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News Archive 2009: October
Parachute failure causes damage to Ares 1-X booster
Two days after NASA launched a test model of its Ares 1 rocket, the flight's mission manager confirmed the first stage descended to the Atlantic Ocean on just one fully functioning parachute, damaging the booster as it splashed into the Atlantic Ocean harder than expected. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
HTV cargo ship departs International Space Station
Japan's first cargo-carrying freighter was set free from the International Space Station on Friday, beginning its new role as a garbage scow loaded with 1,600 pounds of trash from the complex. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
NASA assessing dented Ares 1-X booster
One of the three 150-foot-wide parachutes designed to gently lower NASA's Ares I-X first stage booster to the Atlantic Ocean after a dramatic six-minute test flight Wednesday deflated after deployment, officials said Thursday, resulting in a harder splashdown than expected. FULL STORY
Ariane 5 hauls up another double payload stack
For this second time this month, the workhorse Ariane 5 rocket carried out a double satellite deployment mission just like clockwork on Thursday and set the stage to break its record for flights in a single year. FULL STORY
Shuttle Atlantis tentatively cleared for Nov. 16 launch
NASA managers met at the Kennedy Space Center Thursday and tentatively cleared the shuttle Atlantis for launch Nov. 16 on a three-spacewalk mission to deliver nearly 15 tons of spare parts and supplies to the International Space Station. FULL STORY ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER STORE:STS-129 PATCH STS-129 VIDEO COVERAGE HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO
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FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW SETS LAUNCH DATE PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Launch of Ares 1-X flight test postponed 24 hours
Dynamic weather conditions, a rogue cargo ship and a snagged instrument cover conspired to thwart Tuesday's attempt to launch the Ares 1-X test rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER IMAGES:ARES 1-X ON EVE OF LAUNCH
Ares 1-X test flight an engineer's delight
NASA has meticulously tailored Tuesday's Ares 1-X test launch as a learning exercise, using more than 700 high-fidelity sensors to collect gargantuan amounts of data during the booster's six-minute flight. FULL STORY
Ares rocket test to occur under cloud of uncertainty
Tuesday's test flight of the Ares 1 rocket will come days after an independent review board called NASA's moon program "unsustainable" because of budget and schedule woes, but NASA officials say the $445 million mission has robust engineering value applicable to a wide range of potential launch systems. FULL STORY
Risk and ingenuity cross paths on Ares 1-X test flight
NASA plans to launch a one-of-a-kind suborbital test flight to validate the aerodynamic design of the agency's embattled Ares 1 rocket, a crew-carrying booster under development to replace the space shuttle. FULL STORY
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MONDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY VIDEO:
SUNDAY'S COUNTDOWN STATUS AND WEATHER BRIEFING PLAY VIDEO:
DAZZLING AERIAL VIEWS OF ARES 1-X PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ARES 1-X BATHED IN LIGHT AT NIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
SUNSET AT PAD 39B LAST THURSDAY PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ROTATING SERVICE STRUCTURE MOVED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FULLY ASSEMBLED ARES 1-X POWERED UP PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
TOPPING ARES 1-X WITH MOCK ORION CAPSULE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ADDING SUPER STACK TO THE ARES 1-X ROCKET PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ASSEMBLING THE UPPER STAGE SIMULATOR PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FORWARD SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER SEGMENT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
WORKERS ADD NEXT SECTION OF THE ROCKET PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FIRST SEGMENT PLACED ON MOBILE LAUNCHER PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
PREPS FOR STACKING THE ARES 1-X ROCKET PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ASTRONAUT WALKWAY REMOVED FROM PAD 39B PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
BEANIE CAP REMOVED FROM LAUNCH PAD 39B PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
PAD 39B'S OLD LIGHTNING MAST REMOVED PLAY | HI-DEF MORE:ARES 1-X VIDEO COVERAGE HDTV:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO COVERAGE SUBSCRIBE NOW
Static electricity rule threatens on-time liftoff
A new constraint in the Launch Commit Criteria to prevent the buildup of static electricity on the Ares 1-X flight test vehicle as it accelerates away from Kennedy Space Center has reduced chances for favorable launch weather to 40 percent for the rocket's debut planned Oct. 27. FULL STORY
Ares 1-X test flight cleared for launch Tuesday morning
Senior NASA officials convened at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday and formally approved plans to launch a $445 million test flight of the next-generation Ares 1 rocket next week. FULL STORY IMAGES:VIEWS FROM PLAYALINDA BEACH
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NASA LEADERS CLEAR ARES 1-X FOR FLIGHT PLAY VIDEO:
GANTRY MOVED AWAY FOR SYSTEMS TEST PLAY VIDEO:
ROLLOUT IN FAST-FORWARD PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
TIME-LAPSE OF PAD ARRIVAL PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
PAD'S STABILIZATION ARMS GRAB THE ROCKET PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ARES 1-X ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD 39B PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ROLLOUT FROM ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ANIMATION OF THE ARES 1-X TEST FLIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE INSIDE ARES 1-X? PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
A LITTLE PUSHING AND SHOVING IN THE VAB PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ARES 1-X ROCKET ASSEMBLY IN FAST-FORWARD PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
TWO LAUNCH CONTROL CENTERS WILL BE USED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FAMED CONTROL ROOM HANDED TO ARES ROCKETS PLAY VIDEO:
VEHICLE STABILIZATION ARMS INSTALLED PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
PAD 39B'S NEW LIGHTNING TOWERS COMPLETED PLAY | HI-DEF SUBSCRIBE NOW
Japan readies first mission to Venus for 2010 launch
Japan has christened its next deep space mission Akatsuki, meaning dawn in English, a half-year before the spacecraft is dispatched toward Venus to analyze the planet's smothering atmosphere. FULL STORY
Vega rocket tested as ESA maps out operations
Europe's small satellite launcher is on the home stretch of its protracted development, as engineers methodically check to ensure each of the Vega rocket's parts are qualified for flight. FULL STORY
Augustine panel reports on space program's future
Amid work to ready NASA's Ares 1-X rocket for a long-awaited test flight next week, a presidential panel charged with reviewing the nation's manned space program submitted its completed report Thursday, concluding NASA's planned shuttle replacement will cost too much and take too long to build to be a viable option. FULL STORY
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AUGUSTINE PRESENTS FINAL REPORT PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Astronauts loading trash inside Japanese freighter
Space station astronauts have finished unloading cargo from the Japanese H-2 Transfer Vehicle and are now packing trash inside the ship's pressurized compartment. The spacecraft is scheduled to depart the complex next Friday. MISSION STATUS CENTER
Scientists find organic molecules around planet
Peering far beyond our solar system, NASA researchers have detected the basic chemistry for life in a second hot gas planet, advancing astronomers toward the goal of being able to characterize planets where life could exist. The planet is not habitable but it has the same chemistry that, if found around a rocky planet in the future, could indicate the presence of life. FULL STORY
Fudged titanium could threaten next Mars rover
An industry-wide concern over bad titanium could add more cost to the already over-budget $2.3 billion Mars Science Laboratory mission because engineers need to check the integrity of the metal used in the structure of the spacecraft. FULL STORY
Ares 1-X rocket arrives at launch pad for test flight
Following the same path as the mighty Saturn rockets and the space shuttles, the new Ares 1-X test vehicle trekked from Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to launch pad 39B Tuesday. Launch is scheduled for Oct. 27. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - updates and video! IMAGES:ARES 1-X EMERGES FROM VAB IMAGES:ROCKET ARRIVES AT PAD 39B
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SPACE SHUTTLE ROLLOUT IN FAST-FORWARD PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
CREW ARRIVES AT CAPE FOR TRAINING PLAY | HI-DEF SUBSCRIBE NOW
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ATLAS 5 ROCKET LAUNCH DMSP F18 WEATHER SATELLITE PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
NASA looks to relieve space station traffic bottlenecks
In an attempt to alleviate tightly stacked space missions, managers are re-evaluating a long-standing policy banning other spacecraft from arriving or leaving the International Space Station while the space shuttle is docked to the complex. FULL STORY
Iran readies Safir launch with ICBM implications
U.S. reconnaissance spacecraft are watching Iran's Semnan launch site for evidence that Iran is readying launch of its second satellite on a Safir-2 booster. The mission to launch the Mesbah communications satellite is designed as much to test the long range ballistic missile capabilities of the booster as it is to perform a space mission. FULL STORY
Cargo ship arrives at the International Space Station
The International Space Station has received a new load of supplies from the latest Russian-built cargo freighter, which successfully docked to the outpost Saturday. FULL STORY
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PROGRESS 35P DOCKS WITH THE SPACE STATION PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Europe looks to lighter, more nimble launcher
The replacement for the Ariane 5 rocket after 2020 will likely be smaller and less expensive to meet the needs of lighter European Space Agency missions, according to the head of the agency's launcher program. FULL STORY
Testing, reviews continue for grounded satellite
Earth-watching instruments have been removed from the grounded Deep Space Climate Observatory for engineering tests, another sign of life for a mission left for dead four years ago. FULL STORY
NASA spacecraft shows our place in the galaxy
The first all-sky maps from NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) reveal intense, theory-defying interactions occurring between the edge of the Solar System and interstellar space. FULL STORY OUR IBEX LAUNCH COVERAGE
Latest freighter heads for International Space Station
Keeping the resupply line going to the International Space Station, the Russians have successfully launched their 35th routine but highly vital cargo-carrying spacecraft for the outpost in a magnificently beautiful ascent. FULL STORY
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SPACE SHUTTLE ASSEMBLY IN FAST-FORWARD PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ATLANTIS TAKES PERCH ATOP PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ROLLOUT FROM ASSEMBLY BUILDING BEGINS PLAY | HI-DEF SUBSCRIBE NOW
NASA retires 'queen' of tracking satellite fleet
More than a quarter-century after a hard-luck launch aboard the shuttle Challenger, the pioneer of NASA's constellation of tracking and communications satellites is being retired from service. FULL STORY
After delays, Russia set to add module to space station
Technicians in Kazakhstan are readying a new docking compartment and airlock for launch to the International Space Station next month, the first Russian addition to the complex in more than eight years. FULL STORY
Sky merger yields sparkling dividends in Hubble shot
This Hubble Space Telescope image captures what appears to be one very bright and bizarre galaxy, but is actually the result of a pair of spiral galaxies that resemble our own Milky Way smashing together at breakneck speeds. FULL STORY
Opportunity rover finds yet another Mars meteorite
In a remarkable discovery 126 million miles from Earth, the Mars rover Opportunity has found a second large iron meteorite sitting just a half mile from its twin sibling where they both landed on the Red Planet within seconds of each other three billion years ago. FULL STORY
Rest easy, Earthlings
A nearly 900-foot-wide asteroid that initially triggered fear it would hit Earth now has almost no chance of impacting the planet during three close encounters this century, NASA announced last week. FULL STORY
Space station crew sails to safe landing in Kazakhstan
The International Space Station's Russian commander, a NASA astronaut and a famous tourist have returned to Earth, touching down on the steppes of central Asia inside their parachute-equipped descent capsule at 12:32 a.m. EDT Sunday. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
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CREW EXITS THE CAPSULE AT LANDING SITE PLAY VIDEO:
HELICOPTER VIEW OF THE SOYUZ'S LANDING PLAY VIDEO:
SOYUZ CAPSULE UNDOCKS FROM SPACE STATION PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Managers give approval to continue Ares 1-X preps
After reviewing the status of preparatory work inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, mission managers gave approval Friday to proceed toward rollout of the slender Ares 1-X test rocket on Oct. 19. FULL STORY
Lunar smash produces surprise, disappointment
A $79 million mission struck a lunar bullseye early Friday and collected a wealth of data to guide scientists seeking water on the moon, but the impact was a dud for observers hoping to catch a glimpse of space fireworks. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER PREVIEW STORY LRO/LCROSS VIDEO COVERAGE HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO
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RELIVE THE LCROSS IMPACT INTO THE MOON PLAY VIDEO:
POST-IMPACT PRESENTATION OF PICTURES AND INFO PLAY VIDEO:
LCROSS MISSION SUMMARY PLAY VIDEO:
LCROSS SCIENCE SUMMARY PLAY VIDEO:
THE FULL LAUNCH EXPERIENCE OF LCROSS PLAY MORE:LRO AND LCROSS VIDEO COVERAGE MORE:HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO SUBSCRIBE NOW
Shuttle Atlantis to spend extra day in the VAB
Space shuttle Atlantis has been hooked up to its external tank and solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launching platform inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. But NASA has reassessed the schedule and delayed rollout to pad 39A until Wednesday morning. ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER STORE:STS-129 PATCH
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TIME-LAPSE OF ATLANTIS ATTACHED TO FUEL TANK PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
How will unique LCROSS mission find moon water?
An array of sensors stringing from the Earth to the moon will have four minutes to seek the tell-tale signature of lunar water when the $79 million LCROSS mission reaches its climactic conclusion early Friday. FULL STORY
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DELTA ROCKET LAUNCHES WORLDVIEW 2 PLAY VIDEO:
LAUNCH PAD GANTRY ROLLED BACK FROM ROCKET PLAY VIDEO:
NARRATED PREVIEW OF WORLDVIEW 2'S LAUNCH PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
Obama voices support for space funding, leadership
President Barack Obama signaled Wednesday that the White House will likely approve increased funding for NASA to carry out a new U.S. manned flight goal beyond Earth orbit, but he gave no hint about which of several options will be pursued. FULL STORY
Ares 1-X rocket breezes through key readiness test
The rocket NASA plans to launch later this month on a first-of-a-kind test flight has passed its final exam before trekking to the pad in less than two weeks. FULL STORY STORE:ARES 1-X PATCH
Crane issue delays shuttle Atlantis attachment to tank
After being moved from its hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Tuesday morning, shuttle Atlantis' planned late-night hoisting into position for attachment to its fuel tank and boosters was delayed while engineers assess an issue with the overhead crane. ARCHIVED MISSION STATUS CENTER ROLLOVER PHOTOS STORE:STS-129 PATCH
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ATLANTIS LEAVES HANGAR FOR NEXT LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
TIME-LAPSE OF ATLANTIS ARRIVING IN VAB PLAY VIDEO:
CLOSING ATLANTIS' PAYLOAD BAY DOORS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
FUEL TANK ATTACHED TO SOLID ROCKETS PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ASTRONAUTS MAKE A VISIT TO THE CAPE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ORBITER DOCKING SYSTEM CHECKED OUT PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
ATLANTIS' FUEL TANK UNLOADED FROM BARGE PLAY | HI-DEF VIDEO:
EXTERNAL TANK ARRIVES AT THE LAUNCH SITE PLAY | HI-DEF SUBSCRIBE NOW
Spitzer telescope discovers largest ring around Saturn
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous ring around Saturn -- by far the largest of the giant planet's many rings. One of Saturn's farthest moons, Phoebe, circles within the newfound ring, and is likely the source of its material. FULL STORY
Space tracking satellite launch delayed indefinitely
The launch of a pathfinder space tracking satellite is on hold due to problems with equipment on its Minotaur 4 rocket, the Air Force said Monday in a written statement. FULL STORY
Combined Herschel images reveal hidden galaxy
The European Space Agency's new Herschel observatory has produced stunning new images of interstellar material and star-forming regions in our home galaxy by combining the observing power of its onboard cameras. FULL STORY
Sea Launch inching closer to recovery as it reviews plans
Sea Launch has identified several potential sources of financing to help the beleaguered launch provider recover from bankruptcy, assuming the company can follow a profitable business plan and hold on to its customer base. FULL STORY
Commercial and military craft share ride on Ariane 5
Continuing an enviable string of success, the Ariane 5 team flew its fifth rocket of the year Thursday night topped with a high performance Spanish broadcasting satellite and a secure German military communications craft. FULL STORY
Soyuz and three-man crew arrives at the space station
The Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft carrying cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, NASA flight engineer Jeffrey Williams and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte maneuvered to a smooth docking with the International Space Station early Friday to close out a two-day orbital chase. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER
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DOCKING BRIEFING WITH U.S. AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS PLAY VIDEO:
ARRIVAL CEREMONY ABOARD THE SPACE STATION PLAY VIDEO:
HATCHWAY OPENED BETWEEN STATION AND SOYUZ PLAY VIDEO:
SOYUZ CAPSULE DOCKS TO SPACE STATION PLAY SUBSCRIBE NOW
VIDEO:
FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW SETS LAUNCH DATE 
