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148 articles
VideoAmerican, Japanese robotic landers share rocket launch to the Moon
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander will deploy first and is designated as the primary payload and ispace’s Resilience lander will follow about 30 minutes after. Liftoff from pad 39A happened at 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 UTC).
VideoAs it happened: NASA announces new path options for Mars Sample Return mission
NASA put out a call in 2024 for proposals from industry and NASA centers for how to retrieve samples from the Martian surface in a cheaper way and on a shorter timeline.

Nelson: Decision on Mars Sample Return expected before new administration takes office
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said teams were meeting at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday, Dec. 20, to make some of the final determinations about how they will return dozens of samples from the Red Planet.
VideoLaunch preview: SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 6 test mission from Starbase in southern Texas
The mission is likely to be the fourth and final Starship flight before the end of 2024. Liftoff from Pad 1 at Starbase at Boca Chica Beach, Texas, is set for 4 p.m. CST (5 p.m. EST, 2200 UTC).
VideoSpaceX targets Starship Flight 6 launch on November 18
This will be the fastest turnaround for the Starship program as SpaceX works towards what needs to become a weekly launch cadence for NASA's Artemis program. Liftoff is set for no earlier than 4 p.m. CST (5 p.m. EST, 2200 UTC) on Nov. 18.

As it happened: SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon docks with the International Space Station
SpaceX's Cargo Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station to begin a one-month stay at the orbiting outpost. Dragon launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 9:29 p.m. EST (0229 UTC) for the Commercial Resupply Services 31 (CRS-31) mission.
VideoSpaceX launches 400th Falcon rocket on 31st cargo resupply mission to the space station for NASA
A Cargo Dragon spacecraft launched to begin its fifth journey to the International Space Station, carrying with it more than 6,000 pounds of science and supplies. Liftoff happened at 9:29 p.m. EST Monday (0229 UTC Tuesday).
VideoStarship booster catch brings NASA, SpaceX closer to Artemis 3 Moon landing
As a milestone for NASA’s Human Landing System program, SpaceX is working towards an on-orbit propellant transfer demonstration campaign, beginning in spring 2025. The Artemis 3 Moon landing is targeting touchdown in Fall 2026.
VideoLive coverage: Crew-8 splashdown off the coast of Pensacola, Florida
Splashdown occurred at 3:29 a.m. EDT (0729 UTC). In an unusual post-splashdown statement NASA said that all four crew members were transported "to a local medical facility for additional evaluation," but didn't provide any additional information.

As it happened: NASA, SpaceX undocked Crew-8 from the International Space Station following weeks of weather-related delays, scheduling conflicts
The Crew Dragon Endeavour was originally set to undock from the International Space Station back in September, but was stalled by a pair of hurricanes and other weather events. Undocking happened 5:05 p.m. EDT (2105 UTC) on Oct. 23, setting up splashdown at 3:23 a.m. EDT (0725 UTC) on Friday.