KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

This week in space news, Kennedy Space Center employees attended a presentation on how Florida natives affected, and were affected by, Atlantic World events from 1492 to today. Also, Kennedy held its annual Hurricane Awareness Briefing, focusing on preparation being key.

Exploration is in our DNA – the desire to discover and inhabit distant worlds, whether across Earthly oceans or vast regions of space. It also is critical to the continuation of our species. Humanity must build a path to an Earth-independent existence. Come with us to the place where humans left earth for another world and explore the challenges associated with human space flight.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster for Boeing's Crew Flight Test on the CST-100 Starliner arrived aboard the company's Mariner cargo ship at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. And Northrop Grumman's abort motor for NASA's Artemis 1 uncrewed test flight arrived at the Launch Abort System Facility for processing.

NASA senior leaders provided an update on the Exploration campaign, current missions and NASA's operating model initiatives during a Town Hall session at Kennedy Space Center; NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine gave the keynote address at Florida Tech's Space Technology Day; and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner was put to the test at NASA's White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. NASA

This week in space news, Orion's launch abort system moves to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 46 to prepare for its upcoming flight test, Ascent Abort-2. Also, Kennedy Space Center hosts the "Apollo - Then and Now" media day in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine unveiled the $1.6 billion budget increase for fiscal year 2020 and the Moon 2024 mission to the workforce during an agencywide town hall meeting. Afterwards, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana updated the KSC workforce about the NASA budget amendment and how the programs at the center will support the agency's efforts to land humans on the Moon by 2024.

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.

With crewed missions approaching, NASA and commercial companies Boeing and SpaceX view safety as a top priority. As both companies prepare to send humans to the International Space Station, some safety measures taking place include testing flight hardware, preparing for emergency situations and rehearsing crew rescue techniques. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

This week in space news, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft arrived to the International Space Station after a successful May 4 launch of the company’s 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40, propelling the Dragon spacecraft – carrying research equipment, cargo and supplies – to the space station. Also, four honorees were distinguished as Chroniclers for their contributions to spreading the news of space exploration during a ceremony May 3 at the Florida spaceport’s NASA News Center.

Take a road trip to Explore Kennedy Space Center and get an inside look at the Crawler Transporter 2. Before the SLS does the heavy lifting to get Orion to the Moon in 2024, the Crawler does the heavy lifting here on Earth. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

Dragon's solar arrays are deployed as the spacecraft begins its journey to the International Space Station on SpaceX's 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission. Liftoff occurred at 2:48 a.m. EST on May 4 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

The SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon spacecraft separated from the company's Falcon 9 rocket as it continues on the 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff took place at 2:48 a.m. EST at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

Countdown and liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Dragon spacecraft onboard for the company's 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station. Launch occurred at 2:48 a.m. EST on May 4 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, SpaceX's Headquarters in Hawthorne, California, and Mission Control Houston at Johnson Space Center, the live broadcast begins for the second attempt of the SpaceX 17th Commercial Resupply Services mission. Launch is scheduled for 2:48 a.m. EST, May 4, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft await launch on the company's 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, and the engine vertical installer for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket arrives at Kennedy.

Daren Etienne, information technology specialist lead with NASA's Kennedy Space Center's Exploration Research and Technology Programs, supports civil servants, contractors and commercial partners, as they develop new technology that will help the agency go forward to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

This week in space news, NASA and the Department of Defense conduct at-sea training exercises with the Boeing CST-100 Starliner training capsule. Also, spaceport officials and employees pay tribute to NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, a veteran of two spaceflights, who died April 15 at the age of 88.

In December 2018, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched from remote Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand carrying a NASA payload of 10 small satellites called Educational Launch of Nanosatellites-19 (ELaNa-19). The Electron is one of two vehicles NASA selected for its Venture Class Launch Service, in which small satellites, called CubeSats, fly on rockets designed especially for their needs. In this documentary, learn how the first launch of the Venture Class era demonstrates how the right ride into space can enable the designers of small satellites—from high schools and universities to NASA field centers—to dream big. To launch with ELaNa, visit http://www.nasa.gov/elana. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

Water is the foundation of life on Earth and researchers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are using lessons from Mother Nature to develop methods of purifying water for deep space missions that can be used to clean the water here on Earth. This technology could help eliminate some of the causes of water pollution, harmful algal blooms and fish kills.

This week in space news, Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson led her team in the first countdown simulation of loading cryogenic liquid propellants into the Space Launch System rocket, and the spaceport hosts a sustainability expo during its annual Earth Day celebration. Also, the 2019 Chief Technologist Innovation Call, "Innovation Without Boundaries," is now open. NASA civil servant and contractor employees can submit their most innovative ideas with a chance to earn cash rewards.

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. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music

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.