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Chicago's Independent Space News Outlet
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OSIRIS-REx Explained: NASA’s Asteroid Sample Return Mission
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How to Watch the NG-20 Cygnus Launch to the Space Station
Northrop Grumman is ready to launch the NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA. Launch is targeted for no earlier than 11:07 a.m. CST on Tuesday, January 30th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. NASA will provide prelaunch activities and launch coverage live on its website, NASA+, NASA TV, and the NASA…
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NASA’s New HERA Crew Begins 45 Day Simulated Mars Mission
On Friday, a new HERA crew began a 45-day simulated mission to Mars inside NASA’s ground-based habitat. The four-person crew is designated as Campaign 7, Mission 1, and will live together for their analog mission as part of the agency’s Human Research Program, HRP. NASA selected and trained the four-person crew to participate in the…
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NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends After Three Years on Mars
After nearly three years of flying around the surface of Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter mission has come to an end. According to NASA, Ingenuity suffered rotor damage during descent on its 72nd flight and is “no longer capable of flight”. On January 18th, the final flight of Ingenuity was going to be a simple vertical…
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Chicago Science Museum Free Days for 2024 Announced
Every year, Chicago area museums offer several free admission days for Illinois residents or all guests. These dates are announced well in advance to give guests time to plan, and the free days for 2024 are now listed. Chicago has three museums with excellent space science-based exhibits or collections- the Museum of Science and Industry,…
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Photos: 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse from New Braunfels, Texas
On October 14th, 2023, an annular solar eclipse was visible across much of the western United States. This rare event provided viewers with the chance to witness a phenomenon known as a “ring of fire,” which occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, but a ring of light is still visible to…
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Photos: Frank Rubio Post Mission Briefing
Following his return to Earth, NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio sat down with media to discuss details about his mission to the Space Station. Almost by accident, NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio set the record for the longest mission to space for an American astronaut. Meant to carry out a six month long mission, Rubio and his…
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Photos: OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Reveal at Johnson Space Center
NASA revealed the contents of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule today at the agency’s Johnson Space Center. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, JSC Director Vanessa Wyche, and scientists from the OSIRIS-REx team were on hand to share initial details about the asteroid material collected. The OSIRIS-REx mission launched to the asteroid Bennu in 2016, reached the…
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NASA’s Mission to a Metal Asteroid: How to Watch the Psyche Launch
UPDATE: Thursday’s launch attempt has been scrubbed. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Friday, October 13th at 9:19 am CDT. This piece reflects updated launch and broadcast times. NASA is launching a spacecraft through space to the metal-rich asteroid, Psyche to learn more about the origins of our Solar System. The spacecraft…
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Photos: SpaceX Crew-7 Launch from Kennedy Space Center
At 2:27 am CDT, Crew-7 launched to the International Space Station onboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The four astronauts on board were a truly international crew representing four different space agencies and countries. This mission is the eighth crewed mission to the ISS for SpaceX and NASA.
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SpaceX is Ready to Launch International Crew to Station: How to Watch the Crew-7 Launch
UPDATE: Friday’s launch attempt scrubbed. SpaceX and NASA are now targeting no earlier than Saturday, August 26th for launch of Crew 7. SpaceX is ready to launch the next crew of astronauts to the International Space Station. Crew-7 will launch in Crew Dragon Endurance on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on…
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