Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Barry Wilmore have been stuck at the International Space Station for six months due to a malfunctioning spacecraft. Their rescue mission has been further delayed as NASA announced a delay in the return flight on SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule. They are now expected to spend close to ten months in space, raising concerns about their health as astronauts require twice as many calories in space due to changes in their metabolism. NASA's Commercial Crew Programme Manager has commended the SpaceX team for their efforts in preparing a new spacecraft for the mission.
T-Mobile has announced plans to offer satellite connectivity through their partnership with Starlink, a satellite-to-phone service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The program, currently in beta testing, aims to provide connectivity in areas that are currently inaccessible through traditional cell towers. The FCC has approved the program and prioritized first responders to have access to the technology. While the beta program will initially only offer texting, T-Mobile and Starlink aim to eventually provide voice and data services as well.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has announced that the company's rocket launch site in South Texas will now be known as Starbase, an official city. The announcement was made on social media platform X and was followed by a letter sent to local officials requesting an election to incorporate the area. If approved, Starbase would become the newest city in Texas's Rio Grande Valley. This move comes after Musk relocated his personal residence and the headquarters of two of his companies from California to Texas in 2021. Despite facing criticism, Starbase has been an important location for SpaceX's operations, with over 3,400 employees and contractors working on the development and testing of Starship rockets for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmates aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are celebrating Thanksgiving with traditional food items like smoked turkey and mashed potatoes. Williams and her crew have extended their space journey due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft. However, Williams is expected to return to Earth in February 2025 on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
SpaceX has announced the date for its sixth Starship test flight, aiming to advance the spacecraft's capabilities. The flight will feature the Starship megarocket, consisting of two components - the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. Improvements have been made for enhanced reliability and viewers can watch the live simulcast on Space.com. The suborbital trajectory will include in-space burns, heat shield experiments, and re-entry tests before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX is confident that continued testing and refining will bring the Starship system closer to achieving full rapid reusability.
President-elect Donald Trump visited SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas today to witness the launch of the massive Starship rocket, which was co-designed and developed by Elon Musk's company. This marks a strengthening of the bond between Trump and Musk, with the latter being appointed to co-lead the new "Department of Government Efficiency" by the president-elect. Ahead of the launch, Trump took to social media to wish good luck to Musk and the team involved in the incredible project.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, currently on an extended mission on the International Space Station, have reported weight loss. This is due to fluid shifts in space causing changes in the body. Despite concerns about their health, NASA has assured the public that the astronauts are closely monitored and in good health. The agency has also warned against sharing any leaked details about the astronauts' health. This comes after a recent incident with the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, raising questions about the effects of extended space travel, but NASA maintains that Williams and Wilmore are doing well.
An unnamed NASA astronaut was flown to a hospital on Friday after returning to Earth from a record-breaking 235-day stay on the International Space Station. The crew of four, which included US astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, splashed down off the coast of Florida early Friday morning, marking the longest stay in orbit for SpaceX's reusable Crew Dragon spacecraft. The crew's return was delayed due to hurricanes in the expected splashdown zones, and the cause of the astronaut's medical issue remains undisclosed.
In a recent call between incoming US President Trump and Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, billionaire Elon Musk was also present on the line. Musk, who has been mentioned as a potential member of Trump's administration, was thanked by Zelenskyy for his assistance in providing access to the Starlink satellite internet platform. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially since SpaceX has lucrative government contracts. The call is being closely watched as Trump signals a shift in the US's involvement with Ukraine, and as Biden's administration has sent significant military and economic aid to the country.
NASA has announced plans to resume spacewalks on the International Space Station in 2025, following a suspension of activities in June due to a leaky spacesuit. The agency's operations and integration manager confirmed the decision during a press conference after the successful completion of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission. The need for spacewalks is determined by a schedule that considers spacecraft arrivals and departures, as well as astronaut research activities. The June incident involving a coolant leak did not pose any immediate danger to the astronauts or the ISS.