Cosmic Chicago
Chicago's Independent Space News Outlet
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OSIRIS-REx Explained: NASA’s Asteroid Sample Return Mission
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Nichelle Nichols, Chicagoland Native and Star Trek Actress Who Transformed NASA, Has Died at 89
Actress Nichelle Nichols, 89, passed away Sunday from natural causes, according to a statement from her son. Nichols was best known for her iconic role in the Star Trek series portraying Lt. Uhura, one of the first Black female leads on television. But, Nichols also played an integral part in helping NASA recruit more women…
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NASA Announces Artemis 1 Launch Dates
After four wet dress rehearsals and continuing work on the Space Launch System, NASA announced the first set of Artemis 1 launch dates. NASA expects Artemis 1 to launch no earlier than August 29th, with September 2nd and 5th as potential launch dates within the same launch window. Artemis 1 is an unmanned mission that…
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Bright Meteor Flew Over Chicago, And We Captured It On Video
If you saw a bright flash of light or heard a boom overnight, you might have witnessed a bright meteor flying over the city of Chicago before it burned up and exploded in the atmosphere. At around 12:52 am CDT a bright meteor was reported flying overhead by individuals as far south as Alabama and…
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James Webb Space Telescope Releases First Images
After a successful launch and six months of on-orbit testing and calibration, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is fully operational. A report published July 12, 2022, states that “JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built.” During the six months of testing JWST made approximately 2,300 observations with its…
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PHOTOS: SpaceX Dragon Docks to Space Station, Delivers Science Experiments and Cargo
The Dragon Cargo spacecraft autonomously docked at the International Space Station (ISS) Saturday morning with over 5,800 pounds of cargo and science experiments. On Monday, July 18, astronauts Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines, with assistance from Kjell Lindgren unpacked the cargo Dragon, moving time-critical research experiments into the orbital laboratory of the station. Research includes…
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What's Happening This Week in Space: July 18th, 2022
The heart of summer is a great time to get outside at night and do a little stargazing. Programs introducing Chicagoans to the wonder of the night sky are underway, and they’re free. Read on for the best of what’s happening this week in space right here in Chicago! Astronomy Fundamentals Program with NAA, Naperville…
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PHOTOS: SpaceX & NASA Launch 25th Resupply Mission to the International Space Station
Space X and NASA launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft Thursday evening to the International Space Station at 7:44 pm CDT. Dragon carries more than 5,800 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies, and other cargo to the space station. Launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this is the 25th commercial resupply mission for NASA and…
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Photos: Boeing Starliner Successfully Launches to the International Space Station
After a stuck thruster valve delayed the launch of the Boeing Starliner capsule in August 2021, the spacecraft successfully lifted off this past Thursday to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the OFT-2 mission. Following the successful launch Starliner then autonomously docked to the ISS Friday afternoon. Starliner is carrying about 500 pounds…
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Boeing's Starliner is Ready for Launch: How to Watch OFT-2
Boeing and NASA are ready to launch the Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station for Orbital Flight Test-2. The OFT-2 mission is meant to demonstrate the spacecraft’s ability to support crewed missions to the Space Station as part of NASA’s commercial crew program. Launch is scheduled for liftoff at 5:54pm CT on Thursday, May…
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How to See the Total Lunar Eclipse in Chicago
Tomorrow evening, May 15th, there will be a total lunar eclipse visible from Chicago. We haven’t been able to view a total lunar eclipse from the city in three years, so it’s definitely an exciting event worth staying up late for. The eclipse will begin just after 9:30 pm and end at 1:55 am, but…
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