NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme.

The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis.

The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth.

Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not.

Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil.

Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024. NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis. The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth. Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not. Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil. Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest.

If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone.

NASA is trying to eke out more time in this summer's launch opportunity, now lasting until at least August 15.

The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months.&nbsp;

It is NASA's most ambitious Mars mission yet, totalling around $ 3 billion. Besides seeking signs of past microscopic Martian life, Perseverance will gather rocks and soil for eventual return to Earth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also read |&nbsp;NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20</a>

Rocket maker United Launch Alliance needs extra time to deal with a liquid oxygen sensor line that showed questionable readings during a recent practice countdown, officials said Tuesday.

China, meanwhile, still is pressing ahead with launches this month of Mars spacecraft.&nbsp; 
Russia and the European Space Agency had to bow out, delaying their Mars rover until 2022 because of delayed spacecraft testing and travel limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest. If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone.

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest. If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone. NASA is trying to eke out more time in this summer's launch opportunity, now lasting until at least August 15. The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months. It is NASA's most ambitious Mars mission yet, totalling around $ 3 billion. Besides seeking signs of past microscopic Martian life, Perseverance will gather rocks and soil for eventual return to Earth. Also read | NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20 Rocket maker United Launch Alliance needs extra time to deal with a liquid oxygen sensor line that showed questionable readings during a recent practice countdown, officials said Tuesday. China, meanwhile, still is pressing ahead with launches this month of Mars spacecraft. Russia and the European Space Agency had to bow out, delaying their Mars rover until 2022 because of delayed spacecraft testing and travel limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Launch of NASA Mars rover delayed again

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market.

The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space. Pearce is seeking crowdfunding to mass-produce the perfume - Eau de Space - and launch it in a wider market. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-wants-inventors-to-design-a-loo-for-the-moon-309465">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon</a>

NASA has been using the fragrance for over a decade now. Pearce, who is also the CEO of Omega Ingredients, credits inputs from astronauts for his invention which took&nbsp;4 years to develop. The extraterrestrial explorers have described the odour of space as the smell of seared steak, welding fumes, hot metal, rum, raspberries and a little like gunpowder too. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Omega Ingredients is also planning to launch a fragrance that smells of lunar dust called 'Smell of the Moon'.
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-perfume-to-bring-the-smell-of-outer-space-to-earth-309762/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Last week, NASA launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity.

The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

&nbsp;

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market. The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space.

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market. The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space. Pearce is seeking crowdfunding to mass-produce the perfume - Eau de Space - and launch it in a wider market. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon NASA has been using the fragrance for over a decade now. Pearce, who is also the CEO of Omega Ingredients, credits inputs from astronauts for his invention which took 4 years to develop. The extraterrestrial explorers have described the odour of space as the smell of seared steak, welding fumes, hot metal, rum, raspberries and a little like gunpowder too. Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Omega Ingredients is also planning to launch a fragrance that smells of lunar dust called 'Smell of the Moon'. Last week, NASA launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

Now, a perfume will bring the fragrance of outer space to earth

NASA is planning to return to the moon by 2024 and wants someone to design a new toilet that works in lunar gravity. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: NASA will pay you to design a toilet for Moon

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-wants-inventors-to-design-a-loo-for-the-moon-309465">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon</a>

US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror. Cassidy's colleague Bob Behnken had accompanied him when the incident occurred.&nbsp;Chris Cassidy said losing the mirror was "a real bummer".

Chris Cassidy had arrived on the ISS in April.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had entered the International Space Station last month after a landmark 19-hour journey when they were welcomed by Chris Cassidy. Behnken is on the ISS in order to conduct checks and to ensure readiness.

Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken had reportedly completed their spacewalk spanning over six hours last Friday. It was the first of four walks taken by the duo to replace the ageing batteries at&nbsp;the space station's solar power system.

Earlier, two Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS had played a game of chess against a grandmaster on Earth. The cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner played in zero gravity against 30-year-old Russian Sergei Karyakin which ended in a draw after 15 minutes. The match&nbsp;was broadcast live for Earth dwellers.

The match was part of 50th anniversary of the first Space-Earth chess game played on June 9, 1970.

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror.

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror. Cassidy's colleague Bob Behnken had accompanied him when the incident occurred. Chris Cassidy said losing the mirror was "a real bummer". Chris Cassidy had arrived on the ISS in April. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had entered the International Space Station last month after a landmark 19-hour journey when they were welcomed by Chris Cassidy. Behnken is on the ISS in order to conduct checks and to ensure readiness. Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken had reportedly completed their spacewalk spanning over six hours last Friday. It was the first of four walks taken by the duo to replace the ageing batteries at the space station's solar power system. Earlier, two Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS had played a game of chess against a grandmaster on Earth. The cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner played in zero gravity against 30-year-old Russian Sergei Karyakin which ended in a draw after 15 minutes. The match was broadcast live for Earth dwellers. The match was part of 50th anniversary of the first Space-Earth chess game played on June 9, 1970.

'Real bummer': US astronaut at International Space Station loses mirror during spacewalk

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public&nbsp;to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17.

The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-offering-35000-prize-money-for-best-lunar-loo-design-308710">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design</a>

The design will be used for&nbsp;the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

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This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet.

Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

&nbsp;

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third.

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17. The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. Also Read: NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024. This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet. Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film.&nbsp;

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade. While orbiting around the Earth, SDO has gathered 425 million high-resolution images of the Sun, NASA said in a statement while releasing the time-lapse footage.

According to NASA, the Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips and its north and south poles switch places.&nbsp;

"Compiling one photo every hour, the movie condenses a decade of the Sun into 61 minutes," wrote NASA while sharing the video.&nbsp;

The custom music, titled “Solar Observer,” was composed by musician Lars Leonhard.

NASA also explained that the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. A longer blackout in 2016 was caused by a temporary issue with the AIA instrument that was successfully resolved after a week.

The time-lapse images are taken at the extreme ultraviolet wavelength of 17.1 nanometres to capture the outer atmosphere, which is an extreme ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer – the corona

Titled 'A Decade of Sun', the video was released on Wednesday.&nbsp;

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade.

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade. While orbiting around the Earth, SDO has gathered 425 million high-resolution images of the Sun, NASA said in a statement while releasing the time-lapse footage. According to NASA, the Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips and its north and south poles switch places. "Compiling one photo every hour, the movie condenses a decade of the Sun into 61 minutes," wrote NASA while sharing the video. The custom music, titled “Solar Observer,” was composed by musician Lars Leonhard. NASA also explained that the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. A longer blackout in 2016 was caused by a temporary issue with the AIA instrument that was successfully resolved after a week. The time-lapse images are taken at the extreme ultraviolet wavelength of 17.1 nanometres to capture the outer atmosphere, which is an extreme ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer – the corona Titled 'A Decade of Sun', the video was released on Wednesday.

NASA releases stunning 10-year time-lapse of the Sun

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources

Space X's&nbsp;Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla.

It's&nbsp;historic launch took two NASA&nbsp;astronauts to the International Space Station from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Complex 39-A at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

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Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/spacex-astronauts-land-safely-at-international-space-station-for-nasa-302267">SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA</a>

The launch last month marked a significant shift in space exploration. For the first time ever, NASA&nbsp;allowed a private player a glimpse beyond the Earth's orbit.

Indian Space Research Organisation has taken its first big step in a similar&nbsp;direction. The Indian government has set-up two bodies that will assist ISRO&nbsp;to facilitate private participation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/private-players-welcome-in-indias-space-journey-but-isro-needs-an-organizational-revamp-to-focus-on-rd-301484">Private players welcome in India’s Space journey, but ISRO needs an organizational revamp to focus on R&amp;D</a>

ISRO's programs are hailed across the world for running on a shoe-string budget. The Mars mission is staggeringly cheap by western standards.

India is already the global launchpad for small and light satellites. Given the low-budget and limited workforce, routine work hampers advanced research into inter-planetary and human space flight missions.This the big frontier that ISRO&nbsp;needs to&nbsp;conquer.

They were involved earlier as well but in a different capacity.

ISRO&nbsp;has tie-ups with around 150 private firms which are&nbsp;exclusive suppliers to India's space programs.

Now, private players can start building and launching satellites as well. This is an extension of India's aim to become self-reliant.

The sphere of space exploration required special attention as ISRO&nbsp;is fully dependent on two launch vehicles in the PSLV&nbsp;and GSLV&nbsp;series which&nbsp;were conceptualised back in the 1970s and 1980s.

In the last 27 years, ISRO&nbsp;has not been able to develop more powerful propulsion engines. India still uses a French engine to launch its own satellites.

For a manned mission, ISRO&nbsp;needs to improve the payload capacity, which needs an engine that will thrust India to greater heights.

Therefore, the government has decided to open up India's space sector and giving it more time to carry out cutting-edge research.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-beidou-geo-tracker-satellite-will-take-on-us-owned-gps-307986">How China's Beidou geo-tracker satellite will take on US-owned GPS</a>

Leading space explorers such as US, China and the European space agency are encouraging private participation. But the US&nbsp;took the giant leap when it allowed its space agency NASA to collaborate with Elon Musk's Space X.

From Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos, billionaires are creating their own space companies.

A few days ago, China launched its final Beidou satellite. The deployment of china's global navigation system is complete. A network of 35 satellites&nbsp;will power China's own gps system.

Following the border conflict with China,&nbsp; ISRO's services are&nbsp;required to refine India's satellites for the military.

With this opening of the space sector, routine satellite launches can be left to private players.

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources Space X's Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla.

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources Space X's Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla. It's historic launch took two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station from the Complex 39-A at Cape Canaveral in Florida. × Also see: SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA The launch last month marked a significant shift in space exploration. For the first time ever, NASA allowed a private player a glimpse beyond the Earth's orbit. Indian Space Research Organisation has taken its first big step in a similar direction. The Indian government has set-up two bodies that will assist ISRO to facilitate private participation. Also read: Private players welcome in India’s Space journey, but ISRO needs an organizational revamp to focus on R&D ISRO's programs are hailed across the world for running on a shoe-string budget. The Mars mission is staggeringly cheap by western standards. India is already the global launchpad for small and light satellites. Given the low-budget and limited workforce, routine work hampers advanced research into inter-planetary and human space flight missions.This the big frontier that ISRO needs to conquer. They were involved earlier as well but in a different capacity. ISRO has tie-ups with around 150 private firms which are exclusive suppliers to India's space programs. Now, private players can start building and launching satellites as well. This is an extension of India's aim to become self-reliant. The sphere of space exploration required special attention as ISRO is fully dependent on two launch vehicles in the PSLV and GSLV series which were conceptualised back in the 1970s and 1980s. In the last 27 years, ISRO has not been able to develop more powerful propulsion engines. India still uses a French engine to launch its own satellites. For a manned mission, ISRO needs to improve the payload capacity, which needs an engine that will thrust India to greater heights. Therefore, the government has decided to open up India's space sector and giving it more time to carry out cutting-edge research. Also see: How China's Beidou geo-tracker satellite will take on US-owned GPS Leading space explorers such as US, China and the European space agency are encouraging private participation. But the US took the giant leap when it allowed its space agency NASA to collaborate with Elon Musk's Space X. From Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos, billionaires are creating their own space companies. A few days ago, China launched its final Beidou satellite. The deployment of china's global navigation system is complete. A network of 35 satellites will power China's own gps system. Following the border conflict with China, ISRO's services are required to refine India's satellites for the military. With this opening of the space sector, routine satellite launches can be left to private players.

Permitting entry of private players in space projects is new way to ensure efficiency

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best&nbsp;the best 'lunar loo' design.

Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Entrants stand to win a share of the $35,000&nbsp;prize money and contribute to toilet technology destined for Artemis, Nasa’s programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024.

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&nbsp;Nasa’s Orion spacecraft, the first step in its Artemis mission to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. Photograph:AFP

Space&nbsp;toilet technology has come some way from the grim Apollo years, when bags had to be taped to the astronaut’s buttocks in a setup that was not always as secure as might have been hoped. One mission transcript records an exchange between crew members: “Where did that come from?… There’s a turd floating through the air.”

The international space station (ISS) features a large, industrial-looking Russian-made toilet that uses suction technology to overcome the challenge of pooing and peeing in microgravity. NASA, however, is seeking something that would function equally well on the lunar surface, where gravity is about a sixth of that on Earth.

“We definitely don’t want folks to just say we know what the ISS toilet looks like, so we take off a bit of mass and make it more compact,” said Interbartolo. “We’re looking outside the box … We want to tap into those garage thinkers, the maker space community and see what the unknown unknowns out there are.”

Would-be innovators must meet Nasa’s technical specifications. Their designs have to be lighter than 15kg in Earth’s gravity, no larger than 0.12m3&nbsp;and no louder than the average bathroom fan, and the must be able to cater to all the toilet needs of its female and male users safely and securely.

“Additionally, toilet designs must be able to accommodate sick crew members dealing with vomiting and diarrhoea. Bonus points will be awarded to designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his/her head in the toilet,” Nasa says. The elegance and design of the entries and their ability to afford some level of privacy in small flight modules will also be considered.

Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

Submissions can be amde till August 17.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best the best 'lunar loo' design. Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a NASA competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best the best 'lunar loo' design. Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a NASA competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space. Also read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Entrants stand to win a share of the $35,000 prize money and contribute to toilet technology destined for Artemis, Nasa’s programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024. Nasa’s Orion spacecraft, the first step in its Artemis mission to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. Photograph:AFP Space toilet technology has come some way from the grim Apollo years, when bags had to be taped to the astronaut’s buttocks in a setup that was not always as secure as might have been hoped. One mission transcript records an exchange between crew members: “Where did that come from?… There’s a turd floating through the air.” The international space station (ISS) features a large, industrial-looking Russian-made toilet that uses suction technology to overcome the challenge of pooing and peeing in microgravity. NASA, however, is seeking something that would function equally well on the lunar surface, where gravity is about a sixth of that on Earth. “We definitely don’t want folks to just say we know what the ISS toilet looks like, so we take off a bit of mass and make it more compact,” said Interbartolo. “We’re looking outside the box … We want to tap into those garage thinkers, the maker space community and see what the unknown unknowns out there are.” Would-be innovators must meet Nasa’s technical specifications. Their designs have to be lighter than 15kg in Earth’s gravity, no larger than 0.12m3 and no louder than the average bathroom fan, and the must be able to cater to all the toilet needs of its female and male users safely and securely. “Additionally, toilet designs must be able to accommodate sick crew members dealing with vomiting and diarrhoea. Bonus points will be awarded to designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his/her head in the toilet,” Nasa says. The elegance and design of the entries and their ability to afford some level of privacy in small flight modules will also be considered. Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo. Submissions can be amde till August 17.

NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rhode-island-to-change-official-name-over-links-to-colonial-slavery-governor-signs-executive-orders-308381" hreflang="en">Rhode Island to change official name over links to colonial slavery; Governor signs executive orders</a>

"Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.

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📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building 
 
Today, Administrator <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimBridenstine</a> announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: <a href="https://t.co/znX2jXklRh">https://t.co/znX2jXklRh</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1275980031978856449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building 
 
Today, Administrator <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimBridenstine</a> announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: <a href="https://t.co/znX2jXklRh">https://t.co/znX2jXklRh</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1275980031978856449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology."

Jackson was recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which in 1958 was succeeded by NASA. She began her career as a research mathematician and was later promoted to become the agency's first black female engineer.

<img alt="wkem" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eafdd60-d987-472a-86a7-0a81145a4aaa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_92.jpg" />

Jim Bridenstine announced that the new Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building would be located on "Hidden Figures Way," which was renamed just last year.

"Hidden no more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA's successful history of exploration possible," Bridenstine said.

NASA's move comes weeks after protests in the US against systemic racism and racial inequality.

"NASA facilities across the country are named after people who dedicated their lives to push the frontiers of the aerospace industry," Bridenstine said.

"The nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honour the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation."

(Inputs from AFP)

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures.

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures." Also read: Rhode Island to change official name over links to colonial slavery; Governor signs executive orders "Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement. 📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building Today, Administrator @JimBridenstine announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: https://t.co/znX2jXklRh — NASA (@NASA) June 25, 2020 📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building Today, Administrator @JimBridenstine announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: https://t.co/znX2jXklRh — NASA (@NASA) June 25, 2020 × "Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology." Jackson was recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which in 1958 was succeeded by NASA. She began her career as a research mathematician and was later promoted to become the agency's first black female engineer. Jim Bridenstine announced that the new Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building would be located on "Hidden Figures Way," which was renamed just last year. "Hidden no more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA's successful history of exploration possible," Bridenstine said. NASA's move comes weeks after protests in the US against systemic racism and racial inequality. "NASA facilities across the country are named after people who dedicated their lives to push the frontiers of the aerospace industry," Bridenstine said. "The nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honour the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation." (Inputs from AFP)

NASA renames headquarters after Mary Jackson, the inspiration behind Oscar nominated film 'Hidden Figures'

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20.&nbsp;</a>

NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars.

The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-next-mars-rover-honours-healthcare-workers-battling-coronavirus-306846">Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus</a>

Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent. As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20. NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars. The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Virgin Galactic, NASA to develop program for private missions to ISS

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover,&nbsp;called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate.

Deputy project manager Matt Wallace of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said that medical workers have inspired them and he hopes that this Perseverance plate inspires them in return.

NASA's next Mars rover is scheduled to be launched on July 20, 2020. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. If the rover isn’t launched by mid-August, it would need to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20</a>

In April, NASA developed high-pressure ventilator to fight COVID-19. &nbsp;The device called VITAL is intended to last three to four months and is specifically tailored for COVID-19 patients, according to NASA.

This high-pressure ventilator offers a simple, affordable option for treating critical patients while freeing up traditional ventilators for those with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms. Its flexible design means it also can be modified for use in field hospitals, the NASA statement read. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-becomes-first-commercial-company-to-launch-nasa-astronauts-302454">Also Read: SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts</a>

Three Indian companies, apart from 18 other companies from other countries, have been selected by NASA to manufacture its indigenously developed ventilators.

(With inputs from agencies)

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover, called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate.

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover, called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate. Deputy project manager Matt Wallace of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said that medical workers have inspired them and he hopes that this Perseverance plate inspires them in return. NASA's next Mars rover is scheduled to be launched on July 20, 2020. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. If the rover isn’t launched by mid-August, it would need to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment. Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20 In April, NASA developed high-pressure ventilator to fight COVID-19. The device called VITAL is intended to last three to four months and is specifically tailored for COVID-19 patients, according to NASA. This high-pressure ventilator offers a simple, affordable option for treating critical patients while freeing up traditional ventilators for those with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms. Its flexible design means it also can be modified for use in field hospitals, the NASA statement read. Also Read: SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts Three Indian companies, apart from 18 other companies from other countries, have been selected by NASA to manufacture its indigenously developed ventilators. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment.

"NASA and ULA are now targetting Monday, July 20, for launch of the Mars 2020 mission of the Perseverance Rover on an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida," NASA officials said in an update on Thursday.

The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window.

Perseverance Mars rover was earlier scheduled to lift off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket on July 17. 
 
It's said the issue involved a faulty crane.

"Crane, now fixed. Rocket is fine," Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance tweeted in response to a question by a Twitter user about the cause of the delay.

Perseverance is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.

The Perseverance rover, a robotic scientist weighing 1,025 kg, will search for signs of past microbial life on Mars and also collect samples for future return to Earth.

The rover is scheduled to land on Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021. 
&nbsp;

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment.

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment. "NASA and ULA are now targetting Monday, July 20, for launch of the Mars 2020 mission of the Perseverance Rover on an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida," NASA officials said in an update on Thursday. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. Perseverance Mars rover was earlier scheduled to lift off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket on July 17. It's said the issue involved a faulty crane. "Crane, now fixed. Rocket is fine," Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance tweeted in response to a question by a Twitter user about the cause of the delay. Perseverance is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. The Perseverance rover, a robotic scientist weighing 1,025 kg, will search for signs of past microbial life on Mars and also collect samples for future return to Earth. The rover is scheduled to land on Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.

NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20

June 10 in history: Color photography introduced, NASA launches Mars Exploration Rover and more

Mars&nbsp;has two&nbsp;''lumpy'' moons and their existence suggests that the red planet had rings&nbsp;around,&nbsp;like some of the larger planets in our solar system.

The findings were&nbsp;presented&nbsp;during the 236th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which is being held virtually this week during the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-seeking-volunteers-for-paid-isolation-during-fake-mars-mission-300990">NASA seeking volunteers for paid isolation during 'fake' Mars mission</a>

The two lumpy moons, Phobos and Deimos, were both discovered in 1877 and named after the sons of Ares from Greek mythology.

Mars is named after the Roman god of war, which is Ares in Greek. Phobos means fear or panic and Deimos means dread.

Scientists believed that they were asteroids captured by the planet's gravity for a very long time.&nbsp;Both appear to be&nbsp;similar in composition to blackish carbonaceous chondrite asteroids.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-teenager-names-nasas-first-mars-helicopter-296108">Indian-origin teenager names NASA’s first Mars helicopter</a>

However,&nbsp;the recent research revealed that the moons are nearly in the same plane as the Martian equator. This suggests that they formed around the same time Mars did around 4.5 billion years ago.

Over time, Phobos&nbsp;will lose&nbsp;height as it interacts with Martian gravity and eventually, its orbit will be too low and Mars will essentially rip it into pieces that form a ring around the planet. It's estimated that this will happen within 50 million years.

Phobos, slightly larger than Deimos, is only about 3,700 miles above the Martian surface, no known moon in our solar system is closer to its planet.&nbsp;

Being so close, Phobos completes three orbits around Mars in one Earth day, while Deimos, which is more distant, takes about 30 Earth hours to complete an orbit.

The researchers believe that Phobos once had a grandparent 3 billion years ago that they called proto-Phobos — likely 20 times more massive as the small moon is now. Over the course of a few moon-ring cycles, it became Phobos — which would explain why some researchers believe it only formed about 200 million years ago.

A prominent ring around Mars would have pushed proto-Phobos outward, away from the planet. This would have also affected proto-Phobos' orbital resonance with Deimos and pushed it further from Mars as well.

The Japanese space agency, JAXA, plans to send a spacecraft to Phobos in 2024 to collect samples from the surface and return them to Earth. This may reveal more about the moon's past.

Mars has two ''lumpy'' moons and their existence suggests that the red planet had rings around, like some of the larger planets in our solar system. The findings were presented during the 236th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which is being held virtually this week during the pandemic.

Mars has two ''lumpy'' moons and their existence suggests that the red planet had rings around, like some of the larger planets in our solar system. The findings were presented during the 236th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which is being held virtually this week during the pandemic. Also read: NASA seeking volunteers for paid isolation during 'fake' Mars mission The two lumpy moons, Phobos and Deimos, were both discovered in 1877 and named after the sons of Ares from Greek mythology. Mars is named after the Roman god of war, which is Ares in Greek. Phobos means fear or panic and Deimos means dread. Scientists believed that they were asteroids captured by the planet's gravity for a very long time. Both appear to be similar in composition to blackish carbonaceous chondrite asteroids. Also read: Indian-origin teenager names NASA’s first Mars helicopter However, the recent research revealed that the moons are nearly in the same plane as the Martian equator. This suggests that they formed around the same time Mars did around 4.5 billion years ago. Over time, Phobos will lose height as it interacts with Martian gravity and eventually, its orbit will be too low and Mars will essentially rip it into pieces that form a ring around the planet. It's estimated that this will happen within 50 million years. Phobos, slightly larger than Deimos, is only about 3,700 miles above the Martian surface, no known moon in our solar system is closer to its planet. Being so close, Phobos completes three orbits around Mars in one Earth day, while Deimos, which is more distant, takes about 30 Earth hours to complete an orbit. The researchers believe that Phobos once had a grandparent 3 billion years ago that they called proto-Phobos — likely 20 times more massive as the small moon is now. Over the course of a few moon-ring cycles, it became Phobos — which would explain why some researchers believe it only formed about 200 million years ago. A prominent ring around Mars would have pushed proto-Phobos outward, away from the planet. This would have also affected proto-Phobos' orbital resonance with Deimos and pushed it further from Mars as well. The Japanese space agency, JAXA, plans to send a spacecraft to Phobos in 2024 to collect samples from the surface and return them to Earth. This may reveal more about the moon's past.

Mars' 'lumpy' moons suggests existence of ring around it

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lets-light-this-candle-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launched-in-florida-marking-a-historic-moment-302134">Have a look |&nbsp;Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment</a>

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station.

<img alt="NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are a part of the extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1655b257-a798-4dad-86a7-3e8afef32a49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_64.jpg" />

With the test pilots poised to take over manual control if necessary, the SpaceX Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically, no assistance needed.

The docking occurred just 19 hours after the rocket blasted off.

A few hours before docking, the Dragon riders reported that the capsule was performing fine.

Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic.

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/2020/05/31/142548-untitled-design-2.jpg" />

High above the Earth, the Crew Dragon jettisoned moments later from the second-stage rocket, sending the capsule on its way to the space station.

The exhilarating spectacle of the rocket soaring flawlessly into the heavens came as a welcome triumph for a nation gripped by racially-charged civil unrest as well as ongoing fear and economic upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

NASA officials had held off on any celebrations until after Sunday morning's docking and possibly not until the two astronauts are back on Earth sometime this summer.

NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme.

(with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. Have a look | Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station. With the test pilots poised to take over manual control if necessary, the SpaceX Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically, no assistance needed. The docking occurred just 19 hours after the rocket blasted off. A few hours before docking, the Dragon riders reported that the capsule was performing fine. Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic. High above the Earth, the Crew Dragon jettisoned moments later from the second-stage rocket, sending the capsule on its way to the space station. The exhilarating spectacle of the rocket soaring flawlessly into the heavens came as a welcome triumph for a nation gripped by racially-charged civil unrest as well as ongoing fear and economic upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic. The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. NASA officials had held off on any celebrations until after Sunday morning's docking and possibly not until the two astronauts are back on Earth sometime this summer. NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme. (with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station

The year 2020 has brought one big news after another -- all of them have jolted the humans in some way. From coronavirus to Australia bush fire to mass violent protests, the list seems to be growing, and NASA has announced a new addition.

According to NASA, five giant asteroids are heading towards the Earth in June, with one of them the size of a stadium.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/spacex-astronauts-land-safely-at-international-space-station-for-nasa-302267#falcon-9-launched-302258">Have a look:&nbsp;SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA</a>

According to NASA's asteroid watch, the biggest asteroid headed towards the Earth is&nbsp;1,100 feet wide, which is roughly the size of a stadium, and will pass from 3.16 million miles away from Earth on June 06.

The asteroid projected to be&nbsp;3.85 million miles away from the Earth is nearly the size of an aeroplane and will pass the planet on June 04.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-becomes-first-commercial-company-to-launch-nasa-astronauts-302454">Also read:&nbsp;SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts</a>

An asteroid the size of a house, 52 ft., will pass from 2.78 million miles away on June 05.&nbsp;

The last two, are also projected to be the size of aeroplanes and will pass from 3.70 million and 3.18 million miles away on June 06.

While these do not pose any threat to the Earth as of now, NASA is keeping a close tab on these asteroids, and has claimed to have plans ready to handle any situation.

&nbsp;

The year 2020 has brought one big news after another -- all of them have jolted the humans in some way. From coronavirus to Australia bush fire to mass violent protests, the list seems to be growing, and NASA has announced a new addition.

The year 2020 has brought one big news after another -- all of them have jolted the humans in some way. From coronavirus to Australia bush fire to mass violent protests, the list seems to be growing, and NASA has announced a new addition. According to NASA, five giant asteroids are heading towards the Earth in June, with one of them the size of a stadium. Have a look: SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA According to NASA's asteroid watch, the biggest asteroid headed towards the Earth is 1,100 feet wide, which is roughly the size of a stadium, and will pass from 3.16 million miles away from Earth on June 06. The asteroid projected to be 3.85 million miles away from the Earth is nearly the size of an aeroplane and will pass the planet on June 04. Also read: SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts An asteroid the size of a house, 52 ft., will pass from 2.78 million miles away on June 05. The last two, are also projected to be the size of aeroplanes and will pass from 3.70 million and 3.18 million miles away on June 06. While these do not pose any threat to the Earth as of now, NASA is keeping a close tab on these asteroids, and has claimed to have plans ready to handle any situation.

Five asteroids head towards Earth; one the size of stadium

SpaceX has made history with a manned mission to the International Space station. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report on the many firsts this American aerospace giant has achieved through its latest mission.

Gravitas: SpaceX Space Station mission | New era in space exploration

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade. Naturally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk is beaming with happiness.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk must have been a nervous man. He was at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

US President Donald Trump was there too. The privately-built SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stood upright. Ready for launch after two delays due to bad weather.

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Come the time of reckoning, 3:22 eastern daylight time on May 30. The first commercially designed and built spacecraft took off in triumph and&nbsp;Elon Musk was overjoyed.&nbsp;

After a 19-hour journey, and a tense automatic docking sequence. The capsule attached itself to the international space station as&nbsp;the portal opened.

The two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were welcomed by the station's crew. This crewed mission has created history.

It's the first time a commercially developed spacecraft has put Americans in space. For all these years space was a hegemony of NASA in the US.

Now, Earth's orbit has welcomed a private player in SpaceX. Also, it's the first spaceflight with NASA astronauts that took-off from US soil in nine years.

Since 2011, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.&nbsp;

Naturally, the US President was all praise&nbsp;for the successful all-American mission, he said: "We have created the envy of the world, and will soon be landing on mars and will soon have the greatest weapons ever imagined in history -- I've already seen designs, and even I can't believe it. The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on earth if you are number two in space."

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago. That was at the start of the space shuttle program.

For Musk -- the launch represents another milestone. It is the first time a reusable rocket has been deployed for a space mission. This makes spaceflight less costly and more frequent.

This could pave the way for civilians -- to hop on a ride to space. &nbsp;For now, the two NASA astronauts have begun their month long stay in the orbital laboratory.

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade.

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade. Naturally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk is beaming with happiness. SpaceX founder Elon Musk must have been a nervous man. He was at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. US President Donald Trump was there too. The privately-built SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stood upright. Ready for launch after two delays due to bad weather. Come the time of reckoning, 3:22 eastern daylight time on May 30. The first commercially designed and built spacecraft took off in triumph and Elon Musk was overjoyed. After a 19-hour journey, and a tense automatic docking sequence. The capsule attached itself to the international space station as the portal opened. The two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were welcomed by the station's crew. This crewed mission has created history. It's the first time a commercially developed spacecraft has put Americans in space. For all these years space was a hegemony of NASA in the US. Now, Earth's orbit has welcomed a private player in SpaceX. Also, it's the first spaceflight with NASA astronauts that took-off from US soil in nine years. Since 2011, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. Naturally, the US President was all praise for the successful all-American mission, he said: "We have created the envy of the world, and will soon be landing on mars and will soon have the greatest weapons ever imagined in history -- I've already seen designs, and even I can't believe it. The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on earth if you are number two in space." The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago. That was at the start of the space shuttle program. For Musk -- the launch represents another milestone. It is the first time a reusable rocket has been deployed for a space mission. This makes spaceflight less costly and more frequent. This could pave the way for civilians -- to hop on a ride to space. For now, the two NASA astronauts have begun their month long stay in the orbital laboratory.

SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts

After the launch of&nbsp;Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said&nbsp;the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US&nbsp;astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon. He also claimed that Washington would soon have “the greatest weapons ever imagined in history.”

As Donald Trump made the comment,&nbsp;Vladimir Ustimenko, spokesman for Roscosmos,&nbsp;Russia’s space agency, took to Twitter to describe Trump's comments as nothing but mere hysteria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-astronaut-riding-dragon-arrives-at-space-station-302203">Also read:&nbsp;SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station</a>

"The hysteria that arose after the successful launch of the Crew Dragon ship is not very clear. What happened was to happen a long time ago. Now, not only Russians will fly to the ISS, but also Americans. So that's great!,"&nbsp; he tweeted.

"It is very important to have at least two possibilities to reach the station. After all, it’s not enough ... Everything happened in space, and you must have at least two transport systems capable of ensuring the presence of crews of different countries on board the ISS," he added.

Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin also took to Twitter to congratulate&nbsp;NASA chief Jim Bridenstine for the success. “Bravo! I know how anxious you were for this major event to become a success,” he wrote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trampoline-is-working-musk-taunts-russian-space-agency-chief-302172">Also read:&nbsp;'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief</a>

Rogozin, however, joked and said he appreciated the joke made by Elon Musk, as a reply to&nbsp;his joke that he made in 2014 that the United States should try using a trampoline to get to the ISS. Elon Musk had replied to the 2014 joke by saying, "the trampoline is working”.

Ustimenko said Russia is&nbsp;planning to test two new rockets this year and will be&nbsp;resuming its lunar programme next years.

"This year we will test two new missiles, and next year we will resume our Lunar program. It will be interesting!," he confirmed through his tweet.

After the launch of Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon.

After the launch of Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon. He also claimed that Washington would soon have “the greatest weapons ever imagined in history.” As Donald Trump made the comment, Vladimir Ustimenko, spokesman for Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, took to Twitter to describe Trump's comments as nothing but mere hysteria. Also read: SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station "The hysteria that arose after the successful launch of the Crew Dragon ship is not very clear. What happened was to happen a long time ago. Now, not only Russians will fly to the ISS, but also Americans. So that's great!," he tweeted. "It is very important to have at least two possibilities to reach the station. After all, it’s not enough ... Everything happened in space, and you must have at least two transport systems capable of ensuring the presence of crews of different countries on board the ISS," he added. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin also took to Twitter to congratulate NASA chief Jim Bridenstine for the success. “Bravo! I know how anxious you were for this major event to become a success,” he wrote. Also read: 'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief Rogozin, however, joked and said he appreciated the joke made by Elon Musk, as a reply to his joke that he made in 2014 that the United States should try using a trampoline to get to the ISS. Elon Musk had replied to the 2014 joke by saying, "the trampoline is working”. Ustimenko said Russia is planning to test two new rockets this year and will be resuming its lunar programme next years. "This year we will test two new missiles, and next year we will resume our Lunar program. It will be interesting!," he confirmed through his tweet.

Trampoline is working, hysteria is not; Russian space agency taunts Donald Trump

NASA astronauts entered the International Space Station on Sunday after a landmark 19-hour journey on the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade

NASA's 1st human spaceflight from US soil in a decade

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit&nbsp;from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

The mission's first launch try on Wednesday was called off with less than 17 minutes remaining on the countdown clock due to stormy weather around the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The second try would be undertaken on Saturday (US time).

The forecast for Saturday is likewise precarious. Mission managers plan to make an earlier decision on weather hazards in a bid to avoid unnecessarily wearing out the crew with another suit-up and full day of launch preparations.

Barring weather or other unforeseen problems, the 24-storey-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 3:22 pm EDT, propelling astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken aloft on a 19-hour ride to the International Space Station.

They will be carried there inside the newly designed Crew Dragon capsule, making its first flight into orbit with humans aboard.

The launch pad is the same one used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

For Musk, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. And it would mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles -- owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA -- have carried Americans into orbit.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle programme.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center three days ago for the first launch attempt. Trump said he plans to return for Saturday's retry.

If the mission is scrubbed again, the next launch window would be Sunday afternoon, with weather forecasts appearing somewhat more favourable for that day.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. The mission's first launch try on Wednesday was called off with less than 17 minutes remaining on the countdown clock due to stormy weather around the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The second try would be undertaken on Saturday (US time). The forecast for Saturday is likewise precarious. Mission managers plan to make an earlier decision on weather hazards in a bid to avoid unnecessarily wearing out the crew with another suit-up and full day of launch preparations. Barring weather or other unforeseen problems, the 24-storey-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 3:22 pm EDT, propelling astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken aloft on a 19-hour ride to the International Space Station. They will be carried there inside the newly designed Crew Dragon capsule, making its first flight into orbit with humans aboard. The launch pad is the same one used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. For Musk, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. And it would mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles -- owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA -- have carried Americans into orbit. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle programme. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center three days ago for the first launch attempt. Trump said he plans to return for Saturday's retry. If the mission is scrubbed again, the next launch window would be Sunday afternoon, with weather forecasts appearing somewhat more favourable for that day. (with inputs from Reuters)

NASA, SpaceX to try again for landmark launch of two astronauts from Florida

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station. Just before liftoff, Hurley said, “SpaceX, we’re going for launch. Let’s light this candle,” paraphrasing the famous comment uttered on the launch pad in 1961 by Alan Shepard, the first American flown into space. Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic. High above the Earth, the Crew Dragon jettisoned moments later from the second-stage rocket, sending the capsule on its way to the space station. The exhilarating spectacle of the rocket soaring flawlessly into the heavens came as a welcome triumph for a nation gripped by racially-charged civil unrest as well as ongoing fear and economic upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic. The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. “It's incredible, the power, the technology,” said U.S. President Donald Trump, who was at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida for the launch. “That was a beautiful sight to see.” The mission's first launch attempt on Wednesday was called off with less than 17 minutes remaining on the countdown clock. Weather again threatened Saturday's launch, but cleared in time to proceed with the mission. Spaceflight milestones NASA chief Jim Bridenstine has said resuming launches of American astronauts on American-made rockets from US soil is the space agency's top priority. "I'm breathing a sigh of relief, but I will also tell you I'm not gonna celebrate until Bob and Doug are home safely." Bridenstine said. For Musk, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and more frequent. And it marks the first time commercially developed space vehicles - owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA - have carried Americans into orbit. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle program. Musk, the South African-born high-tech entrepreneur who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is also chief executive of electric carmaker and battery manufacturer Tesla Inc. He founded Hawthorne, California-based SpaceX, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies, in 2002. Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several weeks, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory. Boeing Co, producing its own launch system in competition with SpaceX, is expected to fly its CST-100 Starliner vehicle with astronauts aboard for the first time next year. NASA has awarded nearly $8 billion combined to SpaceX and Boeing for development of their rival rockets. Trump also hailed the launch as a major advance toward the goal of eventually sending humans to Mars. He was joined at the viewing by Musk, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Florida congressman Matt Gaetz and Senator Rick Scott. Earlier on Saturday, the crew bid goodbye to their families. Prior to climbing into a specially designed Tesla automobile for the ride to the launch site, Behnken told his young son, "Be good for mom. Make her life easy.” During the drive, Behnken and Hurley passed former astronaut Garrett Reisman who held a sign saying, "Take me with you."

NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added.

After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. &nbsp;

Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch.&nbsp;

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Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" <a href="https://t.co/OKu4JF5i0M">pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M</a>
— Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) <a href="https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1267000614002683906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“The trampoline is working” <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1266866641704534021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin?
— Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) <a href="https://twitter.com/deAlvadorec/status/1266653331080036352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react.

"We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter.&nbsp;

"What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added.

While Sergey Krikalev,&nbsp;&nbsp;Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch.&nbsp;

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Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft <a href="https://t.co/25pDIdIXLe">pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1266821703478411265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline". After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added. After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch. Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" @elonmusk 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M — Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) May 31, 2020 × “The trampoline is working” @elonmusk joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂 — Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) May 30, 2020 × How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin? — Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) May 30, 2020 × After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react. "We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter. "What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added. While Sergey Krikalev, Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch. Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) May 30, 2020 ×

'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top.

<img alt="SpaceX" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e7bf39c-1f85-4d95-907f-f05790c4ee61" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3500%20%281%29.jpg" />

A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries.&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;did not&nbsp;respond to a request for comment.

Previously,&nbsp;SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-crewed-mission-postponed-as-historic-launch-hit-by-bad-weather-301435">SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather</a>

Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable.

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A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASpaceflight</a> <a href="https://t.co/dqnQv1lqBV">pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV</a>
— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) <a href="https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1266444972573818881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals.

SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award.

The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time. The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top. A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters) A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. Previously, SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable. A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV — Joey Roulette (@joroulette) May 29, 2020 × The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals. SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award. The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

SpaceX's Starship rocket prototype explodes during test

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-and-spacex-brace-themselves-for-a-historic-launch-301086">NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!</a>

The NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were strapped in their Crew Dragon capsule and the launchpad platform retracted and rocket fueling underway when launch director Mike Taylor announced, "Unfortunately, we are not going to launch today."&nbsp;

According to officials, lightning and other factors were the reasons for the cancelled launch.&nbsp;

SpaceX will try to re-launch Falcon 9 on Saturday. If they get successful they not only launch the first crewed mission from US soil in almost a decade but also become the privately-owned company to achieve this feat.&nbsp;

Earlier, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission.

US President Donald Trump, who had come to witness the launch, had to head back to the White House after the launch was called off.&nbsp;

The rocket was set to be launched on &nbsp;4:33 pm (2033 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates lifted off from the same spot on their historic journey to the Moon.

The mission is taking place amid coronavirus pandemic so the crew has been quarantined for the past two weeks.&nbsp;

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch! The NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were strapped in their Crew Dragon capsule and the launchpad platform retracted and rocket fueling underway when launch director Mike Taylor announced, "Unfortunately, we are not going to launch today." According to officials, lightning and other factors were the reasons for the cancelled launch. SpaceX will try to re-launch Falcon 9 on Saturday. If they get successful they not only launch the first crewed mission from US soil in almost a decade but also become the privately-owned company to achieve this feat. Earlier, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission. US President Donald Trump, who had come to witness the launch, had to head back to the White House after the launch was called off. The rocket was set to be launched on 4:33 pm (2033 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates lifted off from the same spot on their historic journey to the Moon. The mission is taking place amid coronavirus pandemic so the crew has been quarantined for the past two weeks.

SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather

America's international space organization NASA has revealed new information on how planets were formed.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-expecting-applications-to-further-expeditions-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyond-280296">Also Read:&nbsp;Need some space? NASA has got the job for you</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/record-breaking-us-astronaut-christina-koch-returns-to-earth-after-328-days-279063">NASA</a> said a spacecraft flew past the Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth in January last year which showed "icy remnants of solar system formation in the vast region beyond the orbit of Neptune."

“Arrokoth is the most distant, most primitive and most pristine object ever explored by spacecraft, so we knew it would have a unique story to tell,” NASA's Alan Stern said, adding," It’s teaching us how planetesimals formed, and we believe the result marks a significant advance in understanding overall planetesimal and planet formation.”

Remarkably, NASA showed a doughnut-shaped image as&nbsp;Arrokoth had two connected lobes, a smooth surface and a uniform composition, indicating it was likely pristine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/science-trending-nasa-telescope-nasa-bids-farewell-to-iconic-spitzer-space-telescope-277732">Also Read: NASA bids farewell to iconic Spitzer Space Telescope&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;

“This is truly an exciting find for what is already a very successful and history-making mission,” said Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division.

After New Horizons spacecraft took the pictures, NASA scientists brought out a picture to show Arrokoth would have formed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“Just as fossils tell us how species evolved on Earth, planetesimals tell us how planets formed in space,” said William McKinnon, a New Horizons co-investigator, adding,"Arrokoth looks the way it does not because it formed through violent collisions, but in more of an intricate dance, in which its component objects slowly orbited each other before coming together."

"The uniform colour and composition of Arrokoth’s surface shows the KBO formed from nearby material, as local cloud collapse models predict, rather than a mishmash of matter from more separated parts of the nebula,"&nbsp;the space agency said.

NASA said the Arrokoth's smooth surface indicated it was well preserved since the end of the planet formation era. The agency informed that New Horizons continues to carry out more observations of additional Kuiper Belt objects and is now 7.1 billion kilometres&nbsp;from Earth and speeding deeper into the Kuiper Belt at nearly 50,400 kilometres per hour.

America's international space organization NASA has revealed new information on how planets were formed. Also Read: Need some space? NASA has got the job for you NASA said a spacecraft flew past the Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth in January last year which showed "icy remnants of solar system formation in the vast region beyond the orbit of Neptune.

America's international space organization NASA has revealed new information on how planets were formed. Also Read: Need some space? NASA has got the job for you NASA said a spacecraft flew past the Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth in January last year which showed "icy remnants of solar system formation in the vast region beyond the orbit of Neptune." “Arrokoth is the most distant, most primitive and most pristine object ever explored by spacecraft, so we knew it would have a unique story to tell,” NASA's Alan Stern said, adding," It’s teaching us how planetesimals formed, and we believe the result marks a significant advance in understanding overall planetesimal and planet formation.” Remarkably, NASA showed a doughnut-shaped image as Arrokoth had two connected lobes, a smooth surface and a uniform composition, indicating it was likely pristine. Also Read: NASA bids farewell to iconic Spitzer Space Telescope “This is truly an exciting find for what is already a very successful and history-making mission,” said Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division. After New Horizons spacecraft took the pictures, NASA scientists brought out a picture to show Arrokoth would have formed. “Just as fossils tell us how species evolved on Earth, planetesimals tell us how planets formed in space,” said William McKinnon, a New Horizons co-investigator, adding,"Arrokoth looks the way it does not because it formed through violent collisions, but in more of an intricate dance, in which its component objects slowly orbited each other before coming together." "The uniform colour and composition of Arrokoth’s surface shows the KBO formed from nearby material, as local cloud collapse models predict, rather than a mishmash of matter from more separated parts of the nebula," the space agency said. NASA said the Arrokoth's smooth surface indicated it was well preserved since the end of the planet formation era. The agency informed that New Horizons continues to carry out more observations of additional Kuiper Belt objects and is now 7.1 billion kilometres from Earth and speeding deeper into the Kuiper Belt at nearly 50,400 kilometres per hour.

Doughnut in space: NASA unveils most distant object ever visited

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2.

This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets.

ISS is currently housing two Russians and one other American.&nbsp;

The Takeoff:&nbsp;

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken and its Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 4:33 PM&nbsp;EDT (2033 GMT) on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pad 39A is the same launchpad that was used by NASA’s last space shuttle mission in 2011. 
 
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NASA will have input throughout the countdown, but in the end, it will be SpaceX giving the final go&nbsp;with NASA's concurrence. NASA will stream the launch live on its website, YouTube and other platforms. 
 
Crew Dragon will catch up with the station on Thursday at an altitude of 400 kilometers.

What is SpaceX?

SpaceX is the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent.&nbsp;

SpaceX made history in 2012 when it became the first private entity to dock a cargo capsule to the ISS. If Crew Dragon mission, baptized Demo-2, is successful SpaceX will be the first private company ever to deliver astronauts to the ISS.

Who are the Astronauts?

Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are the astronauts who will be aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule when it launches on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several months, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory.

Behnken and Hurley have been in strict quarantine since May 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they said their actual isolation began as far back as mid-March. 
 
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Behnken and Hurley have been training for five years on the Crew Dragon capsule, which features touchscreens as opposed to the switches and buttons of the Apollo capsules of the 1960s.

At the end of the mission, Crew Dragon will splashdown in the ocean like the Apollo capsules did. 
 
President Trump&nbsp;to Attend the Launch

President Donald Trump will become&nbsp;the third US leader to watch the take-off of a human space flight in person, after Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.&nbsp;

President Trump is&nbsp;trying to reaffirm American domination of space. He has ordered NASA to return to the moon by 2024 and to prepare missions to Mars,&nbsp;an unlikely timetable but one that has given the storied space agency a boost. 
 
Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch.&nbsp;

Why Is The Mission Important to NASA and the US?

A successful mission would achieve NASA's&nbsp;top priority&nbsp;of resuming launches of “American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.”&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f95b5023-8bd2-457d-9146-dfee1579dff5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/America.jpg" />

Mission's success is a point of national pride for the United States, which has depended on Russian rockets to reach space since its last crewed flight in 2011. If all goes well, the Crew Dragon could then begin regular flights from the United States to the ISS. 
 
Public-Private Partnership

The mission would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles, owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA, have carried Americans into orbit.

NASA has awarded contracts worth 3.1 billion dollars to SpaceX and 4.9 billion dollars to Boeing in a bid to give the US independent access to space once again.

SpaceX and Boeing are being called upon to carry out six crewed voyages each to the ISS over the next few years. 
 
(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2. This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets.

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2. This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets. ISS is currently housing two Russians and one other American. The Takeoff: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken and its Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 4:33 PM EDT (2033 GMT) on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pad 39A is the same launchpad that was used by NASA’s last space shuttle mission in 2011. NASA will have input throughout the countdown, but in the end, it will be SpaceX giving the final go with NASA's concurrence. NASA will stream the launch live on its website, YouTube and other platforms. Crew Dragon will catch up with the station on Thursday at an altitude of 400 kilometers. What is SpaceX? SpaceX is the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. SpaceX made history in 2012 when it became the first private entity to dock a cargo capsule to the ISS. If Crew Dragon mission, baptized Demo-2, is successful SpaceX will be the first private company ever to deliver astronauts to the ISS. Who are the Astronauts? Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are the astronauts who will be aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule when it launches on Wednesday. Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several months, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory. Behnken and Hurley have been in strict quarantine since May 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they said their actual isolation began as far back as mid-March. Behnken and Hurley have been training for five years on the Crew Dragon capsule, which features touchscreens as opposed to the switches and buttons of the Apollo capsules of the 1960s. At the end of the mission, Crew Dragon will splashdown in the ocean like the Apollo capsules did. President Trump to Attend the Launch President Donald Trump will become the third US leader to watch the take-off of a human space flight in person, after Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. President Trump is trying to reaffirm American domination of space. He has ordered NASA to return to the moon by 2024 and to prepare missions to Mars, an unlikely timetable but one that has given the storied space agency a boost. Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch. Why Is The Mission Important to NASA and the US? A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority of resuming launches of “American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.” Mission's success is a point of national pride for the United States, which has depended on Russian rockets to reach space since its last crewed flight in 2011. If all goes well, the Crew Dragon could then begin regular flights from the United States to the ISS. Public-Private Partnership The mission would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles, owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA, have carried Americans into orbit. NASA has awarded contracts worth 3.1 billion dollars to SpaceX and 4.9 billion dollars to Boeing in a bid to give the US independent access to space once again. SpaceX and Boeing are being called upon to carry out six crewed voyages each to the ISS over the next few years. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

SpaceX set for historic launch with NASA's astronauts on board: All you need to know

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was due to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center at 4:33 p.m. EDT (2033 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

They were to blast off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were scheduled to visit Florida's Cape Canaveral to view the launch in person.

Prospects for an on-time liftoff hinged on the weather, with forecasters late on Monday citing a 40% chance that storms over eastern Florida could force a postponement. If that happens, the next launch window would be Saturday afternoon.

A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority, as articulated by agency chief Jim Bridenstine, of resuming launches of "American astronauts on American rockets from American soil." Over the past nine years, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

For Musk, Thursday's launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. It would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles - owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA - have carried Americans into orbit.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle program. 
Musk, the South African-born high-tech entrepreneur who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is also the CEO of electric carmaker and battery manufacturer Tesla Inc.

Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several weeks, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory.

Aerospace giant Boeing Co, producing its own space launch vehicles in competition with SpaceX for NASA business, is expected to launch its CST-100 Starliner vehicle with astronauts aboard for the first time next year.

NASA has awarded nearly $8 billion to SpaceX and Boeing combined for development of the rival space launch systems. 
Bridenstine declared the manned SpaceX flight a "go" last week after NASA and the company convened for final engineering checks.

The Hawthorne, California-based rocket company, founded by Musk in 2002 and formerly known as Space Exploration Technologies, has never previously flown humans into orbit, only cargo.

SpaceX successfully tested Crew Dragon without astronauts last year in its first orbital mission to the space station, but that vehicle was destroyed the following month during a ground test when a valve for its in-flight abort system failed, causing an explosion. The ensuing nine-month investigation ended in January.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was due to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center at 4:33 p.m. EDT (2033 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. They were to blast off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were scheduled to visit Florida's Cape Canaveral to view the launch in person. Prospects for an on-time liftoff hinged on the weather, with forecasters late on Monday citing a 40% chance that storms over eastern Florida could force a postponement. If that happens, the next launch window would be Saturday afternoon. A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority, as articulated by agency chief Jim Bridenstine, of resuming launches of "American astronauts on American rockets from American soil." Over the past nine years, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. For Musk, Thursday's launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. It would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles - owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA - have carried Americans into orbit. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle program. Musk, the South African-born high-tech entrepreneur who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is also the CEO of electric carmaker and battery manufacturer Tesla Inc. Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several weeks, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory. Aerospace giant Boeing Co, producing its own space launch vehicles in competition with SpaceX for NASA business, is expected to launch its CST-100 Starliner vehicle with astronauts aboard for the first time next year. NASA has awarded nearly $8 billion to SpaceX and Boeing combined for development of the rival space launch systems. Bridenstine declared the manned SpaceX flight a "go" last week after NASA and the company convened for final engineering checks. The Hawthorne, California-based rocket company, founded by Musk in 2002 and formerly known as Space Exploration Technologies, has never previously flown humans into orbit, only cargo. SpaceX successfully tested Crew Dragon without astronauts last year in its first orbital mission to the space station, but that vehicle was destroyed the following month during a ground test when a valve for its in-flight abort system failed, causing an explosion. The ensuing nine-month investigation ended in January.

NASA set to resume human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts.&nbsp;

It will be the first since 2011 that the American astronauts on an American rocket will launch on American soil. The mission will be called Demo-2.&nbsp;

According to the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission.&nbsp;

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SpaceX and <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities with <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> ahead of Crew Demo-2 <a href="https://t.co/n3B2BBBmnq">pic.twitter.com/n3B2BBBmnq</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1264332725844013056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon will lift off from Launch Complex 39A – the same place Saturn V launched humanity to the Moon and from where the first and final Space Shuttle missions lifted off <a href="https://t.co/wOSsbCRqi7">pic.twitter.com/wOSsbCRqi7</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1265060787288043520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Both NASA and SpaceX have shown a green signal for the launch.&nbsp;

Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will take place on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week.

This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold. The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch.&nbsp;

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will arrive at the ISS, 24 hours after the launch.&nbsp;

Pictures of them in the spacesuit was posted by SpaceX on Instagram. Suit's sleek design left the netizens in awe.&nbsp;

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts.

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts. It will be the first since 2011 that the American astronauts on an American rocket will launch on American soil. The mission will be called Demo-2. According to the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission. SpaceX and @NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities with @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug ahead of Crew Demo-2 pic.twitter.com/n3B2BBBmnq — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 23, 2020 × Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon will lift off from Launch Complex 39A – the same place Saturn V launched humanity to the Moon and from where the first and final Space Shuttle missions lifted off pic.twitter.com/wOSsbCRqi7 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 25, 2020 × Both NASA and SpaceX have shown a green signal for the launch. Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will take place on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center. President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week. This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold. The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station. Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will arrive at the ISS, 24 hours after the launch. Pictures of them in the spacesuit was posted by SpaceX on Instagram. Suit's sleek design left the netizens in awe.

NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!

NASA is inviting applications for a programme where it'll pay volunteers for spending eight months in isolation.

A six-member crew will be kept in an environment designed to mimic the conditions of potential future Moon and Mars missions, in Russia's capital Moscow.

<img alt="NASA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fddff6c-644b-45e0-ac21-8f7d599d9b2d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/200521153053-02-nasa-isolation-mission-exlarge-169.jpg" /> 
The mission facility in Moscow

NASA is looking for healthy individuals between the ages of 30 and 55 who are fluent in both English and Russian.

They must also have a M.S., PhD., M.D. or have completed military officer training. NASA will consider other participants with a bachelor's degree and other qualifications such as military or professional experience.

Participants will be compensated, and there are varying levels of pay depending on whether you're associated with NASA.

It aims to learn about the physiological and psychological effects of isolation and confinement on humans during long-duration missions.

This study builds on a four-month study&nbsp;conducted in 2019.

The SIRIUS-19 analog mission had six participants, two Americans and four Russians, isolated in a metal habitat that acted as their spacecraft, lunar lander and home.

NASA hopes to better understand how long spaceflight journeys and extended exposure to isolation and confinement will affect astronauts on upcoming Artemis missions and eventual trips to Mars.

Artemis is NASA's program to land humans back on the Moon by 2024 in preparation for an eventual trip to Mars.

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NASA is inviting applications for a programme where it'll pay volunteers for spending eight months in isolation. A six-member crew will be kept in an environment designed to mimic the conditions of potential future Moon and Mars missions, in Russia's capital Moscow.

NASA is inviting applications for a programme where it'll pay volunteers for spending eight months in isolation. A six-member crew will be kept in an environment designed to mimic the conditions of potential future Moon and Mars missions, in Russia's capital Moscow. The mission facility in Moscow NASA is looking for healthy individuals between the ages of 30 and 55 who are fluent in both English and Russian. They must also have a M.S., PhD., M.D. or have completed military officer training. NASA will consider other participants with a bachelor's degree and other qualifications such as military or professional experience. Participants will be compensated, and there are varying levels of pay depending on whether you're associated with NASA. It aims to learn about the physiological and psychological effects of isolation and confinement on humans during long-duration missions. This study builds on a four-month study conducted in 2019. The SIRIUS-19 analog mission had six participants, two Americans and four Russians, isolated in a metal habitat that acted as their spacecraft, lunar lander and home. NASA hopes to better understand how long spaceflight journeys and extended exposure to isolation and confinement will affect astronauts on upcoming Artemis missions and eventual trips to Mars. Artemis is NASA's program to land humans back on the Moon by 2024 in preparation for an eventual trip to Mars.

NASA seeking volunteers for paid isolation during 'fake' Mars mission

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