does Earth's atmosphere end and space begin? This and other questions soon will be answered by NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite. Get ready to watch as the Pegasus countdown reaches T-Zero launching in early October from its carrier aircraft flying near the Kennedy Space Center .

As we prepare to launch humans into space on new American-made rockets and spacecraft, it's even more important to revisit what caused two of the most horrific days in NASA's history. In this episode, we're sitting down with former Columbia Launch Director, Mike Leinbach, and Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program Manager, Michael Ciannilli to explore not just the technical issues that brought down the crews of both Challenger and Columbia, but the agency's cultural environment that proved just as deadly.

Tune in Aug. 28 for the third episode of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Rocket Ranch Podcast. As the next chapter in human spaceflight begins, we explore past tragedies to ensure that this time, failure is not an option.

This week in space news, the Exploration Ground Systems team tested the Crew Access Arm on the new mobile launcher, which is being prepared to support NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket. Also, aeroshells for the Ascent Abort-2 Flight Test rolled from Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building to Space Launch Complex 46.