KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

NASA’s latest exploration goals center on returning humans to the Moon –not just for a visit, but to stay. At the center of that plan is Gateway. It’s a small lunar outpost that will have living quarters, laboratories for science and research, docking ports for visiting spacecraft, and more. It will be a collaboration with NASA, international partners and commercial companies alike. Kennedy has been handed a piece of the puzzle and will leverage the expertise already at the space center to lead the logistics team for Gateway. Music courtesy of "Gothic Storm Music."

This week in space news, Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez toured Kennedy Space Center's Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. During the tour, Nunez was shown NASA's Orion spacecraft, which will be flown on the agency's uncrewed Exploration-Mission 1 (EM-1) and crewed EM-2. Also, former astronauts Jim Buchli and Janet Kavandi were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame during a ceremony held inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at Kennedy's visitor complex.

Former astronauts Jim Buchli and Janet Kavandi are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2019 during a ceremony on April 6, 2019, inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

NASA has a reputation for creating history changing technology, and much of that technology is available to you right now. One of our secrets to success is that we aren’t developing all of this by ourselves. We’re leveraging industry and students to make innovative leaps.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana provided an update on the center’s accomplishments and future plans to community leaders and stakeholders in the Center for Space Education at nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. And Kennedy Space Center employees and guests were on the move during the annual Tour de KSC cycling event as they bicycled around scenic routes at the center.

What will astronauts eat on extended trips into space? Dig in at the Plant Research Lab at Kennedy Space Center, our nation’s premier multi-user spaceport. Find out why NASA is experimenting with different ways to grow veggies in low gravity.

This video was shown during Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana's update to community leaders and stakeholders on March 29, 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The presentation included a recap of accomplishments and future plans for Kennedy-led programs including Commercial Crew Program, Launch Services Program, Exploration Ground Systems, Exploration Research and Technlology and Center Planning and Development. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

This week, NASA astronauts had the chance to train inside a prototype space habitat, and spaceport employees and their guests celebrated safety and health during the annual KSC Walk Run.

This week in space news, NASA and Lockheed Martin conducted a guppy fit check to ensure NASA’s Orion crew module and the European Service Module fits inside the Super Guppy aircraft when it travels to NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio. Also, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott visited the multi-user spaceport to attend a roundtable discussion with Center Director Bob Cabana and center partners. The meeting was held to discuss the needs at Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Anne Meier, OSCAR team lead at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and Evan Bell, a member of the OSCAR team, talk about the Orbital Syngas/Commodity Augmentation Reactor (OSCAR) project as it goes through a drop test, which is part of the process of qualifying a payload for space. OSCAR is a technology that could enable deep space exploration, by turning trash into usable supplies like methane. Learn more about OSCAR as Dr. Anne Meier talks about it on NASA's Kennedy Space Center Rocket Ranch podcast at https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/episode-7-turning-space-trash-into-gas

This week in space news, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana addressed NASA workers across the nation in a Moon to Mars event. The address followed President Trump's fiscal year 2020 budget proposal to the U.S. Congress. And SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft arrived in Port Canaveral aboard the company's recovery ship, Go Searcher, after the Demo-1 mission to the International Space Station.

NASA celebrates Women's History Month with Carla Koch, Landing and Recovery development project manager for the Exploration Ground Systems Program, who started working at Kennedy Space Center right out of college. Watch to learn more about Carla's background and her experiences working at Kennedy.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine addresses the agency's workforce and members of the media at Kennedy Space Center's Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building, reviewing the agency's Moon to Mars plans and President Trump's Fiscal Year 2020 NASA budget. The budget represents a nearly six percent increase over last year's request and further supports the agency's Moon to Mars initiative.

The Commercial Crew Program kicked off 2019 with the launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for the Demo-1 mission. On this episode of Rocket Ranch we catch up with several members of Commercial Crew to talk about the past, present and future of the program. We also explore their personal stories on their path to NASA and roles in helping to launch America into the future of human spaceflight.

SpaceX launched its Crew Dragon atop the Falcon 9 rocket at 2:49 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Crew Dragon’s destination – the International Space Station. The mission, called Demo-1, is the first flight test of a space system designed for humans built and operated by a commercial company for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

This week in space news, NASA and SpaceX announced their plan to move forward with the uncrewed Demo-1 test flight to the International Space Station, which will lift off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on Saturday, March 2. Also this week, submit original artwork depicting what the future of space looks like to you for a chance to have it displayed on a wall in the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy.

NASA celebrates Women's History Month with Courtney Stern, NASA lead operations engineer for Orion Landing and Recovery. Courtney has been working for NASA for almost 20 years and began her journey as a summer intern after graduating high school. Watch to learn more about Courtney's experiences in her career and her advice to others. Music courtesy of "Gothic Storm Music"

It’s one of the largest buildings in the world! Check in at the Kennedy Space Center and explore inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, commonly called the VAB. Once home to the Saturn rockets and the Space Shuttle, find out what big things are stacking up for NASA’s next missions. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

Some key facts about Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, which has received several major upgrades.

NASA and SpaceX teamed up to bring comprehensive coverage on launch day events, preparation and the mission expectations for the uncrewed first launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon on a flight test to the International Space Station. Coverage occurred from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on the east coast of Florida and SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. Launch occurred at 2:49 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 2 from historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. To download, go to: https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190228-VP-MMS01-0001-SpaceX_Demo-1_NASA_Social-3212792.html

Some fun facts about Kennedy Space Center's mobile launcher, which will help launch us to the Moon and Mars.

Some fun facts about Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center, which dates back to the Apollo Program.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is interviewed before the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon onboard for Demo-1, the first uncrewed flight test by SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Launch was at 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon separates from the second stage of the company’s Falcon 9 rocket and is on its way to the International Space Station. The test flight, called Demo-1, is the first time a commercially built and operated American spacecraft designed for humans will dock to the space station. Launch occurred at 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Countdown and liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon onboard on Demo-1, the first uncrewed flight test of the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Launch was at 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Demo-1 is the first time a commercially built and operated American spacecraft designed for humans will dock to the International Space Station.

At SpaceX’s Headquarters in Hawthorne, California, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the live broadcast begins for the SpaceX Demo-1 flight test of the Crew Dragon spacecraft aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on a mission to the International Space Station. Launch is scheduled for 2:49 a.m. EST, March 2, from Launch Complex 39A. Demo-1 is the first uncrewed flight test by SpaceX under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA astronauts assigned to the fly on future SpaceX Crew Dragon missions answered questions from reporters on the eve of the uncrewed launch of its spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket, the first launch of a space system designed for humans built and operated by a commercial company through a public-private partnership, on a flight test to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, assigned to the first flight test with crew, Demo-2, and NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Mike Hopkins, assigned to the first SpaceX Crew operational mission, Dragon-1, shared their thoughts with media about this uncrewed flight test in preparation for their eventual missions on the Crew Dragon. Launch is set for 2:49 a.m. EST on Saturday, March 2 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

Exploration Ground Systems at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is preparing the facilities and ground support equipment necessary for the launch of the agency's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on Exploration Mission-1 and subsequent missions.

This week in space news, NASA, United Launch Alliance, Boeing and Department of Defense personnel conducted a successful Integrated Crew Exercise. The mission is over for NASA’s Opportunity rover, which built a foundation for future exploration of the Red Planet. And engineers at Kennedy and throughout NASA celebrated Engineers Week.

This week in space news, NASA announced plans to work with American companies to design and develop new reusable systems for astronauts to land on the Moon's surface. Inside Kennedy Space Center's Launch Abort System Facility, workers assembled the Orion Launch Abort system that will be used for a full stress test called Ascent Abort-2.

This week in space news, Kennedy Space Center employees and guests honored fallen astronauts during the Annual Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Kennedy Visitor Complex. Also this week, SpaceX announced a new target date for their uncrewed Demo-1 test flight. Under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, this test flight will be the first step toward returning human spaceflight to the U.S. as the next launch will be a flight test with crew on board.

NASA’s Launch Services Program unites scientific and robotic spacecraft customers’ needs with the appropriate rocket, helping ensure the spacecraft is placed in orbit around the Earth, the Sun or powered to destinations deeper into the solar system.

This week in space news, the engines of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket recently roared to life at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in a brief static firing in preparation for the uncrewed Demo-1 mission. This will be the first uncrewed mission of the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA astronaut Mike Fincke joined the agency’s Nicole Mann and Boeing’s Chris Ferguson for first crewed flight of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner.

This week in space news, Kennedy Space Center engineers and managers completed their first terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission-1. NASA partnered with Rocket Lab to launch 13 CubeSats into space. And Vice President Mike Pence addressed U.S. space policy and praised local Air Force personnel during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. (“Jingle Bells” song courtesy of Gothic Storm Music)

Anne Meier, OSCAR team lead at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, tells NASA Astronaut Shane Kimbrough about the Orbital Syngas/Commodity Augmentation Reactor (OSCAR) project. OSCAR is a technology that could enable deep space exploration, by turning trash into usable supplies like methane. Learn more about OSCAR as Dr. Anne Meier talks about it on NASA's Kennedy Space Center Rocket Ranch podcast. https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/episode-7-turning-space-gas-into-trash

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and private industry partners, Boeing and SpaceX, will make history in 2019 with the return of human spaceflight launches to the International Space Station from U.S. soil. Get ready for the rocket rumble! Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

Check in at Kennedy Space Center, our nation’s premier multi-user spaceport and take a closer look at the Mobile Launcher. This moving platform will be used to launch astronauts farther into space than ever before on the exploration class Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

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.