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Premium video content for our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. Proton lofts Amazonas A Russian Proton M rocket launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying the Amazonas communications satellite that will serve the Americas and Europe. (2min 25sec file) Play video Proton preview This narrated animation profiles the mission of a Proton rocket launching the Amazonas communications satellite. (2min 27sec file) Play video Rocket rollout The fully assembled Proton rocket is rolled to launch pad for its flight to place the Amazonas spacecraft into orbit. (41sec file) Play video MESSENGER lifts off The Boeing Delta 2-Heavy rocket launches at 2:16 a.m. EDT carrying the NASA's MESSENGER space probe from Cape Canaveral, Florida. (5min 23sec file) Play video Cocoa Beach view The Cocoa Beach tracking camera site captured this beautiful view of the launch and separation of the ground-ignited solid rocket boosters. (1min 31sec file) Play video Next station crew Expedition 10 Commander and NASA ISS Science Officer Leroy Chiao and Soyuz Commander and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov discuss their planned six-month mission on the space station. (11min 23sec file) Play video Station crew set for EVA Space station officials brief the news media on the continuing mission of the Expedition 9 crew and the plan for an upcoming spacewalk. (58min 42sec file) Play video Welcome back to Earth The Apollo 11 astronauts are retrieved from their capsule and welcomed back to Earth by President Richard Nixon. (2min 04sec file) Play video Apollo 11 returns Apollo 11 safely returns to Earth, making a parachute-assisted splashdown in the ocean. (3min 57sec file) Play video MESSENGER preview Mission officials and scientists preview the flight of NASA's MESSENGER space probe to orbit the planet Mercury during this news conference. (41min 36sec file) Play video Apollo 11 moonwalk Armstrong and Aldrin gather lunar samples and conduct experiments during their moonwalk. (2min 27sec file) Play video Moon landing explained The Apollo 11 astronauts narrate footage of their historic landing on the moon and describe the technical details of the descent. (22min 02sec file) Play video Leaving the moon The Eagle lunar module returns to the orbiting command module and the Apollo 11 astronauts head back to Earth. (5min 33sec file) Play video Nixon calls the moon President Richard Nixon calls Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to congratulate the astronauts following their successful landing on the moon. (1min 29sec file) Play video Anniversary celebration The Apollo 11 astronauts and other dignitaries hold a special 35th anniversary celebration in Washington on July 20. Hear from Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins, Walter Cronkite, NASA Administrator O'Keefe and others. (76min 12sec file) Play video Heading for landing The "Eagle" lunar lander undocks from the "Columbia" command module in preparation for landing. (1min 21sec file) Play video The Eagle has landed! The Apollo 11 spacecraft "Eagle" lands on the moon 35 years ago, delivering Armstrong and Aldrin. (2min 04sec file) Play video Walking on the moon Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step foot on the surface of the moon on July 20 1969, forever changing history. (11min 17sec file) Play video Shuttle engine test One of the liquid-fueled main engines that will power space shuttle Discovery on the return-to-flight mission next spring is test-fired at NASA's Stennis Space Center. (1min 56sec file) Play video Cronkite interview Famed CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite recalls the Apollo 11 mission in this interview on NASA Television. (3min 15sec file) Play video Become a subscriber More video
Sunday:
August 8, 2004
0410 GMT
Colliding high-speed winds light up cluster
This Chandra image presents the first detection of X-rays from stars in the Quintuplet Cluster, an extremely dense young star cluster near the Galactic Center. FULL STORY
First shuttle main engine fully assembled at KSC
Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power recently completed the build-up and avionics testing of the first Space Shuttle Main Engine fully assembled at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The engine will be shipped to Mississippi to undergo a hot fire acceptance test. FULL STORY
Saturday:
August 7, 2004
0021 GMT
Science instrument on Hubble shuts down
One of four science instruments aboard NASA's Hubble's Space Telescope suspended operations earlier this week, and engineers are now looking into possible recovery options. FULL STORY
Hubble images majestic cousin of the Milky Way
Our Sun and solar system are embedded in a broad pancake of stars deep within the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. Even from a distance, it is impossible to see our galaxy's large-scale features other than the disk. FULL STORY
Newest picture from Cassini shows Saturn in color
A frigid ball of gas in the blackness of space, Cassini's new home, Saturn, appears cool and serene in this natural color image. The spacecraft obtained this view as it sped outward from the planet on its initial orbit. At the left, Saturn's shadow stretches almost completely across the rings, while at the right, the planet's illuminated face appears to gaze down at the far-off Sun. FULL STORY CASSINI ARCHIVE
Friday:
August 6, 2004
0211 GMT
Cassini discoveries shed light on Saturn and Titan
The Cassini spacecraft, which began its tour of the Saturn system just over a month ago, has detected lightning and a new radiation belt at Saturn, and a glow around the planet's largest moon, Titan. FULL STORY
Rocks tell stories in reports of Spirit's first 90 days
Scientific findings from the NASA rover Spirit's first three months on Mars will be published Friday, marking the start of a flood of peer-reviewed discoveries in scientific journals from the continuing two-rover adventure. FULL STORY MARS ROVER ARCHIVE
OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today
TRMM craft to remain at work through hurricane season -- NASA will extend operation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) through the end of 2004, in light of a recent request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The extension, to be undertaken jointly with NASA's TRMM partner, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will provide data during another storm season in the U.S. and Asia. Galaxy 10R satellite suffers propulsion system failure -- PANAMSAT's Galaxy 10R communications satellite, a Boeing model 601 HP spacecraft, has experienced an unexpected shutdown of its xenon ion propulsion system. Now, the satellite is operating on its backup bi-propellant propulsion system, which has a limited lifetime. Canadian X PRIZE team announces launch date -- The Canadian da Vinci Project Team has notified the ANSARI X PRIZE of its intention to launch its rocket on October 2, marking its official entry in the international, commercially-funded space race competition.
Thursday:
August 5, 2004
0831 GMT
Gamma-ray burst was new type of cosmic explosion
Astronomers have identified a new class of cosmic explosions that are more powerful than supernovae but considerably weaker than most gamma-ray bursts. The discovery strongly suggests a continuum between the two previously-known classes of explosions. FULL STORY
Controllers working to fix Mars rover problems
NASA's Spirit rover has climbed higher into rocky hills on Mars, and its twin, Opportunity, has descended deeper into a crater, but both rovers, for the time being, are operating with some restrictions while team members diagnose unexpected behavior. FULL STORY
Proton rocket deploys communications satellite
The Amazonas communications spacecraft that will serve Spanish and Portuguese speaking residents on both sides of the Atlantic was successfully launched aboard a commercial Russian Proton rocket Thursday morning. MISSION STATUS CENTER
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South polar structure of Saturn imaged by Cassini
Saturn's southern polar region exhibits concentric rings of clouds which encircle a dark spot at the pole. To the north and toward the right, wavy patterns are evident, resulting from the atmosphere moving with different speeds at different latitudes. FULL STORY
Environmental craft ascending to mission orbit
Activation of the Aura spacecraft, launched July 15, is continuing, with the mission going very well so far, NASA said Wednesday. All spacecraft subsystems have demonstrated readiness to support science operations, which cannot begin until the instruments are fully activated and Aura has reached its nominal orbit altitude. FULL STORY LAUNCH COVERAGE
Wednesday:
August 4, 2004
0430 GMT
Terra spacecraft snaps image of Hurricane Alex
NASA's Terra satellite captured this true-color image of Hurricane Alex, the first Atlantic hurricane of the season, on Tuesday as the Category 2 storm was pounding North Carolina's Outer Banks with winds of up to 100 miles an hour. FULL STORY
Is the solar system special?
On the evidence to date, our solar system could be fundamentally different from the majority of planetary systems around stars because it formed in a different way. If that is the case, Earth-like planets will be very rare. FULL STORY
OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today
Space Flight Operations Contract extended -- NASA has exercised an option to extend for two years the Space Flight Operations Contract, which supports the Space Shuttle Program. This two-year option, valued at $3.6 billion, extends the contract period of performance with United Space Alliance, LLC, of Houston through Sept. 30, 2006.
Tuesday:
August 3, 2004
1050 GMT
Probe leaves Earth on voyage to orbit Mercury
A Boeing Delta 2 rocket roared to life early Tuesday and climbed into space, launching NASA's ambitious MESSENGER probe on a round-about six-and-a-half-year voyage to Mercury, a $427 million quest to fill in one of the most glaring blanks in planetary exploration. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates! OUR PREVIEW STORY LAUNCH EVENTS TIMELINE GROUND TRACK MAP
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Station crew steps outside on spacewalk
Commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineer Mike Fincke - the International Space Station's two-man Expedition 9 crew - conducted the third spacewalk of their mission early Tuesday. MISSION STATUS CENTER
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Retreating glaciers spur Alaskan earthquakes
In a new study, NASA and United States Geological Survey scientists found that retreating glaciers in southern Alaska may be opening the way for future earthquakes. FULL STORY
Agency transformation in effect at NASA
Over the weekend, an unprecedented transformation of NASA's organizational structure occurred, streamlining the agency and putting it in a better position to implement the Vision for Space Exploration. FULL STORY
Saturn in full view for Cassini spacecraft
Two weeks after orbit insertion, Cassini glanced back at Saturn, taking in the entire planet and its expansive rings. Currently it is summer in Saturn's southern hemisphere. Notable here is the bright spot located near the planet's southern hemisphere, where the line from the day and night side of the planet meets. The angle of illumination hints at Saturn's tilt relative to the Sun. FULL STORY
Monday:
August 2, 2004
0731 GMT
Weather scrubs launch of NASA's Mercury orbiter
Clouds streaming off Tropical Storm Alex kept NASA's MESSENGER probe grounded on the launch pad today. Anvil clouds over the Cape Canaveral launch site were deemed unsafe for the Boeing Delta 2 rocket to ascend through due to triggered lightning concerns, forcing officials to postpone the launch just minutes before the scheduled 2:16 a.m. liftoff. MISSION STATUS CENTER - live updates! OUR PREVIEW STORY LAUNCH EVENTS TIMELINE GROUND TRACK MAP
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BAD WEATHER SCRUBS MONDAY'S LAUNCH ATTEMPT QT VIDEO:
WEATHER OFFICER GIVES FORECAST FOR TUESDAY QT VIDEO:
MESSENGER'S LAUNCH CAMPAIGN SHOWN WITH NARRATION QT VIDEO:
DELTA 2 ROCKET IS ASSEMBLED ON THE LAUNCH PAD QT VIDEO:
MOBILE SERVICE TOWER IS ROLLED BACK SUNDAY EVENING QT VIDEO:
SATURDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT VIDEO:
MESSENGER PRE-LAUNCH SCIENCE BRIEFING QT VIDEO:
WATCH THE MESSENGER OVERVIEW NEWS CONFERENCE QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
News Archive July 26-Aug. 1: Challenger crew honored with Space Medal of Honor; NASA approves new design for shuttle tank bipod; X Prize competitors announce flight plans; Titan's purple covering points to a fuzzy past; NASA looks to new astronomy mission ideas; China launches second Double Star satellite. July 19-25: Spitzer pinpoints elusive but violent starbursts; Doughnut-shaped cloud has 'black hole' filling; Cassini shows the dark side of Saturn's moon Dione; Stunning true-color picture of Saturn's rings; Gas between galaxies helps case for dark energy. July 12-18: Aura launched to probe atmosphere's chemistry; Panel says keep options open for Hubble repair; Cassini exposes Saturn's two-face moon Iapetus; Mars rovers roll into martian winter; Ariane 5 lofts broadband communications satellite. More news See our weekly archive of space news. 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. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo patches The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars Rover mission patch A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide 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. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Columbia Report The official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Includes CD-ROM. Choose your store: U.S. 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. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide 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. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide 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. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars rover poster This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Choose your store: U.S. Get e-mail updates
Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop (privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose). Columbia Report A reproduction of the official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars Panorama DISCOUNTED! This 360 degree image was taken by the Mars Pathfinder, which landed on the Red Planet in July 1997. The Sojourner Rover is visible in the image. Choose your store: U.S. Apollo 11 Mission Report Apollo 11 - The NASA Mission Reports Vol. 3 is the first comprehensive study of man's first mission to another world is revealed in all of its startling complexity. Includes DVD! Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Rocket DVD If you've ever watched a launch from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg Air Force Base or even Kodiak Island Alaska, there's no better way to describe what you witnessed than with this DVD. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo Collage This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos. U.S. STORE STS-127 Patch The official embroidered patch for shuttle Endeavour's flight to finish building Japanese section of the space station. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Hubble Patch The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Project Orion The Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon. U.S. STORE Fallen Heroes Patch Collection The official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Contact us
If you have a comment or question for Spaceflight Now, just send us an e-mail.
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.
Choose your store:
The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. 
A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.
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.
The official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Includes CD-ROM.
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.
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.
This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
A reproduction of the official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. 
Apollo 11 - The NASA Mission Reports Vol. 3 is the first comprehensive study of man's first mission to another world is revealed in all of its startling complexity. Includes DVD!
If you've ever watched a launch from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg Air Force Base or even Kodiak Island Alaska, there's no better way to describe what you witnessed than with this DVD.
This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.
The official embroidered patch for shuttle Endeavour's flight to finish building Japanese section of the space station.
The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase.
The Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon.
The official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store.
A Russian Proton M rocket launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying the Amazonas communications satellite that will serve the Americas and Europe. (2min 25sec file)
This narrated animation profiles the mission of a Proton rocket launching the Amazonas communications satellite. (2min 27sec file)
The fully assembled Proton rocket is rolled to launch pad for its flight to place the Amazonas spacecraft into orbit. (41sec file)
The Boeing Delta 2-Heavy rocket launches at 2:16 a.m. EDT carrying the NASA's MESSENGER space probe from Cape Canaveral, Florida. (5min 23sec file)
The Cocoa Beach tracking camera site captured this beautiful view of the launch and separation of the ground-ignited solid rocket boosters. (1min 31sec file)
Expedition 10 Commander and NASA ISS Science Officer Leroy Chiao and Soyuz Commander and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov discuss their planned six-month mission on the space station. (11min 23sec file)
Space station officials brief the news media on the continuing mission of the Expedition 9 crew and the plan for an upcoming spacewalk. (58min 42sec file)
The Apollo 11 astronauts are retrieved from their capsule and welcomed back to Earth by President Richard Nixon. (2min 04sec file)
Apollo 11 safely returns to Earth, making a parachute-assisted splashdown in the ocean. (3min 57sec file)
Mission officials and scientists preview the flight of NASA's MESSENGER space probe to orbit the planet Mercury during this news conference. (41min 36sec file)
Armstrong and Aldrin gather lunar samples and conduct experiments during their moonwalk. (2min 27sec file)
The Apollo 11 astronauts narrate footage of their historic landing on the moon and describe the technical details of the descent. (22min 02sec file)
The Eagle lunar module returns to the orbiting command module and the Apollo 11 astronauts head back to Earth. (5min 33sec file)
President Richard Nixon calls Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to congratulate the astronauts following their successful landing on the moon. (1min 29sec file)
The Apollo 11 astronauts and other dignitaries hold a special 35th anniversary celebration in Washington on July 20. Hear from Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins, Walter Cronkite, NASA Administrator O'Keefe and others. (76min 12sec file)
The "Eagle" lunar lander undocks from the "Columbia" command module in preparation for landing. (1min 21sec file)
The Apollo 11 spacecraft "Eagle" lands on the moon 35 years ago, delivering Armstrong and Aldrin. (2min 04sec file)
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step foot on the surface of the moon on July 20 1969, forever changing history. (11min 17sec file)
One of the liquid-fueled main engines that will power space shuttle Discovery on the return-to-flight mission next spring is test-fired at NASA's Stennis Space Center. (1min 56sec file)
Famed CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite recalls the Apollo 11 mission in this interview on NASA Television. (3min 15sec file)
