Spaceflight Now

NewsAlert

		Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop. Enter your e-mail address: Privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.

Spaceflight Now +

		Premium video content for our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. Ship docks to station The Russian Progress 15P resupply ship makes a fully automated rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station. An external camera on the craft provides this view of the final approach to the aft port of the Zvezda service module. (3min 49sec file) Play video Hurricane Charley A camera aboard the International Space Station captured this stunning view of the strengthening Hurricane Charley on the morning of August 12. (1min 32sec file) Play video Tropical Storm Bonnie As Tropical Storm Bonnie comes ashore in the Florida panhandle on the morning of August 12, the International Space Station provides this view as it the orbiting outpost flies overhead. (1min 40sec file) Play video Reentry seen from space An incredibly rare sight was captured by the International Space Station cameras when the discarded Progress 14P supply ship reentered Earth's atmosphere. The craft burned up during the fiery plunge, which is visible as a long streak below the station. (3min 49sec file) Play video Earth as backdrop Spectacular video of the departing Progress 14P cargo ship against the Earth backdrop is captured by the station's crew. (1min 34sec file) Play video Progress undocking The Russian Progress 14P cargo ship undocks from the International Space Station after delivering its load of supplies and fuel to the orbiting outpost. A camera mounted on the craft's nose provides this view of the Progress departing the aft port of the Zvezda service module. (2min 15sec file) Play video Become a subscriber More video

Sunday: August 15, 2004		0222 GMT

Star clusters the leftovers from snacking galaxies Globular star clusters are like spherical cathedrals of light - collections of millions of stars lumped into a space only a few dozen light-years across. Our own Milky Way Galaxy currently holds about 200 globular clusters, but once possessed many more. FULL STORY

Chandra catches early phase of cosmic assembly A NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory image has revealed a complex of several intergalactic hot gas clouds in the process of merging. The superb Chandra spatial resolution made it possible to distinguish individual galaxies from the massive clouds of hot gas. One of the clouds, which envelopes hundreds of galaxies, has an extraordinarily low concentration of iron atoms, indicating that it is in the very early stages of cluster evolution. FULL STORY

Saturday: August 14, 2004		0700 GMT

Cape Canaveral takes blast from Hurricane Charley Hurricane Charley unleashed gusty winds and heavy rain on Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station late Friday as the storm spun across Central Florida. The spaceport was closed and workers sent home earlier in the day. Two rockets standing on launch pads were secured in advance of the storm's passage -- a Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket with its classified national security payload scheduled for liftoff at the end of August and Boeing's first Delta 4-Heavy vehicle due to fly in mid-October.

International Space Station receives resupply ship A three-ton shipment of supplies safely arrived at the International Space Station early Saturday as an unmanned Russian cargo ship made a fully automated rendezvous and docking to the orbiting outpost 225 miles above Earth. FULL STORY EARLIER LAUNCH STORY

Additional coverage for subscribers: VIDEO: PROGRESS 15P CARGO SHIP DOCKS TO STATION QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Hubble peers inside a 'celestial geode' In this unusual image, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures a rare view of the celestial equivalent of a geode -- a gas cavity carved by the stellar wind and intense ultraviolet radiation from a hot young star. FULL STORY

Jupiter's moon Ganymede has a lumpy interior Scientists have discovered irregular lumps beneath the icy surface of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede. These irregular masses may be rock formations, supported by Ganymede's icy shell for billions of years. This discovery comes nearly a year after the orchestrated demise of NASA's Galileo spacecraft into Jupiter's atmosphere and more than seven years after the data were collected. FULL STORY

Friday: August 13, 2004		0122 GMT

Cosmos 1 solar sail passes new milestone With the delivery of all electronic systems, Cosmos 1 -- the world's first solar sail craft -- has achieved a critical milestone in its countdown towards its launch later this year or early in 2005. Cosmos 1's mission goal is to perform the first controlled solar sail flight. Solar sailing is the only known technology that may someday enable interstellar flight. FULL STORY

OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today

Grant supports range technology development at Spaceport -- The Florida Space Research Institute has awarded a grant to support planning for a Range Technology Qualification initiative at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The program is aimed at accommodating emerging military requirements for "operationally responsive" launch capabilities that would increase efficiency at the spaceport while making Florida more competitive for both government and commercial space missions.

Thursday: August 12, 2004		1710 GMT

Giant vortices found near Earth by Cluster satellites ESA's quartet of space-weather watchers, Cluster, has discovered vortices of ejected solar material high above the Earth. The superheated gases trapped in these structures are probably tunnelling their way into the Earth's magnetic "bubble," the magnetosphere. FULL STORY

Trajectory maneuver brings Genesis closer to home Thirty days before its historic return to Earth with NASA's first samples from space since the Apollo missions, the Genesis spacecraft successfully completed its twentieth trajectory maneuver. FULL STORY

OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today

Kistler announces additions to senior management team -- The Board of Directors of the Kistler Aerospace Corporation announced the election of Dr. George Mueller as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Mueller will also serve as Chief Vehicle Architect for Kistler's K-1 Reusable Launch Vehicle. The Board also announced the appointment of Randy Brinkley as Chief Executive Officer and Will Trafton as President and Chief Operating Officer.

NEWSWIRE Links to news across the internet

Rocket's wreckage on sale to help fund next launch -- (AP) Wreckage from a private rocket that exploded after takeoff is up for sale, with proceeds going to finance the owner's next launch. Space Transport Corp.'s Phillip Storm and Eric Meier on Wednesday put the remains of the Rubicon 1 up for online auction at eBay.com. State firm wins rocket launch deal -- (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner) The Air Force has awarded a $49 million contract for rocket launching services to the Alaska Aerospace Development Corp. and two other companies, according to an announcement from the Department of Defense.

Wednesday: August 11, 2004		0545 GMT

Cargo freighter en route to International Space Station A resupply vessel filled with three tons of food, water, equipment and fuel began its three-day trek to the International Space Station Wednesday, blasting off aboard a Russian rocket. FULL STORY

Solar sail systems tested NASA engineers and their industry partners have successfully deployed two solar sails - each nearly 33 feet in length along one side - reaching a critical milestone in the development of a unique propulsion technology that could enable future deep space missions. FULL STORY

MESSENGER's checkout time With a successful launch behind them and a long cruise ahead, MESSENGER mission operators are checking out the systems on the Mercury-bound spacecraft. "MESSENGER is in great shape and well on its way," the mission operations manager says. FULL STORY

OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today

NASA scientists study gene functions to treat diseases -- NASA scientists have discovered a way to identify the gene functions of all an organism's genes simultaneously by using unique DNA sequences or "bar codes." NASA announces winners of 'Software of the Year' award -- NASA selected a data visualization and simulation software package used by Mars rovers and landers, and a software package that can be used in aerospace and industrial flow fluid applications, as the "best of the best" software developed by the agency this year.

Tuesday: August 10, 2004		0346 GMT

Spitzer shows dying star that goes out with a ring A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the shimmering embers of a dying star, and in their midst a mysterious doughnut-shaped ring. FULL STORY

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter a year from launch With one very busy year remaining before launch, the team preparing NASA's next mission to Mars has begun integrating and testing the spacecraft's versatile payload. FULL STORY

OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today

Lockheed delivers critical space missile warning payload -- Lockheed Martin has announced the delivery of the first space payload for the Space-Based Infrared System High (SBIRS High) program. The payload was delivered for integration with a host satellite and eventual launch into a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) around the earth. The HEO payload's primary mission is to scan for ballistic missile launches; adjunct missions include detecting and reporting other infrared events of military interest.

Monday: August 9, 2004		1602 GMT

Dwarf irregular galaxies are not so pristine after all Astronomers have shown for the first time that even the smallest galaxies in the Universe have complex structures that indicate a complex history. FULL STORY

MESSENGER launch told through photo collection NASA's MESSENGER space probe began its seven-year, five-billion mile journey from Earth to the planet Mercury last week aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket. These two photo galleries capture the countdown and the actual launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. PRE-LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY

NEWSWIRE Links to news across the internet

Underdogs' spacecraft explodes on 1st launch -- (Seattle Times) In a giant leap backward for the underdog, two young rocketeers watched the unmanned spacecraft they've labored on for a year explode seconds into its maiden flight yesterday. The spectacular mishap rained debris on the beach and into the Pacific Ocean, and probably ended the duo's long-shot attempt to win a $10 million space race.

News Archive
Aug. 2-8: MESSENGER leaves Earth on voyage to orbit Mercury; Controllers working to fix Mars rover problems; Cassini discoveries shed light on Saturn and Titan; Science instrument on Hubble shuts down; Hubble images majestic cousin of the Milky Way; Gamma-ray burst was new type of cosmic explosion; Proton deploys Amazonas.

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.

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. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

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

Choose your store:
U.S.

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. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars Rover mission patch

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

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

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).

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. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars Rover mission patch

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

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - 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. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Expedition 20

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

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Current Shuttle Mission Patch

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

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

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.

U.S. STORE

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.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Expedition 21

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

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Contact us
If you have a comment or question for Spaceflight Now, just send us an e-mail.

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE