Spaceflight Now

Sunday: November 2, 2003		0429 GMT

NASA testing K9 rover in quarry for future missions NASA scientists and engineers are testing new technologies using the K9 rover in a granite quarry near Watsonville, California, in preparation for future missions to Mars. Scientists hope to utilize new robotic technologies during NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission anticipated in 2009. FULL STORY

NASA orders Pegasus and Taurus rockets from Orbital Orbital Sciences has announced that two Pegasus and two Taurus rockets will launch NASA scientific satellites over a two-year period beginning in 2006. The Pegasus vehicles will be used to loft NASA's Space Technology-8 and Small Explorer-10 spacecraft; Taurus vehicles will carry the GLORY and Orbiting Carbon Observer satellites. FULL STORY

Saturday: November 1, 2003		0106 GMT

Hope of salvaging Japanese satellite fades Japanese space officials acknowledged Friday that chances of recovering a wayward Earth observing satellite were "extremely slim" after nearly a week of trying to restore communications with the $587 million craft. FULL STORY EARLIER STORY

NASA adapts miniature biological lab for space use NASA is adapting tiny laboratories embedded in compact discs to conduct biological tests aboard the International Space Station and to eventually look for life on other planets. FULL STORY

Friday: October 31, 2003		0201 GMT

Megastar-birth cluster is biggest, hottest ever seen A mysterious arc of light found behind a distant cluster of galaxies has turned out to be the biggest, brightest and hottest star-forming region ever seen in space. The so-called Lynx arc is 1 million times brighter than the well-known Orion Nebula, a nearby prototypical star-birth region visible with small telescopes. FULL STORY

We're going to get hit again Just when we thought we were through the worst of it, a second gigantic solar flare has erupted, sending another coronal mass ejection directly towards Earth. "It's like the Earth is looking right down the barrel of a giant gun pointed at us by the Sun...and it's taken two big shots at us," says a solar astrophysicist. FULL STORY

DIRECTV moved from Arianespace to Sea Launch Arianespace announced Thursday that it has secured a first quarter 2004 launch slot with Sea Launch for the DIRECTV 7S satellite. Arianespace was able to provide DIRECTV with total mission assurance for the DIRECTV 7S launch through a cooperative agreement with Boeing Launch Services and Sea Launch Company, LLC, under the newly formed launch services alliance. FULL STORY

Experimental Japanese satellite launched into space Japan's newest satellite was sent into orbit Thursday from Russia's chilly far north on a mission to test a number of cutting edge space technologies. Liftoff of the Rockot launch vehicle was at 1343 GMT (8:43 a.m. EST) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The mission was delayed 24 hours due to high winds. FULL STORY

Thursday: October 30, 2003		1126 GMT

Another solar explosion after Tuesday's flare Since Tuesday, explosive events originating from the Sun have been bathing the Earth and its surroundings in high energy radiation. On Wednesday it appeared that radiation levels were decreasing. However, a second flare overnight has caused a further sharp increase in radiation levels. Here on Earth, the disruption continues today with a further coronal mass ejection expected to reach the Earth tomorrow in time for Halloween. FULL STORY

Infrared flares seen from black hole at galactic center An international team of astronomers has discovered powerful infrared flares from the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way. The signals, rapidly flickering on a scale of minutes, must come from hot gas falling into the black hole, just before it disappears below the "event horizon" of the monster. The new observations strongly suggest that the galactic center black hole rotates rapidly. FULL STORY

Chandra observatory reveals what lies beneath A series of Chandra observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 1637 has provided a dramatic view of a violent, restless nature that belies its serene optical image. Over a span of 21 months, intense neutron star and black hole X-ray sources flashed on and off, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic Christmas tree. FULL STORY

Wednesday: October 29, 2003		0351 GMT

3D map bolsters case for dark energy, dark matter Astronomers from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey have made the most precise measurement to date of the cosmic clustering of galaxies and dark matter, refining our understanding of the structure and evolution of the Universe. FULL STORY

Columbia crew added to Space Mirror memorial The names of Columbia's seven fallen astronauts from the STS-107 mission have been added to the Space Mirror at Kennedy Space Center. The monument pays tribute to those space heroes who gave their lives for the U.S. space program. Tuesday's 45-minute ceremony is available to Spaceflight Now Plus users:

Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: SPACE MIRROR CEREMONY AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Tuesday: October 28, 2003		1634 GMT

'Perfect solar storm' to strike Earth The third most powerful solar flare ever recorded erupted from the Sun on Tuesday morning, and scientists say Earth could feel the effects with communications disruptions and loss of power. FULL STORY

Russian capsule safely ferries station crew to Earth After six months of circling the Earth inside the International Space Station, Expedition 7 crewmembers Yuri Malenchenko and Ed Lu returned home Monday night aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule. They were joined by European researcher Pedro Duque. Landing in Kazakhstan occurred as planned. MISSION STATUS CENTER - live coverage PREVIEW STORY ENTRY AND LANDING OVERVIEW MAP OF THE SOYUZ LANDING ZONE NASA MONITORS SOLAR ACTIVITY PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: WATCH THE CEREMONIAL CHANGE-OF-COMMAND QT VIDEO: EXPEDITION 7 CREW BIDS FAREWELL AND BOARDS SOYUZ QT VIDEO: ANIMATION OF SOYUZ UNDOCKING AND RETURN TO EARTH QT VIDEO: MONDAY'S UNDOCKING OF SOYUZ FROM THE STATION QT VIDEO: 5-MINUTE REPLAY OF UNDOCKING FROM SOYUZ CAMERA QT VIDEO: SOYUZ LANDS IN KAZAKHSTAN AS SEEN FROM HELICOPTER QT VIDEO: SCENES OF THE CREW AFTER EXITING THE SOYUZ QT VIDEO: VIEWS OF THE SOYUZ RESTING ON THE GROUND QT VIDEO: CAPSULE'S PARACHUTE DRAPED ACROSS DESERT FLOOR QT VIDEO: POST-TOUCHDOWN STATUS REPORT FROM NASA QT VIDEO: NASA PROVIDES STATUS OF THE CREW QT VIDEO: POST-LANDING INTERVIEW WITH NASA'S ISS MANAGER QT VIDEO: ASTRONAUT TALKS ABOUT LANDING AND THE FUTURE QT VIDEO: 8-MINUTE NARRATED LOOK BACK AT EXPEDITION 7 QT VIDEO: PROFILES OF YURI MALENCHENKO AND ED LU QT VIDEO: PROFILE OF SPANISH ASTRONAUT DUQUE QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Facility will help protect space crews from radiation Imagine a human spacecraft crew voyaging through space. A satellite sends a warning; energetic particles are being accelerated from the sun's corona, sending dangerous radiation toward their spacecraft, but the crew isn't worried. Long before their journey, researchers on Earth conducted experiments to accurately measure the hazards of space radiation and developed new materials and countermeasures to protect them. FULL STORY

IN OTHER NEWS Additional stories making news today

NASA announces research grants in fundamental physics -- NASA has selected 15 researchers to receive grants totaling more than $6.4 million over four years, to conduct space fundamental physics research. This research is expected to expand our understanding of space, time and matter.

Monday: October 27, 2003		0001 GMT

Station's Expedition 7 crew returns to Earth tonight After six months of circling the Earth inside the International Space Station, Expedition 7 commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA science officer Ed Lu are preparing to return home tonight aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule. They will be joined by European researcher Pedro Duque. MISSION STATUS CENTER - updates! PREVIEW STORY ENTRY AND LANDING OVERVIEW MAP OF THE SOYUZ LANDING ZONE NASA MONITORS SOLAR ACTIVITY PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: WATCH THE CEREMONIAL CHANGE-OF-COMMAND QT VIDEO: EXPEDITION 7 CREW BIDS FAREWELL AND BOARDS SOYUZ QT VIDEO: ANIMATION OF SOYUZ UNDOCKING AND RETURN TO EARTH QT VIDEO: 8-MINUTE NARRATED LOOK BACK AT EXPEDITION 7 QT VIDEO: PROFILES OF YURI MALENCHENKO AND ED LU QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
IN OTHER NEWS Additional stories making news today

Scientists to study lake's primitive life to learn about Mars -- Scientists from NASA, the SETI Institute and other institutions will study microscopic life forms in some of the highest lakes on Earth atop a South American volcano to learn what life may have been like on early Mars. Researchers unveil superconductor-based light detector -- A new and improved way to measure light has been unveiled by physicists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, both in Pasadena, Calif. The technology exploits the strange but predictable characteristics of superconductivity, and has a number of properties that should lead to uses in a variety of fields, from medicine to astrophysics.

News Archive
Oct. 20-26: Sun erupts with intense activity; New station residents arrive at their orbiting home; Earth monitoring satellite goes silent; Five-segment shuttle solid rocket booster test fired.

Oct. 13-19: CHINA ORBITS MAN; New crew launches to International Space Station; Military weather satellite finally escapes grasp of hard luck; India successfully launches remote sensing satellite; CONTOUR mishap board completes investigation.

Oct. 6-12: China on the cusp of its first human spaceflight; Expansion of universe once sluggish, now speeding up; Team picked to build NASA hypersonic vehicles; Cape's next-to-last Titan 4 rocket moved to launch pad.

More news See our weekly archive of space news.

Apollo 11 special patch

Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.

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Inside Apollo mission control

An insider's view of how Apollo flight controllers operated and just what they faced when events were crucial.

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The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD

This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.

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Next ISS crew

Own a little piece of history with this official patch for the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew. We'll ship yours today!

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Apollo 11 special patch

Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.

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Apollo 12 tribute DVD set

New! Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff but proceeded on the second successful exploration voyage to the lunar surface. This three-disc DVD brings the mission to life with extraordinary detail.

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Fallen Heroes special patch

This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia.

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Women in Space

Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM.

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Mars rover poster

This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

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Gemini 7

Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM.

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Apollo patches

The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price.

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Mars Rover mission patch

A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.

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Apollo 9 DVD

On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon.

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Expedition 20

The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 20 crew is now available from our stores.

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Current Shuttle Mission Patch

The official embroidered patch for shuttle Atlantis' flight to deliver critical spare equipment to the space station.

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Ares Patch

The Ares Project will develop two new rockets to launch astronauts back to the Moon under NASA's Vision for Exploration. The Ares 1 will employ a single space shuttle solid rocket booster to loft the Orion crew capsule. The gigantic Ares 5 will haul the equipment and cargo needed for such lunar voyages. This is the Ares emblem.

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One Giant Leap

Hosted by Corbin Bernsen, this award winning documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space agency and features exclusive interviews with veteran astronauts.

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Expedition 21

The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores.

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